Train Travel

The state-owned Alaska Railroad has service connecting Seward, Anchorage, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks, as well as additional service connecting Anchorage and Whittier. The Alaska Railroad also offers a variety of package tours that range from one-day Denali excursions to 10-day tours, which include many excursions along the way between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Traveling by train isn't as economical as traveling by bus, but it is a wonderful way to go; the scenery along the way is spectacular. Some cars have narration, and food is available on board in the dining car and at the café. Certain private tour companies that offer glitzy trips between Anchorage and Fairbanks hook their luxury railcars to the train. Or sign up for the railroad's Gold Star service on its regular routes—you get confirmed seating in the dome car, priority check-in, and other first-class perks, all for an additional fee, of course.

Reservations

Reservations are highly recommended for midsummer train travel. You can buy tickets over the phone using a credit card. If your reservation is a month or more ahead of time, the company will mail you the tickets; otherwise you can pick them up at the departure station.

Trains usually leave on time, so be sure to arrive at the station at least 15 minutes prior to departure to ensure that you make it aboard.

The AlaskaPass allows unlimited travel on ferry and rail lines in Alaska.

Information

Alaska Railroad (907/265-2494 in Anchorage; 800/544-0552. www.alaskarailroad.com.)

Gray Line Alaska (907/277-5581 in Anchorage; 907/479-9660 in Fairbanks; 888/425-1737. www.graylinealaska.com.)

White Pass & Yukon Route (800/343-7373. www.wpyr.com.)

Routes

Travel aboard the Alaska Railroad is leisurely: Anchorage to Seward ($75 one way) takes four hours, Anchorage to Denali ($117-$146) takes a little more than seven hours, and Anchorage to Fairbanks ($167-$210) takes about 12 hours. The trip to Whittier takes a little more than two hours and costs $65 one-way (but only $80 round-trip).

For a less expensive alternative, ride one of the public dome cars, owned and operated by the railroad. Seating in the public cars is unassigned, and passengers take turns under the observation dome. The railroad's public cars are a great place to meet residents.

Except for the Seward-Anchorage leg, all service operates year-round. Trains run daily in summer; service is reduced from September to late May. Dining cars are available on all trains.

Gray Line of Alaska offers three-day packages that include luxury train travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks or vice versa. You can opt for one-way or round-trip travel. All packages include at least a day of exploring in Denali National Park.

For a scenic and historic five-hour trip between Skagway and Fraser, British Columbia, take the White Pass and Yukon Route, which follows the treacherous path taken by prospectors during the Klondike gold rush of 1897-98. (As this trip is popular with cruise-passenger excursions, advance reservations are strongly recommended.)