Riding the Alaska Railroad with Kids: A Magical Family Adventure

There’s something undeniably magical about riding the Alaska Railroad—especially when you’re seeing it through your kids’ eyes. Maybe it’s watching them marvel at the old-timey feel of the historic, 1942-era Anchorage Depot. Maybe it’s the excitement of hearing a conductor call out, “All aboard!” (some even hand over their conductor hat to let kids do the honors). Or maybe it’s simply the joy of riding a train where windows turn into a front-row seat to Alaska’s wild scenery. Whatever it is, the Alaska Railroad is often one of the things families remember most about their trip.

Before You Board: Anticipation Builds

Most adventures begin at the elegant train stations in downtown Anchorage or Fairbanks. Kids love the check-in experience—watching the uniformed conductors, getting their tickets, and soaking up the buzz of excitement. When it’s time to board, everyone pours onto the platform to find their designated car, where a conductor might still punch their ticket by hand—a small but memorable touch.

Sometimes, a lucky child will be invited to yell “All aboard!” themselves—our friend’s son still talks about it years later.

What It's Like On Board

Two Classes of Service: Adventure Class vs. GoldStar

Both train classes are family-friendly, but each offers something different. Which one you choose depends on your budget and preferences.

To be honest, if you’re traveling with kids, Adventure Class is more than enough—it gives them room to roam, and lets you access nearly everything that makes the train fun.

Adventure Class

The more economical option, this class offers lots of flexibility. You’re welcome to move between cars, where you’ll feel the wind and hear the clacking rails and smells of the forest rushing by. You’ll find shared dome cars where people can enjoy the views and rotate out every 15 - 20 minutes, room to roam between cars (great for catching fresh air or snapping photos), and a café car with tables—perfect for coloring, journaling, or playing Go Fish.

GoldStar Service

More of a splurge, this class includes a little extra luxury. Every seat is upper-level and under the glass dome, so everyone is treated to panoramic views. There’s also a spacious outdoor viewing deck that’s perfect for kids who love to feel the wind in their hair. Meals are included and served on the first level of the train car.

Younger kids might actually prefer Adventure Class since there's more freedom to move around.

No matter which class you choose, expect friendly, knowledgeable tour guides who offer live narration about what you’re seeing—everything from local wildlife to Alaska Railroad history. The onboard guides come from a local high school program that’s as impressive as it is unique. Students complete 12 weeks of training, then interview for a spot—and only those who make the cut are invited to work onboard. The result? You get passionate, knowledgeable young guides who are genuinely great at connecting with kids (and adults, too).

Keeping Kids Busy (and Happy!)

Train trips can last anywhere from 2 to 7.5 hours, depending on your route. And yes, a full-day ride might sound like a lot with kids—but it’s surprisingly doable. Unlike in a car, they can walk around, nap in a comfy seat, or hang out in the café car with a snack while the scenery changes outside the window.

Popular destinations from Anchorage include: Whittier (2 hours), Talkeetna (3 hours), Seward (4.5 hours), and Denali National Park (7.5 hours)

While the train does continue to Fairbanks (12 hours from Anchorage), most families find the trip to Denali National Park to be the perfect length for a day’s journey.

Here are some tried-and-true ways to keep kids entertained and engaged onboard:

• Panoramas Magazine: This is the Alaska Railroad’s onboard magazine. There are 6 pages of games for kids (or kids-at-heart) and include activities from I Spy to crossword puzzles.
• Coloring: Bring your own materials or download free, Alaska-themed coloring books like National Historic Landmarks of Alaska or Pollinators of Alaska.
• Binoculars: Bring a pair if you have them—they're great for spotting moose in ponds just off the tracks or Dall sheep perched on a cliffside. The engineer often slows down when wildlife is nearby, and they always slow for the big glaciers, so everyone gets a good look.
• Scavenger hunt: Prepare a list of fun things to look for, like glaciers, moose, bear, cabins, rivers, train tunnels, eagles, someone fishing, or waving at the train as it goes by. Ask one of the tour guides what should go on the list for your kiddo!
• I Spy: Classic, simple, and endlessly fun in Alaska’s ever-changing landscape.
• Train journal: Let your child write or draw what they see—it makes for a great keepsake. They might sketch an animal, tape in their ticket, or jot down the names of rivers you crossed.
• Kid pics: Give kids your phone or a kid-friendly camera to capture their unique perspective. You might be surprised by what catches their eye.

Why the Train Is Worth It (Especially for Families)

The Alaska Railroad isn’t just a way to get from point A to point B—it’s part of the adventure. For your kids, it's a chance to be curious, active, and amazed. For you, it's a chance to relax, take in the views, and actually enjoy the journey. From shared moments over snacks in the café car, the thrill of spotting a moose together, to the hush that falls over the dome car as you glide past Denali on a clear day.

And maybe best of all: it gives your family a rare gift—time together, without distractions, with nothing to do but look out the window and talk about what you see.

More Resources to Plan Your Family Vacation on The Alaska Railroad

• Alaska Railroad Reservations
• Railroad Schedule
• Railroad Map
• Coastal Classic Train (Anchorage - Seward)
• Denali Star Train (Anchorage - Talkeetna - Denali - Fairbanks)
• Glacier Discovery Train (Anchorage - Whittier - Spencer Glacier - Grandview)
• Aurora Winter Train (Anchorage - Fairbanks)
• Alaska Railroad Tours