Frequently Asked Questions
Planning
The GoldStar Dome cars are newer cars on the train, and the only ones with the upper level outdoor viewing platform and all-inclusive meals, but the Wilderness Express and McKinley Explorer are very similar and quite nice as well. Often which service you choose will depend on your preferences, schedule, and budget.
Yes. Some of the most popular train day trips include traveling from Anchorage to Seward for a day cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park, traveling from Anchorage to Whittier for a glacier cruise in Prince William Sound or Spencer Glacier for a guided kayak, or Anchorage to Talkeetna to go flightseeing around Denali.
Absolutely. Many people use the railroad as a cruise transfer to get to or from their ship in Whittier or Seward. Others take the train to Talkeetna, Denali Park, and as far as Fairbanks on a pre- or post-cruise land tour. Give us a call if we can help with booking your cruise or complete train vacation package.
Yes, taking the train is a popular cruise transfer option.
Not directly and not in the same day. Both Denali and Seward are served by the Alaska Railroad, but by separate trains that require an overnight in Anchorage. You can travel from Denali Park to Seward in the same day on the Park Connection Motorcoach.
Not directly and not in the same day. Both Whittier and Seward are served by the Alaska Railroad, but by separate trains that originate in Anchorage. You can travel between Whittier and Seward in the same day on the Park Connection Motorcoach.
Only service animals are allowed in passenger rail cars. Pets may be transported in a kennel in the baggage car for an additional fee of $20 per kennel (subject to change).
Yes. There are wheelchair ramps at all boarding locations. The GoldStar Dome and private dome cars have an elevator to the second level dome.
No. One of our most common questions we get is whether you can take the railroad to Alaska from Vancouver Canada, Washington State, or other locations in the contiguous United States. Unfortunately, no such rail line exists. Most travelers get to Alaska by car, cruise, ferry, or plane.
This is really a matter of personal preference. The train is great for taking in the scenery, visiting places not on the highway system, socializing with your travel companions as you walk around the rail car, and enjoying a beverage or a meal on the way. The bus is a good practical choice, as it’s both faster and cheaper than going by train. We usually recommend combining the two, for example taking the train in one direction and the bus in the other. Rental cars are a great option if you want to get off the beaten path or travel at your own pace. Check out more advice on how to choose.
The Denali Star, Coastal Classic, and Glacier Discovery trains operate from mid-May to mid-September. See the current schedule.
It depends. Your destination often determines what options are available. Adventure Class is the only option to Whittier, while the GoldStar Dome is the only reserved dome car that travels to Seward. If your budget is tight, look at Adventure Class. For the best value, consider the Wilderness Express. For that first class experience, check out the GoldStar Dome. The Gold Star upper level viewing platform really is a big deal, especially if you are an avid photographer, and the all-inclusive meals with a couple of free drinks aren’t bad either. The unique schedule of the McKinley Explorer is worth a look if you are traveling in either direction between Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali Park. Lastly, don’t forget about the bus. Depending on your itinerary, you can usually save time, money, and see additional scenery by taking the motorcoach one way. Check out more details.
Both are classes of service on the Alaska Railroad. The Adventure Class is the railroad’s “standard” or “coach” service available on all routes. The GoldStar service is their upgraded dome service available on the Denali Star and Coastal Classic.
After traveling from Anchorage to Whittier, the Glacier Discovery train continues to Spencer Glacier and Grandview Valley for a midday sightseeing run. Passengers can disembark at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop for an optional tour, or continue their train ride to Grandview where the train stops and returns along the same route.
We recommend that you allow at least four hours after your scheduled rail arrival time before flying out of Anchorage or Fairbanks. Delays can happen, which is why we highly recommend you purchase travel insurance.
You can find a map of the Alaska Railroad here.
The primary routes for the Alaska Railroad are the Coastal Classic between Anchorage and Seward, the Glacier Discovery between Anchorage and Whittier, and the Denali Star with service to Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali Park, and Fairbanks. Other destinations include Girdwood, Wasilla, Portage, Spencer Glacier, and Grandview as well as flag stop service on the special Hurricane Turn train.
Well, that’s a tough call. For most people it usually comes down to either the Denali Star route between Anchorage and Denali National Park or the Coastal Classic route between Anchorage and Seward. Our bottom-line advice? Do both!
Reservations
Yes. Infants under the age of two ride for free as long as they ride on lap of an adult on the train. Children age 2 to 11 are generally half off the adult fare on the Wilderness Express and Park Connection Motorcoach. On the Park Connection infants are charged the child rate. See rates.
Yes, on the Wilderness Express. See our rate page for details.
If you purchase our Worry-Free Cancellation Waiver you can change or cancel your reservation up until 31 days prior to travel without a fee or penalty. See complete details on change or cancellation fees here.
If you are taking a cruise to or from Seward or Whittier you can book scheduled Alaska Railroad train service between those docks and Anchorage. Some cruise lines offer alternative service on chartered trains which must be purchased through the cruise line.
Easy. Just click Book Now wherever you see it or give us a call at 800-266-8625.
Reservations for the coming year open in October of the following year (for example, we opened 2026 train reservations in October 2025). We recommend booking as soon as your plans firm up, especially if you’re interested in the GoldStar Dome. If you book on AlaskaTrain.com you can pay a deposit as low as 10% and change or cancel your reservation up until 31 days prior to travel without a fee or penalty with purchase of our Worry-Free Cancellation Waiver.
