Ride the legendary Alaska Railroad in a glass-domed GoldStar railcar from Anchorage toward Denali, watching North America's tallest peak emerge over tundra teeming with moose, caribou, and grizzly bears. This is the definitive Alaskan grand-landscape experience.
What to expect
Settling into the GoldStar dome, you're immediately immersed in a panoramic Alaska that simply cannot be seen from a road or ship. The train hugs sheer river gorges, crosses the iconic Hurricane Gulch trestle 296 feet above the valley floor, and opens onto the broad Susitna Valley where Denali (on clear days) looms above everything. A full hot meal service — fresh Alaskan king salmon, prime rib — is served at your seat. Wildlife sightings are narrated by on-board guides.
Good to know
Best for Gulf of Alaska itineraries disembarking in Anchorage or Seward (the railroad connects both). Book GoldStar class well ahead — it sells out by March for peak-season departures. A one-way scenic ride to the Denali depot (approx. 8 hrs) then returns by charter bus or overnight; confirm your post-cruise logistics before booking. USD 229 one-way; round-trip from USD 458.