Amtrak Vacations
Alaska Rail and Sail with Denali National Park
Alaska cruise, Alaska Railroad, and Denali National Park from Vancouver to Fairbanks
16 daysfrom $4,389
19% rail
Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail & cruise vacation
Alaska Rail and Sail with Denali National Park from Chicago
Chicago to Fairbanks by Amtrak, Alaska cruise, and Alaska Railroad to Denali
Amtrak Vacations runs this 18-day, 17-night rail and cruise vacation from Chicago to Fairbanks. It opens with two nights aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder, crossing the Missouri River, the North Dakota plains, and Montana's Big Sky Country past Glacier National Park to Seattle, then continues on Amtrak Cascades to Vancouver for two nights and a hop-on, hop-off city tour. From Vancouver, the Norwegian Jade sails a 7-night route through the Inside Passage, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway and cruising Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier. After disembarking in Whittier, a narrated transfer reaches Anchorage for two nights of guided touring, then Alaska Railroad's Adventure Class carries travellers to Denali National Park for two nights and on to Fairbanks for two more. The Denali days include wildlife spotting for moose, caribou, and grizzly bears, and the final Fairbanks days are unstructured. This trip suits travellers who want a long, land-and-sea Alaska itinerary built around three distinct rail products and a full week-long cruise.
What to know before you look closer
- The included list states Alaska Railroad covers the Whittier to Anchorage leg, but day 12's description calls it a 'sightseeing transfer' without naming a train, and the trains list only cites Alaska Railroad from Whittier/Anchorage onward to Denali; confirm the mode of this specific leg before booking.
- Government taxes and fees applicable to the cruise are not included in the price.
- No meals are listed among the inclusions for the land and rail portions; confirm what, if any, meals are covered.
- Hotels are chosen from multiple options at each stop (Vancouver, Anchorage, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks), so the specific hotel you get depends on the tier selected.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Onboard Amtrak (Empire Builder)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
Welcome to Chicago! Make your way to Chicago's Union Station and board Amtrak's® Empire Builder for a scenic ride cross country to the Pacific Coast. On this journey you'll take in breathtaking landscapes as you travel along the Missouri River, cross the North Dakota plains, and wind through the Big Sky Country of Montana, passing by the magnificent Glacier National Park.
- Day 2overnight: Onboard Amtrak (Empire Builder)
Overnight Onboard Amtrak
- Day 3overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver, BC
This morning, arrive in Seattle's Kings Street Station. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore Seattle, visit popular attractions such as Pikes Place Market, Pioneer Square or Seattle's Waterfront. In the evening, board Amtrak's Cascades to continue your journey to Vancouver.
- Day 4overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver, BC
Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing with your hop-on, hop-off city tour. Visit popular attractions including Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown and more!
- Day 5overnight: Onboard Norwegian Jade
Overnight Onboard Norwegian Jade®
Later this afternoon, board the Norwegian Jade® and begin your scenic cruise to Alaska! While at sea, take some time getting acquainted with many of the ship's amenities including the delicious dining options, bars and lounges, and dazzling casino!
- Day 6overnight: Onboard Norwegian Jade
Overnight Onboard Norwegian Jade®
Today, sail through the islands of the Inside Passage, the longest sheltered inland waterway in the world, and get ready for amazing views and wildlife like nowhere else! Be on the lookout for orcas and humpback whales!
- Day 7overnight: Onboard Norwegian Jade
Ketchikan
Spend the day in Ketchikan. Its Tlingit Indian name, Kach Khanna, means "spread wings of the eagle." Chances are you'll see one of these magnificent birds perched atop a Sitka tree. Thanks to its abundant rainfall, Ketchikan is surrounded by some of the world's most lush wilderness.
- Day 8overnight: Onboard Norwegian Jade
Juneau
Today you will dock in Juneau, Alaska. Juneau has been called "Alaska's peak experience," certainly due in part to its unparalleled glacier viewing from such places as Tracy Arm Fjord, the Juneau Icefields and Glacier Bay National Park. Kayak up one of the area's many protected waterways, go flightseeing, tour historic downtown or try your hand at panning for gold.
- Day 9overnight: Onboard Norwegian Jade
Skagway
Today, you'll sail into beautiful Skagway. In a single year from 1896 to 1897, this remote town along the Inside Passage grew from a few tents to a city of 20,000 gold seekers. Today, travelers come in search of other riches - to experience yesteryear along Skagway's charming boardwalk lined with buildings that replicate those Gold Rush days.
