This Alaska Railroad Tour in the winter is designed for the train enthusiasts who want to experience the full flavor of Alaska’s Interior Region in the winter season! In Fairbanks, a guided tour takes you to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center and the Santa Claus House in North Pole. The Fairbanks area is world-renowned for Northern Lights viewing, and we can recommend several possible optional tours for the best chances to see this northern spectacle. Enjoy the scenic train trip to Anchorage the following day and keep an eye out for wildlife while viewing iconic Alaska landscapes all along the way.
Please note this tour departs on Saturdays to fit the Alaska Railroad schedule. There are some additional Tuesday and Thursday departures possible - please inquire for details.
Anchorage to Fairbanks
The day begins with an early morning Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Upon arrival transfer on your own to the hotel via shuttle. Later this morning embark on a city tour of Fairbanks where you learn about the history of the Golden Heart City. This guided tour includes a visit to 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 is closed the tour will go to the Antique Auto Museum instead). Finally, you will stop by the Santa Claus house in the town of North Pole, Alaska. The evening is at your leisure; you may want to add an Aurora Viewing tour (see Tour Add-Ons). Overnight in Fairbanks.
Fairbanks to Anchorage
In the morning you will depart on the iconic Alaska Railroad for your journey through Alaska's interior. The approximate 12 hour train journey allows you to experience nearly 356 rail miles and takes you through scenic locations that are not visible from the highway. Along the way you may encounter moose on the tracks and many flag stops. The tour concludes upon your arrival to Anchorage.
The tour begins on Saturdays to accommodate the Alaska Railroad schedule. There are some additional Tuesday and Thursday departures available - please inquire for details.
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.
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.
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.
All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.
Depart from Fairbanks for a day trip on a small plane, land across the Arctic Circle in a ceremonious fashion and receive an official Arctic Circle certificate. Enjoy a walk on the treeless Arctic tundra, which will give you a sense of the vast scale of Alaska's arctic regions. A short ground tour of the rural truck stop of Coldfoot... Read More
Enjoy an evening looking for the Northern Lights in one of the best aurora viewing locations near Fairbanks, AK. You will be transferred 30-45 minutes from your hotel to a prime Northern Lights viewing spot away from the city's lights. We recommend you dress warmly for this tour, so you may view Alaska's Northern Lights from the outdoors. If you... Read More
This Fairbanks day tour offers the perfect Northern Lights viewing opportunity as well as the chance to be personal dinner guests at an Alaska yurt. You will be transferred 30 - 45 minutes from your hotel to a prime Aurora viewing destination away from the city lights. At a cozy yurt, you will enjoy a home cooked, Alaskan meal. While... Read More
Call or email us to help plan the perfect Alaskan vacation.
Book the "Winter Railroad Tour", to add these tour add-on's to your reservation.
Designed for rail enthusiasts, this program includes Anchorage to Seward, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. From the majestic waters of Kenai Fjords National Park to Alaska’s... Read more.
See Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, scenic Richardson Highway and Valdez. This tour combines a classic Alaska train trip aboard the Alaska Railroad with an independent tour by car... Read more.
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Visiting Denali National Park is a top highlight of any Alaska vacation! Tour includes scenic bus and rail travel between Anchorage and Denali and a day inside Denali National Park.... Read more.
Call or email us your tour questions or to customize your Alaskan vacation.
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