Aurora Train Travel in Fall and Winter

Explore Alaska with a sampler of winter activities.

Tour Code: 233CTA

Tour Overview

This Aurora Train travel experience on the Alaska Railroad features some of Alaska’s best fall and winter activities in Anchorage and Fairbanks.  Begin your fall or winter tour with a day trip from Anchorage on a guided tour on Turnagain Arm along the Seward Highway, one of the most scenic drives anywhere!  You’ll visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see moose, elk, caribou, owls, and more!  The next day, depart Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad and enjoy the scenic train trip to Fairbanks.  Watch for wildlife while viewing iconic Alaska landscapes on this relaxing journey into the wilderness.  Fairbanks is one of North America’s great winter cities and is a world-renowned location for viewing the Northern Lights.  Here you will have a guided tour of the area, including visits to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center.  Later this evening, a local guide will take you to the prime aurora viewing location for your opportunity to view the amazing northern lights.

What's Included
  • 4 nights accommodation
  • Alaska Railroad Winter Train Anchorage to Fairbanks
  • Turnagain Arm Tour or Wildlife Tour on Day 2.  If you start the package Sep 19 – Oct 3, 2024 and Dec 19, 2024 – Mar 27, 2025, the 6-hour Turnagain Turnaround Tour is included with entrance to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Alyeska tram ticket, and lunch. If you start the package Oct 31 – Dec 12, 2024, the 4-hour Wildlife Tour is included with admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center only. 
  • Fairbanks City Tour on Day 4
  • Northern Lights Tour on Day 4
  • All taxes and fees
What's Not Included

Transfers in Anchorage and Fairbanks (in Fairbanks, a hotel courtesy shuttle might be available), meals, and guide gratuities.

 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Anchorage Arrival

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Offering an abundance of shopping, cultural attractions, and gourmet restaurants, Anchorage provides an excellent start to your vacation. Depending on your arrival, you may have time to take part in an optional tour such as local photo tour. Overnight in Anchorage.

Day 2
Anchorage

Take a small group guided tour along Turnagain Arm, one of the most scenic drives in the state. Your tour starts with a scenic drive south along the Seward Highway. The guide will tell you all about this area and share personal knowledge of Alaska. You will visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you will be introduced to Alaskan animals including moose, elk, caribou, owls and more! Depending on the time of the year, you may also travel to the ski town of Girdwood and Mt. Alyeska. Take in the spectacular views as you ride an aerial tram to the top of the mountain. As you travel back to Anchorage, keep your eyes open for Dall sheep and bald eagles. Overnight in Anchorage.

Package start dates between Oct 31 and Dec 12 include a 4-hour Wildlife Tour that only visits the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and that does not go to Girdwood due to the tram being closed during that time of the year.

Day 3
Anchorage to Fairbanks

In the morning transfer to to the Anchorage train station on own. Board the famous Alaska Railroad in the morning and travel through beautiful Alaska’s winter landscape to Fairbanks. During the train ride, enjoy spectacular views of the Alaska Range and possibly even Denali (weather permitting). You will arrive in Fairbanks in the evening and transfer to the hotel via hotel courtesy shuttle. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 4
Fairbanks

This afternoon, a narrated tour brings you to the highlights of Fairbanks. During the tour, you will visit the Morris Thompson Cultural Center where you will find great exhibits about Interior Alaska. Then stop at the Trans Alaska Pipeline where your guide will explain the astonishing engineering of the pipeline, the oil field in Prudhoe Bay, and the Alaska oil industry. From there, continue to the Museum of the North with its dramatic architecture and new exhibit galleries (when the Museum of the North is closed the tour will go to the Antique Auto Museum instead). And finally, you will stop by the Santa Claus house in the town of North Pole, Alaska.

Late in the evening, typically between 9:30pm and 10pm, you will be picked up for an aurora viewing tour. An approximate 45-minute drive will take you to an aurora viewing cabin. The cabin is designed especially for viewing the northern lights and located away from the city lights that can hinder aurora viewing. We recommend you dress warmly for this tour so you may view the northern lights from outdoor as well as the cabin. Hot beverages are provided and the cabin will have a bathroom or an outhouse facility. Your driver will return you to your hotel around 2:30am. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 5
Fairbanks Departure

You may have time this morning to explore on your own, before meeting a hotel shuttle to the airport to meet your departing flight.

SPECIAL NOTE: Reserved tour date may change due to northern lights activity, weather, or other considerations, after the tour has been confirmed. You will be consulted regarding any changes.

Tour Map

 

Dates & Rates


Child prices are valid for children 8-11 years and younger, sharing a room with at least 2 full paying adults with the existing bedding. Minimum age: 8 years. Maximum of 4 people per room.

Our Standard Program Includes:

2 and 3 star hotel accommodations.

The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.

Standard train car seating on all rail services (reserved seats).

If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.

Our Upgraded Program Includes:

* 3 and 4 star hotels (best available) wherever possible.

The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.

Deluxe dome train car seating between Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks, or Anchorage and Seward.

All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.

 

We recently returned from our Alaska trip and we wanted to tell you what a wonderful experience we've had. Your choices of hotels, tour operators and the itinerary itself were very well thought through. Everything went smoothly and without a hitch. Weather cooperated, too. We will definitely recommend your company to our friends.... Read more  

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