Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Seward Round-Trip Same Day Return
Overview
14 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Departing from downtown Anchorage, the Coastal Classic Train travels south along the rugged coastline of Turnagain Arm, with dramatic views of the Chugach Mountains plunging directly to the sea. At the end of Turnagain Arm, the tracks veer away from the road system into the backcountry wilderness – and what many consider to be the most scenic stretch of the Alaska Railroad, accessible only by train. Watch for views of massive glaciers, steep river canyons, and cascading waterfalls. The train arrives to Seward at 1115 am, allowing plenty of time to explore this charming port town – or opt to take a marine wildlife & glacier day cruise into the nearby Kenai Fjords – before departing on the return journey at 6 pm that evening, arriving back to Anchorage by 10:15 pm.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Infants (0-1) may be added to a reservation as lap children (not requiring a paid, reserved seat) but they must be registered in the booking. To register an infant as a lap child, please indicate so in the “Special Requests” option in the final checkout and include the infant’s name, age and gender.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Take a train ride to the port town of Seward from Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad! You will not be disappointed by the stunning vistas on your relaxing 4-hour journey down to Seward. The large picture windows and open vestibules on the train provide excellent photo-taking opportunities along the journey, and local guides share the stories behind the sights along the way. There are many local highlights and excursions you can see and do in Seward before the return rail journey to Anchorage that evening. • Depart Anchorage Depot at 6:45 am • Arrive Seward Depot at 11:05 am • Onboard narration included on train • Onboard dining available for purchase on train • Explore Seward on your own. Optional tours or cruises (sold separately) to explore Seward and/or the Kenai Fjords. Advance booking recommended. • Depart Seward at 6:00 pm • Arrive Anchorage at 10:15 pm
What‘s Included
Round-trip rail transportation from Anchorage to Seward on the same day
Alaskan tour guide providing narration throughout rail journey
Depart Anchorage 645am and arrive Seward 1115am
Optional dining and snack bar available for purchase
Depart Seward 600pm and arrive Anchorage 1015pm
Comfortable reserved seating
Accommodation, tours and/or activities in Seward
Options
Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Seward Round-Trip Same Day Return
Reviews
371 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly recommended
AnnieMarie W,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The absolute best experience. So worth the price. Will do it again. Highly recommended. Food was great. Scenery was breathtaking.
Goldstar trip
wojciecht754,,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I traveled on the Alaska Railroad from Girdwood to Seward. I took the GoldStar class, which offers an open-air balcony perfect for taking photos. The coach is very comfortable, and the staff are friendly. As the train travels through the Kenai Peninsula, it passes magnificent landscapes with plenty of rivers, Spencer Glacier, lakes, and scenic canyons. You can spot lots of wildlife, including moose, eagles, bears, and even salmon in the nearby rivers. The train moves quite slowly, but thanks to that you can relax and fully enjoy the breathtaking views. If you wish, you can even get off in remote areas — there are whistle stops along the route.
Choo Choo!!
jackievP1027QO,,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing trip!! Amazing experience!! Staff were friendly and the train was neat and clean!! Would do the train trip again on a future Alaska trip!!
Book it!
JJ870,,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just book it. Super clean, super nice, amazing views. We were on a chartered ride in the fancy upstairs window cars and it was awesome, relaxing, great scenery. Highly recommend.
Train ride, Rafting and Bus nature adventure
stephenpH2276DE,,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience. As the train went through Girdwood, Whittier, and Spencer Glacier, we saw wildlife and beautiful nature with commentary by guides. We also went rafting at Spencer Glacier with our excellent tour guide, Emily Hickox. I highly recommend it.
Excellent tour for everyone!
Tbasis F,,Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a great way to fill you day with a lot but without having to exsert yourself. The train is very comfortable. Lots of room to move around and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
The Ride Of A Lifetime!
I7660ZCjims,,Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our first trip to Alaska was highlighted by our experience with the Alaska Railroad. Our rides on the Coastal Classic and the Denali Star was a perfect way to witness some of Alaska’s incredible beauty and learn about some of its history along the way. Johanna and Gavin, our car attendants/guides bent over backwards to provide incredible memories. They succeeded. I would whole-hardheartedly recommend the Gold Star Service. It's a few bucks more but entirely worth it!
Scenic and Relaxing, but Plan Ahead for Time and Upgrades
Hina J,,Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00We took the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward, and overall it was a fun and memorable experience. The train offers views you simply cannot see from the road, including glimpses of glaciers and beautiful stretches of wilderness. The best part was being able to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery without the stress of driving. Parking at the Anchorage station was convenient, and the $20 fee was fair and easy to manage. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind. The ride itself is quite long, and once you arrive in Seward, your time there is limited since you must re-board by a certain hour. This makes it hard to fully explore Seward or take part in longer excursions. Another downside is food, meals and snacks are available for purchase, but they’re not included in the ticket price. In hindsight, upgrading might have been worth it for the dining and comfort, though this wasn’t clear at the time of booking. Seating can also be an issue—since we traveled with another couple who booked separately, we weren’t seated together. You may want to call ahead to confirm seating or arrive early, though check-in is already at 6 a.m. If you go, I recommend considering an upgrade for the front cars, which have outdoor standing viewing platforms that really enhance the experience. All in all, it’s a unique and scenic way to travel, but be aware of the time constraints in Seward, the food costs, and the need to confirm seating arrangements if traveling with others.
Good food offered on the...
Patrick H,,Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Good food offered on the train! Very scenic and very clean. We did the train to and from Seward all on the same day. Would recommend this ride to anyone visiting!
Incredible experience
Heather H,,Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an incredible experience. All of the staff on the train were so friendly and the train ride itself was so amazing.
From US$226.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Alaska Railroad Corporation