Skagway's White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

Climbing aboard Skagway’s White Pass scenic railway is, hands down, the most popular Skagway excursion. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass & Yukon Route railway gives present-day visitors a chance to step back to a time when ambitious men and women crossed the treacherous Yukon, hoping to find gold and build their fortunes.

Your journey begins in downtown Skagway, a short 10- to 15-minute walk along city sidewalks from the Skagway cruise port to the historic White Pass Train Station. Passengers climb aboard vintage carriages, decorated in 19th-century style. As the train departs for White Pass Summit, a guide details the rich and fascinating history of the Klondike Gold Rush, recounting the tales of the brave men and women who traversed the Klondike Trail many years ago.

During the ride, passengers encounter awe-inspiring views of mountains, glaciers, gorges, and waterfalls. The railway also passes human-built wonders, including picturesque trestle bridges and mountain tunnels.

Ride the White Pass Railroad

Alaska Shore Excursions offers two popular Skagway train excursions.

• Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion is our most popular Skagway excursion and train tour, and is described as an unforgettable journey aboard the “Scenic Railway of the World” to the White Pass summit. This trip is a 2.75 -hour round-trip ride, and passports are NOT required. As Alaska's most popular tour, this excursion can sell out up to 3 months before your sail date. We recommend booking this tour early.

• Skagway Bennett Scenic Railroad Journey includes a 67.5-mile train ride from Skagway to Carcross, in Canada’s Yukon Territory. While in Carcross, you’ll enjoy time to explore Carcross before boarding a motor coach for a return drive through the scenic White Pass. This is an 8-hour excursion; passports are required, and a box lunch is included.

More to Know Before You Go

• From tidewater to the Summit of the White Pass, the elevation gain is 2,865 feet, and the distance is about 20 miles.

• Passenger carriages include restrooms and complimentary bottled water.

• Some White Pass & Yukon Route Railway carriages are wheelchair accessible.

• The popular Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion & Train Tour can sell out, especially for popular sail dates. If this tour is sold out, you can still enjoy the scenic views of the White Pass on a road-based scenic White Pass and Yukon tour. Taking place in a van or minibus, these small-group tours parallel the route of the White Pass Scenic Railroad but offer the added benefit of scenic stops along the way.

History of the White Pass & Yukon Route

The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway was built in 1898, during the Klondike Gold Rush. Before the railroad was built, prospectors weren’t allowed to cross the Canadian border at White Pass summit without one ton of supplies. This required many trips back and forth along the treacherous Klondike Trail between Skagway and White Pass.  The railway was built to make the journey easier.

During construction, the railroad faced many roadblocks, both literal and figurative. 450 tons of explosives had to be used to reach White Pass summit. Meanwhile, local crime bosses threatened the railway’s completion, culminating in an exciting shootout on Juneau Wharf. (Learn more on the tour!)

The first passenger car rode the railway in 1898 and was also the first train to operate in Alaska. Over time, the railroad expanded from Skagway to White Pass to Bennett, British Columbia, and then even further to Whitehorse.

After the gold rush, the route became a popular mode of transport for mining companies. However, when the Great Depression struck, railway usage was extremely limited. Government investment in Alaska during World War II revived the railway, and it operated until 1982. In 1988, the railway was designated a Heritage Railway and became a popular destination for Alaskan tourists.