Getting around Alaska is truly an adventure thanks to unbeatable mountain, glacier, ocean and forest views. One of the most popular routes that tourists take in Alaska is from Anchorage to Seward train which can also be done via shuttle or car.
If you need to get to Seward from Anchorage without a car to catch your cruise or to spend a couple days in Seward, the Anchorage to Seward train is one of the most scenic rides in the country.
For our trip, we took the train from Anchorage to Seward with Alaska Railroad and it was one of the highlights of our entire trip. Read on to see what the train from Anchorage to Seward is like. This post also works for taking the train from Seward back to Anchorage.
Anchorage to Seward Train with Alaska Railroad
The Alaska Railroad offers 6 different routes and the route from Anchorage to Seward is called "Coastal Classic." This train ride takes around 4.5 hours one way. It makes one stop in Girdwood along the way. The train ride is around 127 miles (~204 kilometers).
The route starts in Anchorage, departing from the AK Railroad Depot and ending at the Seward Depot.
Departure from AK Railroad Depot: Go inside to get your train tickets at the counter. You need to present your ID. If you need to drop off your luggage, drop it off at outdoor luggage collection station. Let the attendant know what hotel you will be staying at in Seward. Then wait until your train is called and then head out the doors to board the train. The attendants will show you where your train car is. There is a little coffee stand inside the train station with coffee and pastries.
Alaska Railroad Train to Seward from Anchorage - Goldstar service cars with the open domes on top
Seward Arrival: When you arrive in Seward, you'll meet your guide, walk to your hotel or get transferred to your next destination. The Seward train depot is just a 2 minute walk from Hotel Harbor 360, 2 minute walk to Major Marine Tours, 7 minute walk to Kenai Fjords Tours and about a 20 minute walk to the town center.
Anchorage to Seward Train Schedule and Fares
Anchorage to Seward: 645 AM departure, 1120 AM Seward arrival.
Seward to Anchorage: 6 PM departure, 1015 PM Anchorage arrival.
*You can perfectly visit Seward from Anchorage as a day trip via train. This schedule allows you to have 7 hours in Seward. In that time, you can do a 4 or 6 Kenai Fjords National Park Tour, arguably the most popular activity in Seward.*
There are two train fares: Adventure Class and GoldStar Service.
- Adventure Class Regular season rates (June 1 - Sept 3) is approximately $130 USD per adult one way, $219 USD per adult round trip.
- GoldStar Service Regular season rates is approximately $266 USD per adult one way, $452 USD per adult round trip.
Value season pricing from May 16-31 and September 4-14 is around $40-60 USD per adult cheaper. Purchase tickets on the Alaska Railroad website.
Adventure Class vs GoldStar Service
The price difference between the two fares are substantial. There are key differences, highlighted below. Whether it's worth the extra money, is up to you. If you need to book roundtrip tickets, you can do Adventure Class one way and then splurge for GoldStar the other way to experience both.
GoldStar Service: GoldStar seats are in a dome car.
Included: 2 free alcoholic drinks, a meal, unlimited drinks like water, soda, juice and coffee, private bar in the car, Alaskan tour guide narration and large comfortable seats.
Seating is assigned but you may move around to the upper level outdoor viewing platforms.
Adventure Class: Adventure class seats have large side windows. Onboard dining and bar service for purchase. It is a bit easier to move around the Adventure Class seats and you can move between more cars. Also includes Alaskan tour guide narration.
Our GoldStar Service Experience
We rode the Goldstar Service from Anchorage to Seward and as someone who doesn't ride trains often, it was an incredible experience. The dome windows and open glass ceilings make you feel truly immersed in the Alaskan wilderness from the comfort of your seat. It is easy to see the views from both sides of the car with such large glass windows.
GoldStar service seats
Fall colors
Breakfast
Goldstar Service included breakfast which they did in separate groups due to seating size. Breakfast is on the lower level and they gave 4 choices: Aurora breakfast with eggs, potatoes bacon/sausage or biscuit, blueberry bread putting with bacon or sausage, cream of barley cereal with blueberry peach compote or biscuits and gravy. with reindeer sausage or bacon.
The Aurora breakfast with reindeer sausage and coffee
We also got coffee, juice and water. It was nice to have an unlimited non alcoholic drink bar because I really needed lots of coffee after our 530 AM wake up call.
The breakfast was delicious and after finally waking up and getting something in my tummy, we headed outside to the outdoor viewing platforms now that the sun was coming through.
Views
As we started going past Moose Pass and Crown Point, the train slowed down at the most scenic spots for us to soak in all the views of the surrounding. glaciers and wilderness.
Thankfully, the sun came out and the rain stopped for us to see pristine Alaskan beauty with glaciers, mountains and pure forest all around. We spent at least a good hour outside on the viewing platforms, taking thousands of photos of the scenery.
As we crowded around with other train riders on the platform, excitement buzzed in the air, as people gasped in awe as we slowed to a crawl in front of an imposing glacier, with the chugging sounds of the train in the background.
There was something classically romantic and magical about this train ride... the Anchorage to Seward train ride definitely earns its name was one of the most scenic train rides in the world.
Enjoying the crisp fresh air
Anchorage to Seward by train ...amazing views everywhere
Glacier off in the distance
Riding off into the forests and mountains
Amazing views on the Coastal Classic Route
Photos can't even capture the full beauty!
The Anchorage to Seward train ride was the first thing we did in Alaska and it really started our trip off with a bang! We knew Alaska was beautiful but we never guessed it would be THIS beautiful! Although you read and hear about it, it's never the same until you experience and see it with your own eyes.
After we took the train from Anchorage to Seward, we stayed in Seward for a few days. If you plan to get on a cruise at Seward, we highly recommend arriving a few days before so you can enjoy and see Seward in more than 1 day. Find out why we loved Seward, Alaska in this post and get our tips to help you plan your trip.