This 500-mile Railroad Goes to National Parks, Glaciers, and Some of the Best Northern Lights Destinations in the U.S.

If anyone tells you the only efficient, memorable train rides are in Europe, then they’ve never boarded the Alaska Railroad. With its main line stretching nearly 500 miles from Seward to Fairbanks, this scenic, historic method of transportation is one of the best ways to both get around Alaska and see the beauty of its backcountry; you may even spot a moose or bear along the way.

Although the railroad, which dates back to the early 1900s, operates year-round, its main season starts in mid-May and wraps up in mid-September. This time of year, travelers from around the world make their way to the Anchorage hub to experience two of the railroad’s most famous routes: the Denali Star and the Coastal Classic. The former is considered Alaska Railroad’s flagship route and brings passengers all the way north to Denali National Park and Preserve, covering a total of 356 miles. The latter is shorter, just over 100 miles from end to end, but it’s still rich in jaw-dropping views—especially if you book the GoldStar Service. In this class, you’ll ride in a glass-domed railcar and have access to an outdoor viewing platform (where you can take photos without any glare from the windows).

On a recent trip to Kenai Fjords National Park, I boarded the Coastal Classic in Anchorage, armed with a fully charged phone and camera. After checking my suitcase at the station—it would be promptly delivered to my hotel in Seward—I settled into my window seat without realizing just how many incredible sights were in my future, from the turquoise waters of Kenai Lake to glaciers, mountains, and waterfalls.

While I didn’t have much time in my itinerary to explore along the route, Alana Nerup, the manager of onboard services at the Alaska Railroad, suggests approaching your trip with a bit of flexibility. “I recommend visiting as many small towns across the Alaska Railbelt as possible… and plan to stay at least one night at each destination to really immerse yourself in unique local highlights,” she says.

No matter how many travel days you have—or which route you take—she has one other piece of advice: “Hours of daylight and weather can change between 470 miles of our tracks, so bring plenty of warm and cool layers, and prepare for the elements.”

Routes and Schedules

The Alaska Railroad has five main routes—and each offers a different, but equally memorable, experience.

Coastal Classic

“Our Coastal Classic train has breathtaking ocean and mountain views with the best timing for animal sightings early in the morning and late at night,” says Nerup. “Alaska ‘sunsets’ are beautiful in late August and September!” The train leaves Anchorage at 6:45 a.m., stops in Girdwood (where you’ll find Alyeska Resort), and pulls into Seward, where visitors often hike to Exit Glacier or go on a wildlife cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, at 11:20 a.m. The service is offered daily from mid-May through mid-September.

Denali Star

Only available in the summer months, the Denali Star train leaves from Anchorage at 8:20 a.m. and arrives in Fairbanks 12 hours later. Along the way, it crosses glacial rivers and winds through boreal forests, stopping in Wasilla, Talkeetna (the “Gateway to Denali”), and Denali National Park and Preserve. “If you are looking for photo ops or access to Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, and up to 350 miles of diverse and rugged landscapes, then the Denali Star is for you,” says Nerup.

She also notes that both the Denali Star and the Hurricane Turn trails will cross the Indian River (milepost 269) and head over the Hurricane Gulch Bridge (milepost 284). “The bridge is the highest and longest bridge on our route at 296 feet high and 914 feet across! This spot is literally breathtaking, and our conductors like to travel really slow over the bridge so guests can savor this stunning moment,” she says.

Glacier Discovery

“The Glacier Discovery train takes you up close and personal to breathtaking glacier views and is a great commuter-style train ride to other adventures like hiking, rafting, or remote camping,” explains Nerup. While the Glacier Discovery and Coastal Classic trains share much of the same route, the Glacier Discovery departs the main line and travels to the port town of Whittier and turns around in Grandview. “On the Coastal Classic and Glacier Discovery trains, mileposts 47 to 50 have abundant glaciers, tunnels, waterfalls, wildflowers, and chances to see black bears! It is truly a magical part of our Railbelt,” she says. The full route is offered from the end of May through mid-September.

