The Alaska Railroad will offer a full schedule of summer service after two seasons of COVID-19 related restrictions.
For summer 2022, the railroad will operate three daily summer routes, flagstop service, and chartered cruise trains. Trains will meet cruise passengers in Whittier and Seward, travelers arriving at the airports in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and passengers bound for Alaska’s national parks, communities, and parts of the Chugach National Forest accessible only by rail.
Alaska Railroad’s main depot is in downtown Anchorage; trains serve about 500 miles of Alaskan territory. 2023 marks the railroad’s 100th anniversary.
“We’re excited to return to a full season of daily summer trains, to give our guests more opportunities and flexibility to get out and travel Alaska,” Alaska Railroad marketing communications manager Meghan Clemens said in a press release. “Our train routes are the ideal way for passengers to visit the best of Alaska, and to do so while making their travel a highlight of their time in the state.”
Summer service season began May 7, with the railroad’s Coastal Classic Train offering daily roundtrip service between Anchorage and Seward. The Denali Star Train commenced Mauy 11, traveling between Anchorage and Fairbanks with stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna, and the gates of Denali National Park. Add-on day trips also can be arranged by the railroad.
May 12 marked the return of the Hurricane Turn Train’s flagstop service, where passengers can flag down the conductor to embark or disembark at any time. The route is an out-and-back, six-hour itinerary between Talkeetna and Hurricane Gulch, with a stop on the Hurricane Gulch Bridge.
On May 14, the Glacier Discovery Train will depart from Anchorage with stops in Girdwood and Whittier, followed by the start of the full route to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and Grandview Glacier on June 4.
The Alaska Railroad offers two classes of service for travelers on the Denali Star and Coastal Classic. Passengers in GoldStar Service ride in glass-domed railcars and have sit-down dining and access to a second-level outdoor viewing platform. Adventure Class travelers have large picture windows to take in the views.
The Kids Ride Free deal returns this summer; children under age 12 travel free with the purchase of one Adult Adventure Class fare on select routes. For more details, visit AlaskaRailroad.com