Riding Alaska Railroad's Denali Star Train
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Ride Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star Train to see the stunning land of the midnight sun. Chug past mountain ranges, glacial rivers, steep canyons, and boreal forests from the comfort of a glass-domed train car. Spot moose, caribou, bears and bald eagles over drinks. Listen to the clickety-clack of the tracks while enjoying a meal in the dining car.
On the Denali Star, journey through wide swaths of remote Alaskan wilderness. Traverse Hurricane Gulch on a sky-high trestle. On a clear day, be wowed by views of towering Denali. Our article on the Denali Star Train will give you all the information you need to plan your own Alaskan Railroad adventure.
TOURS SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA
WHAT IS THE DENALI STAR TRAIN
The state-owned Alaska Railroad operates trains in Southcentral and Interior Alaska. The Denali Star Train is the railway’s flagship service. It is a seasonal (May to September) passenger train that runs daily between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
In season, the northbound Denali Star Train leaves Anchorage every morning for a 12-hour trip to Fairbanks. Along the 356-mile journey, the train makes stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Denali National Park. In Fairbanks, the southbound train embarks upon the reverse route.
HISTORY: ALASKA RAILROAD & DENALI STAR TRAIN
Construction of the Denali Star corridor began in 1915 as part of the Alaska Railroad. The line was developed to link the ice-free southern harbors with the resource-rich Alaskan interior. It was completed in 1923. Later, when visits to Denali National Park became popular, the Denali Star Train route became an important means of shuttling visitors about the park.
TRIP ESSENTIALS
For almost every Alaskan travel destination, I find myself reaching for my Eddie Bauer Rainfoil Jacket, Frogg Toggs Hat, Merrell Hiking Boots, and Crocs Strappy Sandals (wear to dinner or the pool).
Other items I rely on include my Huk Sunglasses and Contigo Autoseal Water Bottle (no spills in the backpack).
But by far, my number one can’t-do-without essential is my Sony RX100 Compact Camera. It fits perfectly into a pocket. Or, mounted on a Mini-Tripod it slips into my Travelon Sling Bag.
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DENALI STAR TRAIN TICKETS
Purchasing Train Tickets
Denali Star Train tickets can be purchased through the Alaskan Railroad website (alaskanrailroad.com). Tickets are priced for a one-way journey. You can purchase tickets for the entire route (northbound or southbound), or for any portion of the route between stops (Anchorage – Wasilla – Talkeetna – Denali – Fairbanks).
Classes of Service
Tickets can be purchased for two different classes of service:
GoldStar Service: Ticket for an upper-level train car with a glass-dome ceiling that offers 360’ views. The service includes an outdoor second-story viewing platform (great for photographers), a downstairs dining room (meals and drinks included), and restrooms.
Entire Anchorage to Fairbanks route: Adult ticket $553 (2026)
Adventure Class: This service includes comfy lower-level seats next to large picture windows. There is access to a shared dome car, restrooms, and food that can be purchased from an onboard café.
Entire Anchorage to Fairbanks route: Adult ticket $285 (2026)
Booking Tips
Be cognizant that the Denali Star Train is a bucket-list experience for many travelers, and it has a short booking window. The train frequently sells out in the peak travel months (June and July). Book early; ideally 3-6 months ahead – especially for the premium GoldStar class.
EXCURSIONS SOUTH ALASKA
DENALI STAR SCHEDULE & TIME TABLE
Operating Season: Daily mid-May through mid-September
Regular Timetable: Northbound departs 8:20AM Anchorage; arrives around 8PM Fairbanks. Southbound departs 8:20AM Fairbanks; arrives around 8PM Anchorage.
