Seward Train, Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic Train Anchorage to Seward with a stop in Girdwood. The Seward Coastal Classic Train is the Alaska train connection for Seward cruise ship, whale watching and glacier day cruise to Kenai Fjord National Park

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Coastal Classic Train
Anchorage, Girdwood - Seward Train

Coastal Classic Train Seward TrainCoastal Classic Train runs between Anchorage and Seward with a stop in Girdwood. First 50 miles is along the Turnagain Arm. With tides that can vary over 40 feet, it has the second highest tides in North America. Beluga whales and Dall sheep are also often seen along this section. Heading up into the mountains you'll pass glaciers, waterfalls, snowy mountaintops of the Chugach Range and travel through lush spruce and birch forests. The Coastal Classic Train is your rail connection for a whale watching and glacier day cruise to Kenai Fjord National Park.

Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic Train is the transportation connection for arriving and departing cruise ships in Seward, Alaska.

Here is what you can expect once you step onboard the Coastal Classic Train:
  • Large picture windows
  • Dining cars
  • Non-smoking cars
Alaska Railroad Denali Star TrainHighly Recommend Gold Star Dome Seat Upgrade
GoldStar Service - Upgrade to first-class service aboard double-deck dome cars, the unobstructed scenic views and luxury rail travel has never been better. The exclusive private GoldStar open air viewing deck is the perfect way to enhance your Seward train experience and to experience the grandeur of Alaska.

GoldStar passengers rave about the expansive views and service that brands it a sure classic between Anchorage and Seward.

Alaska Travel hotline
Questions? -- Custom Tour Package Inquiry? -- Availability? -- Make Reservation?
1-907-205-5900 • Fax 1-907-205-5902
Alaska Cruise Expert
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OVERVIEW
Tour Type: Scenic, Alaska Railroad Passenger Service, Whistle Stop
Difficulty: Easy, Wheelchair Access
Comfort: Adventure Class Good
Prior Experience: None

Coastal Classic Train Route Highlights

The Coastal Classic Train is a local favorite that winds through the stretch of wilderness between Anchorage and Seward. A string of massive glaciers visible from the track enriches the journey. This train travels to the shores of Resurrection Bay for convenient connections to Kenai Fjords National Park, whale watching, sea kayaking, tidewater glacier viewing, fishing, and dog sled rides.

Seward
Seward is the southern terminus of the railroad. From Seward it quickly begins its climb through primeval forests of Sitka spruce. After crossing Snowy River, Kenai Lake comes into view, set off with its stunning aqua color and surrounded by soaring mountains.

Moose Pass
Coastal Classic Train Seward TrainThirty miles from Seward the track winds through Moose Pass, a former railroad construction camp on the shores of Trail Lake. As the rail ascends into the Kenai Mountains, it leaves behind the forests and reveals mountain meadows and streams of gin-clear glacial waters. Trail Glacier appears on the right and soon after, the summit of Grandview at 1,063 feet and the historic Loop District - named for a complex series of trestles built to handle the steep grade in the age of steam engines. In the same stretch, Bartlett Glacier crowds the track just 800 feet away.

Placer River Valley
Heading towards Anchorage the train passes through a series of short tunnels, and the track descends to the Placer River Valley near Spencer Glacier. Moose, bear and wolves populate the valley among the willow and alder trees. Trumpeter swans migrate through in spring and fall and arctic terns hover above the ponds and river looking for small fish and insects. Twelve miles later Turnagain Arm appears, where 40-foot tides rush into the narrow confines of the Chugach Mountains. Beluga whales pursue salmon and other schooling fish. Next comes Girdwood, home to Alaska's premier ski resort, a 40-mile commute from Anchorage.

