Alaska Train

Amber Wisinger

Hubby decided to surprise me with the gold Star train ride from Fairbanks to Denali and back. Apparently he did not understand that the ticket included breakfast and 2 adult beverages on the way there and supper and 2 adult beverages on the way back. So we ended up eating 2 breakfasts and 2 suppers. Obviously not ideal. I ordered a whiskey sour on the way to Denali and it tasted like it had been made with a spiced rum so I didn't try another drink. The staff was very engaging. The seats were very comfortable. The food was ok but we weren't thrilled to have to eat at the same table with strangers. I guess they have to pair you up because of time constraints. We didn't see any wildlife along the way. Honestly the trees are so close to the train that you can't see much a lot of the trip, and when you can see the scenery, you are close to the highway so it's not like you are out in the middle of the wilderness. We ended up driving on that highway the next day and the scenery was much easier to see and had better vantage points. I know this sounds stupid, but we didn't realize that the train drops you off in the woods! Lol. I guess we assumed it would drop you off at a town with a visitors center. Nope! So unless you've preplanned a guided tour or an ATV trip, you will be wandering around the visitors center for 4 hours until the train comes back to get you. The visitors center is nice with exhibits, a cafe, bathrooms and is the start to several trails. However, 4 hours is a long time to be there with nothing else to see or do. Overall was the Gold Star train ride nice? Yes. Was it worth the extra money...not really. But now we can say that we've done it.

Nick Bartlett

This was super fun. Great staff and beautiful views all the way from Anchorage to Seward. Dome car was pretty cool too; it was worth the extra cost to do once. The regular seats are pretty good as well.

Mark Gibson

We rode both the Adventure Class train and the GoldStar Dome. Both are great, and provide better scenery and photo options than the motorcoach which travels the highway (which is still better than driving by the way). GoldStar is best for picture taking because they have an area where you are literally outside, hence no window glare.

Nurul Syaza Azlisha

Beautiful scenery all the way💋The recommended trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage. No discounts offered if you buy 6months in advance (only applicable military and elderly discounts)