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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Tour Alaska by Rail

Nine-day independent rail loop through Alaska, Anchorage to Fairbanks.

Illustration of Tour Alaska by Rail

Vacations By Rail's Tour Alaska by Rail is a 9-day independent itinerary through Alaska's most celebrated landscapes. You arrive in Anchorage, then ride the Alaska Railroad's GoldStar Class observation cars south to Seward and the Kenai Fjords, where a boat tour navigates past glaciers and into wildlife habitat. The journey continues north through Talkeetna and into Denali National Park, home to grizzly bears and soaring eagles, before boarding the evening train to Fairbanks. Along the way, you stay in solid three-to-four-star hotels and participate in guided jetboat and bus tours of parks and towns. The itinerary emphasizes scenic rail travel and included excursions over unstructured free time, making it a good fit for independent travellers who want the framework of a planned route but also time to explore cities and towns on their own. The tour runs May through August.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 8 includes a flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage; rail does not cover the entire route end-to-end.
  • Hotel stays are one night each in Seward, Talkeetna, and Denali; most activities in these towns are pre-arranged excursions rather than free exploration.
  • Some included tours (Denali National Park bus tour, Sternwheeler Riverboat, Kenai Fjords cruise) are separate from rail time; confirm exact schedules and logistics with Vacations By Rail.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Anchorage

    Arrive in Anchorage

    Welcome to Anchorage, the economic and social hub of Alaska. Take the day to explore on your own.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Seward

    Anchorage to Seward

    Travel from Anchorage to Seward on Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic train, a 4-hour scenic journey. Seward sits at the edge of the Kenai Peninsula on Resurrection Bay, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Anchorage

    Seward - Anchorage

    A 6-hour cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park reveals glaciers, forest and the chance to spot humpback whales, before returning to Anchorage by train.

  4. Day 4overnight: Talkeetna

    Anchorage - Talkeetna

    Board the Denali Star to Talkeetna, then set out on a wilderness jet-boat tour with an experienced guide and naturalist, watching for nesting bald eagles and beavers.

  5. Day 5overnight: Denali

    Talkeetna - Denali National Park

    Travel from Talkeetna to Denali National Park, home to North America's highest peak, a grizzly bear population and soaring bald eagles.

  6. Day 6overnight: Fairbanks

    Denali National Park - Fairbanks

    A comprehensive bus tour delves into Denali National Park for wildlife and history, before boarding the Denali Star in the evening bound for Fairbanks.

  7. Day 7overnight: Fairbanks

    Fairbanks

    A sightseeing tour and Sternwheeler Riverboat Tour explore Fairbanks, the 'Golden Heart City', and its Gold Rush history.

  8. Day 8overnight: Anchorage

    Fairbanks - Anchorage

    Fly from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the city.

  9. Day 9

    Tour ends in Anchorage

    Your tour ends today in Anchorage.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: The Coastal Classic travels four hours from Anchorage to Seward on the edge of Resurrection Bay, gateway to Kenai Fjords.
  • Day 3Day 3: A six-hour cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park reveals glaciers and forest, with chances to spot humpback whales.
  • Day 4Day 4: After boarding the Denali Star to Talkeetna, a guided jetboat tour searches for nesting bald eagles and beavers.
  • Day 6Day 6: A comprehensive bus tour of Denali National Park explores wildlife and history before boarding the Denali Star to Fairbanks in the evening.

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 8 nights
  • Rail travel on the Alaska Railroad
  • Flights and airport transfers: Alaska Airlines flight Fairbanks to Anchorage (coach class)

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes travel on the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic (Anchorage to Seward) and Denali Star (Anchorage via Talkeetna and Denali to Fairbanks), both in GoldStar Class.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Independent. You travel on your own following a planned itinerary. Arrival day in Anchorage and departure day are unguided. Some activities, such as the Denali National Park bus tour and jetboat excursion, include a guide or naturalist.
What hotels are included?
Eight nights across five hotels: Hilton Hotel in Anchorage (3 nights), Harbor 360 Hotel in Seward (1 night), Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (1 night), Grande Denali Lodge (1 night), and River's Edge Resort in Fairbanks (2 nights).
When does the tour operate?
May, June, July, and August.
What is not included?
Travel insurance and cancellation insurance are not included but can be arranged separately.
How much walking and activity is involved?
Moderate. The tour includes bus tours, boat tours, a jetboat excursion, city sightseeing, and a riverboat tour, plus self-guided exploration of cities.

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