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One of my favorite travel-related films is In the wildernessbased on the true story of adventurer Chris McCandless who sets out to discover himself and the meaning of life in the Alaskan wilderness.
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well as he ultimately meets his demise and learns the hard lesson of life: “Happiness is only real when it is shared.”
The point is, you don’t have to go off on your own and live off the land in an abandoned, dilapidated bus to feel ‘in it’.
Instead of exploring hobo-style through no man’s land, there are 4 affordable Alaska trains which will take you through some of the most stunning landscapes imaginable this summer.
Alaska is often referred to as America’s “last frontier.” Once you leave Anchorage’s cityscape, you’ll see miles of untouched natural beauty: majestic mountains, glacial lakes, and an array of wildlife.
Classic coastal train
The Alaska Railroad operates year-round, but some routes are more accessible in the summer.
The Classic coastal train Runs from June 1 – September 4, 2024 with some incredible stops along the epic journey.
Passengers can purchase round-trip tickets for up to $430 Gold Star service or can reduce that price by more than half Adventure class.
Better yet, Alaska Railroad offers promotional weeks on select routes. In this case it’s September 5 – 15 for even better deals.
The Coastal classic takes travelers from the capital Anchorage to the port city of Seward with a stop in Alaska’s one and only beach town, Girdwood.
Denali star train
The Denali star train is a blast! If you want a real adventure to maximize your time and experience in Alaska, this is it.
Best of all, it won’t break the bank! Gold Star roundtrip flights are $509, with promotional fares much less.
Run through September 19, 2024this scenic route takes passengers from Anchorage and eventually ends in Fairbanks, a popular destination to witness the Northern Lights.
Don’t hold your breath for that, though, as this phenomenon rarely occurs during the summer months. For the best chances, book one of the last routes in September.
Between Anchorage and Fairbanks, passengers can get off at the following stops:
Wasilla is more than just Sarah Palin’s former compound, where you can ‘see Russia’ from her backyard; it’s a charming town with an authentic atmosphere and happens to be one of the fastest growing destinations in the state.
Talkeetna is an important piece of Alaska’s puzzle as a former gold mining center and also offers many outdoor activities such as cycling and rafting in beautiful scenery.
Denali is of course the most famous. Home to awe-inspiring Denali National Parkyou can spend countless hours exploring pristine nature in perhaps the most beautiful place in Alaska.
Glacier discovery train
The Glacier discovery train is yet another great option for trekking through magical landscapes, but this one skips Denali.
The route is still packed with lesser-known gems like Whittier and Spencer, like going back in time to the Ice Age.
This route continues September 15, 2024 starting in Anchorage and ending in Grandview, an extravagant grand finale to this dazzling drive to view Alaska’s incredible glaciers.
The complete process:
- Anchorage
- Girdwood
- Whittier
- Transfer
- Spencer
- Great view
Those on a budget will love the price for this route, as all roundtrip flights cost less than $150.
Hurricane turn
Hurricane Turn offers a summer route and a winter route. For summer, this is another budget-friendly option, as return flights are common $119.
The service runs from Thursday to Monday September 16, 2024 and only offers Adventure class.
There is also no food on this route, so it is best to bring your own lunch.
For those who want to see Alaska’s hidden gems, Hurricane Turn is for you. You may not recognize any stops on the route.
The only train departing outside Anchorage, passengers can travel to the following stops from Talkeetna:
- Pursuit
- Curry
- Dead horse
- Sherman
- Golden Creek
- Canyon
- Twin bridges
- Chulitna
- Hurricane
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