Stops Along the Route
Wasilla: About 1 hour, 15 minutes from Anchorage (5 minute stop)
Talkeetna: About 2 hours, 45 minutes from Anchorage (15-20 minute stop)
Denali: About 8 hours from Anchorage (15-20 minute stop)
BEST TIME TO RIDE THE DENALI STAR TRAIN
Here are a few things to consider when deciding when to book your journey on the Denali Star Train:
Overall Best Month to Book: June
The month of June offers the best weather for the journey with the right combination of sunshine, warm temperatures, and long daylight hours. June also has less rain, wildfire smoke, and crowds than July and August. There is good wildlife viewing (bear and moose) in June.
Lower Cost & Crowds: Shoulder Months
For the best value in travel costs (e.g., airfare, hotels, excursions) and the fewest crowds, choose the last two weeks of May or the first two weeks of September for your trip.
PACKING ESSENTIALS
We rely on a combination of bags: Our Level-8 28” and Level-8 20” spinners are fun and stylish. Our Delsey Helium 28” hardshell is a workhorse. Our Tomtoc Backpack is great for short trips.
Randy doesn’t use them, but I swear by segregating items into Compression Packing Cubes and Wet Bags.
For security, we place an Apple Air Tag in each bag, and keep a supply of RFID Blocking Sleeves on hand.
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DENALI STAR TRAIN AMENITIES
Adventure Class Facilities
Seating: Roomy, reclining seats with footrests and large picture windows.
Shared Dome Car: Access to a communal, upper-level dome car for panoramic viewing. During busy times, guests are asked to rotate in and out in 20 minute increments.
Dining: Access to the grab-and-go Wilderness Café (hot/cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks, and full bar service).
Extras: Onboard guides circulate to share route highlights.
Restrooms: Standard train restroom. Functional and compact.
Accessibility: Adventure class cars are wheelchair accessible.
GoldStar Class Facilities
Seating: Reserved, forward-facing seats on an upper-level, glass-domed car for panoramic views.
Outdoor Platform: Exclusive access to a covered outdoor viewing area (located at the back of the glass-domed car).
All-Inclusive Dining: Meals are included (breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner depending on the timing of the trip). Meals are served in a lower-level private dining car. Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, plus two complimentary adult alcoholic drinks per person.
Extras: Priority boarding, luggage service, onboard tour narrator/bartender.
Restrooms: Located on lower level. Spacious layout.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with lift accommodations.
Luggage Policy
Each passenger may bring one carry-on item (not to exceed 15” x 14” x 6”). Ticketed guests may check up to (2) pieces of luggage (not to exceed 50LB). Luggage storage is not available at any train stations.
TOURS ALASKA'S INSIDE PASSAGE
DENALI STAR TRAIN MAP
DENALI STAR ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS
Across the course of the 356-mile journey, the Denali Star Train crosses a variety of stunning landscapes that run across Southcentral and Interior Alaska. Here are a few of the highlights starting on the Anchorage end of the journey.
Anchorage to Talkeetna: Look for the Knit River with the Chugach Mountains in the background as well as the long, narrow Turnagain Arms inlet and tidal flats. Later, see the Matanuska-Susitna Valley with its lush green farmlands.
Talkeetna to Denali National Park: Enjoy views of the snow-capped Alaska Range. If the skies are clear, watch for Denali (Mount McKinley) behind the winding Susitna River. Pass over Hurricane Gulch on a steel-arch bridge (296’ high).
Denali to Fairbanks: Follow the snaking curves of the Nenana River while enjoying views of the Alaskan Range. Watch for remote backcountry cabins and area wildlife (bears and moose).
Riding the Denali Star Train from end to end makes for an epic day trip. Even more fun is to plan a multi-day adventure along the rail corridor. Instead of renting a car, or traveling by coach bus, ride the rails.
At each station along the way, there is good transportation to lodging and easy access to tour companies. Here are a few ideas about things to do, and where to stay, at stops along the way:
Anchorage
Excursions
Hotels
Wasilla
Excursions
Hotels
Talkeetna
Excursions
Hotels
Denali National Park
Excursions
Hotels
Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge - We stayed here. Loved it!
Fairbanks
Excursions
Hotels
We loved our journey on the Denali Star Train – and we hope you do, too! Laura and Randy
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