alaskan railroad
 

I've been reading it is more scenic to take the train from anchorage to seward. We had planned on driving but was thinking about taking the train. Would it be more scenic to take the train vs driving? I liked the thought of driving because then we can stop when we wanted.

The rail tracks and road parallel each other, separated by a few feet, for much of the way.

It is much more scenic for the driver to take the train as you don't have to watch the road at all. I liked that part of the train trip to Whittier. :^)

Being able to stop is a plus. There are several attractive roadside sights or minor detours that are quite worthwhile.

If it's a one way trip (e.g. for a cruise) then car rental drop-off issues and cost are problematic.

We rented a car from Hertz. Drove one way and returned via the train. We found the train to be much more scenic. It does run beside the road part of the way. But there is a lot of it that is totally different. Our favorite stop in the car was at Alyeska/Girdwood.

The train and the road are a few feet apart for part of the trip, but go over the mountain on different passes. The train is more scenic.

Driving does offer the advantage of being able to stop,and decide what time you want to go so you have to decide which factors are more important.

Either way, it is a great route.

Gail is wrong on the road and rail being parallel. They most certainly are not, after the Arm. Take a look at a map. The scenery is grossly superior in this section by rail, and completely different. It is the SAME on the Arm section, Grandview/Anchorage.

Both have advantages. I like having a car in Seward since I pack my activites there and it makes for more efficient use of time.