Alaska Railroad - 16 May 2025

Why the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward Is the Most Scenic Way to Start Your Cruise

They say the journey is just as important as the destination. And nowhere did that feel more true than on the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward. Before I even stepped foot on the Celebrity Summit for a cruise south to Vancouver, the adventure had already begun.

In May this year, we boarded the Coastal Classic train from the Bill Sheffield Alaska Railroad depot located close to Anchorage Airport after dropping off our baggage in downtown Anchorage to be transferred directly to our cabins aboard the Celebrity Summit in Seward. This rail transfer was bundled with the cruise booking. A faster and more affordable option is the coach transfer. The bus gets you to Seward in about 3 hours, an hour faster than by train.

ModeTimeCost (one-way, adult)Frequency
Bus2¼–3 hoursAbout US$65–90Multiple daily
Train~4.5 hours
US$111–129 (Adventure)
US$229–266 (GoldStar)
Once daily each direction
Alaska Railroad at Bill Sheffield Alaska Railroad depot in Anchorage - 16 May 2025
Alaska Railroad at Bill Sheffield Alaska Railroad depot in Anchorage 16 May 2025

Within minutes, I was glued to the panoramic dome windows, watching moose cross marshes, glaciers glint in the distance, and bald eagles soar overhead. This wasn’t just a transfer to a port. It was a prelude to the grandeur of Alaska. And honestly, it could’ve been the main event.

The Cabins

Glass Dome Ceiling in the Alaska Railroad trains
Glass Dome Ceiling in the Alaska Railroad trains

The cabins on board Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic Train are not just seats but your moving front-row ticket to some of the most jaw-dropping views in Alaska. The glorious glass-domed observation car, where oversized wraparound windows curve all the way up to the ceiling so you don’t miss a single glacier, mountain, or moose along the way. It’s like sitting inside a postcard with comfy booth seating and plenty of legroom.

Don’t just stay glued to your seat. Go explore the train! One of the best parts about riding the Coastal Classic is that you’re free to wander from carriage to carriage. Whether you’re heading to the dining car for a warm chowder fix, stretching your legs in the vintage observation lounge, or just taking in different views from other windows, the journey is as much about the ride as the destination.

And if nature calls, we’re talking the less majestic kind, no worries lah. You don’t need to tahan for four hours. Each carriage is equipped with spacious and clean restrooms, so you can answer nature’s call comfortably while still on the move. No squeeze-squeeze, no awkward toilet queue like on a plane. Just a relaxing ride through some of Alaska’s most stunning landscapes with creature comforts along the way.

Each table comes with power outlets, so you can charge your phone and your camera. There’s storage space neatly tucked under your seat for daypacks and essentials.

This special coach on the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic Train stands out from the rest with its vintage charm and panoramic design. Unlike standard seating coaches, this carriage is more of a lounge. It is outfitted with comfy swivel chairs, wraparound windows, and high-mounted observation panes that flood the space with natural light and stunning Alaskan views. The wood-panelled interior, historic black-and-white railway photos, and museum-style captions give it a nostalgic touch, almost like you’re travelling through a living history exhibit.

It’s quieter, more spacious, and perfect for those who want to sit back, sip a drink, and soak in the scenery without being confined to their assigned seat. A bit old-school but in the best possible way. Steady lah, this one really got vibes.

Food & Drinks onboard

On board the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic Train, you won’t be going hungry or thirsty. The onboard bistro-style menu is impressively varied, offering a hearty taste of Alaska as the scenery rolls by. Breakfast options include the Alaska smoked salmon bagel, a satisfying breakfast sandwich, and even a snowbird barley cereal made with coconut milk and blueberry-peach compote. For lunch, passengers can choose from comforting dishes like smoked salmon chowder, turkey or ham croissant sandwiches, a Mediterranean bowl, or a fresh chef’s salad.

Pair your meal with one of the many Alaskan beverages available: craft brews from Alaskan Brewing Co., local wines, or a refreshing Bloody Mary garnished with a pickled jalepano. Signature cocktails like the Gold Spike Old Fashioned, Tundra Toddy, or the cheekily named Susitna Sunset showcase local ingredients and flair. Whether you’re sipping a mimosa while gazing at glaciers or slurping chowder as the train hugs Turnagain Arm, the experience is just as flavourful as it is scenic.

The Evolving Landscape

From the moment the Coastal Classic pulls out of Anchorage, you know this ride is going to be something else. The city fades fast, replaced by marshes and mountain silhouettes that stretch all the way to the sky. Then suddenly, wah, you’re right next to Turnagain Arm, with dramatic cliffs on one side and gleaming tidal flats on the other.

As the train hugs the curves of the coastline, you’ll pass waterfalls tumbling down rock faces, and forests so dense you’ll wonder if anyone’s ever walked through them. Past Girdwood, the landscape shifts again. Now it’s wild rivers, hanging glaciers, and mountains wrapped in mist like something out of National Geographic.

The further south you go, the more untouched everything feels. By the time you arrive in Seward, you’re not just ready to board the cruise, you’re already deep into the magic of Alaska.

Grandview Whistle Stop - Chugach National Forest
Grandview Whistle Stop Chugach National Forest

Now, if you really want to go deeper into Alaska’s wild side, jio yourself onto the Glacier Discovery Train instead. Why? Because only that train makes a stop at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, one of those hidden gems you can’t drive to. No roads, no traffic, no tour buses. Just you, the rails, and some properly jaw-dropping glacier views tucked inside Chugach National Forest.

When the train drops you off in the middle of nowhere, in the best way possible, you can take your pick. Go free and easy on a self-guided hike, or follow a ranger who’ll spill the tea on the local geology, plants, and animals. The go-to trail is a chill 1.3-mile walk that ends at a glacier viewing platform. Super shiok views of Spencer Glacier and the kind of icy, untouched landscape that looks straight out of a BBC nature doc.

Feeling more adventurous? Can! You can pre-book kayaking trips across the meltwater lake or even go ice trekking if you’re up for something more rugged. It’s the kind of experience that’ll max out your camera roll and leave you bragging for years. Definitely one for the bucket list, especially if you thought train rides were just about sitting back and relaxing.

The Alaskan Wildlife

Keep your eyes peeled on the Coastal Classic, because this isn’t just a scenic train ride. It’s also a moving wildlife safari. As the train hugs the shoreline of Turnagain Arm, you might spot Dall sheep clinging to rocky outcrops, bald eagles soaring overhead, or even a moose grazing casually by the tracks like it owns the place.

The journey cuts through Chugach National Forest and deep into bear country, so yes, there’s always a chance of spotting a brown or black bear ambling near the streams. And if you’re really lucky, you might just catch a glimpse of beluga whales surfacing in the silvery waters of Turnagain Arm. These strikingly white whales often cruise close to shore during salmon runs, particularly around high tides in summer. So don’t nap. You’ll want your camera ready the entire way.

Arriving at Seward

The Celebrity Summit awaits passengers to embark at Seward port.
The Celebrity Summit awaits passengers to embark at Seward port

Some four hours later, the train pulls in just minutes from the port at Seward. From there, it’s a short walk to board the Celebrity Summit. The whole process felt effortless. Bags showed up in my stateroom like magic, and before I knew it, I was on deck, drink in hand, watching the mountains drift by.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming article on our 7-night Alaska Southbound Glacier Cruise from Seward to Vancouver. We’ll be sharing the full experience soon. Meanwhile, please read our experience in Vancouver, Canada.

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