4 Best Day Trip Adventures on the Alaska Railroad

Posted On March 27, 2025

A trip to Alaska that includes Anchorage gives you the opportunity to do one of Alaska’s most unique and approachable adventures – a day trip excursion on the Alaska Railroad. If you’re intrigued by this car free unique experience but confused by your options, let me share my four favorites.

I’m the host of the Alaska Uncovered Podcast as well as a tour director in Alaska and a former full time Alaskan. I’ve been on lots of tours and to many amazing places and I only share the very best here on my website with you.

Alaska railroad cars in front of glaciers and mountains

I’m sharing some details about my four favorite day trips on the Alaska Railroad and then below that some frequently asked questions. These costs are approximate and do not include taxes or guide tips.

You’ll want to stay in Anchorage or Girdwood (for the first three, for Talkeetna you need to start in Anchorage) the night before and after your train journey as these are long and full (and amazing) days of at least 12 hours. I don’t recommend these trips for young children for the same reason.

I recommend booking these trips as soon as you know the dates you want to do them, especially around holidays. The operating dates vary for each of these trains, but they all operate from sometime in May until sometime in September. Check with the Alaska Railroad for the exact dates when you plan to visit.

https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/6413a29c7dea2b001480fc85

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps keep this website ad-free!

#1 – Spencer Glacier Float (Glacier Discovery Train)

Jennie in a raft with icebergs in the background on a rainy day
Me floating on the lake at the base of Spencer Glacier
  • Approximate cost: $300 per person
  • Gear provided: Rubber ponchos, life vests, all the paddling equipment
  • Why this is an unforgettable Alaska day trip: If you’re looking for a super adventurous but also low key outdoor activity in Alaska, this float trip is perfect. You’re out in the wilderness, with an incredible guide, but the water is not rough and it’s perfect for beginners. Also, you get dropped off for your float trip and picked up by train! The first part where you’re floating through glaciers in a lake near Spencer Glacier is unforgettable. In any weather this is really fun – I’ve done it in an absolute downpour and everyone loved it
A blue and yellow alaska railroad train stopped on the tracks with people and rafts near the edge of a river
Getting picked up at the Placer River by the Alaska Railroad on the Spencer Glacier Float

#2 – Glacier Quest Cruise in Whittier (Glacier Discovery Train)

A tidewater glacier face between two rocky mountains on an overcast day. The water is gray and there is a bright blue ice berg in the water
Blackstone Bay with Philips Cruises and Tours
  • Approximate cost: $320 per person
  • Gear provided: No special gear needed – you’ll have access to the heated cabin and the outdoor decks.
  • Why this is an unforgettable Alaska day trip: There’s nothing like seeing a tidewater glacier and this is an ideal place to do it with Philips Cruises and Tours no seasickness guarantee through the protected waters of Prince William Sound. The sheer number of glaciers and mountains you’ll see here will blow your mind. They have a delicious hot lunch included as well.

#3 – Resurrection Bay Kayak Tour in Seward (Coastal Classic Train)

A humpback whale tale in the water near Seward
A humpback whale in Resurrection Bay near Seward
  • Approximate cost: $360 per person
  • Gear provided: Everything you need for kayaking – although you’ll want your own rain jacket and rain pants that fit you!
  • Why this is an unforgettable Alaska day trip: Kayaking is an incredible way to get close to nature and with Sunny Cove Kayaking you’ll have an amazing guide to keep you safe and take you to incredible places. You’ll get to look for marine wildlife including whales too.

#4 – Talkeetna (Denali Star Train)

Denali and other high mountains with a river in the foreground in talkeetna
The views of Denali are stunning from Talkeetna
  • Approximate cost: $525 per person with flightseeing ($250 per person for just the round trip train ride from Anchorage to Talkeetna)
  • Gear provided: None needed, except for the glacier landing and they will give you overboots to wear
  • Why this is an unforgettable Alaska day trip: Talkeetna is a fun and funky town – make sure to walk to the river (pictured above) for amazing views of Denali. For an even better view of Denali, I highly recommend doing a flightseeing tour and make sure to splurge for the glacier landing.
A red airplane wing on a small flightseeing plane above a mountain covered in glaciers and snow.
Flightseeing over Denali National Park from Talkeetna with K2 Aviation

Frequently asked Questions about Day trips on the Alaska Railroad

Is there food available on board? Can I bring my own snacks?

Yes and Yes!

Is there wifi or cell service on board the Alaska Railroad?

There is no wifi and cell service is pretty iffy along most of the Alaska Railroad routes. Plan to have no wifi and no phone signal for the whole day and be pleasantly surprised if you get one bar of service for a few minutes!

Download any entertainment (music, audio books) in advance and put your phone in airplane mode to preserve the battery – make sure you also have a back up battery for your phone.

Is the Alaska Railroad Wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the train is fully wheelchair accessible. Make sure to let them know when booking so they are prepared with the wheelchair lift for you. I also recommend checking with the tour operators to make sure they are ready to accommodate you for the tour part of your day. Tour operators in Alaska are wonderful and helping guests with disabilities, sometimes in unconventional ways! They need to know in advance so they can prepare to support you having an amazing day.

Are there restrooms on board the Alaska Railroad?

Yes, there are airplane style restrooms on board the train with running water.

What should I pack for a day trip on the Alaska Railroad?

You’re going to be out and about for 12+ hours so it’s important to be prepared to have a great day and be out for many hours without anywhere to buy supplies and mostly without cell service or wifi. Make sure to bring:

  • Change of clothes if doing outdoor activities
  • Rain jacket and waterproof footwear
  • Water bottle and snacks
  • Sun protection
  • Back up battery for your phone and the right charging cable
  • Download any music or anything else you want to listen to during the day – you will not be able to stream and make sure you have headphones too
  • Cash for tips for guides

Related posts:

A hiker stands on a ridge above a fjord and distant mountains on a sunny dayHow to get between Whittier and Anchorage – all your options explained A snowy cross country ski trail in a birch forest with a wooden bridge over a frozen creek at Creamer's field in Fairbanks Alaska. It's a sunny day and in the distance is an open, snowy field, more birch trees and hills.Fairbanks in Winter: 12 unique things to do while you wait for the Northern Lights late evening sunlight on a mountain with a big of lingering snow across a forested bayAlaska’s Kenai Peninsula – Things to do and Itinerary two people stand holding hands at the entrance to the ice cave at Castner Glacier. The photo is taken from inside the cave looking out. There is ice below and above and all around and a snowy landscape can be seen outside the caveHow to hike to Castner Glacier and Castner Ice Caves in Alaska Root glacier in the foreground in Wrangell-St Elias National Park. It's a blue glacier with gray streaks. In the background are mountains with fog covering them and the bottom of an icefall in the distance that looks like a vertical glacierHow to Visit Wrangell-St Elias National Park in Alaska: Ultimate Guide A women in a blue swimsuit sits in an outdoor hot pool at the Alyeska Nordic Spa. She has her eyes closed and looks relaxed.Alyeska Nordic Spa Review – Relaxation perfected near Anchorage, Alaska
Jennie Flaming on InstagramJennie Flaming on LinkedinJennie Flaming on PinterestJennie Flaming on Youtube
Jennie Flaming
Hi! I'm Jennie. I’m a fourth generation Seattleite. I lived in Alaska for many years and I still spend lots of time there every year visiting friends and working as a tour director. I've been a guide for many years in both Alaska and Washington and host the Alaska Uncovered Podcast as well as the Washington State Hiking Podcast. I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. I’m so glad to have you here!