The train ride from Anchorage to Fairbanks takes about 12 hours on the Alaska Railroad. This travel time applies to both summer and winter passenger trains and covers roughly 470 miles through Alaska’s interior.
The route is operated by the Alaska Railroad, primarily using two services. During summer, travelers ride the Denali Star Train, while in winter, the Aurora Winter Train runs on a similar schedule. Although departure times change by season, the overall journey length stays nearly the same.
The train is not nonstop. It makes scheduled stops in towns such as Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Denali National Park, which contributes to the longer travel time. However, many travelers choose the train specifically for its panoramic windows and views of mountains, rivers, and wilderness areas that cannot be seen from the highway…