The Alaska Railroad runs from Seward on the coast through Anchorage and Denali to Fairbanks. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to see the state. You get big windows, dome cars, and onboard guides, and you leave the driving to someone else.
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The main routes
From the Alaska Railroad:
- Denali Star (Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks): the flagship summer train, running daily from mid-May to mid-September. Anchorage to Denali takes most of a day, and many travelers ride one leg and drive or bus the other.
- Coastal Classic (Anchorage, Girdwood, Seward): runs daily in summer along Turnagain Arm and through backcountry with no road access. It connects well with Kenai Fjords cruises.
- Glacier Discovery (Anchorage, Girdwood, Whittier, Spencer Glacier, Grandview): a summer train serving Whittier boat tours and the roadless Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, where you can hike, raft, or camp near the glacier.
- Hurricane Turn (Talkeetna to Hurricane Gulch): one of the last flag-stop trains in the country. It serves cabin owners and backcountry users, and riders can flag it down along the line.
- Aurora Winter Train (Anchorage to Fairbanks): weekend service in the off-season, with a winter look at the same scenery.
Classes of service
Most summer trains offer Adventure Class, with large windows, a shared dome car, and a dining car. On the Denali Star and Coastal Classic, there’s also GoldStar Service, with a private glass-dome railcar, an outdoor viewing deck, and included meals and drinks. As a 2026 example from the railroad’s fares page, a one-way Anchorage–Denali adult fare was listed at about $205 in Adventure Class and about $393 in GoldStar. Prices change by season and route, and children’s fares are discounted. Book directly with the Alaska Railroad. For multi-day rail-and-hotel combinations, browse Anchorage-based tours.
Tips for riding
- Window views change sides throughout the trip. Dome cars and the GoldStar observation deck let you see both sides, and conductors announce highlights such as Turnagain Arm and Hurricane Gulch.
- On clear days, the Denali Star has views of the Alaska Range from several points. The train slows at photo spots like Hurricane Gulch.
- Book summer dates early, especially GoldStar.
- Combine the Coastal Classic with a Kenai Fjords cruise and a night in Seward, or take the Glacier Discovery for a Whittier cruise as a day trip. See glacier cruises.
- Pack a light jacket for the vestibule and outdoor decks, and bring binoculars.
Rail vs. driving
The railroad is slower than driving but much more relaxing, and it reaches places no road does. Many itineraries mix the two: drive the Parks Highway one way and take the train back, or ride to Denali and rent a car in Fairbanks. See road trips for driving routes.