Anchorage to Seward via Coastal Classic Train in Jul 2024

[tnarun]

HI!

I'm planning on booking this train, I have an NCL cruise the next day. I have heard that this travel is very scenic and Goldstar service is a plus. My question:

1. Will there be snow on the way in mid July?

2. If I'm unable to find tickets in this particular route, would you recommend taking the Denali route from Anchorage to Fairbanks instead (though I understand it is a longer journey)? Are they both comparable in terms of scenery?

Thanks

A.

[Host Kat]

5 hours ago, tnarun said:

HI!

I'm planning on booking this train, I have an NCL cruise the next day. I have heard that this travel is very scenic and Goldstar service is a plus. My question:

1. Will there be snow on the way in mid July?

2. If I'm unable to find tickets in this particular route, would you recommend taking the Denali route from Anchorage to Fairbanks instead (though I understand it is a longer journey)? Are they both comparable in terms of scenery?

Thanks

A.

 

Hello @tnarun and welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

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Host Kat

[AKStafford]

You might see some leftover winter snow as you go through the mountains... Just depends on how much snow we get this winter.

In my opinion, the Coastal Classic is much more scenic than the route between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

[GTJ]

7 hours ago, tnarun said:

I'm planning on booking this train, I have an NCL cruise the next day. I have heard that this travel is very scenic and Goldstar service is a plus. * * *

2. If I'm unable to find tickets in this particular route, would you recommend taking the Denali route from Anchorage to Fairbanks instead (though I understand it is a longer journey)? Are they both comparable in terms of scenery?

The first class "GoldStar" service offered by the Alaska Railroad is a plus: it costs more money. I think it is overpriced, and I prefer the traditional accommodations that come coach "Adventure Class" service, including its unreserved Vista-Dome. However, some others do believe the extra cost is worthwhile because of the Ultra Dome cars used for first class "GoldStar" service, including its outside observation deck and lower level dining room.

 

It does not seem likely that tickets will not be available on the day you desire to travel. Norwegian Cruise Line departs Seward on Mondays. The day before, Sunday, is a day when Holland America Line departs from Whittier, not Seward. The main travel days for Seward are Mondays (Norwegian Cruise Line) and Fridays (Royal Caribbean/Celebrity), and lesser so on Wednesdays (Regent Seven Seas Cruises) and Thursdays (Silversea Cruises). Travel to Seward will likely have lesser demand than these other days.

 

I would not recommend the "Denali route" from Anchorage to Fairbanks for the simple reason that it does not go to where you need to go to board your vessel. The train would take you in the opposite direction, away from your cruise vessel. It would require an entire day to travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks, then another day to travel from Fairbanks back to Anchorage. Then you still have the matter of getting from Anchorage to Seward. The specific scenery and landscape between Anchorage and Seward is distinct from that between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Only in the most general sense--that Alaska in general has beautiful mountainous scenery throughout--are these routes comparable. If there is no rail transportation available from Anchorage to Seward on the desired travel day, then I suggest looking at a different day to travel. Were you travel on Monday itself, Norwegian Cruise Line itself will offer charter train transportation on a second train to Seward that originates at the Anchorage airport station (not downtown Anchorage), a single-class train that utilizes Panorama Dome cars for all passengers. Alternatively, you could travel on a one-day round-trip on the Glacier Discovery train, from Anchorage to Grandview and return. This train travels the same route as the trains that go to Seward, but it turns back at Grandview, which is 69 miles south of Anchorage, but 41 miles short of Seward. Then the next day, Monday, use the parallel bus service from Anchorage to Seward offered daily by the Park Connection and Seward Bus Lines services, and additional service on days vessels are in port offered by Alaska Cruise Transportation.

[LeeW]

Note that independent booking opened yesterday (my other post).  When I talked to them in July they said that there really isn't an issue in getting seats as long as you don't wait until next spring.

 

Best part of Anchorage to Fairbanks trip is just north of Denali park - the canyon there can't be seen from the road.  But it is all scenic mountain views.  There is a low pass south of Denali that we had snow in September, with 72 degree weather in Denali and Fairbanks.

 

Southern part between Anchorage and either Whittier or Seward is along the coast.  Lots of tidal flats with huge tides.  Different kind of scenic.