August 19, 2024
As you might have heard, getting a rental car in Alaska can be tough. Inventory is limited and demand is high, especially during the peak travel months of May to September.
But if you’re planning to vacation in what is known as “the rail belt”—a wide swath of Southcentral Alaska that includes Denali National Park, Seward, Fairbanks, and Anchorage—you can take the train instead, thanks to passenger service available from the Alaska Railroad.
There are some serious perks to seeing the state by rail, starting with the relief that drivers will feel from not having to keep their eyes glued to a narrow, winding road. On the train, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery, some of which you can’t even access by car.
The 10-day itinerary we’ve put together below involves some fairly long-distance train rides on the Alaska Railroad. You won’t have to deal with any quick, commuter-style transfers, but the cost of train tickets does add up pretty quickly. That makes this kind of trip best for singles, couples, and small families with some money to burn—if you’re looking to save money, you’ll probably find that accessing the stops along the route we’ve mapped will be cheaper if you rent a car or bring your own vehicle.
If you don’t have a full 10 days to spend in Alaska, you can easily split this itinerary into two parts: The first runs from day 1 through day 4 and includes Anchorage and Seward; the second part is day 5 through day 10 and includes Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks.
To book train tickets, find travel packages, and get additional information, go to AlaskaRailroad.com.