Kristinesonja

I'm planning our 1st trip to Alaska with my mother( young 81yrs old) and cousin(62 yrs old). We'd like to spend about 8 days in the interior. I'd like to plan around a Alaska Train trip from Fairbanks-Denali-Anchorage (and maybe down to Seaward).

I'm thinking the Rail Tours through AR might be a good package if we add some optional excursions (flightseeing, glacier cruise, etc). We could even follow up the train tour with a few days of driving on our own with a rental car to Seward, Homer, Kenai.

After looking at lodging costs on our own, the Rail Tours look like they could be offer a savings and well laid out trip.

My question is: has anyone ever taken a Alaska Railroad Rail Tour(includes lodging and some meals)? Do you recommend it?

Thank you.
Kristine

BayouGal

Here are some threads that will get you off to a good start researching the Alaska Railroad. I found these threads by highlighting Alaska, then typing "alaska railroad" in the search box.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34815630

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34797529

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34645186

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34579603

Good luck with your planning!

BudgetQueen

The train takes up extended amounts of time, be sure your tour, offers enough in the destinations. You are at a disadvantage without a car in most areas, in my opinion.
The scenery Anchorage/Fairbanks, is a lot of repeative- trees. Mostly follows the Parks Highway too and no way to stop. By far the most scenic portion is Anchorage/Seward. I have rode the entire Alaska RR several times.

Especially is the train package includes the Tundra Wilderness tour in Denali Park- this is your most costly and least distance in compared to the shuttle buses. www.nps.gov/dena
Determine what you want there?? The farther you go in- more wildlife and scenery.

Also look at www.toursaver.com in the past they have had 2 for 1 train/lodging coupons.

How much time do you have in Fairbanks? A car is necessary for touring there, plus a couple days. If you are just coming in then on to the train, it's less desirable in my opinion, with time better spent on the Kenai Peninsula.

repete

Kristinesonja:

How much time total are you looking at? More than a few folks say "interior" and apply that to everything on the end of the cruise. I remember talking to a cruiser in Seward who was saying they were so glad to see the "Interior" and they weren't heading farther north than Anchorage Intl. Airport ...

Eight days for Denali and Fairbanks might be right if your trip is three weeks or more, otherwise it's out of balance.

Send a little more detailed info and there are plenty of folks here who are glad to help. In Bayou Gal (hope your DC trip went well) and Budget Queen, you've already heard from two of the best.

BayouGal

Repete, thanks to you and Bardo, it was a great trip. Dining was excellent!!!! ;-) I loved both Jaleo (Tapas) and Zaytinya, but it'd be so hard to pick a favorite of all the great places we ate - I think that's basically all we did for the 5 days we were there. LoL

Kristine, have you made any decisions or plans yet?

Kristinesonja

Thank you for some great info and reasons to look further. Here's what I'm considering now and would love to have your opinions on. Both are Alaska Railroad Tours and require me to add airfares to Anch. (I'm willing to give up the Denali-Fairbanks leg to have more time South.)

Option 1: ALASKA NATIONAL PARKS by RAIL(5 days) $1400
Day 1-Train Anch-Denali, stay at McKinley Chalet, Cabin Nite Dinner show
Day 2-Tundra Wilderness Tour, stay at McKinley Chalet
Day 3-Train from Denali back to Anch, Stay at Aspen Hotel.
Day 4-Train Anch-Seward, Kenai Fjords Park Cruise, train Seward-Girwood, stay in Alyeska Resort.
Day 5-Train Girwood to Spencer Glacier, boat Spencer Glacier and Placer River. Train to Portage, motorcoach to Anch.

Option 2: DELUXE ALASKA SAMPLER (6 days) $2000
Day 1:Train Anch-Seward, cruise Kenai Fjords National Park, stay in Windsong Lodge.
Day 2:Alaska SeaLife Center, Real Alaska Tour & Exit Glacier Tour, stay in Alyeska Resort.
Day 3:Train Girwood to Spencer Glacier. Float tour in Spencer Glacier and Placer River. Train to Portage, motorcoach to Anch. Stay in Sheraton Anch Hotel.
Day 4:Train Anch-Denali, Cabin Nite dinner Show, stay in Grande Denali Lodge.
Day 5:Tundra Wilderness Tour, Stay in Grand Denali Lodge.
Day 6enali Jeep Tour, Train Denali to Anch, stay in Sheraton Anch Hotel.

The only thing these dont include that I'd like to add would be a flight tour. Would you recommend doing that out of Anch? We could get to Anch a couple days early and do that.

Any input here? What do you think? I'm thinking the tour is the way to go for 81yr old Mom and me and can offer a savings on accomod. We're more interested in the wilderness than a cruise.

