Whether you take a plane, train, or automobile to get to the Last Frontier, you won’t really experience all that this beautiful state has to offer until you embark on a scenic train ride in Alaska. Since 1903 when it all began in the small town of Seward, the reputable Alaska Railroad has truly grown to be the trailblazer in providing scenic transportation options through the most beautiful and untouched areas of this vast land. Check out these six famous and best scenic train rides in Alaska that will give you an absolutely unforgettable experience.

1. The Denali Getaway

Denali National Park & Reserve is one of the most famous train rides in Alaska for locals and tourists. Enjoy a relaxing ride aboard the Denali Star Train to Denali National Park; Denali hotel shuttles meet the train daily at the Denali Depot. Enjoy winding landscapes and wildlife from the comfort of your Alaska Railroad train car.

Although AKRR offers some of the best Alaska train tours, the Denali Park area also has so many activities to offer. Once you are in Denali, you can enjoy hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing and so much more. Outside the park, one can embark on a rafting trip, flightseeing, glacier landing, gold panning, a jeep excursion in the woods, and more!

2. The Seward Getaway

The port town of Seward sits on the edge of Resurrection Bay, just outside the boundaries of Kenai Fjords National Park – and is the perfect choice for a getaway from Anchorage to The Kenai, Alaska’s Playground. As one of the many scenic train rides in Alaska, this two-day, one-night package is great for anyone wanting to get out of town for a couple of days and enjoy the gorgeous scenery of the Turnagain Arm.

While in Seward, many enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, wildlife viewing both land, marine animals, and more! On this guided tour you will enjoy a Kenai Fjords Tour aboard a day cruise, the Alaska Sealife Center, a visit to the Seavey family’s sled dog kennel, lunch at an Alaskan Roadhouse, and a visit to Exit Glacier. This is one of the most epic scenic train rides in Alaska.

Take a look at this video of a train ride to Seward by @PaulDonovan:

3. Glaciers, Rails and Trails

This nine-day and nine-night adventure is known as one of the best Alaska train tours. This memorable experience includes a multitude of highlights that are sure to give you lifelong memories. You will ride the Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery, and Denali Star Trains where you will experience incredible comfort and service on board.

As part of these scenic train rides in Alaska, you will also enjoy a glacier & wildlife cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park, glacial river float trip, backcountry stay in Denali National Park & Preserve and a jetboat tour of National Wild River Park in Devil’s Gorge. When all is said and done you will have visited Anchorage, Girdwood, Seward, Denali, and Talkeetna.

4. Alaska Wildlife Safari

The Alaska Railroad continues to impress with this incredible seven-day, seven-night package that is one of the best Alaska train tours. Those who embark on this amazing journey will enjoy riding the Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery, and Denali Star Trains.

Activities on these epic scenic train rides in Alaska include a fly-in bear viewing trip in Redoubt Bay, a Denali Backcountry Adventure in Denali National Park, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood, touring an Iditarod champion sled dog kennel known as Husky Homestead and a marine wildlife and glacier cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. You will embark on a full-day journey along the 92-mile Denali Park Road inside Denali National Park & Preserve. Your experienced guide will keep you informed and on the lookout for bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and much more! This is one of the most awe-inspiring Alaska train tours.

5. Taste Of Alaska

This five-day and five-night excursion is the perfect package for those wanting a more consolidated trip that includes scenic train rides in Alaska. You have the pleasure of enjoying the comfortable amenities that the Alaska Railroad is known for, including great food and incredible service with employees from all over the world on these famous train rides in Alaska.

As one of the best Alaska train tours, you will ride the Coastal Classic and Denali Star Trains, enjoy a glacier & wildlife cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park, enjoy a flightseeing tour of Denali and the entire Alaska Range and head to Talkeetna to embark on a jet boat ride that journeys 130 miles roundtrip into the heart of Devil's Gorge.

6. Alaska's National Parks By Rail

In 2016, the National Park Service celebrated its 100th year! Alaska Railroad celebrated with a centennial edition of their popular

Alaska's National Parks by Rail itinerary, now including four of Alaska's treasured national parks: Gates of the Arctic National Park, Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Lake Clark National Park.

On this best of Alaska train tour, you will ride the Coastal Classic and Denali Star Trains, go on a wildlife viewing tour in Denali National Park, enjoy a glacier and wildlife cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park, get high in the sky on a flight seeing tour of Gates of the Arctic National Park and go bear viewing in Lake Clark National Park.

Take a look at this video of Alaska's National Parks by @Alaskaorg:

As you've just learned, there are a lot of ways to experience the largest state in the nation but nothing beats the comfort, convenience, and incredible onboard service that you will experience when embarking on a journey with the Alaska Railroad. Therefore, load up and get ready to see glaciers, wildlife, mountains, rivers, national parks and so much more when you take one of these scenic train rides in Alaska.

If you don't have time to take one of these famous train rides in Alaska, you can also take a trip with one of these train day trips too. I think they are great alternatives!

For other experiences in Alaska, check out Viator.