Is train travel included?

Yes. One-way Alaska Railroad in Adventure Class from Seward to Anchorage, plus roundtrip Alaska Railroad in Adventure Class from Anchorage to Denali.

Is it escorted or independent?

It is an independent rail vacation; guided tours are included on select days in Anchorage and Denali National Park, per the itinerary.

Which trains are used?

The Alaska Railroad, in Adventure Class, from Seward to Anchorage and Anchorage to Denali.

What hotels are included?

Five nights of hotel accommodations, chosen from 15 options across Seward, Anchorage, and Denali, including Windsong Lodge, Hotel Edgewater, and the Hilton Anchorage.

Where does the trip start?

In Seward, Alaska. The itinerary describes exploring the port town, written for travelers disembarking a cruise, before boarding the train.

Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Denali Express with Alaska Railroad from Seward

Independent Alaska Railroad trip from Seward via Anchorage to Denali

Railbookers runs this 6-day, 5-night independent rail vacation that begins in Seward, Alaska and ends in Anchorage. The itinerary is written for travelers disembarking a cruise in Seward, who explore the port town before boarding the Alaska Railroad in the evening for the ride to Anchorage. The next day brings a guided trolley tour of Anchorage, taking in Westchester Lagoon, where moose are spotted year-round, and Lake Hood's float planes. The Alaska Railroad then carries travelers to Denali National Park, crossing the Knik River with the Chugach Mountains as a backdrop and passing through Hurricane Gulch. A guided tour goes deep into the park, watching for the Big Five: grizzly bear, moose, Dall sheep, caribou, and wolf, before the train returns travelers to Anchorage for a final night. With two nights each in Anchorage and Denali, the pace is unhurried. Railbookers offers 15 accommodation options across Seward, Anchorage, and Denali, so the exact hotel depends on the tier chosen at booking.

What to know before you look closer

Railbookers offers 15 accommodation options across Seward, Anchorage, and Denali National Park, so the final hotel at each stop depends on the tier chosen at booking rather than being fixed in advance.
The itinerary is written for travelers disembarking a cruise in Seward on day 1; independent travelers arriving another way should confirm the day 1 timing directly with Railbookers.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Anchorage
Your Journey Begins in Seward
Welcome to Seward! Spend some time exploring the seaside town before departing on Alaska Railroad this evening for the journey to Anchorage.
Day 2overnight: Anchorage
Anchorage, AK
Spend the day exploring Anchorage on a guided trolley tour. Highlights include Westchester Lagoon where moose have been spotted year-round, the best view points for the mountain ranges at a distance and Lake Hood where many of the float planes land.
Day 3railovernight: Denali
Denali National Park, AK
Depart Anchorage this morning onboard Alaska Railroad for your journey to Denali. Enjoy the spectacular landscapes of Alaska including the Knik River with the Chugach Mountains as a backdrop, Hurricane Gulch and more.
Day 4overnight: Denali
Denali National Park, AK
Spend the day experiencing the best of Denali National Park today on a guided tour. Be sure to keep your eyes out for wildlife including the "Big Five" grizzly bear, moose, Dall sheep, caribou and wolf!
Day 5railovernight: Anchorage
Anchorage, AK
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Denali before boarding Alaska Railroad for the journey back to Anchorage. Arrive in Anchorage in the evening and check in to your hotel for the final night of your Alaska Vacation.
Day 6
Your Journey Ends in Anchorage

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1The seaside town of Seward is explored before boarding the Alaska Railroad in the evening for the journey to Anchorage.
Day 2A guided trolley tour of Anchorage stops at Westchester Lagoon, where moose are spotted year-round.
Day 3The Alaska Railroad crosses the Knik River with the Chugach Mountains as a backdrop and passes through Hurricane Gulch on the way to Denali.
Day 4A guided tour into Denali National Park watches for the Big Five: grizzly bear, moose, Dall sheep, caribou, and wolf.

Included

One way Alaska Railroad® in Adventure Class accommodations from Seward to Anchorage and roundtrip Alaska Railroad® in Adventure Class accommodations from Anchorage to Denali
5 nights' hotel accommodations

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. One-way Alaska Railroad in Adventure Class from Seward to Anchorage, plus roundtrip Alaska Railroad in Adventure Class from Anchorage to Denali.
Is it escorted or independent?: It is an independent rail vacation; guided tours are included on select days in Anchorage and Denali National Park, per the itinerary.
Which trains are used?: The Alaska Railroad, in Adventure Class, from Seward to Anchorage and Anchorage to Denali.
What hotels are included?: Five nights of hotel accommodations, chosen from 15 options across Seward, Anchorage, and Denali, including Windsong Lodge, Hotel Edgewater, and the Hilton Anchorage.
Where does the trip start?: In Seward, Alaska. The itinerary describes exploring the port town, written for travelers disembarking a cruise, before boarding the train.
How much does this trip cost?: From $389 per person (USD).

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