Alaska Railroad Fairbanks to Denali | AlaskaTravel.com (2024)

Alaska Railroad Fairbanks to Denali | AlaskaTravel.com (1)

It’s 112 rail miles of tundra, rivers, and one winding gorge from the “Golden Heart City” to Denali National Park.

Alaska Railroad Fairbanks to Denali | AlaskaTravel.com (2)

It’s 112 rail miles of tundra, rivers, and one winding gorge from the “Golden Heart City” to Denali National Park.

Alaska Railroad Fairbanks to Denali | AlaskaTravel.com (3)

It’s 112 rail miles of tundra, rivers, and one winding gorge from the “Golden Heart City” to Denali National Park.

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  • Alaska Railroad Fairbanks to Denali
  • Overview
  • More Details
  • Departure Times
  • Availability
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  • Add to My Trip

Overview

Although Fairbanks is known as the end of the line for the Alaska Railroad, on this train route it marks the beginning of a scenic four-hour ride south to Denali National Park. The train departs the Fairbanks Depot at 8:20 AM.

Enters the tundral landscape distinctive of interior of Alaska.

Onboard hosts provide narration as the morning ride gets underway, describing the area and pointing out its many landmarks. The train quickly leaves town, and enters the tundra landscape distinctive of Interior Alaska. Large picture windows afford passengers wonderful views whether they're at their assigned seats, enjoying a coffee from the Wilderness Café, or ordering a full breakfast in the train's dining car.

As the train nears Denali National Park, passengers are encouraged to keep a lookout for picturesque views of the Nenana River Gorge. The stretch makes for great photos of the train as it snakes along high canyon walls before pulling into the historic Denali Depot.

More Details

The Alaska Railroad offers two levels of service between Fairbanks and Denali Park: Adventure Class and GoldStar Dome. Adventure Class passengers enjoy spacious cars with tall windows and large seats, access to a shared dome observation car, and the ability to easily walk between different cars on the train. The GoldStar Dome offers passengers luxury rail service with reserved upper deck seating beneath large dome windows and all-inclusive meals. Alaska Tour & Travel is happy to offer our guests the choice of service to best suit their needs and budget. Click here for more train service details.

Snacks and beverages are available for purchase onboard in the Wilderness Café. Full-service meals are served in the lower level of the GoldStar dome car for GoldStar passengers only. Breakfast, all non-alcoholic beverages, and two alcoholic beverages are included in the GoldStar ticket price.

What to Bring

Bring a camera, medications, and government issued photo ID. Bring a credit or debit card for additional onboard purchases (cash not accepted). It is a good idea to dress in layers, since the temperature can vary depending on the weather and the train car's heating and cooling system.

Special Instructions

Check in at the depot with a valid government issued photo ID one hour prior to departure. Boarding passes with seat assignments will be issued then. All Adventure Class and GoldStar Dome passengers are assigned seats by the Alaska Railroad upon check in at the depot. The Alaska Railroad offers checked baggage service. Passengers are allowed two checked bags plus one carry on, with dimension and weight restrictions like those of airlines. The Alaska Railroad charges $20 per item for oversized or excess baggage.

Departure/Arrival Points

Many Fairbanks area hotels provide transportation to the Fairbanks Depot. Upon arrival at Denali Park, passengers will be met by their hotel shuttle. In many cases, luggage is transferred from the train directly to the hotel.

Fairbanks Train Depot
1031 Alaska Railroad Depot Road
Fairbanks, AK 99701

Denali Train Depot
Mile 1.5 Denali National Park Road
Denali Park, AK 99755

Rates & Dates

Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.

Child rates apply to children under the age of 12. Infants under the age of 2 may travel for free but must sit on an adult's lap.

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Adventure Class

Dates Adult Child Infant
5/10/24 (F) to 5/31/24 (F)5/10/24 (F) to 5/31/24 (F) Adult: $67.00 Child: $34.00 Infant: $0.00
6/1/24 (Sa) to 9/4/24 (W)6/1/24 (Sa) to 9/4/24 (W) Adult: $88.00 Child: $44.00 Infant: $0.00
9/5/24 (Th) to 9/19/24 (Th)9/5/24 (Th) to 9/19/24 (Th) Adult: $67.00 Child: $34.00 Infant: $0.00
The rates above are subject to change without notice.

GoldStar Dome Service

Dates Adult Child Infant
5/10/24 (F) to 5/31/24 (F)5/10/24 (F) to 5/31/24 (F) Adult: $163.00 Child: $96.00 Infant: $0.00
6/1/24 (Sa) to 9/4/24 (W)6/1/24 (Sa) to 9/4/24 (W) Adult: $190.00 Child: $119.00 Infant: $0.00
9/5/24 (Th) to 9/19/24 (Th)9/5/24 (Th) to 9/19/24 (Th) Adult: $163.00 Child: $96.00 Infant: $0.00
The rates above are subject to change without notice.

