Amtrak Vacations
USA and Canada Rail Experience Roundtrip from Chicago
Independent rail loop from Chicago through Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto and New York
13 daysfrom $3,239
58% rail
PTG Tours · Escorted tour
Rail & Natural Wonders of Alaska
A tour covering all the fascinating railways in Alaska - a 'clear Alaska' - including the legendary Alaska Railroad's Denali Star and Coastal Classic (travelled GoldStar) and the White Pass & Yukon Railroad, plus amazing wildlife and scenery.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Vancouver
Vancouver
Various flight options from the UK to Vancouver, clearing Canadian customs. Overnight in a hotel near the airport. Possible to join the holiday in Seattle or Fairbanks instead.
- Day 2railovernight: Fairbanks
Onward to Fairbanks
Early Amtrak Cascades train to Seattle (approx. 4 hours), a break in the city, then Skytrain to the airport for an Alaska Airlines flight north to Fairbanks. Option to join the tour today.
- Day 3railovernight: Fairbanks
Fairbanks
Free day for acclimatisation and exploration of Fairbanks, 'the Golden Heart of Alaska'. Optional visit to Pioneer Park and a ride on the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad.
- Day 4railovernight: Anchorage
Denali Star to Anchorage
Morning departure on the Denali Star, the premier train of the Alaska Railroad, travelling south to Anchorage in GoldStar accommodation with a chance to see Mount McKinley.
- Day 5railovernight: Anchorage
Whittier & Spencer Glacier
Round trip to Whittier and Grandview on the 'Glacier Discovery' train (09:45 departure, 21:15 return), along Turnagain Arm with a stop at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop for a walk to Spencer Lake, and time in Whittier.
- Day 6railovernight: Anchorage
Seward on the Coastal Classic
Round trip to Seward on the 'Coastal Classic' train through glacier scenery and over Moose Pass, followed by a Kenai Fjords catamaran tour on arrival.
- Day 7overnight: Juneau
Fly to Juneau
Flight with Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to Juneau (approx. 1h40). Free afternoon; optional Mount Roberts tramway for views over Juneau and Bald Eagle sightings.
- Day 8overnight: Skagway
Ferry to Skagway
Alaska Marine Highway sailing from Juneau to Skagway via Haines (approx. 7 hours), arriving mid-day. Stay at the Westmark Inn in the centre of town.
- Day 9railovernight: Skagway
Skagway - Fraser steam train (optional)
Optional ride at extra charge on the regular Skagway-Fraser steam train, expected to be hauled by Baldwin steam loco 73, climbing to the Summit and into Canada before descending back to Skagway.
- Day 10overnight: Skagway
Free day in Skagway
A free day to relax and explore the town.
- Day 11railovernight: Skagway
Skagway to Carcross
Early departure on Train 1, running the full length of the White Pass & Yukon Route from Skagway to Carcross via Fraser (Canadian customs on board) and a series of lakes to Bennett, with a packed lunch served on the train and time for an ice cream in Carcross before an early evening return to Skagway.
- Day 12railovernight: Whitehorse
Transfer to Whitehorse
Free morning in Skagway, then a mid-day train to Fraser with an easy transfer onto a connecting bus to Whitehorse.
- Day 13
Departure
Mid-day transfer to Whitehorse airport for return flights home, via Vancouver.
Included
- Rail and road travel and activities as outlined in the itinerary
- Good quality hotel accommodation
- Gold star upgrade on Denali Star and Coastal Classic trains
- Services of our Tour Manager (escorted from Vancouver to Whitehorse)
- Meals as shown in the itinerary (breakfast, lunch and dinner where indicated)
- Internal flights: Seattle to Fairbanks, and Anchorage to Juneau
Not included
- International flights to/from UK (estimated £800-£1,200, confirmed at time of booking)
