Why ride the Alaska Railroad - Five Reasons Why We Love It

Friday 14 July 2023

On an Alaska Railroad trip, the journey is as spectacular as the destination. The 470-mile Alaska Railroad runs from the village of Seward to the interior town of Fairbanks.

Apart from the historic White Pass & Yukon Route, the famous railroad built in 1898 during the Klondike gold rush, Alaska has only one railroad: the 470-mile line from Seward in the south of the Kenai Peninsula up to Fairbanks.

In addition, there is a line of about 10 miles between Portage and the ferry port of Whittier. Today, however, the tunnel between Portage and Whittier can also be used by car, eliminating the need for time-consuming loading onto the train. In the summer months from mid-May to mid-September, one train per day runs in both directions. Traveling instead of speeding is the motto - not fast, but cozy and comfortable is the journey with the Alaska Railroad.

Enjoy the unique view of the untouched landscape from here. In many regions, the railroad track leads off-road through breathtakingly beautiful areas, past glaciers, lakes and mountains. Be on the lookout for animals as well.

There are several reasons to take the Alaska Railroad:

Scenic Views: The Alaska Railroad offers breathtaking views of the state's wilderness, including mountains, glaciers, and wildlife. The two main lines connect Anchorage and Fairbanks (via Denali), and Anchorage with Seward.

The Anchorage – Fairbanks route is called The Denali Star. It's difficult to surpass the vistas of Mt. Denali from the train on a clear day. Mt. Denali, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,322 feet, is visible from the train as it travels within 50 miles of the mountain. Just north and south of Talkeetna across the Susitna River are some of the nicest vistas. Of course, in addition to Mt. Denali, there are many more sights to view along the Denali Star path. A stunning stretch of the train's route traverses the Chugach Mountains just north of Anchorage before turning and crossing the Knik and Matanuska Rivers as it travels towards the Talkeetna Mountains and the Matanuska Valley. The 918-foot Hurricane Gulch trestle, which is located north of Talkeetna and towers 296 feet over the creek below, provides stunning photo opportunities. You pass via Broad Pass, the Alaska Railroad's highest point at 2,363 feet, on your way to Denali Park, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Alaska Range.

The Anchorage – Seward line is called The Coastal Classic, and it also stops in Girdwood on its way to Seward. The Turnagain Arm, which hugs the coastline for the most of the first hour south of Anchorage, offers excellent views of the train as it passes by various picturesque places. On the steep cliffs above, Dall sheep are frequently visible, and travelers are frequently treated to a rare phenomena known as a bore tide. The train leaves the highway south of Portage and reaches a very isolated and difficult section of track. You will travel directly by the Spencer Glacier's magnificent ice wall before crossing the Grandview travel, which is a 1,063-foot-high mountain pass in the Kenai Mountains.

Convenient Transportation: The railroad provides an efficient and comfortable means of transportation for visitors to Alaska. It offers scheduled services that connect various towns from north to south, making it easy to explore the state. When you disembark the cruise ship in Seward, you can hop on the train to explore the interior of Alaska. Especially in winter, when the roads are icy and slippery, the Alaska Winter Train is a great choice. Covering the distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks in 12 hours, you have plenty of time to admire the passing and often untouched scenery. Sit back in the train's warm comfort to take in views through the large picture windows, or hopping off at one of the stops for adventures like dog-sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or even chasing the Alaska Northern Lights Tours.

Unique Experience: Riding the Alaska Railroad is a unique experience that offers a glimpse into the state's history and culture. It also offers a chance to see parts of the state that are not accessible by road. The Alaska Railroad ramps up its variety of unusual railroad-centric events as the busy summer season comes to an end. Some of these activities last an entire day, while others are relatively short out-and-backs, but all of them are celebrations of Alaskan lifestyles and great times in general. These chances for tourists to visit Alaska range from musical events that make the trains rock and roll down the tracks to seasonal celebrations that coincide with Alaska's seasons. All of them display the exceptional hospitality and breathtaking Alaskan beauty that all travelers associate with the Alaska Railroad, some of which incorporate off-train activities. Combining the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and the Alaska Railroad is an ideal way to experience Alaska in winter.

Comfortable and Relaxing: The Alaska Railroad's trains are spacious and comfortable, providing an enjoyable and relaxing journey. The cars are designed with large windows, which allows passengers to take in the stunning scenery. You can walk around the cars, visit the Wilderness Café or have full service meals, and enjoy the fresh air while visiting numerous viewing platforms and places between cars. Enjoy comfortable seats with plenty of legroom. This kind of slowly paced journey will make sure that you are aware that you are on Alaska Train Vacation, especially when combined with attentive care and excellent storytelling from our onboard tour guides.

Wildlife Viewing: The Alaska Railroad offers an excellent opportunity to view Alaska's wildlife. The train's slow pace allows for easy spotting of these animals in their natural habitat. You might encounter black and brown bear, caribou, moose, a bald eagle, ptarmigan, salmon, mountain goats, and Dahl sheep while traveling on the Alaska Railroad. However, because "wildlife are wild," sightings cannot always be guaranteed. Please use common sense when interacting with animals, keep a safe distance, and never provide food to wild animals.

Overall, taking the Alaska Railroad is a unique and unforgettable experience that offers stunning views, convenient transportation, and a chance to explore Alaska's rich history and culture.

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