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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Iconic Alaska: Glaciers, Fjords & Denali by Rail

11-day Alaska rail journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks on three trains

Illustration of Iconic Alaska: Glaciers, Fjords & Denali by Rail

Vacations By Rail's 11-day famous Alaska tour follows three of Alaska's most storied railroad routes from Anchorage to Fairbanks. As an independent traveler, you plan your own days within a carefully structured itinerary of rail, cruise, and coach connections. Day 2 takes you by motorcoach to Whittier, then aboard the 26 Glacier Cruise through Prince William Sound before riding the Glacier Discovery Train back to Anchorage. Day 3, the Coastal Classic follows Turnagain Arm to Seward, gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, where you cruise Resurrection Bay by ship. The itinerary includes a guided visit to Exit Glacier, a dog sled tour, and a jetboat ride on the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers. The Denali Star carries you into Denali National Park, where a Tundra Wilderness Tour offers chances to spot bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. The journey concludes with a sternwheeler cruise in Fairbanks along the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Ten nights in hotels, all rail travel, three lunches, and major guided excursions are included. This trip suits independent explorers, first-time rail travelers, and photographers drawn to Alaska's wilderness and glacier scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • The price from $5,595 USD excludes flights and airport transfers; rail travel is included but you arrange your own arrival in Anchorage and departure from Fairbanks.
  • Hotels vary by location and tier; the pack lists options but your final hotel depends on availability and the category you choose.
  • Only three lunches are included; other meals are on your own, though the itinerary names specific restaurants and eateries like the Resurrection Roadhouse.
  • Optional excursions such as kayaking, helicopter tours with glacier landings, and the Chena Hot Springs trip cost extra and are payable locally or at booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Anchorage

    Arriving in Anchorage

    Make your own way to the hotel and check in for the first of two nights. Day at leisure to explore Anchorage.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Anchorage

    Cruising Prince William Sound

    Motorcoach from Anchorage to Whittier, then the 26 Glacier Cruise through Prince William Sound with lunch served on board. Board the Glacier Discovery Train back to Anchorage.

    Meals: Lunch

  3. Day 3railovernight: Seward

    On to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park

    Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic Train from Anchorage to Seward, past Turnagain Arm. A 5.5-hour narrated cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park and Resurrection Bay with lunch included.

    Meals: Lunch

  4. Day 4overnight: Seward

    A free day in Seward

    Free day to explore Seward's Main Street district, hiking trails, or the waterfront trail, with optional excursions such as kayaking at Bear Glacier Iceberg or a helicopter/flightseeing tour available at a supplement.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Anchorage

    Uncovering Seward's sights

    A guided sightseeing tour to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, lunch at Resurrection Roadhouse, then a visit to the Seavey Homestead for a dog sled ride and tour. Return to Anchorage aboard the Coastal Classic Train.

    Meals: Lunch

  6. Day 6railovernight: Talkeetna

    The rivers of Talkeetna

    Alaska Railroad's Denali Star to Talkeetna. On arrival, a jetboat ride aboard the McKinley Queen exploring the Talkeetna, Chulitna and Susitna Rivers.

  7. Day 7overnight: Denali

    Into the pristine wilderness of Denali National Park

    Free morning in Talkeetna, with optional flightseeing excursions available at a supplement. Later, the Denali Star continues to Denali National Park, arriving with time for independent exploration.

  8. Day 8overnight: Denali

    Getting to know Denali National Park

    A narrated Tundra Wilderness Tour by bus into Denali National Park, with included photo stops and wildlife-spotting opportunities for the 'Big 5': bear, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Fairbanks

    Onward to Fairbanks

    Free day in Denali National Park with optional hiking, river float, or helicopter tour with glacier landing (payable locally). Afternoon Denali Star train to Fairbanks, with a complimentary transfer to the hotel.

  10. Day 10overnight: Fairbanks

    The sights and scenery of Fairbanks

    A cruise on the sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery along the Chena and Tanana Rivers, including a stop at a recreated Athabascan village and a dog-sledding facility. Free time to explore Fairbanks independently.

  11. Day 11

    Tour Conclusion

    Check out of the hotel; the expedition through Alaska's cities and wilderness concludes. Option to extend the stay in Fairbanks.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The 26 Glacier Cruise through Prince William Sound with lunch served on board, followed by the Glacier Discovery Train return to Anchorage.
  • Day 3The Coastal Classic Train travels past Turnagain Arm from Anchorage to Seward, then a 5.5-hour narrated cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park.
  • Day 5A guided tour to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park and a dog sled ride and tour at Seavey Homestead, returning via Coastal Classic Train.
  • Day 8Tundra Wilderness Tour by bus into Denali National Park with narration and photo stops to spot the Big 5: bear, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep.

Included

  • 10 nights' hotel accommodation
  • Choice of Adventure Class or GoldStar Service on Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic and Denali Star trains
  • Adventure Class rail travel on Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 3 lunches
  • All guided tours and excursions

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

Is train travel included?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes all three Alaska Railroad routes (Glacier Discovery, Coastal Classic, and Denali Star), plus all rail, cruise, and coach travel throughout the tour. You may choose Adventure Class or GoldStar Service on the Coastal Classic and Denali Star trains.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is an independent rail vacation. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary. Some days include guided excursions (the Tundra Wilderness Tour, Exit Glacier walk, dog sled tour, jetboat ride, and sternwheeler cruise), while others are free for your own exploration.
What hotels are included?
Vacations By Rail books you into hotels in Anchorage (3 nights, choice of Anchorage Marriott Downtown or Hotel Captain Cook), Seward (2 nights at Seward Windsong Lodge), Talkeetna (1 night at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge), Denali National Park (2 nights, choice of Denali Bluffs Hotel or Grande Denali Lodge), and Fairbanks (2 nights, choice of Pike's Waterfront Lodge or Springhill Suites).
What meals are included?
Three lunches are included: on Day 2 (26 Glacier Cruise), Day 3 (Kenai Fjords cruise), and Day 5 (at Resurrection Roadhouse). Breakfast and dinner are on your own.
When does this tour operate?
The tour runs in May, June, July, August, and September.
How much walking is involved?
Day 5 includes a guided walk to Exit Glacier and a dog sled tour. Day 8's Tundra Wilderness Tour is by bus with photo stops. Days 4, 7, and 9 are free, with optional hiking and river floats available at extra cost. Most days involve moderate walking and steps at train stations and hotels.

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