Standing in Anchorage with a map of a state that has so few roads, you start to wonder how people reach Denali without driving every mile themselves. Many look to the Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star. It is the line that links Anchorage with Fairbanks, calling at Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali National Park along the way, and it turns the long trip north into a day spent watching the country go by.
Where does the Denali Star train go?
The Denali Star runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks, with stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali National Park. It is the long-distance run of the Alaska Railroad, whose main line reaches from Seward on the southern coast to Fairbanks near the center of the state, passing through Anchorage and the park on the way.
| Denali Star | Figure |
|---|---|
| Route | Anchorage to Fairbanks |
| Distance | 356 miles |
| Trip length, one way | About 12 hours |
| Stops | Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park |
Anchorage to Talkeetna: rivers and the first look at the range
The first stretch leaves the city behind and heads through Wasilla into wider country. Between Anchorage and Talkeetna the train crosses the Knik River, with the Chugach Mountains standing in the background. Braided channels, gravel bars and spruce along the banks make this a stretch for sitting at the window rather than reading.
Just south of Talkeetna, passengers can see Denali rising above the Susitna River. On a clear day the mountain, the tallest in North America, may show itself from the train. Clouds often hide it, so treat the view as a chance and not a promise. Talkeetna itself is a small town of wooden storefronts that many travelers know as a base for flights and river outings.
Talkeetna to Denali National Park: Hurricane Gulch and Broad Pass
North of Talkeetna the line enters the roadless Hurricane area. The train crosses Hurricane Gulch on a 296-foot bridge, and the ground falls away beneath you as the cars pass over. Few places in Alaska let you look into a ravine like this without leaving your seat, and it is a moment when people tend to gather at the windows.
Just south of the park, Broad Pass opens views of the Alaska Range in all directions. It is the high, open ground where the landscape widens into peaks on every side. From here the train reaches Denali National Park, where the Denali Star has a stop of its own.
Denali National Park to Fairbanks: Healy Canyon and the Nenana River
North of the park, the Denali Star follows Healy Canyon along the Nenana River. The canyon walls close in, the river runs alongside the tracks, and the scenery shifts from big mountain panoramas to something more enclosed. After this the line continues toward Fairbanks, the terminus in the center of the state.
Passengers from Fairbanks can also take the Denali Star to Denali National Park for a midday excursion and return home that evening. For anyone based in Fairbanks, that makes the park a day out rather than an overnight commitment, with the canyon and the river as part of the ride in each direction.
When does it run?
The Denali Star operates from May 12 to September 16, 2027, and that is the stretch of dates to build a trip around. The first day, May 12, has northbound service only, and the last day, September 16, has southbound service only. Seen from Anchorage, that means the season opens with a train heading toward Fairbanks and closes with one coming back.
The opening and closing days
Because of the one-direction days at each end, the first and last days of the season ask for some planning. Someone who wants to ride from Anchorage to Fairbanks cannot do so on the last day, and someone traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage cannot do so on the first. Anyone planning a round trip near either edge of the season should think about which direction each day offers before settling on a date.
On all the other days of the season, the line is described by its full route between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The Talkeetna departure
Talkeetna departure times on the Denali Star may vary because of traffic volumes. Passengers should check in at the depot to confirm the departure time. For travelers coming up from Anchorage for a night in the small town, or leaving it to go on toward the park, that check-in at the depot is the step that fixes the real time.
A town as compact as Talkeetna lends itself to this kind of waiting. Passengers should check in at the depot to confirm the departure time.
Other Alaska Railroad trains in the same summer
The Denali Star is one of several trains with their own seasons.
| Train | Route | 2027 season |
|---|---|---|
| Denali Star | Anchorage to Fairbanks | May 12 to September 16 |
| Coastal Classic | Anchorage, Girdwood and Seward, daily | May 14 to September 12 |
| Glacier Discovery | Anchorage to Grandview, with stops at Girdwood, Whittier, Portage and Spencer (full route) | May 29 to September 12 |
| Hurricane Turn Summer Train | Talkeetna and Hurricane, Thursday through Monday | May 13 to September 12 |
The Hurricane Turn connects with the same Hurricane area the Denali Star crosses, so Talkeetna works as a place where two of these lines come together. The Glacier Discovery also offers round-trip service from Anchorage or Girdwood to Whittier on May 15, 16, 17 and 19 of that season, before its full route begins.
What should you know before you book?
Before booking, look at the fare, the baggage rules and the departure check in Talkeetna, because those are the points the railroad spells out. An Adventure Class adult one-way fare from Anchorage to Fairbanks on the Denali Star is the figure to start with, and other Alaska Railroad fares give a sense of how the lines are priced.
Fares
| Train and route | Class | Adult, one way | Child, one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denali Star, Anchorage to Fairbanks | Adventure Class | $294 | $147 |
| Coastal Classic, Anchorage to Girdwood | Adventure Class | $103 | $52 |
| Coastal Classic, Anchorage to Seward | GoldStar Service | $289 | $169 |
The Denali Star fare covers the whole line from Anchorage to Fairbanks. The Coastal Classic rows are there for readers who may add a second train to the trip. The Glacier Discovery is Adventure Class service only, so there is no choice of class on that train.
Luggage on board
Each ticketed passenger on the Alaska Railroad may check two pieces of luggage, and each checked bag has a weight limit of 50 pounds. Bikes, excess bags, oversized bags and overweight bags carry a fee per item, and animals ride with their own fee.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Bikes, excess, oversized or overweight bags | $20.00 per item |
| Animal in a passenger-provided kennel | $20.00 per kennel |
All animals travel in the baggage car in a kennel the passenger provides. Only service animals are permitted in the passenger cars, so a pet cannot ride beside its owner.
Checking in at Talkeetna
Times there may vary with traffic volumes, which is why the railroad asks passengers to check in. Travelers coming from Anchorage who continue on the same train are not changing anything, but anyone starting the day in the small town should plan on that stop at the depot.
The line itself is part of the Alaska Railroad, which the State of Alaska bought from the U.S. government on January 6, 1985. It is a state-owned railroad that serves both freight and passengers, and the Denali Star is its longest passenger run.
Good to know before you go
Luggage storage is not available at any Alaska Railroad train station, so a bag you do not check has to stay with you. Firearms are not allowed inside passenger coaches or depots.
They may travel in the baggage car only if unloaded, stored in a locking hard-sided case, and with the bolt action removed or a trigger locking guard applied. Concealed weapons are not allowed onboard any train or in any depot. Baggage service on the Coastal Classic is available only in Anchorage and Seward, a reminder that a ride on a different line can follow different habits at its stations.
Sources
- Alaska Railroad, Denali Star (https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/our-trains/denali-star), checked October 11, 2026
- Alaska Railroad, Train schedules (https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/schedules), checked October 11, 2026
- Alaska Railroad, Train fares (https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/fares), checked October 11, 2026
- Alaska Railroad, Baggage policy (https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/baggage), checked October 11, 2026
- Wikipedia, Alaska Railroad (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Railroad), checked October 11, 2026
To plan your stay
- Things to Do in Denali National Park: Park Road Rides, Sled Dogs, Trails and Where to Eat
- Where to Stay in Denali National Park: Park Entrance, Healy, Backcountry Lodges and Campgrounds
- Denali National Park from Anchorage: the Parks Highway, the Denali Star Train and Park Shuttles
- Know Before You Go to Denali National Park: Fees, Bus Season, Weather and Bears