Book the Gold Star Service.
Ya know! I tell everyone that I know to always make sure that they take a ride on the Alaskan Railroad train. And I mean it! There is just something about this wonderful smooth looking train that makes me want to ride it over and over again. Maybe it’s the train cars, with their modern very clean look. Or maybe it’s the untouched scenery that you pass thru. What ever it is, riding the Alaska Railroad is unlike any other train ride in the United States.
With all that being said here are some of my experience on the train that can help you make a good choice and enjoy your ride on the train.
First I would highly recommend to ride with the Gold Star Service. With Gold Star, you get seated in a wonderful canopy view of the scenery and your own reclining seat. The coolest part is there is an open deck on the back of the car that you can go walk out on and get a really good feeling of the great state of Alaska.
Enjoy the wonderful Alaskan Scenery on the balcony of the train car! There’s nothing like feeling the wind in your hair. Only on the GoldStar Service.
The Alaska Railroad has many different adventures to choose from as well!
–Coastal Classic
To start off with there is the Coastal Classic route. This route features a convenient round-trip schedule and amazing landscapes along this route. Which is a local favorite. From Anchorage, the train winds along Turnagain Arm and through the backcountry wilderness of the Kenai Peninsula; you will see massive glaciers and towering waterfalls along the way. Which the train reaches the shores of Resurrection Bay, you can get on connections and journey deeper into the Kenai Fjords National Park. A Seven-Hour layover will allow for plenty of time in Seward before the return rail back to Anchorage that evening.
–Denali Star
The Denali Star is my favorite and a flagship route that more then 75% of out-of-state travels go on. Each day in the summer, The Denali Star departs Anchorage and heads north to Fairbanks, on this 12-hour Train ride. But if you want there is a train that leaves Fairbanks at the same time and meets in Denali. So now you finally have the answer to that age ole question, If Train A leaves the station at 7am and Train B leave another station at….. Well I must not get side tracked! (Pun intended!) Along the way the Denali Star makes stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali National Park. You can bet to see wonderful scenery and spectacular views of the train’s namesake mountain: Denali, the tallest peak in North America.
–Glacier Discovery
A variety of destinations and a convenient round-trip schedule make the Glacier Discovery Train ideally suited for day trips from Anchorage. Start traveling from Anchorage down south with stops in Girdwood, before continuing on to Whittier, Portage, the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and Grandview. On your way back you have different options to disembark at a few locations. More details are on the Alaska Railroad website.
–Hurricane Turn
Hurricane Turn route serves as a lifeline for Alaskans living off the road system in the backcountry wilderness north of Talkeetna. In the summer, the train operates Thursday thru Monday, departing Talkeetna and providing flagship service along the way to the turnaround point of Hurricane Gulch. This train only offers Adventure Class, And there is also a winter schedule online at alaskarailroad.com
When people ask me about Alaska I always tell them that the Alaska Railroad is a must do and top of the list for visiting! Some people just wish they knew about it sooner rather then later. So don’t miss out on this lifetime experience and get your ticket for that Alaska Railroad.
Have you rode the Alaskan Railroad? Please share your stories below in the comments, We’d love to hear and see your travel photo and stories!
