WHY IT RATES: Alaska Railroad's guests will enjoy expanded services offered by the Aurora Winter Train.-Codie Richards, TravelPulse Associate Editor
This winter, the Alaska Railroad will again expand service for its increasingly popular Aurora Winter Train, providing travelers with more options to ride the rails during the holiday season as well as late February and early March. The Railroad is also offering a new winter day trip from Fairbanks to Denali National Park and Preserve.
The Aurora Winter Train, which operates between Anchorage, Talkeetna and Fairbanks from late September through mid-May, will increase its usual weekend schedule by adding midweek departures in December, January, February and March.
More service allows passengers the benefit of additional flexibility in traveling to some of the most exciting winter happenings along the Railbelt. The Aurora Winter Train operates on the following dates:
-Northbound Saturday, Southbound Sunday: September 23, 2017 - May 13, 2018.
-Northbound Tuesday, Southbound Wednesday: December 26, 2017 - January 3, 2018, and February 20 - March 28, 2018.
-Northbound Thursday, Southbound Friday: December 28 - 29, 2017, and March 8 - 16, 2018.
Six departures between Anchorage and Fairbanks during the last week of December allowed passengers more opportunities to celebrate the holiday season aboard the Aurora Winter Train.
It's the perfect time of year to visit the Santa Claus House in North Pole, head to Fairbanks in hopes of catching a glimpse of the northern lights or enjoy a quick getaway to Talkeetna. A winter train journey is a relaxing option for Alaskans traveling to visit family and friends along the Railbelt over the holidays.
Late February and early March offer numerous iconic events and festivals along the Railbelt.
Whether planning a trip around the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which holds its ceremonial start in Anchorage or the BP Ice Art Championships, held in Fairbanks, the Railroad is the perfect way to experience Alaska in winter.
Additionally, the Alaska Railroad's new Denali in a Day trip is now available for booking. Passengers take a guided, scenic drive on the Parks Highway from Fairbanks to visit Denali National Park. There, they can spend the day learning about the park, visiting the National Park Service sled dog kennel and snowshoeing and exploring before riding the train back to Fairbanks.
"We continue to see a tremendous increased demand for winter travel and new seasonal experiences from our passengers," said Alaska Railroad Vice President of Marketing & Consumer Service Dale Wade.
"The Alaska Railroad is so pleased to offer visitors more opportunities to experience some of the most breathtaking winter features in the state that everyone wants to see, such as the northern lights and Denali National Park covered in snow."
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