Chugach National Forest
Near Anchorage Chugach National Forest borders Turnagain Arm, some six million acres, the second largest National Forest in the U.S. Bald eagles cruise the thermals above and Dall sheep come to feed on the low plants growing on the cliffs bordering the track. Next comes Potter Marsh in the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. Anchorage is the final stop, 114 miles out of Seward.
ITINERARY **
May 10 to September 14

Depart Arrive
Southbound, Anchorage to Seward
Anchorage 6:45 AM Girdwood 7:55 AM
Girdwood 8:00 AM Seward 11:05 AM
Northbound, Seward to Anchorage
Seward 6:00 PM Girdwood 8:50 PM
Girdwood 8:55 PM Anchorage 10:15 PM
 
2016 TOUR DATES

May 10 to September 14

Depart Arrive
Southbound, Anchorage to Seward
Anchorage 6:45 AM Girdwood 7:55 AM
Girdwood 8:00 AM Seward 11:05 AM
Northbound, Seward to Anchorage
Seward 6:00 PM Girdwood 8:50 PM
Girdwood 8:55 PM Anchorage 10:15 PM
 
2016 RATES
Child Fares 50% off (under Age 12)

We highly recommend the dome car Gold Star seat upgrade for the best views along the Alaska Railroad's scenic route. Gold Star seats includes meals

One-Way
 
Adventure
Gold Star
Anchorage - Seward
$92
$181 each
Anchorage - Girdwood
$46
$105 each
Girdwood - Seward
$92
$181 each

Roundtrip
 
Adventure
Gold Star
Anchorage - Seward

$146

$302 each
Anchorage - Girdwood
$100
$174 each
Girdwood - Seward
$146
$302 each

Trip Quote

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Prices are subject to change without notice.

Call 1-907-222-1632 to add tour options.
Complete tour package that includes the lodging in Seward and Anchorage is also available.
MAPS
Alaska Railroad Route Map, Points Of Interest

RELATED LINKS AND NATURAL HISTORY
Rail Passenger Service Trains
  Denali Star -Anchorage to Denali & Fairbanks
  Costal Classic - Anchorage to Seward
  Hurricane Turn - Anchorage to Huricane
  Aurora Winter Train - Anchorage to Fairbanks
Rail Day Tours
Rail Vacations
Alaska Railroad History
Alaska Railroad Wiki
Alaska Central Railroad Tunnel No. 1

SUGGESTED ALASKA READING LIST
Kenai Fjords Historic Resource Study (online book) by Linda Cook and Frank Norris
Exploring Alaska's Kenai Fjords by David Miller
Kenai Fjords Park - Trails Illustrated Map
Alaska: A Novel by James A. Michener
Alaska: A History of the 49th State by Claus-M Naske and Herman E. Slotnick
Guide to the Birds of Alaska by Robert H. Armstrong
Wild Flowers of the Yukon, Alaska by John G. S. Trelawny
Coming into the Country by John McPhee
Travels in Alaska by John Muir

Denali Mc McKinleyDid You Know?
Did you know that Denali or Mt. McKinley, located within Denali National Park and Preserve, is the highest mountain on the North American continent? Measured from the 2,000 foot lowlands to its snowy summit at 20,237 feet, the mountain’s vertical relief of 18,000 feet is greater than that of Mount Everest.
Alaska Travel hotline
Backcountry Safaris
P.O. Box 1397 Seward, Alaska USA 99664
1-907-205-5900 • Fax 1-907-205-5902
Alaska Cruise Expert
**Tour Itineraries: Backcountry Safaris and other tour operators that we work with strive to give you a high quality Alaska experience. The tour itinerary shown on our web page is an example tour itinerary. The actual tour itinerary may vary some due to weather, safety, guest abilities and other conditions. Backcountry Safaris and other independent tour contractors reserve the right to change the tour itinerary and/or make substitutions at any time and without prior notice or to cancel all or part of any tour in its reasonable discretion, for the safety of its participants or due to insufficient number of participants signing up for a tour, because of weather, for the comfort and well being of our guests, for any other conditions that might affect the quality of tour, or as deemed necessary by the tour operator or trip leader.

Limitations of liability: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, our adventure trips involve inherent risks and dangers which are beyond our control and Backcountry Safaris shall assume no responsibility for personal injuries or deaths and loss of personal property. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will read and sign the acknowledgment and Release of Liability before the tour begins. A copy of the text is available on request.
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