Riding the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage: The 'Coastal Classic' (Seward) vs 'Glacier Discovery' & 'Denali Star'

Anchorage exists because of the Alaska Railroad, established in 1914 and carrying passengers in blue-and-yellow trains from the Historic Anchorage Depot (411 West 1st Avenue, below 4th Avenue downtown) every summer morning from mid-May through mid-September, plus the weekend Aurora Winter Train. Here is how to choose your route and class of service.

1. Comparing the 3 Summer Train Routes Departing Anchorage

1. The Coastal Classic Train (Anchorage ↔ Girdwood ↔ Seward | Morning Departure, Evening Return): widely rated as the most scenic train ride in North America. After hugging Turnagain Arm to Girdwood, the tracks leave the highway behind, climbing through the roadless Kenai Mountains past hanging glaciers (Bartlett and Trail Glaciers), through tunnels and across high steel trestles over waterfall gorges before reaching Resurrection Bay in Seward before midday.
   • The Day-Trip Combo: ride the morning train to Seward, take a waiting shuttle bus to the 6-Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise, and ride the evening train back to Anchorage while dining on crab and prime rib in the dining car.
2. The Glacier Discovery Train (Anchorage ↔ Portage ↔ Whittier ↔ Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop): passes through the 2.5-mile Whittier Tunnel and continues into the backcountry to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, where you step off in the wilderness to walk or kayak among blue icebergs in Spencer Lake before the afternoon train returns.
3. The Denali Star Train (Morning Departure Northbound): travels north along the Susitna River to Talkeetna (possible as a day trip) and Denali National Park (requires an overnight stay).

2. Adventure Class vs GoldStar Dome Service

• Adventure Class: assigned seats with large picture windows, access to the Wilderness Cafe car, and shared access to a walk-in Vista Dome Car (check current fares on the official Alaska Railroad site).
• GoldStar Service: guarantees a seat inside the two-level Glass Dome Car, access to the open-air upper-level viewing platform (with zero glass glare for cameras), plus hot meals in the lower-level dining room and two bar drinks included.