Glacier Discovery Route

Welcome Aboard the Glacier Discovery

Connecting Anchorage, Whittier, Spencer Glacier, and Grandview.

Destinations

Operating Dates

May 11 – September 14, 2026

Service Options

Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery Route

True to its name, it’s glaciers galore on the Glacier Discovery. The train departs Anchorage for Whittier each morning during the summer, returning from Whittier to Anchorage in the evening. During the middle of the day, the train heads back out of Whittier on a sightseeing trip to Spencer Glacier and Grandview.

Adventure Class is the only service on the Glacier Discovery. You’ll enjoy large viewing windows and comfortable reclining seats. The train typically has one locomotive, a baggage car, several Adventure Class coaches, a shared dome viewing car, and a cafe car. The train is wheelchair accessible and there are friendly host guides that provide commentary throughout the trip.

Meal service is more limited in comparison to the Denali Star or Coastal Classic routes, but there is a nice selection of grab ‘n go food and beverage for purchase.

Highlights on this vary depending on the itinerary, but nearly all travelers will experience the 50-mile scenic section along the Turnagain Arm from Anchorage to Portage. The Turnagain Arm has the largest tidal range in the United States and is bordered by mountains rising from the sea. The Whittier tunnel may not be a scenic wonder, but it is an impressive sight just the same. This one-lane, 2.5-mile tunnel is the second longest highway tunnel in North America, and shares alternating one-way traffic with both vehicles and trains.  If you travel up to Grandview, you will be treated to one of the most scenic sections of the Alaska Railroad, with glaciers, river gorges, tunnels, and panoramic views along the way.

The Glacier Discovery schedule allows for a day trip from Anchorage, with plenty of time in Whittier for a day cruise in Prince William Sound. You also have the option to disembark at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and take an optional tour like rafting or hiking.

The morning trip from Anchorage to Whittier is popular for passengers departing on multiday cruises to Vancouver. Northbound cruise passengers disembarking in Whittier have time for a day cruise before catching the train to Anchorage in the evening, but most passengers opt to depart earlier by motorcoach or other cruise line options.

Schedule & Fares Route Guide
Alaska train route map

Glacier Discovery Schedule & Fares

RouteDeparture TimeArrival TimePrice (Adult/Child)
Anchorage to Whittier9:45 AM12:05 PM$119/60
Whittier to Anchorage6:45 PM9:00 PM$119/60
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