** Last Chance ** Discover Alaska by Train & Car

15 days / 14 nights, from/to Anchorage

Our Discover Alaska by train & car package combines the most scenic train rides in Alaska with magnificent places off the beaten track that you will explore by car. See Alaska’s major attractions like Denali and Kenai Fjords National Park, take a bath at Chena Hot Springs and drive on a true Alaska gravel road to a copper-mining ghost town.
Discover Alaska and Yukon by train & car is the right choice for you if you are looking for relaxed traveling as well as some adventure.

***Limited availabilities left for this summer ***

*** Book today don’t wait! ***

Day 1 Anchorage

After your arrival, explore Alaska’s biggest city: Take a walk on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail or take the Town Trolley to get a first overview of the city. There is lots to do in Anchorage. The Visitor Center is a good starting point to collect information.

Day 2 Anchorage to Seward (by train)

Catch the early morning train to Seward and enjoy the stunning scenery on your way south to the coastal town of Seward. This is the most beautiful train ride in Alaska, taking you along Turnagain Arm and snow capped mountains. Upon arrival in Seward you will join a 6 hour cruise into the Kenai Fjords National Park, giving you the opportunity to spot marine wildlife and glaciers.

Day 3 Seward to Anchorage (by train)

You will have most of the day to explore Seward on your own: Visit the SeaLife Center, stroll through the town center or spend the day visiting the nearby Exit Glacier. In the late afternoon the train takes you back to Anchorage. Arrival time is approximately 10:15 PM.

Day 4 Anchorage to Talkeetna (by train)

Take the train to Talkeetna, a charming artist town with a fantastic location at the confluence of the Chulitna, Susitna and Talkeetna Rivers and with great views of the Alaska Range. The population is highly creative, thus you will find many imaginative shops and businesses as well as the mystique of its mountaineering community.

Day 5 Talkeetna to Denali (by train)

Today it’s on to famous Denali National Park. On clear days you can enjoy great views of the mountain ranges while you relax on the train. You will arrive in the afternoon and have the remainder of the day to get familiar with the region.

Day 6 Denali National Park

Get the experience of Denali National Park on your 4.5 hour guided bus tour. You will see the beauty of the National Park and its tundra landscape while following the Park Road to the East Fork historical cabin. On route watch for wildlife as moose, Dall sheep, caribous, foxes and with some luck bears are often spotted during the trip.

Day 7 Denali to Fairbanks (by train)

You have some more time in the Denali area before catching the train to Fairbanks. You may go back to the park entrance and visit the exhibitions at the Visitor Center, the Murie Science Center or the Sled Dog Demonstration. Arrival in Fairbanks is at approximately  8 PM.

Day 8 Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs (56 miles)

Pick up your rental car and drive through the scenic Chena Hot Springs Recreation Area to the equally named resort. On almost every drive moose can be spotted along the road. There are many good options for hiking. At the resort you can relax in the hot springs, join various activities or visit the ice museum.

Day 9 Chena Hot Springs to Fairbanks (56 miles)

Return to Fairbanks. There is a lot to do in Alaska’s second largest city: Experience the old days at Pioneer Park, learn about history and cultures in the interesting museums or take a dinner cruise down the Chena River.

Day 10 Fairbanks to Paxson Area (133-175 miles)

Leave Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway. You will get some close views of the famous Alaska pipeline that goes from Prudhoe Bay at the Arctic Ocean to Valdez at the end of the Richardson Highway. Enjoy the fantastic scenery on the way South.

Day 11 Paxson Area to McCarthy/Kennicott (196-237 miles)

Today you will drive to the amazing Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the largest National Park in the US. Nine of the 16 highest peaks in North America are located in this park. You will drive the last 60 miles on the McCarthy Road, a true Alaska gravel road. The road ends just before McCarthy, a very charming ghost town that was once an important town for the world’s formerly most productive copper mine in Kennecott.

Optional: Instead of driving the gravel road to McCarthy, it is also possible to include a round trip flight from Chitina to McCarthy.

Day 12 McCarthy/Kennicott

Free day to explore the area. Go on a glacier hike, visit the old copper mine in Kennicott on a guided tour, take a hike in the park or go on a scenic flight and enjoy the incredible scenery from above.

Day 13 McCarthy to Matanuska/Palmer Area (202-275 miles)

The scenic Glenn Highway offers some good opportunities for hiking or fishing. See Sheep Mountain and the Matanuska Glacier before you enter the Mat-Su Valley either today or tomorrow. This valley gets the most hours of sunshine in Alaska and is therefore the prime agricultural area in the state. Overnight in the Sheep Mountain Area or Palmer.

Day 14 Matanuska/Palmer area to Anchorage
(41-72 miles)

A short drive takes you back to Anchorage. Visit some more attractions or do some shopping before choosing one of the various pubs and restaurants for your last dinner in Alaska.

Day 15 Anchorage

Your tour ends today. Return your rental car and depart Anchorage.

Accommodations

Accommodations chosen along the train itinerary usually provide transportation from/to the train station.

Depending on SUV availability the routing can be in above or the reverse order: It may either start with the train trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks followed by the self-drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage or start with the self-drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks followed by the train trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage. The direction will be determined at the time of booking.

GoldStar Service

The Discover Alaska by Train & Car package includes Adventure Class for all train services. We highly recommend an upgrade to GoldStar Service, especially on the Anchorage – Seward train. Alaska Railroad’s GoldStar Service offers passengers an exceptional way to travel across Alaska. Glass-dome ceilings allow for panoramic views as Alaska unfolds along the tracks, and an outdoor, upper-level viewing platform – the only of its kind in the world –  offers fresh air and an excellent vantage point for photos. On the lower level of GoldStar railcars, passengers enjoy a full-service dining room; GoldStar tickets include meals, all soft beverages and two complimentary adult beverages per trip for passengers over 21.

2024 GoldStar Upgrade:
Seward to Anchorage only:  $219 per person
All services:  $634 per person

RATES 2024 WITH GONORTH SUV

Available from May 28 to August 31, 2024.

From/to Anchorage

Room Per Person Booking Code
Double Starting at $4935  GON402
Single Starting at $8760 GON401
Triple Starting at $3785 GON403

INCLUDING

  • All overnight accommodations including tax
  • Alaska Railroad tickets in Adventure Class for all legs
  • 6 hour Kenai Fjord National Park Cruise
  • Bus tour on the Denali National Park Road
  • GoNorth 5-passenger SUV 4×4 with unlimited miles, standard Collision Damage Waiver (CDW reduces responsibility for damage to the rental unit up to USD 2000.00 per incident. A security deposit of USD 2000.00 will be charged upon pick up)
  • One-way fee and gravel road permission
  • Detailed itinerary

CANCELLATION POLICY

Up to 31 days before departure date 30%
30 – 21 days before departure date 50%
20 – 14 days before departure date 75%
13 – 0 days before departure date 100 %

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