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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail & drive vacation

Alaska Circle Tour Rail & Car

Alaska rail and drive loop through Denali, Fairbanks, and Valdez

Illustration of Alaska Circle Tour Rail & Car

Vacations By Rail combines Alaska Railroad train travel with a self-drive adventure over 8 days, starting in Anchorage and ending in Valdez. The first leg takes you by train aboard the Denali Star from Anchorage north through Denali National Park and on to Fairbanks, including a half-day bus tour of the park's alpine tundra. After a day of leisure in Fairbanks to visit museums or other sites, you pick up a rental car and drive the scenic Richardson Highway south to Valdez, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and five glaciers, with options for optional glacier cruises or kayaking. A final day of driving returns you to Anchorage. You stay in three to four-star hotels throughout and set your own schedule on unguided days, making this ideal for independent travellers who want a mix of curated rail time and freedom to explore on wheels.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 4,195 covers the package; international flights to Anchorage are booked separately
  • The included section states flights and airport transfers are included, but the not-included section also lists them as not included; confirm what is covered before booking
  • Day 1 is unguided arrival on your own to the hotel with no transportation arranged

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Anchorage

    Anchorage Arrival

    Arrive in Anchorage on your own and check in at the hotel. Explore the city's museums, gardens and parks, or its breweries and restaurants.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Denali

    Anchorage to Denali

    Board the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star for a scenic full-day journey north from Anchorage to Denali National Park, passing spruce and fireweed fields, salmon streams and mountains. Optional evening helicopter tour of Denali with glacier landing.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Fairbanks

    Denali National Park/Fairbanks by Train

    A half-day bus tour of Denali National Park's alpine tundra takes in wildlife and views of Mount Denali. In the afternoon, board the Denali Star again to Fairbanks, 'Alaska's Golden Heart City'.

  4. Day 4overnight: Fairbanks

    Fairbanks at Leisure

    Pick up your rental car in Fairbanks and explore on your own, with options including the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, the Museum of the North, the Morris Thompson Cultural Center, Pioneer Park or the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

  5. Day 5overnight: Valdez

    Fairbanks to Valdez

    The driving portion begins, taking the scenic Richardson Highway past North Pole and the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains to Valdez, passing glaciers and Bridal Veil Falls.

  6. Day 6overnight: Valdez

    Valdez at Leisure

    Explore Valdez, 'Little Switzerland', surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and home to five glaciers, at your own pace, with options for a glacier and wildlife cruise, kayaking or hiking to Bridal Veil Falls.

  7. Day 7overnight: Anchorage

    Valdez to Anchorage

    Drive from Valdez to Anchorage via the Richardson and Glenn Highways, through Glennallen and past Matanuska Glacier, with an optional stop at the Alaska Native village of Eklutna.

  8. Day 8rail

    Tour Conclusion

    Your rail and drive tour of Alaska concludes this morning. A 3-day Seward extension is available to explore the Kenai Peninsula.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Board the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star for a full-day scenic journey north from Anchorage to Denali National Park, passing spruce and fireweed fields, salmon streams and mountains
  • Day 3Day 3: Half-day bus tour of Denali National Park's alpine tundra to view wildlife and Mount Denali, then reboard the Denali Star to Fairbanks
  • Day 5Day 5: Drive the Richardson Highway from Fairbanks to Valdez, passing the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains, glaciers and Bridal Veil Falls

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 7 nights
  • Denali Star Anchorage to Denali and Denali to Fairbanks
  • Flights and airport transfers
  • 4 days mid-size car rental with unlimited mileage

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Alaska Railroad's Denali Star in GoldStar Class or Adventure Class, traveling Anchorage to Denali to Fairbanks. The driving portion uses a mid-size rental car with unlimited mileage for four days.
Is this escorted or independent?
Independent. Vacations By Rail provides a well-planned itinerary, but you travel on your own and choose your own activities during free time in Fairbanks and Valdez.
What hotels are included?
Sheraton Anchorage Hotel (2 nights), Grande Denali Lodge (1 night), Pike's Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks (2 nights) and Totem Hotel & Suites in Valdez (2 nights).
When does the tour run?
May, June, July, August and September.
What is not included in the price?
Meals, activities such as helicopter tours or glacier cruises (though optional extras are available), cancellation and travel insurance, and some sources of transportation to the airport.
How much walking is involved?
A half-day bus tour of Denali National Park and optional hikes such as Bridal Veil Falls. Most days involve city exploration and museum visits at your own pace.

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