Aerial view of the Alaska Railroad.

Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Fairbanks

Serving Denali National Park since 1923, the Denali Star train route has treated travelers to impeccable service and stunning views for decades.

Picturesque view from aboard the train near Denali.

Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Fairbanks

Serving Denali National Park since 1923, the Denali Star train route has treated travelers to impeccable service and stunning views for decades.

Enjoying fall colors on the Alaska Railroad.

Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Fairbanks

Serving Denali National Park since 1923, the Denali Star train route has treated travelers to impeccable service and stunning views for decades.

Overview

Riding the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Fairbanks is an experience described as something like being in a movie from days gone by. For nearly 50 years, the two cities were connected solely by train, and while the route offers the same superior service and scenery of the past, it's the modern cars and many amenities that make it memorable today.

Like being part of a movie from days gone by.

The railroad's prized Denali Star train runs the scenic 350-mile route from Anchorage to Fairbanks once daily. After passengers board and settle into comfortable seats in either Adventure Class or GoldStar Dome cars, the train promptly departs the historic Anchorage Depot. The track heads around the Knik Arm and through Wasilla before turning due north into the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Onboard hosts tell the story of the railroad, pointing out both scenic and historic points of interest along the way.

In route to Talkeetna, the trip's first major stop, passengers can visit the Wilderness Café for coffee, or take their morning meal in the seated dining car. After a brief pause, the train heads on again, crossing the Susitna River and soaring Hurricane Gulch bridge. The route draws ever closer to Denali, at one point coming within 40 rugged miles of the summit. The track climbs out of the forest at Broad Pass and traverses a wide-open taiga plateau before pulling into the Denali Depot.

The final leg of this iconic rail journey continues out of the Denali Park area and into the steep and twisting Nenana River Gorge. The views along this section make for especially great photos. Finally, after exiting the gorge and once more moving swiftly through the open tundra of interior Alaska, the train pulls into the Fairbanks depot at 8 PM.

Quick Facts

  • Price From $221
  • Duration 12 Hours
  • Options Adventure Class, GoldStar Dome
  • Operating Dates Daily from 5/14/2025 to 9/17/2025

What's Included

  • Access to onboard dining.
  • Forward-facing assigned seats.
  • Onboard narration by host guides.
  • Scenic views out large picture windows.

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