This 500-Mile Train Journey Through National Parks & Glaciers Might Be the Most Underrated Trip in America
Forget what you’ve heard about European trains being the gold standard—Alaska has a rail experience that rivals anything across the Atlantic.
The Alaska Railroad stretches nearly 500 miles through some of the most dramatic wilderness on the continent, connecting Seward to Fairbanks with stops at glaciers, national parks, and prime northern lights territory along the way.
Running since the early 1900s, this isn’t just transportation—it’s a front-row seat to moose sightings, bear encounters, and landscapes you’d completely miss from a car.
Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, when travelers flock to Anchorage to hop aboard the two most popular routes: the Denali Star and the Coastal Classic.
The Denali Star is the showstopper, covering 356 miles all the way to Denali National Park, where North America’s tallest mountain dominates the horizon.
The Coastal Classic is shorter at just over 100 miles, but what it lacks in distance it makes up for in stunning views of turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers.
If you really want to treat yourself, book the GoldStar Service and ride in a glass-domed railcar with access to an outdoor viewing platform—no window glare ruining your photos.
Pro tip from the railroad’s onboard services team: don’t rush through, stay at least one night in each small town along the route to soak in the local flavor.
And pack layers, because weather across 470 miles of track can change dramatically.
The Five Routes You Need to Know
Coastal Classic
The Coastal Classic departs Anchorage at 6:45 a.m. and pulls into Seward by late morning, passing through Girdwood and offering prime wildlife spotting opportunities at dawn and dusk.
Once you arrive in Seward, you’re perfectly positioned for hiking Exit Glacier or cruising through Kenai Fjords National Park.
Denali Star
The Denali Star is a full 12-hour adventure from Anchorage to Fairbanks, winding through glacial rivers, boreal forests, and crossing the jaw-dropping Hurricane Gulch Bridge—296 feet high and 914 feet across.
Conductors intentionally slow down over that bridge so passengers can fully absorb the moment.
Glacier Discovery
The Glacier Discovery route shares much of the Coastal Classic’s path but veers off to the port town of Whittier, where mileposts 47 to 50 deliver an abundance of glaciers, tunnels, waterfalls, and black bear sightings.
Hurricane Turn
Then there’s the Hurricane Turn, a local secret and rare flagstop train where you can literally wave a flag to hop on or off anywhere along the route—it’s as authentically Alaskan as it gets.
Aurora Winter
And if you’re chasing the aurora borealis, the Aurora Winter train runs on weekends and select weekdays between Anchorage and Fairbanks, stopping at some of the best northern lights viewing spots in the state.
Tickets and What They’ll Cost You
You can book tickets online, with prices varying by class, season, age, and destination.
Military members get 20 percent off, and seniors, Medicare cardholders, and passengers with certain disabilities score 50 percent off Aurora Winter fares.
Just make sure you bring a government-issued ID to the station to pick up your boarding pass.
Adventure Class vs. GoldStar Service
Adventure Class gives you forward-facing, semi-reclining seats with large picture windows and freedom to wander between cars.
GoldStar Service upgrades everything: glass-dome ceilings, panoramic views, an outdoor upper-level platform, full-service dining below, and two complimentary alcoholic drinks included in your fare.
GoldStar is only available on the Coastal Classic and Denali Star routes, so plan accordingly if that’s the experience you want.
What to Pack and Expect
There’s no Wi-Fi and no plugs at your seat, so download everything you need beforehand and bring a portable charger.
Cell service is spotty at best, which honestly might be part of the appeal.
Pack snacks, a refillable water bottle, layers for unpredictable weather, and definitely bring a camera.
One of the best parts of the journey is the High School Tour Guide Program, where trained local students narrate the ride, point out wildlife, and alert you to the best photo opportunities.
They’ll let you know when a bear’s been spotted or when it’s time for GoldStar passengers to head downstairs for their meal.
