Search

Alaska Railroad · Multi-day rail tour package

Grande Alaska Tour

12-day Alaska Railroad journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks with glaciers and wildlife

Illustration of Grande Alaska Tour

Alaska Railroad's Grande Alaska Tour is a 12-day rail journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks covering the full length of the railroad's historic main line. The trip blends rail travel on three named trains with guided wildlife tours, glacier cruises, and Alaska experiences such as dog mushing and sternwheeler river cruising. Day 2 brings you south on the Coastal Classic Train along Turnagain Arm to Seward, where you board a boat into Kenai Fjords National Park to see tidewater glaciers and marine wildlife. Mid-tour, you ride the Denali Star north through the Alaska Range toward Denali National Park, pausing in Talkeetna for a flightseeing tour and dog mushing. The final days offer Denali wildlife touring by bus and Jeep, then journey onward to Fairbanks for a sternwheeler cruise and Arctic Circle flight. The itinerary balances guided group activities with leisure time in major cities, and accommodations range from mid-range hotels to a lodge in Talkeetna.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary includes several optional or self-guided activities (Anchorage museums and excursions on days 4-5); confirm which attractions and guided experiences are included in your booked package

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Anchorage

    Arrive Anchorage

    Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Book an excursion, or explore shops, museums and restaurants at your leisure.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Seward

    Coastal Classic Train to Seward

    Board the Coastal Classic Train for a ride along Turnagain Arm and through scenic Grandview. Upon arrival in Seward, explore the charming port town, including a dog sled ride, lunch at an Alaska roadhouse and a tour to Exit Glacier (Real Alaska Tour).

  3. Day 3railovernight: Anchorage

    Kenai Fjords cruise; return to Anchorage

    Embark on a cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park in search of glaciers, whales, sea lions and more. That evening depart for Anchorage on the Coastal Classic Train.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Anchorage

    Anchorage at leisure

    Get out and explore! The Alaska Railroad offers a wide range of excursions from Anchorage.

  5. Day 5

    Anchorage museums and culture

    Visit one of the many museums and cultural centers in Anchorage.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Anchorage

    Girdwood, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Spencer Glacier float

    Ride the train to Girdwood, disembark for a short transfer to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see brown and black bears, moose, wolves and more, then reboard the train for a short ride to rail-access-only Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and a guided raft float down the Spencer and Placer Rivers.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

    Denali Star Train to Talkeetna

    Depart for Talkeetna aboard the Denali Star Train. See Denali by air on an Alaska Range flightseeing tour.

  8. Day 8overnight: Talkeetna

    Dryland dog mushing

    Experience the summer version of Alaska's state sport: dryland dog mushing.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Denali

    Denali Star Train to Denali National Park

    Journey to Denali National Park aboard the Denali Star Train. Enjoy an evening of entertainment and a meal at a local dinner theater.

  10. Day 10overnight: Denali

    Denali wildlife tour

    Embark on a wildlife Denali bus tour with an expert naturalist guide.

  11. Day 11rail

    Denali Jeep tour and train to Fairbanks

    Explore Denali on a guided Jeep tour before riding the train for an evening arrival at the northern terminus of the Alaska Railroad: Fairbanks.

  12. Day 12overnight: Fairbanks

    Riverboat Discovery and Arctic Circle flightseeing

    Take a tour on the Riverboat Discovery, a historic sternwheeler, for a glimpse of life in Interior Alaska; see dog sledding and an Alaska Native village. Later that day, travel above the Arctic Circle on a flightseeing tour.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Coastal Classic Train and ride along Turnagain Arm through scenic Grandview before reaching Seward
  • Day 3Cruise Kenai Fjords National Park in search of glaciers, whales, and sea lions
  • Day 6Ride to Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and float down the Spencer and Placer Rivers by raft
  • Day 7Travel aboard the Denali Star Train to Talkeetna and see Denali on an Alaska Range flightseeing tour
  • Day 12Tour the Riverboat Discovery sternwheeler in Fairbanks and take a flightseeing tour above the Arctic Circle

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The package includes the Coastal Classic Train (Anchorage to Seward), the Glacier Discovery Train (Anchorage/Girdwood to Spencer Glacier), and the Denali Star Train (Anchorage through Talkeetna, Denali National Park, to Fairbanks). You may choose Adventure Class or GoldStar Service on the Denali Star.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
The package mixes guided activities with unguided leisure time. Guided experiences include the Kenai Fjords cruise, wildlife tours, dog mushing, and flightseeing. Days 4 and 5 in Anchorage are at your leisure, and some activities are optional.
What is the price and what does it cover?
Adventure Class starts at USD 6,385; GoldStar Service starts at USD 7,285. The package includes rail travel, most meals and activities listed in the itinerary, and overnight accommodations (including 2 nights at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge). Confirm with Alaska Railroad which optional excursions are included versus extra cost.
How much walking is involved?
Days include city exploration in Anchorage and Seward, wildlife bus tours, Jeep tours, and raft floats. No strenuous multi-hour hikes are mentioned. Comfortable walking shoes and normal mobility are expected.
When does this tour run?
The operator has not published specific departure dates. Contact Alaska Railroad directly to confirm the season and available dates.

Similar journeys