Best Alaska Train Tours

Alaska train tours allow you to travel along the coast, up to glaciers, and through the mountains to take in some of Alaska’s most amazing views. They can last from a few hours to a few weeks.

There are three main types of Alaska train tours:

• Day Excursion: A scenic train tour that lasts a few hours and is perfect for cruise visitors. 
• Vacation Packages: Complete vacation packages that include traveling between cities via scenic train routes, with overnight stays in hotels. These trips are a great alternative to an Alaskan cruise or renting an RV. 
• Transfer: A one-way trip between cities or ports. Train transfers are perfect if you’re flying into Anchorage and starting a cruise in a port like Denali or Seward or vice versa. The Denali Star Train on the Alaska Railroad is a popular choice.

Read on to find our picks for the best train tours in Alaska:

1. Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion

Port: Skagway

Train: White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

Type: Shore Excursion (Day Trip)

Points of Interest: White Pass Summit, Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, Dead Horse Gulch, Klondike Trail

Duration: 3.5 hours

This is our most popular things to do in Skagway and is among the best Alaska tours. The Scenic Railway of the World takes you to the Summit of the White Pass, a 2,865-foot elevation. As you ride to the summit in vintage coaches, you can take in views of mountains, glaciers, gorges and waterfalls.

2. Transfer Anchorage to Seward via Coastal Classic Train

Port: Anchorage to Seward

Train: Coastal Classic

Type: One-way Transfer

Points of Interest: Girdwood, Seward, Turnagain Arm, Chugach Range

Duration: 4.25 hours

This route was ranked in the Top Ten Train Rides in America by National Geographic and is considered to be the most scenic rail route in Alaska. The train ride travels along the land and winds along the Turnagain Arm, where the Chugach Range mountains drop directly to the sea then cuts through the Alaskan backcountry for scenic views as you ride into Seward. It’s perfect for a day trip or transfer.

3. Anchorage 5-Night Taste of Alaska Tour Package

Port: Anchorage, Seward, Denali

Trains: Denali Star, Coastal Classic

Type: Vacation Package

Points of Interest: Alaska Range, Talkeetna, Devil’s Gorge, Kenai Fjords National Park, Exit Glacier

Duration: 5 days

This train tour has all of the best that Alaska has to offer: scenic views, National Parks, dog sledding rides, jet boat rides, and more. The package includes rides on both the Coast Classic train and the Denali Star.

4. Anchorage 9-Night Glaciers, Rails, & Trails Tour Package

Port: Anchorage, Seward, Denali

Trains: Denali Star, Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery

Type: Vacation Package

Points of Interest: Spencer Glacier, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, Resurrection Bay, Denali Backcountry Lodge, Hotel Alyeska

Duration: 9 days

This 9-day deluxe train tour has everything: a glacier and wildlife cruise, a backcountry stay in Denali National Park, a glacial river float, and a jetboat tour of National Wild River Park, along with rides on the Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery, and Denali Star trains.

5. Skagway White Pass Train & Bicycle Tour

Port: Skagway

Train: White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

Type: Shore Excursion (Day Trip)

Points of Interest: White Pass Summit, Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, Dead Horse Gulch, Klondike Trail

Duration: 4.5 hours

This is the perfect train tour for active adventurers. Ride the scenic White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad to Fraser Station, British Columbia. Then coast downhill as you ride a bike for the 15-mile journey from summit to sea back to Skagway.

6. Anchorage 6-Night Active Alaska Adventure Tour Package

Port: Anchorage, Denali

Trains: Denali Star, Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery

Type: Vacation Package

Points of Interest: Spencer Glacier, Denali National Park, Nenana River,

Duration: 6 days

You can hike through the backcountry of Denali National Park, traverse the Spencer Glacier, go rafting on the Nenana River, and zipline through a glacier carved valley in this 6-day train tour that includes travel on Alaska’s most popular scenic train routes.

7. Transfer Anchorage to Denali National Park

Port: Anchorage, Denali

Trains: Denali Star

Type: One-way Transfer

Points of Interest: Knik River, Chugach Mountains, Susitna River, Hurricane Gulch , Broad Pass

Duration: 7.5 Hours

The perfect day-trip or transfer, you can ride the Denali Star train from Anchorage to Denali National Park. Enjoy views of mountains, rivers, and Alaska’s beautiful backcountry.