- Day 10overnight: Onboard Norwegian Jade
Cruise Glacier Bay
Today you will sail to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a United Nations World Heritage Site. Comprised of 3.3 million acres of natural wonders, it is home to magnificent glaciers, snow-capped mountains and abundant birds and wildlife.
- Day 11overnight: Onboard Norwegian Jade
Cruise Hubbard Glacier
The highlight today is seeing the gigantic Hubbard Glacier, North America's largest tidewater glacier! It's 1,350 square miles of blue ice and one of the most active in Alaska!
- Day 12overnight: Anchorage
Whittier to Anchorage
After disembarking from the Norwegian Jade in Whittier, Alaska, take some time to explore this seaside community surrounded by mountains and beauty. This morning, you will board a sightseeing transfer to Anchorage. This fully narrated tour offers incredible views of the Portage Glacier valley and Turnagain Arm, culminating in a visit to downtown Anchorage.
- Day 13overnight: Anchorage
Anchorage, AK
Today, enjoy a guided 15-mile scenic tour through Anchorage and learn about its history and the culture. Be sure to check out Lake Hood, the world's busiest seaplane base, and watch them take off and land.
- Day 14railovernight: Denali National Park
Denali National Park, AK
Take a scenic ride on Alaska Railroad as you travel to Denali National Park. When stunning views of Denali rising above the Susitna River come into sight, you know you are getting close!
- Day 15overnight: Denali National Park
Denali National Park, AK
Tour deep into the heart of Denali National Park, you'll travel through the forest and tundra, see the wild rivers and glaciers, and learn what makes this an amazing Alaskan landscape. Bring your binoculars with you to search for wildlife near and far as moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and grizzly bears have all been spotted.
- Day 16railovernight: Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK
Explore Denali at your leisure this morning and enjoy the hotels complimentary shuttle to take you to town or the visitor center where many trail leave from. This afternoon, board Alaska Railroad for the journey north winding along Healy Canyon, following the curves of the Nenana River below, as you make your way to Fairbanks.
- Day 17overnight: Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK
Today you can explore Fairbanks at your leisure. Take a stroll along the Chena River, visit one of the many art galleries filled with paintings and pottery or check out some of the shops with Alaska Native art and jewelry.
- Day 18
Your Journey Ends in Fairbanks
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 1Amtrak's Empire Builder departs Chicago, crossing the Missouri River, the North Dakota plains, and Montana's Big Sky Country past Glacier National Park.
- Day 10The cruise sails to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a United Nations World Heritage Site of 3.3 million acres.
- Day 11The cruise reaches Hubbard Glacier, North America's largest tidewater glacier at 1,350 square miles of blue ice.
- Day 14Alaska Railroad carries travellers toward Denali National Park, with views of Denali rising above the Susitna River.
- Day 16Alaska Railroad continues north from Denali to Fairbanks along Healy Canyon and the Nenana River.
Included
- One-way Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Vancouver on the Empire Builder® and Cascades
- One-way Alaska Railroad® in Adventure Class accommodations from Whittier to Anchorage; Anchorage to Denali and Denali to Fairbanks
- 8 nights' hotel accommodations
- 2 nights' onboard Amtrak
- 7 nights' onboard the Norwegian Jade
Not included
- Government taxes and fees applicable to the cruise
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included?
- Yes. The package includes Amtrak's Empire Builder in Coach from Chicago to Seattle, Amtrak Cascades in Coach from Seattle to Vancouver, and Alaska Railroad in Adventure Class from Whittier/Anchorage to Denali National Park and on to Fairbanks.
- Is there an overnight train?
- Yes, two nights are spent onboard Amtrak's Empire Builder between Chicago and Seattle.
- Which cruise ship is used?
- Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Jade, on its 7-day Alaska sailing with Glacier Bay, northbound from Vancouver.
- Is this trip guided or independent?
- It is an independent rail and cruise vacation, with guided sightseeing tours in Vancouver, Anchorage, and Denali National Park; the Seattle afternoon and the Fairbanks days are left free to explore at your leisure.
- What is not included?
- Government taxes and fees applicable to the cruise are not included.
- How many nights are on the ship, train, and in hotels?
- The package includes 7 nights onboard the Norwegian Jade, 2 nights onboard Amtrak, and 8 nights of hotel accommodations across Vancouver, Anchorage, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks.
