I did in 2011 in connection with a cruise. Someone else may have done it more recently.

Bbstx,

thank you, if you were not going on a cruise is it worth the money ro just take the train from anchorage to faibanks. the prices are very high..do you see great views.

@Lyban zone 4, I may not be a good person to ask. I love trains. On our trip, we boarded in Anchorage, spent the night in Denali, toured Denali the next morning, then went on to Fairbanks. All of the scenery was breathtaking! Because we were there in early September, we saw very little wildlife. I think late spring and summer may be better for wildlife viewing.

I have also taken the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff. Loved it too!

I’m considering taking the grandchildren on the Caledonian Sleeper from Edinburgh to London next year.

Sounds like you enjoyed it. thanks for that info. I am trying to decide if i should take my daughter and grandgaughter (16) on an alaskan cruise or train from ankorage to fairbanks and spend time there. we have been on cruises before to the Caribbean islands

i will look into it more. the banff one sounds good also.

Granted, I only spent one night in Fairbanks, but it did not strike me as a city to visit. It seemed almost industrial. Kind of bland. And I don’t recall it being very scenic. The scenery was all on the way there.

I love cruises. I just got back from my 3rd Alaskan cruise. I took my grandchildren (all under 10). All of my Alaskan cruises have been on Holland America. It was not a good choice for children. The crowd was too sedate and the kids’ club was not up to their standards (this wasn’t their first cruise).

Have you though about Iceland?

no, I am just starting to look and I know it is late for this summer cruises in Alaska.

The fact that my GD is 16, I think she would be over the kids clubs.

Now you have me thinking of iceland. I am researching everything.

I had bad weather in AK so, even though we took the Alaska Highway, we couldn't see more than 50' away from the bus so missed all the mountains. Never did see Denali. Poured on us in Juneau. So not sure how much fun a train ride would be in the rain....if you are unlucky as I was.

I love trains and have taken several train trips.

I did enjoy the overnight train from Vancouver to Jasper. I also enjoyed the 2-day train ride through the Rockies from Moab to Denver. Denver isn't much to see, but Moab has Arches and Canyonlands Nat'l Parks which were beautiful. We also took the train from NM up into CO and back. We did it in the fall and the mountains with all the yellow aspens were lovely.

If you do take the train, get the luxury class...it makes a world of difference and is worth the $.

@Lyban zone 4, PM me your email address. I will absolutely cover you up with info about Iceland.

Briefly, we flew from Boston to Reykjavik (KEF) in order to get a daytime flight. Left BOS about noon, arrived in KEF about 10 p.m. Had a wonderful driver with a van who picked us up (there were 6 of us. The Flybus is much less expensive but I was dealing with 3 small children and I wanted door to door service.) We rented a lovely condo overlooking the harbor. We had 3 or 4 days in Reykjavik before we boarded a Celebrity cruise that circumnavigated Iceland.

Some of the activities while in Reykjavik and while on the cruise: foodie tour of Reykjavik, trail ride with Icelandic horses, bike tour of Reykjavik, van with driver for a day to Snaefellsnes Peninsula (you could DIY that), whale watching cruise, visit to a puffin island, lots of walking around in Reykjavik, which is fabulous.

Hello Lyban,

I lived in Alaska for most of my life (1950-2005)--so I can definitely give you an opinion! Yes, the train between Anchorage and Fairbanks is worth it. The scenery is stunning and wildlife is abundant. Bbstx's itenerary is perfect--train from Anchorage to Denali, tour Denali, then on to Fairbanks. I would agree with her about Fairbanks--not lots to see there!

June is the best chance for good weather, August and September are the worst.

I can't give an opinion on cruises, as we've never done a cruise. Good luck with your planning, and if you go I hope you have a FABULOUS trip!

@bbstx I am taking notes on your Iceland info. Please feel free to email any info too.

We are doing a Norway Fjords/Iceland cruise in June 2028. Cruise ends in Reykjavik and we will spend a few days there so definitely interested in things to do. No small children with us. Just DH and I.

@jsk - I have your email. I will be covering you up with info, including a place to get the best lamb burger I’ve ever tasted!

bbstx

i emailed you my email. did u get it ok.

I did an Alaskan cruise & did the train from Anchorage to Seward. We did a driving trip ANC to Denali on our own before the cruise. In my research, it said the best views on the train were ANC-Seward (the Coastal Classic route) were the best, so that's why we did our trip that way. We did book the ticket where your seat was in the glass dome area, definitely worth the extra. I don't know if the road in Denali park has opened up all the way yet, so I'd check on that before you make a decision. We didn't go all the way to the end but we did go to Eilson Center, which was at the last time I looked, a good 20 or more miles past where the road was closed.

A relative of mine did an Alaskan train trip -- I have the impression it's an older person's trip, and I would not take a 16-year old.

On the other hand, a 16-year old would love a cruise. Plenty of activities and other kids her age. And you'll get the Alaskan scenery /activities at your port stops.

A note about Alaskan cruises: The shore excursions are expensive. Very expensive. Do look into those costs before you commit.

Have people stayed in resorts in Denali (or elsewhere) that were nice? We did an Alaska cruise last summer. Loved it and doing it again in 2028. We've thought about doing the cruise and land tour but the reviews I've read about the accommodations on the land portion have kept me from doing it. I would plan it myself but I've been told most accommodations in Alaska are very rustic at best. I admit I am a diva when it comes to accommodations on vacation. I do not enjoy rustic. I love to enjoy nature but when I return to my hotel, I need it to be nice. The adage that it's only a place to sleep and shower does not work for me. I would love to hear if someone has some recommendations.

We bad our tent and down double size sleeping bag… it was very cozy😊🔥🔥

We did a week land cruise from Anchorage to Denali, and then did a week on the cruise ship. I don't remember having any issues with where we stayed. And I like it plush.