Thanks for your input.
Kristine

BayouGal

If you are not opposed to driving in Alaska, you'd probably be better off renting a car in Anchorage and planning your own trip. I think you'd save some money, which could then be spent on special things you'd like to do. It's easy to do the planning yourself, and it's easy driving. I did all the driving the last time we were in Alaska (DH had an expired drivers license - OOPS!), and it was easier than driving in most places in the lower 48.

Let us know what you decide to do. Plenty here will help with planning an independent trip if you decide to do that.

I would not want to do that Denali tour on the big bus - you are not going to see much of the park unless you go on a longer trip on a green park shuttle bus.

Kristinesonja

Are you referring to the Yundra Wilderness Tour? I thought that was the recommended tour in Denali?

If I were traveling with my husband, we'll take this trip when our children are older, I would drive. I'm not sure I want to take that on with Mom. Thank you for your input and encouraging me to consider other options.

Kristinesonja

Opps, typo, that should red Tundra, not Yundra.

BudgetQueen

I never recommend the Tundra Wilderness tour for independents. Only for those on tours who have only that or the worthless Natural History tour to choose from. KEY differences between the TOURS and SHUTTLES, is price and distance. Farther is better for scenery and wildlife, my min. distance in is Fish Creek, mile 63 and most often Wonder Lake, mile 85.

The Tundra Wilderness tour only goes to mile 53, same as the Toklat shuttle, but at triple the price.

Key also with your tour- determine WHAT Kenai Fjords boat tour you are on, you need at least 6 hours on the water. With these ARR tours- a great deal of your time and money is spent on the nice lodging, but for me- and my opinion only, I go to Alaska for Alaska. There is so much hidden and off track that makes this area great touring. You never know what you can pull off the road and see. Just not possible with group travel. I would also be concerned about other travelers. I mostly go independent, but with the few short tours I have taken there always seems to be someone who the group has to cater to, they are always late, complaining, etc. Just not for me.


I am trying to get my mother to Alaska next year- I will gladly do all the driving if I can get her to agree to going. It is simple and easy. Also you have the advantage of excellent ACCURATE trip planning information from this board of posters.

BayouGal

So glad BQ weighed in! She is the expert and has given you, and all of us, excellent advice. I would take what she says to the bank.

BudgetQueen

Thank you for the kind words Bayou Gal. Did you happen to see my question on the New Orleans (La) board?? Asking about the Jefferson Parish bus? Would value your opinion.

BayouGal

I'll find your question, BQ, check out the bus situation, and get back to you. From what I know now, our area's bus line is even more unreliable than before Katrina. I'll find your question, though, and research your situation.

Kristinesonja

Thanks for your input, you've all gotten me to read on and reconsider the plan.

Currently, I'm wokring on a new itinerary with a car rental!!

Day 1: Fly into Anchorage and pick up rental car. Walk the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

Day 2: Drive to Kenia Peninsula and Seward. Board an early tour boat in Kenia Fjords Nat Park.

Day 3: Stay in Seward, see Alaska Sea Life Center and Exit Glacier.

Day 4: Drive to Homer to meet a friend & galleries.

Day 5: Stay in Homer to see Kachemak Bay State park and beach.

Day 6: Drive back to Anchorage.

Day 7: Take the train north to Denali (maybe include a stop in Talkeetna for a flightseeing tour). Stay in/near Denali.

Day 8: Take the Fish Creek Shuttle into Denali. Stay in/near Denali.

Day 9: Train back to Anchorage. Fly home.

Does this sounds better, traveling independently? Any input is welcome. Thank you.

BudgetQueen

You will not get an "early tour" Kenai Fjords trip the same day you arrive there. You need to allow 3 hours for the drive from Anchorage with a few stops. This can take up a significant amount of time if you wish.


I do not recommend the train Anchorage/Denali Park, you have WAY more freedom with a car. You will have to add a day if you wish to visit Talkeetna going by rail. Do you have an 12am or later night flight home?? You can NOT count on the railroad being on time.

Kristinesonja

I see now that those Kenia boat trips don't go out until 11:30am or so.

Thank you. ttt

dfrostnh

Just reverse your Seward days. Enjoy a leisurely drive to Seward with time to stop at places like the tram ride up Alyeska. See how much time people spend at Exit Glacier. The Sealife Center is small. We didn't do the extra tour (behind the scenes) so I think we only spent about two hours there. I think in summer they are open until 8pm. The 9.5 hour Kenai Fjords cruise to the glaciers leaves at 9am. We really enjoyed this cruise but the weather was perfect and the sea was very calm. Lunch is battered chicken fingers or halibut (very tasty). Excellent narration. The glacier didn't calf but the orcas were great. Some passengers napped on the way back.

BudgetQueen

For clairfication there are 8am Kenai Fjords boat trips. http://www.kenaifjords.com/543.cfm

amdc

The train does take a lot of time but the scenary is beautiful! You don't have to worry about driving and you have time to relax. Don't rule out the train.