Departure Times

Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.

Departures

Depart Location
Depart: 8:20 AM Location: Fairbanks Train Depot

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Availability

Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.

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Adventure Class

Book Now >

GoldStar Dome Service

Book Now >

  • Price From $67
  • Duration 4 Hours
  • Options Adventure Class, GoldStar Dome
  • Operating Dates Daily from 5/10/2024 to 9/19/2024

What's Included

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

Add to My Trip

"The Alaska Railroad is a very comfortable, carefree way to travel. Soon after leaving Fairbanks, we were able to see some mountains from the Alaska mountain range."

~Charles from Florida~

Alaska Railroad Fairbanks to Denali | AlaskaTravel.com (2024)

FAQs

How long is the train ride from Fairbanks to Denali? ›

Although Fairbanks is known as the end of the line for the Alaska Railroad, on this train route it marks the beginning of a scenic four-hour ride south to Denali National Park. The train departs the Fairbanks Depot at 8:20 AM.

Where does the Alaska Railroad drop you off in Denali? ›

Alaska Railroad Denali Depot: Mile 1.25 Denali Park Rd.

How do I get to Denali from Fairbanks? ›

Take the Train

The Denali Star train leaves Fairbanks at 8:20 AM and arriving in Denali Park around 12:10 PM in the summer. You can choose from the Adventure Class or GoldStar Dome service from the Alaska Railroad or try the luxe Wilderness Express service.

Does the Alaska Railroad go through Denali National Park? ›

The Alaska Railroad's flagship train. Each day in the summer, the Denali Star departs Anchorage for the 12-hour journey north to Fairbanks, while a sister train in Fairbanks makes the same trip in the reverse. Along the way, the Denali Star stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali National Park.

Is the train to Denali worth it? ›

The Denali Star Train is a scenic way to reach Denali National Park. If anyone is wondering how to fit as much of Southcentral Alaska into a limited visit as possible, I have a suggestion: Take the train.

Do you sleep on Alaska train? ›

No. Overnight options are available through Alaska Railroad's many tour and hotel partners. How can I get updated information on your tours? Our website has the latest information and it is a great trip planning resource for you.

What is the most scenic part of the Alaska Railroad? ›

The track covers 470 miles of Alaska, from the mountainous Kenai Peninsula, to the sweeping tundra of the Interior. But, because it passes through diverse landscapes that can only be seen by train, the stretch from Anchorage to Seward is perhaps the most scenic of all.

What is the best scenic train ride in Alaska? ›

COASTAL CLASSIC TRAIN

Considered by many to be our most scenic route, the Coastal Classic is ideally suited for day trips from Anchorage to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park. GoldStar Service available.

How early do you need to arrive for the Alaska Railroad? ›

We require passengers to check-in at the ticket counter one hour early at the Anchorage and Fairbanks depots, and 30-45 minutes at Talkeetna, Seward or Denali. At depots, boarding for all trains occurs 20-30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Is the drive from Fairbanks to Denali Scenic? ›

Day 2: Fairbanks to Denali

From there, end your day with a scenic, two-hour drive south to Denali National Park, home to North America's tallest peak. Camp or stay at a hotel or cabin near the park entrance.

Is it better to drive or take train from Anchorage to Denali? ›

You could take another mode of transportation to Denali, but driving yourself is the quickest way there. Of course, it also gives you maximum flexibility to take side trips or stop at fishing holes.

How many days do you need in Denali? ›

Located far from any airport or large city, Denali is a wilderness park. Reaching the park can take several hours (or even most of a day), so we recommend that you plan a minimum itinerary of 2 nights in the area, which gives you one full day and part of two others.

Can you hop on and off Alaska Railroad? ›

Due to the nature of flagstop service, which allows passengers to get on and off the train anywhere along the route, times may vary. Fares shown are one way (round-trip is double). Adventure Class service only.

Where does the train drop you off in Denali? ›

The Denali Depot, open year-round (though mainly busy only in summer), serves as the main railroad stop for visitors arriving in Denali by train.

How long is the train from Denali to Fairbanks? ›

Transportation at a Glance
Estimated TimeTravel Guide/Schedule
Car2.5 - 3.5 HoursDenali to Fairbanks Guide
Bus3 HoursBus Schedule
Train4 HoursTrain Schedule

How long is the White Pass and Yukon train ride? ›

This 2.5 to 2.75 hour, 40 mile round trip climbs from tidewater at Skagway to the Summit of White Pass, a 2,888 foot elevation. The fully narrated tour passes through two tunnels, over sky-high trestles & cascading waterfalls.

Can you do Denali in a day? ›

Don't miss this chance to see Alaska's most iconic National Park as an enjoyable winter day trip from Fairbanks! Among other highlights, this full day experience includes a guided nature walk or snowshoeing, and a return journey to Fairbanks aboard the Aurora Winter Train.

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