For most people, when they think of visiting Alaska, they immediately think of a cruise. The Inside Passage, small port towns, glaciers… There's a reason why cruises through Alaska are so popular—they’re epic! But we’d love to encourage you to go on a different adventure through Alaska—one that’s every bit as picturesque, but shows the more rugged and “real life” Alaska that you don’t always see from a massive ship.
We’re fresh off of a 9-day trip through Alaska, where we took the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Talkeetna, to Denali, and ended in Fairbanks. (Get our full itinerary HERE.) Our time on the Alaska Railroad was hands-down our favorite—and if you have kids, we guarantee they’ll love it too! Here’s why:
It’s easy
From the moment you check in to the moment you arrive at your destination, everything is taken care of for you. Traveling with two kids two and under means that we do NOT travel light (lol) so we were a little concerned about the logistics of boarding the train with all of our luggage. We were so relieved when we arrived at the depot and the Alaska Railroad team swiftly took our bags to the luggage cart. We didn’t have to think about them again until we were at our stop, and they were conveniently laid out for us to grab! On one of our stops, they even took them all the way to our hotel room (cruisers know this life).
You’re assigned a seat (the Alaska Railroad hosted us and treated us to GoldStar Service—more on that later), and within minutes you’re off on your journey!
It’s beautiful
It goes without saying that the trip is breathtaking. No matter what route or train car you’re in, you’re guaranteed a stunning ride. From lush forests to sprawling meadows to crystal clear lakes—every twist and turn gave us a new vantage point into Alaska’s varied terrain. We saw eagles (Jude’s favorite), caribou, and even a moose! We had all kinds of weather during our journey, and that made it all the more fun! There was truly nothing more exhilarating than drinking a Moscow Mule on the viewing deck as it’s pouring rain around you. Speaking of which…
It’s pampering
We rode in the GoldStar cars, the Alaska Railroad’s premium class of service. It is worth every penny for this upgrade. Each ticket comes with two complimentary alcoholic drinks, unlimited soft beverages, a fancy meal in the dining car, a viewing deck (that was a big hit with Jude), and your seat(s) are under a glass dome ceiling for optimal views.
The attendants were all so accommodating and friendly, the meals we ate were delicious (get the veggie burger!), and Jude drank more juice than a two year old should have in one week. It’s safe to say we ALL lived our best lives!
If you opt to save your money and ride in the Adventure Class, know that it’s still an epic experience. The seats are comfy and spacious, there’s plenty of room to move around, and there’s even a fabulous dining car serving a’la carte meals!
It’s fun for the whole family
It’s always overwhelming traveling with kids. The logistics, the gear, the meltdowns, the naps… It’s A LOT. That being said, it feels like a real victory when you choose an adventure that everyone enjoys. The Alaska Railroad was just that. Delicious drinks for mom and dad, a (confined) space for Jude that kept him entertained and happy (like we said, unlimited juice), and continuous rolling movement that made nap times a breeze—for both of our kids! We usually dread “travel days” but taking the train instantly became the highlight of our trip.
We’ve been home for over a month now, and Jude still asks to ride the “deedee car” (that’s what he calls trains, we don’t know why) multiple times a day. And honestly, we think about it a lot too! We had the best time aboard the Alaska Railroad, and are already talking about how epic a winter train experience would be. Anyone want to join?
