Read more about my incredible journey through Alaska thanks to Alaska Railroad!
This past trip to Alaska, I set out to go the farthest North I had ever been. Last week, when I arrived in Anchorage, it was my fourth time visiting and I was beyond excited to make the journey up to Fairbanks. When I knew I wanted to travel North, I looked into some of my transportation options from Anchorage and found the Alaska Railroad.
I've never felt more comfortable traveling as I have while on the Alaska Railroad in the GoldStar coach! It was truly one of the most exceptional train rides I have ever taken, and perhaps my new favorite way to travel in Alaska hands down!
Early in the morning, I arrived at the train station near Downtown Anchorage and grabbed my GoldStar Service boarding pass. Once I boarded onto the Denali Star Train, I made my way up the vertical staircase to the exclusive GoldStar coach area and found my seat. After everyone was seated and the train departed the station, we were able to move about the train freely.
The glass-dome windows in the GoldStar coaches are incredible! Prior to this trip, I had never seen anything like it!
All of the sites we saw on our train ride were exceptional, and the staff members on board who narrated our ride were very knowledgeable! Between giving us little tidbits of information about landmarks along the way and announcing when the engineers of the train spotted an animal for us to see, our Alaska Railroad tour guides were first-class. Although the journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks was a lengthy 12 hours, our ride was well-balanced between sight-seeing and enjoying our meals. It is very evident that the Alaska Railroad staff has taken the time to identify which parts of the trip are the best serve meals to fill the downtime in-between the major points of interest along the route.
Since my GoldStar Service boarding pass included my meals and a couple of complimentary cocktails, I was able to take advantage of the variety of the luxury onboard dining options. For the duration of my trip between Anchorage and Fairbanks, I enjoyed complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, and cocktails in our private sit-down GoldStar coach. On top of the complimentary meals included with my boarding pass, I also had access to a grab-n-go café car at all times throughout my trip.
Some of the noteworthy sights from my Alaska Railroad trip included downtown Talkeetna, Broad Pass, Denali, Healy Canyon, Hurricane Gulch, and more! If you want to learn more about what I saw during my train ride, click here to see more photos of Hurricane Gulch and read more information!
Here are some of my favorite photos from our train ride!
As we made our way in the Denali Star towards Fairbanks we passed through Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali, Healy, Nenana, and then we finally arrived at the Fairbanks depot twelve hours later. The journey North toward Fairbanks is extraordinary! I had the choice of enjoying the views of my trip from the comfort of my comfortable seat next to the glass-dome windows, as well as a quick walk down the coach to the outdoor, private second-level GoldStar Service viewing platform.
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Alaska looks absolutely stunning! What a wonderful trip filled with fun memories! And that train ride looks heavenly!
ReplyDeleteKaren | GlamKaren
It was amazing and the Alaska Railroad train ride was incredible!
DeleteThe scenery is absolutely stunning. I would love to do this - I will have to check to see if there are other trains - we are far - the midwest-this would be a huge trip for us.
ReplyDeleteTotally!
DeleteI truly enjoyed following your trip on snapchat and social media. What a beautiful way to experience Alaska!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that!
DeleteI went to Alaska two years ago. I was with my daughter who was attending a convention. We did a boat ride to see a small glacier and it was the most wonderful thing! You've sold me on the train ride for my next trip. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGlaciers are incredible--how awesome you got to do something like that with your daughter!
DeleteIf only all the trains were like this, that would be amazing! I really think this is the best way to travel because you also get to see the breathtaking sights. I love that the food comes with the package. It looks so good, especially the cake!
ReplyDeleteIt was awesome!!
DeleteWhat a fun trip!!! The Proposal (have you seen that movie?) made me realize how beautiful Alaska is!!
ReplyDeletexx, Lauren {www.rosesandrainboots.com}
Yeah!! That movie is so cute!
DeleteSo beautiful! We have never ventured that far north but the scenery looks quite familiar to that of the rocky mountains. Travelling by train would be a great way to enjoy the beauty that's for sure. Are the rooms as cramped as an Amtrak or are they a little bigger?
ReplyDeleteThe train felt really roomy compared to other trains I've been on! I didn't feel cramped in there at all!
DeleteI will always remember my train ride across 4 states with my grandparents. I had the best time! I cant wait for my kids to experience this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory to have!
DeleteI so want to do this. The kids love train rides and Alaska looks so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the chance to!
DeleteI love to travel. You have great and wonderful pictures and I love to travel by luxury trains or planes. I am glad you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI have never been to Alaska but I have friends that have actually lived there. They loved it for the most part. It looks beautiful from what I can tell.
ReplyDeleteAlaska is unreal--the beauty of everything is overwhelming sometimes! So gorgeous!
Deletethese pictures are gorgeous! I want to go somewhere beside Texas! It looks so beautiful to see!
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely beautiful up there--and thanks!
DeleteWow this is stunning I want to go to America in general but Alaska would be a great place to start. One of my favourite drag queens is called Alaska.
ReplyDeleteAlaska is a wonderful spot to visit--honestly, it's one of the most beautiful places in America in my opinion!
DeleteI have always wanted to visit Alaska! The pictures always look amazing! That food and the views look incredible!
ReplyDeleteI hope you can make it up there some day!
DeleteOmg a train ride through Alaska would be amazing!!!! This train looks pretty luxurious too! Just my style ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt IS amazing!!
DeleteWhat a fun way to travel. My kids would love it. Alaska is a beautiful place to visit.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun way to travel! I highly recommend it!
DeleteMy huz is obsessed with every Alaska show there is. I don't really get it, but I think pictures of it are beautiful. Great job capturing it.
ReplyDeleteHa, I've heard the Alaska reality shows are a trip!
DeleteHow beautiful. The scenery is so breathtaking! Alaska is one of the places that I'd love to visit someday. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a bucket list destination! I'm so happy I've been able to visit more than once--there is just so much to see there!
DeleteTraveling Alaska by train would be a dream come true for me. I could just imagine how much wildlife and scenery you took in!
ReplyDeleteIt is so incredible!
DeleteWhat a beautiful escape and amazing photos. We've really enjoyed traveling by train recently with my son. It's such an amazing way to see the country.
ReplyDeleteYes! I could not agree more--travel by train is fantastic!
DeleteThat would be a wonderful way to explore! My brother was stationed out in Alaska before and I would love to travel by train.
ReplyDeleteAlaska is absolutely beautiful. It is one place I have always wanted to visit. Traveling by train seems like a wonderful way to travel.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend is from Alaska. I didnt know much about the Alaskan Railroad and you did a great recap on this!
ReplyDelete