Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Fairbanks to Anchorage One Way
Description
Experience the splendor of winter in Alaska from the comfort of a warm railcar, complete with comfortable seats, large picture windows and onboard dining. The Aurora Winter Train travels between Fairbanks and Anchorage, making the southbound 12-hour journey on Sundays, as well as select mid-week departures (Wednesdays and/or Fridays) December through March. Flagstop service is provided along the 50-mile stretch of roadless backcountry south of Hurricane Gulch. While the Aurora Winter Train travels the same stretch of tracks as the summer Denali Star Train, the views are strikingly distinct; the vibrant colors of Alaska’s summer landscape give way to the quiet serenity of pristine snow. On a clear day, a spectacular view of Denali rises into view above the Susitna River. And anywhere along the tracks, a watchful eye may be rewarded with the sight of a moose in the wild.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Infants (0-1) may be added to a reservation as lap children (not requiring a paid, reserved seat) but they must be registered in the booking. To register an infant as a lap child, please indicate so in the “Special Requests” option in the final checkout and include the infant’s name, age and gender.
Reviews(42)
We took the train from Anchorage to Fairbanks then 4 days last returned to Anchorage. It was one of the highlights of our time in Alaska. The staff was so friendly and helpful. The one way trip is 12hrs but it didn't feel like it. We could move around free along the length of the train and there were areas to stand. We meet some wonderful fellow travelers and the atmosphere was very enjoyable. It's the best was to see all the mountains in our opinion. Highly recommend.
Long, but nice ride. It was more fun travel than travel from one town to another. Pleasant rail staff, kept us informed with history and what to see along the ride, and a good food too.
Great senary. You can see the whole snow covered Denali ridge. It's so beautiful. The staffs are very friendly and helpful too
It’s a long way from Fairbanks to Talkeetna on the train but do it. We did it on a group tour and enjoyed it very much. Staff were young and energetic. Big viewing windows. Decent seats. You can get up and move around from side to side if you get a glimpse of a moose or Denali. Adequate snack bar. Take a meal in the dining car. The pot roast was very good. Tip: diners were called from front of train (car A) to the rear (car D) so lunch for us wasn’t until around 3pm and we were very hungry! Take that into consideration Might have to buy or bring a snack. Recommend!!
This was a super interesting ride with great information and breathtaking views. Everything was done in such an efficient way that getting from Fairbanks to Anchorage was so smooth. I easily checked in a bag and everyone at the station and working the train were incredibly nice. Again, the views were amazing. I did wish that the lights could have been shut off at times so you didn't have the glare in pictures through the window, but that's probably for safety reasons.
Our train trip was amazing! Breathtaking views, comfortable seating, and great food. Our conductor “Vern” added so much fun and information to our trip!
A long, comfy, scenic trip. Spotted moose and eagles along the way. Staff shared their knowledge along the way. Two stops, Denali and Talkeetna, allowed us to stretch our legs and breathe in some crisp air. Opted for lunch and dinner sitting.
The train station has bathrooms and a gift shop. You can take pictures outside. Upon arrival we gave our luggage with our cruise luggage tag and they handled delivery all the way to cruise ship, wonderful! No hassle.
We had a great family trip on the winter train from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Our conductor F Long and assistants Daniel and Dustin were awesome. They were available for questions and took the time to answer them. Our 12 hour journey didn't seem that long. We were able to play games provided on the train a long as we left tables available for others. We were able to walk through the different cars as we needed to. To make breakfast, lunch or dinner reservations, the host would go through each car. We chose lunch as we liked the options better and had to sit across from people we didn't know. This was in order to make room for those who wanted to eat, I get it but was a little uncomfortable for those who do not wish to engage. We were told when wildlife was spotted and the train slowed down so everyone could see which was much appreciated. Scenic sites were also pointed out along the way. There is a bar and snack bar if you would like a drink or small lunch or dinner. We brought snacks and food and drinks on the train, bags are not checked for these items so I'm guessing they are allowed . Check in process was great, staff were very helpful and informative. Looking forward to another trip on a different route!
The scenery from the train was amazing. We saw moose, wolves, and bald eagles as well as many tracks in the snow. Food and drink service was plentiful and well managed. The guides on the train made announcements with interesting facts along the way. The train stopped long enough to get off and stretch our legs at both Denali and Talkeetna. Twelve hours is a bit long though and I wish we had brought some cards or a little game to play during the less stunning parts of the ride.