Hurricane Turn

“A local’s secret is the Hurricane Turn train—a rare flagstop train that caters to locals (and visitors who like seeing the off-grid lifestyle) heading in and out of town for supplies year-round,” says Nerup. “This route is great for getting to know the true Alaskan experience from the locals who know it best!” A flagstop train is one where passengers can board or alight at any point by waving a flag, and the Hurricane Turn has two routes: winter and summer. From mid-May through mid-September, it operates between Talkeetna and Hurricane Gulch. In the winter, it runs on the first Thursday of each month, from October to May, between Anchorage and Hurricane Gulch.

Aurora Winter

As its name suggests, the Aurora Winter train only runs in the winter months—and it takes passengers to some of the best places to see the aurora borealis. Operating on weekends and select weekdays, it connects Anchorage and Fairbanks, stopping in Wasilla, Talkeetna, Healy, and Nenana. Flagstop service is also possible for 50 miles south of Hurricane Gulch. On both the Denali Star and the Aurora Winter trains, Nerups recommends keeping an eye out for the town of Nenana at milepost 412. “This is where the golden spike was driven in back in 1923 by President Warren Harding to signify the railroad’s completion,” she says.

Tickets and Reservations

The price of your Alaska Railroad ticket will vary by class, season, passenger age, and destination; tickets can be purchased online. There is an additional discount for active or retired military. Seniors 65 and older, Medicare cardholders, and passengers with certain disabilities also receive 50 percent off the ticket price for the Aurora Winter train.

When purchasing your ticket, you’ll want to read the description of the services closely. Some routes offer full dining services; others, like the Glacier Discovery and Hurricane Turn trains, only have the Adventure Class service. The Alaska Railroad also has various travel packages for those travelers interested in riding more than one route. While you’ll reserve your tickets ahead of time, you’ll need to check in at the station, government-issued photo ID in hand, to receive your boarding pass.

Classes of Service

The Alaska Railroad has two service classes: Adventure Class and GoldStar Service. They both feature forward-facing, semi-reclining seats, but there are a few stark differences between the experiences (and the GoldStar Service is only available on the Coastal Classic and Denali Star trains).

If you’re riding in one of the bi-level, glass-domed GoldStar railcars, always positioned toward the front of the train, you’re in for a real treat. The panoramic views from the windows and glass-dome ceilings are second to none, and the outdoor, upper-level viewing platform is the perfect spot to take scenic photos and get some fresh air. All passengers in this class are seated on the second level, and the full-service dining room, where you’ll enjoy the meals included in your fare, is located below. This premium ticket also includes all soft beverages as well as two alcoholic drinks.

Adventure Class passengers may not have the glass-dome ceilings to look out of, but there are still amazing views from the decent-sized picture windows. You’ll get a designated seat with your boarding pass, but you’re able to explore the other Adventure Class cars. Bring your own snacks, or purchase a meal in the GoldStar dining room if available (meal vouchers can be purchased at the depot ticket window). All routes, with the exception of the Hurricane Turn train, have some form of dining and bar service.

What to Expect

Your exact experience aboard the Alaska Railroad will be unique to the route and class you book, but there are a few aspects that will remain the same. For starters, there’s no Wi-Fi, and there are no plugs at your seat. Nerup notes that cell service is limited, so “plan ahead by downloading what you need for later,” adding that “airplane mode is recommended to save battery during any of your train trips.”

As far as a general packing list, she has a few specific recommendations. “Always have extra supplies like snacks, a water bottle, and optional clothing layers for adapting to our diverse weather and landscapes. Portable electronics chargers and charging banks are always good to have for any type of travel,” she says. A camera is nice to have, too.

Outside of the natural beauty, the standout feature of any Alaska Railroad journey is the tour guide program. “Our local Alaska Railroad High School Tour Guide Program allows us to recruit and train the elite young adults in our local school districts for summer jobs onboard our train,” says Nerup. “Passengers will be able to talk to educated, young, local staff members during their train ride, as well as hear them narrate and prepare onboard guests for historically rich and photo-worthy areas.” They’ll give you the heads up when a bear has been spotted, when a glacier is coming up, and when it’s time for Goldstar Service fare holders to make their way downstairs for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.