Our parent company Alaska Tour & Travel books complete Alaska train vacation packages including rail, lodging, and activities. When you book train tickets here, you’ll be directed to AlaskaTravel.com to finalize your reservation and add any additional services you like.
Getting Ready
Hotels in Seward, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks may offer shuttles to and from the train depot. Taxis and rideshare services are available in Anchorage and Fairbanks to take passengers between the airport and train depot. Transportation will vary by destination.
The Alaska Railroad asks that passengers check in one hour prior to departure in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Passengers on the McKinley Explorer or Wilderness Express, as well as all passengers departing from Talkeetna, Whittier, or Seward should arrive 45 minutes before departure.
You are allowed two checked bags plus one carry on. Dimensions and weight restrictions are similar to the airlines. The fee for excess or oversized baggage is $20 per item (subject to change). Carry on space is more limited in the GoldStar and private domes compared to Adventure Class.
Passengers 18 and older need a government issued photo ID like a state issued driver’s license or passport.
Onboard
Yes, your party will be assigned seats by the rail service prior to departure. When you check in on the day of departure, you’ll receive tickets with your assigned seat. Often on the Adventure Class there will be extra seats and generally you are free to move around.
Some meals are included with the Alaska Railroad GoldStar Dome Service. Other classes of service offer meals for purchase. Check out all dining options.
Absolutely, read about dining options here.
Yes, weather permitting of course. Some of the best views of Denali are available off the west side of the train just north and south of Talkeetna.
Yes. Adventure Class, GoldStar Dome, and Wilderness Express seats all face forward. In some cases McKinley Explorer seats face backwards, read more about this here.
Generally, GoldStar and private dome cars offer outdoor viewing platforms while Adventure Class has small vestibules that still allow open air access while the train is in motion.
On all classes of service it is customary to tip food and beverage staff as you would in any other restaurant. On the Wilderness Express and McKinley Explorer, a $3 to $5 gratuity for the host guide per passenger is typical. The student host guides on Alaska Railroad Adventure Class and GoldStar dome are not allowed to accept gratuities.
All classes of service are cashless. Most major credit and debit cards are accepted.
There is no smoking on any part of the Alaska Railroad, Wilderness Express, or McKinley Explorer including the outdoor viewing platforms.
A camera, medications, government issued photo ID, credit or debit card, perhaps a game or book. You can bring a snack and refillable bottle of water if you like. It is a good idea to dress in layers. The temperature can vary depending on the weather and your car’s particular heating and cool systems. It can also be a bit cooler on the viewing platforms.
The scenery is spectacular on both sides of the train. On a clear day, views of Denali will be off the west side of the train on the Denali Star, or the left side of the train, as you head north from Anchorage. Heading south from Anchorage to Seward on the Coastal Classic, the scenic Turnagain Arm will be off to the right, however further in the trip the stunning views of Spencer Glacier and Grandview will be on your left. You really can’t go wrong.
Passengers in the GoldStar Dome, Wilderness Express, and McKinley Explorer will have a reserved seat in their dome car. Passengers in Adventure Class typically have reserved lower level seating and access to the dome view car on a shared rotating basis. Passengers are asked to limit their time in the shared dome to 20 minutes, but often it is not busy and you can stay longer.
Of course there are no guarantees but seeing wildlife from the train is common. Moose and bald eagles are more common on all three routes while the black bears are sometime seen as well. South of Anchorage on the Glacier Discovery or Coastal Classic be on the lookout for Dall sheep and the occasional beluga whale.
Yes. On the Alaska Railroad Adventure Class and GoldStar Dome there are a couple host guides on board, not one per car. They point out highlights over the PA system and walk throughout the cars answering questions and visiting with passengers. They are part of a joint program with the railroad and local high schools that train students to be host guides. On the McKinley Explorer and Wilderness Express each car has its own host guide and they do give tour commentary during the trip over a PA system.
General
Yes, but it the schedule is limited. You can ride Anchorage to Fairbanks on Saturdays and Fairbanks to Anchorage on Sundays. See more details here. The railroad also runs a once-a-month flag stop train from Anchorage to Hurricane during the winter, along with special event trains, and of course freight trains.
Both refer to the tallest mountain in North America, which is located inside Denali National Park. The federally recognized name has flip flopped over the years between Mt. McKinley and Denali. On this site we call it Denali, which means “the great one” in the Athabascan dialect. Learn more about the name game.
Think casual clothes, warm layers, rain jacket, and dependable footwear. Don’t forget essentials like your camera, medications, and government issued photo ID. Check out our full Alaska packing list.
In one word: Unpredictable. Along the railbelt summer temperatures can range from the 50s to the 90s. Fairbanks is generally the hottest rail destination while Whittier and Seward can be cooler and get more rain. Early and late seasons can be cooler as well. Learn more about our unpredictable weather.
The major Alaska Railroad routes start mid-May and run to mid-September. There are travel deals to be had in the shoulder seasons, but the weather can a bit more unpredictable. By traveling in late May or early June you can often miss some of the crowds as Alaska tends to be at its busiest from mid June through August. August can be rainier at times and fall colors appear mid-August to mid-September. Learn more the best month to travel.
The Alaska Railroad has gift shops in the Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks depots. Limited merchandise is available onboard the Alaska Railroad and private domes. The Alaska Railroad also operates an online gift shop.
Try the Alaska Railroad online gift shop.
For in depth information on Alaska rail history, locomotives and all things Alaska Railroad, check out John Combs’ Alaska railfan site.
