Anchorage Train Depot

411 W 1st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA

It’s tempting to explore Alaska by car – indeed, there are advantages to doing so and in some areas no other choice – but the Alaska Railroad is a comfortable way to pass through tucked-away towns and see wilderness where no roads appear to wind but the train track. The trip from Anchorage to Seward takes just under 4.5 hours. En route we spied many-a-moose and even a few bears. Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, so once there we traded the train for a boat and cruised out to see ice-blue glaciers up close.

More Recommendations

Leaving Anchorage by Rail

It’s tempting to explore Alaska by car – indeed, there are advantages to doing so and in some areas no other choice – but the Alaska Railroad is a comfortable way to pass through tucked-away towns and see wilderness where no roads appear to wind but the train track. The trip from Anchorage to Seward takes just under 4.5 hours. En route we spied many-a-moose and even a few bears. Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, so once there we traded the train for a boat and cruised out to see ice-blue glaciers up close.

North of Anchorage at Denali

A rare view from a dome car after passing Talkeetna where flag stop service provides access to homesteads along the tracks.

More From AFAR