If you'd like to travel along the Alaskan coast, don't hesitate to book your tickets for the Coastal Classic Train, the railway connecting Anchorage with Seward by way of the Turnagain Arm.
Coastal Classic Train: the Alaska Coastal Railway
The Coastal Classic Train route has been named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the most beautiful train journeys in Alaska.
The journey begins at Anchorage Depot. From there, you'll enjoy a one-of-a-kind route taking in glaciers, deep river canyons, and waterfalls. Postcard scenery all the way!
You'll travel along the rugged coastline of Turnagain Arm, a narrow inlet in the Gulf of Alaska just south of Anchorage. It's one of the two arms that separate the Kenai Peninsula from the mainland, and it was named in 1778 by British explorer James Cook during his search for the Northwest Passage. On sailing into the inlet and realising it was a dead end, he had to turn again.
After a journey of 4 hours and 35 minutes, you'll arrive in the port town of Seward. From there, you can enjoy a range of outdoor activities at your own pace, such as a glacier trekking route in Kenai Fjords National Park at civitatis.com/es/seward/trekking-glaciares-fiordos-kenai/ or a rafting descent down the Resurrection River at civitatis.com/es/seward/rafting-rio-resurreccion/.
During the summer months, the Coastal Classic Train runs a daily return service, making it an ideal option for cruise passengers docking in Anchorage who'd like to see Seward while crossing some of the finest scenery on the Alaskan coast.
Seating Options
When you book, you can choose between 2 seating categories:
Adventure Class
- Reserved seat with large panoramic windows
- Food and drinks available for purchase at the Wilderness Café
- Freedom to move between Adventure Class cars
- Access to open seating in the Vista Dome car (summer only)
GoldStar Service
- Glass-domed ceilings for full panoramic views
- Open-air observation platform on the upper level
- Meal included in the dining room on the lower level
- 2 adult beverages at the private bar
- Comfortable forward-facing seats
- On-board commentary from an Alaskan tour guide
- Fully wheelchair-accessible car
Important: GoldStar Service seats are very limited and tend to sell out quickly. If there's no confirmed availability in this category after you book, we'll contact you to offer the option of traveling in Adventure Class, with a partial refund of the price difference between the 2 categories.
Train Schedule
When you book, you can also choose between one-way or round-trip tickets in either seating category:
One-Way Ticket (4 Hours and 35 Minutes)
- Departure from Anchorage: 6:45 am
- Arrival in Seward: 11:20 am
Round-Trip Ticket (15.5 Hours)
- Departure from Anchorage: 6:45 am
- Arrival in Seward: 11:20 am
- Free time in Seward
- Departure from Seward: 6 pm
- Arrival in Anchorage: 10:15 pm
Route Map
You can download a map of the Coastal Classic Train route at this link.
Alaska Winter Train
The Coastal Classic Train only operates in summer. If you'd like to enjoy an unforgettable winter rail journey, you can book your ticket for the Aurora Winter Train, which connects Anchorage with Fairbanks, at this link.