what is most scenic train ride?

We want to ride the train. We will be staying in Anchorage, Seward and Denali on our trip. We are thinking of a day trip to Girdwood. Which train route is the most scenic in the area?

what is most scenic train ride?

from Anchorage to Seward. :)

what is most scenic train ride?

Not only is Anchorage to Seward more scenic. But it really helps to have a car at Denali - cheaper and nicer lodging is available near Denali with a car. If you trained to Denali, you are pretty much stuck staying near the park entrance or at the very few lodging options further away that have a shuttle service.

John

I%26#39;ve heard the discovery ride to Spencer Glacier and also to Grandview is very scenic. If you have the Alaska coupon Tour Saver book you can get 2 for one on those rides. Beware though, I called the railroad and they didn%26#39;t have a clue what I was referring to. So you may have to work with them on that a bit. I don%26#39;t know why they wouldn%26#39;t keep their agents updated better about discounts. I eventually got it worked out for us.

Shirley

Like the other posters said - Anchorage to Seward is highly scenic - plus it is a good time frame since you mentioned a day trip.

If you go to Denali on the train it is 8 hours one way so it would take up 2 days - plus you%26#39;d want to have a day actually in Denali. Driving is about 4 hours - so I always personally try to drive.

Thanks for your input. We are spending an extra day in Anchorage just to ride the train down to Seward and back. We REALLY want to ride the train. Then, after this we are going to pick up the rental car and drive to Seward. Crazy, huh? Or, is it an idea to take the train down one day and then return on another day? What would be the difference in cost between RT and two one way fares?

I would look at the railroad website to see updated one-way and RT ticket prices. I personally wouldn%26#39;t want to drive back down - just arrange for a rental car in Seward and do Seward once. I%26#39;m assuming you can do this - you aren%26#39;t the only ones who have the same idea - but you%26#39;ll have to check first and definitely have it reserved. I%26#39;m just thinking logistics as far as why go down a second time?

You can always take the train to Wasilla (not too long) or Talkeetna - if just looking for a train ride - but the train ride to Seward is particularly scenic!

FYI - the AK Railroad has some good 50th Anniversary Statehood specials - they are online at http://www.akrr.com/arrc280.html

- book by end of March.

Looking into renting a car in Seward, but cannot find any rental agencies. Is there a place to rent cars in Seward?

Hertz is the only choice to rent a car in Seward. They are privately owned, so don%26#39;t expect any deals.

I assume the ride between Seward and Anchorage (that direction) is equally scenic. But will the beauty near Seward more dramatic? Like does it diminish going TOWARDS Anchorage? The reason I ask is we are considering a cruise to AK (would do just land but would miss seeing the inside passage, which I assume is highly recommended - ?), and getting off near Seward. I had been trying to figure out what would be the best scenic train ride and saw this thread.

So, should we rent a car for a day in Seward, and catch the train for the next day to Anchorage? Would it be very easy to connect w/a rental in Anchorage w/out going far from where we get off the train? We could then take it to Denali for a couple of nights, maybe spending a night near Talkeetna along the way. (I haven%26#39;t checked yet, but I sure hope getting a compact car in Anchorage is less than out of Seward!)

Thanks for any info!