Travelers to Alaska have a lot of ground to cover; the state holds 665,000 square miles of land that includes volcanic islands, Arctic tundra, glaciers, and temperate rainforest. Yet in winter, some of the state’s most compelling scenery can be experienced in a week aboard the Alaska Railroad.
The railroad’s weeklong Aurora Winter Train “showcases the best of winter in Alaska,” including easy access via Anchorage, a sled dog tour with an Iditarod champion, a visit to a Denali basecamp that flanks the tallest peak in the U.S., and, of course, view of the Northern Lights from Interior Alaska.
The journey begins in Anchorage, where travelers board the Aurora Winter Train and head north toward Talkeetna, watching from the train window as Denali draws closer and closer. If the view of Denali isn’t enough from Talkeetna, you can add on a sightseeing flight that takes you closer to Denali and the Alaska Range. The following day the group joins Dallas Seavey, the only musher to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race six times, for a guided sled dog tour.
After two nights in Talkeetna, travelers hop back aboard the Aurora Winter Train and make their way along the edge of Denali National Park, traversing the Alaska Range before arriving in Fairbanks. In Fairbanks, travelers have the chance to take a second flight above the Arctic Circle followed by a night of guided aurora chasing.
The next night, travelers get a second chance to see the Northern Lights over Fairbanks before the weeklong journey comes to an end. In Fairbacks, most travelers choose to book one of the railroad’s rail-fly packages, which provide airfare back to Anchorage.
Onboard the Aurora Winter Train, guests travel in Adventure Class, which provides comfortable seats, large picture windows, and an onboard cafe. There is wheelchair access in Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Fairbanks. In the summer, the Denali Star Train travels the same stretch of tracks.
The six day, six night journey on the Aurora Winter Train departs on Mondays in March 2026. Rates are $2,449, based on double occupancy, and reservations can be made by calling Alaska Railroad directly at (800) 544-0552. The trip is only open to kids who are age 5 and older.
The Alaska Railroad has been in operation since 1923 and provides regularly scheduled passenger service along 482 miles of track, including routes into Interior Alaska.
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