Alaska Railroad · Rail package

Taste of Alaska

5-day rail sampler linking Anchorage, Talkeetna and Seward

Alaska Railroad's Taste of Alaska is a 5-day rail vacation package connecting Anchorage, Talkeetna and Seward. Travelers ride two different scenic trains, the Denali Star to Talkeetna and the Coastal Classic to Seward, choosing between standard Adventure Class or the premium glass-domed GoldStar Service. Day 1 in Anchorage is unstructured, left to sightseeing at the traveler's own pace. Day 2 brings a Denali Star ride to Talkeetna paired with a flightseeing tour over Denali and the Alaska Range, and day 3 adds a 130-mile round-trip jetboat ride into Devil's Gorge before the return to Anchorage. Day 4 shifts south to Seward on the Coastal Classic, with a dog sled ride, lunch at an Alaskan roadhouse and a tour of Exit Glacier, and day 5 closes with a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise past glaciers and wildlife before the train ride back. With a new city most nights, this suits travelers who want a fuller sampler of Alaska Railroad's routes and included tours rather than a single-base stay.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence does not name the specific hotels for the Anchorage, Talkeetna or Seward overnights; confirm accommodations with Alaska Railroad.
  • Day 1 in Anchorage is unstructured, with sightseeing left to the traveler rather than a guided activity.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Anchorage

    Anchorage

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

  2. Day 2railovernight: Talkeetna

    Anchorage to Talkeetna

    Take the Denali Star Train to Talkeetna, Alaska. Once there, you're in for a treat: a flightseeing tour of Denali and the entire Alaska Range. See walls and rivers of ice and North America's highest peak on this unforgettable experience.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Anchorage

    Talkeetna jetboat, return to Anchorage

    In Talkeetna, a jetboat ride journeys 130 miles roundtrip into the heart of Devil's Gorge. Tour includes lunch. Later, return to Anchorage on the Denali Star Train.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Seward

    Anchorage to Seward

    Depart early on the Coastal Classic Train to Seward. Upon arrival, explore the port town with The Real Alaska Tour, includes a dog sled ride, lunch at an Alaskan roadhouse, and tour of Exit Glacier.

  5. Day 5rail

    Kenai Fjords cruise, return to Anchorage

    Today, embark on a cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. See hanging and tidewater glaciers, sea otters, sea lions and perhaps even a pod of whales. Lunch included. Later, depart for Anchorage on the Coastal Classic Train.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Denali Star Train carries travelers to Talkeetna, where a flightseeing tour views walls and rivers of ice and North America's highest peak.
  • Day 3A jetboat rides 130 miles round trip into the heart of Devil's Gorge, with lunch included, before the Denali Star Train returns to Anchorage.
  • Day 4The Coastal Classic Train reaches Seward, where the Real Alaska Tour adds a dog sled ride, lunch at an Alaskan roadhouse, and a tour of Exit Glacier.
  • Day 5A cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park passes hanging and tidewater glaciers, with sea otters, sea lions and possibly whales, before the Coastal Classic Train returns to Anchorage.

Questions travellers ask

Is the rail travel included in the price?
Yes. Round-trip travel aboard the Denali Star and Coastal Classic trains between Anchorage, Talkeetna and Seward is included.
What rail class options are there?
Adventure Class, the standard service, starts at $2,769. GoldStar Service, a premium glass-domed class, starts at $3,545.
What is included besides the trains?
A Talkeetna jetboat tour with lunch, the Real Alaska Tour in Seward with a dog sled ride, lunch at an Alaskan roadhouse and a tour of Exit Glacier, a Kenai Fjords cruise with lunch, and a Denali flightseeing tour.
How many days does the trip cover?
The package covers 5 days, with overnight stops in Anchorage, Talkeetna, Anchorage again, and Seward.
Where do I stay?
The evidence names the overnight cities (Anchorage, Talkeetna, Seward) but not the specific hotels.
Is the first day guided?
No. Day 1 in Anchorage is left free for travelers to book their own excursion or explore shops, museums and restaurants.

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