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Alaska Railroad title image

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.

Byway Highlights

photo 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.

Calendar of Annual Events

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

Visitor Contact Information

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

Nenana Chamber of Commerce
miles@mtaonline.com

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

 

photo
Alaska Railroad © AKRR

 

Questions about the Scenic Byways web site? dot.scenic.byways@alaska.gov