Anchorage to Fairbanks

All land transportation options take you through river valleys and boreal forest, with mountain vistas and Denali (Mt. McKinley) views.

By Car

Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. Stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a quirky town in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage. Another two hours up the road is iconic Denali National Park; Fairbanks is another couple hours north.

By Bus

Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. Stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a quirky town in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage. Another two hours up the road is iconic Denali National Park; Fairbanks is another couple hours north.

By Train

At 12 hours (8:15 a.m. – 8 p.m.), this is the longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad. It’s also usually the most expensive option. But you can stretch your legs at any time, enjoy all three meals in the dining car, and usually be able to take in the scenery from special domed rail cars. This includes spectacular views of Denali (on a clear day, anyway) as the train hugs the Susitna River coming out of Talkeetna, as well as the gorgeous Indian River Valley and the 294-foot-high bridge at Hurricane Gulch.

See the Alaska Railroad, or check out other railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours and Princess Rail Tours.

By Plane

At around 60-70 minutes, flying is the quickest option and is sometimes even less expensive than the train. Check availability on Alaska Airlines (typically 6-7 flights daily). On a clear day you can see Denali and the Alaska Range.