According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, a record 3 million visitors flocked to Alaska for the tourism season spanning May 2024 to April 2025; 88% came for summer in Alaska, predominantly cruise ship passengers who sail during the cruise season from May to September.
For the other half of the year, the Last Frontier is not first on many travel lists. Despite a trending increase in cold-weather travel, braving an Alaskan winter does not hold the same mass appeal as sailing its sunny glaciers.
With 500 miles of tracks and copious cruise packages, the Alaska Railroad is a popular option for sightseeing. However, its year-round operation is underutilized.
Travelers looking to experience Alaska don't have to limit themselves to a five-month window. If you have clients considering a trip to the 49th State, they might want to consider a trip on one of Alaska's five major train lines -- in all types of weather.
Aurora Winter Train
The Alaska Railroad operates its winter route beginning in late September, with departures north from Anchorage on Saturdays and south from Fairbanks on Sundays. Midweek departures typically resume in February.
This 12-hour rail journey enables passengers to pass Alaska's astonishing wintry beauty in absolute comfort, featuring wide picture windows and full-service dining.
Winter experiences are available as an add-on to each fare, curating excursions like guided snowshoeing, flightseeing over Denali or the Arctic Circle and northern lights viewing from Chena Hot Springs near Fairbanks.
If visitors are in town in March, they'll have the chance to take part in the festivities surrounding the Iditarod. This year, there are three days to partake (March 8 to 10), including an excursion to the official start of the race in Willow followed by a trailside barbecue; and two checkpoints to watch the dogs and mushers arrive. (For those planning ahead, dates for the 2027 Iditarod are March 3 to 9.)
Experiences available on the Alaska Railroad Winter Train include snowshoeing and a northern lights viewing. Photo Credit: Nathaniel Wilder
Hurricane Turn Train
During peak season (May through mid-September), the Hurricane Turn train operates along eight stops, from quintessential small-town Talkeetna to the turnaround spot at Hurricane Gulch.
Locals consider this line a best-kept secret for access to "authentic" Alaska, with remote cabins and in-the-know fishing holes along the way. Autumn visitors to Alaska can still ride the rails with reduced service along the backcountry Hurricane Turn route. The train operates monthly beginning on Oct. 1 (except for March), so visitors can plan to arrive in time for the first Thursday of each month (Nov. 5 and Dec. 3, etc.) to embark on the five-hour route through the Indian River Valley, from Anchorage to Wasilla, Talkeetna and Hurricane (and return).
Fall colors do come and go quickly in Alaska, so anyone looking for golden foliage should focus on late August through September rather than October. However, less foliage on the trees allows for a clearer view beyond the rails to the Susitna River and Denali on a clear day. Be advised that this train service requires riders to bring their own food and beverages onboard.
The Coastal Classic passes Bartlett Glacier. The train runs from mid-May to mid-September. Photo Credit: Glenn Aronwits
Coastal Classic
Rated one of the top train rides in North America by National Geographic Traveler, this line operates from Anchorage to Seward by way of Girdwood (home of the Alyeska Resort) and return, from mid-May to mid-September.
The Classic follows the winding stretch of Turnagain Arm past the Chugach Mountains into the woods and ultimately to the shores of Resurrection Bay. Cruisers departing from Seward and looking to extend their time in Alaska can easily fly into Anchorage and board this train.
A five-night South to the Glaciers package includes a guided tour of Exit Glacier and a visit to a dog kennel housing Iditarod champions; a small-boat tour of the Kenai Fjords with an overnight in a wilderness lodge and opportunities for kayaking and hiking; and time in Seward with the option for ziplining or touring the Alaska SeaLife Center.
The train depot is located alongside the new Seward cruise terminal, scheduled to debut for the 2026 season.
Denali Star
The most popular train route on the Alaska Railroad is the flagship Denali Star, traversing a 12-hour journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks and return, with stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali. It operates from mid-May until Sept. 17.
This is the train is best suited for anyone looking to tour Denali National Park & Preserve. Packages through the Alaska Railroad -- like the four-night North to Denali or one- and two-night options inside of Denali with train fare -- streamline the trip for clients who are short on time. (Of course, it's just as easy to disembark the train in Denali for independently arranged accommodations or tours.)
With much of Denali blocked off by a road closure until at least this summer, it might be prudent to book the weeklong Alaska's National Parks by Rail package, which also incorporates Kenai Fjords National Park and a bear-viewing flight, plus two other trains.
GoldStar beverage service on the Alaska Railroad Denali Star. Photo Credit: Alaska Railroad
Glacier Discovery
Like the Coastal Classic route, this line travels from Anchorage to Girdwood but veers off to Whittier, making it ideal for travelers boarding a cruise in the small port town. It operates from May 30 to Sept. 14.
Adventurous types will enjoy daytrips to Portage or Spencer Glacier, which conveniently features a 1.3-mile gravel path from the tracks straight out to spectacular views above Spencer Lake.
Further scenic sightseeing is assured for those who ride the length of the route, with glaciers, river valleys and alpine meadows featured prior to the train's turnaround point in Grandview.