Learn about Fairbanks -
Learn about Nenana - Learn about Denali National Park
Learn about Talkeetna - Learn about Anchorage -
Learn about Whittier - Learn about Seward
Completed in 1923, the Alaska Railroad's main line extends from tidewater at Seward north to the Interior city of Fairbanks, about 470 miles of track.
Operating year-round passenger service between Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Alaska Railroad also offers service via Talkeetna, Denali, Seward and Whittier during the summer. Amenities available (not on all routes) include glass-domed luxury railcars, gourmet cuisine and a wide variety of overnight adventure and sightseeing packages. The Alaska Railroad is one of the last surviving 'flag stop' passenger rail lines in the U.S. - trains that will stop where and whenever passengers want to get on or off.
Alaska Railroad in the fall. © Alaska Railroad
- View the Bartlett and Spencer Glaciers within 48 miles of Seward.
- A short rail spur tunnels through the rugged Chugach Mountains to Whittier.
- Watch for bore tides and beluga whales as the rail runs along beautiful Turnagain Arm.
- Now Alaska's largest city, Anchorage began as a construction camp for the railroad in 1914.
- Visit the charming town of Talkeetna, the base of operations for climbing expeditions to Mount McKinley.
- At Milepost 284 don't look down at Hurricane Gulch!
- Denali National Park is the destination of many rail travelers.
- Nenana is where President Warren G. Harding drove the golden spike to complete the railroad in 1923.
- Disembark in Fairbanks for endless adventure opportunities in Alaska's vast north.
January
- Anchorage Folk Festival
Anchorage, 907-566-2334 - Polar Bear Jumpoff Festival
Third Saturday in January
Seward, 907-224-5230
February
- Yukon Quest Int'l Sled Dog Race
Fairbanks, 907-452-7954 - Tesoro Iron Dog Snowmachine Race
Fairbanks, 907-563-4414 - Anchorage Fur Rendezvous
Anchorage, 907- 274-1177
March
- Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Anchorage, 907-276-4118 - World Ice Art Championships
Fairbanks, 907-451-8250
May
- Harbor Opening Weekend
Third weekend in May
Seward, 907-224-3160
June
- Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon
Anchorage, 907-276-4118
July
- Fourth of July celebrations Regionwide
- Golden Days
Fairbanks, 907-452-1105
August
- Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival
Fairbanks, 800-327-5774
November
- Annual Crafts Emporium
Anchorage, 907-263-2800
December
- Annual Holiday Train Ride
(roundtrip Anchorage-Seward)
Anchorage, 800-544-0552
Alaska Railroad
800-544-0552
411 W. 1st Ave. Anchorage, AK 99501
reservations@akrr.com
Anchorage Visitor's Bureau
907-276-4118
524 W. 4th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501
info@anchorage.net
Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau
800-327-5774
550 1st Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701
info@explorefairbanks.com
Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 607, Whittier, AK 99693
Seward Chamber of Commerce
907-224-8051
PO Box 749, Seward, AK 99664
visitseward@seward.net
Talkeetna Denali Visitor Center
800-660-2688
PO Box 688, Talkeetna, AK 99676
Alaska Railroad © AKRR
Questions about the Scenic Byways web site? dot.scenic.byways@alaska.gov