Aurora Winter Train
Aurora Winter Train is a seasonal passenger train operated by the Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Fairbanks in Alaska — an 11.5-hour run covering 356 rail miles.
Journey Overview
Essential information for planning your journey
The Experience
What makes this journey unique
The Experience
Aurora Winter Train operates as a genuine lifeline and scenic day route through interior Alaska. Departing Anchorage or Fairbanks at 8:30 AM, the train spends roughly 11.5 to 12 hours traversing 356 rail miles of snow-covered spruce forest, river valleys, and mountain passes.
What to Expect
The onboard environment in Adventure Class is practical and relaxed. Passengers ride in comfortable seats beneath large picture windows, with full freedom to walk between passenger cars or purchase hot meals, snacks, and beverages in the dining car.
Along the Way
Unlike high-speed regional lines, the schedule accommodates remote community access. As the train navigates the 50-mile roadless stretch south of Hurricane Gulch, it stops on demand for backcountry cabin dwellers, giving long-distance travelers an unvarnished look at off-grid Alaskan winter transportation.
Route & Key Stops
Southbound departures mirror this exact routing from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Intermediate flagstops can alter arrival times depending on local boarding activity.
Anchorage → Fairbanks
Historic station at Milepost 114.3 in Alaska's largest city, serving as the southern terminus with full checked baggage facilities.
Matanuska-Susitna Valley station at Milepost 159.8 offering wheelchair-accessible boarding for regional commuters and winter travelers. 45.5 miles from Anchorage.
Small Susitna Valley town at Milepost 226.7 and a popular weekend getaway stop from Anchorage. 66.9 miles from Wasilla.
Remote 50-mile roadless corridor south of Hurricane Gulch (Mileposts 236.2–281.4) where the train makes flagstops for backcountry residents. Begins 9.5 miles north of Talkeetna; Hurricane is 54.7 miles from Talkeetna.
Stop at Milepost 347.9 at the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve. 66.5 miles from Hurricane.
Depot at Milepost 358.7, just north of the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve. 10.8 miles from Denali.
Tanana River town at Milepost 411.7 where President Warren G. Harding drove the railroad's golden spike on July 15, 1923. 53.0 miles from Healy.
Northern terminus depot at Milepost 470.3 in Alaska's Interior, equipped with complete ticketing, baggage checking, and boarding services. 58.6 miles from Nenana.
Journey Highlights
Key scenic features and landmarks along the route
Classes of Service
Choose the level of comfort that suits your travel preferences
Adventure Class
Comfortable coach seating with large picture windows and freedom to walk between passenger cars.
GoldStar Service (Summer Only)
Bi-level glass-dome cars with an upper-level outdoor viewing platform and included meals, offered only on the summer Denali Star and Coastal Classic.
Onboard Experience
What to expect once you are aboard
Is This the Right Train for You?
An honest look at who gets the most out of this journey
How to Experience This Journey
Our specialists' approach to getting the most from this route
Ride one direction by rail across the full 356 miles and return via a scheduled regional flight
Book Adventure Class early for weekend departures and the busy February–March period
Treat arrival times as flexible because unscheduled backcountry flagstops occasionally extend the scheduled duration
Where This Trip Can Go Wrong
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Things to Know Before You Book
How This Train Compares
The Alaska Railroad operates distinctive corridor routes that vary significantly by season and operational format.
Denali Star runs daily mid-May to mid-September with bi-level GoldStar dome cars and outdoor viewing platforms, whereas the Aurora Winter Train runs on weekends (northbound Saturday, southbound Sunday) with Adventure Class only.
Hurricane Turn runs dedicated flagstop service Thursday–Monday in summer (Talkeetna–Hurricane) and on the first Thursday of each month in winter (no March run), while the Aurora Winter Train combines Anchorage–Fairbanks transit with flagstops.
Coastal Classic operates south from Anchorage toward Seward along Turnagain Arm during summer, while Aurora Winter operates north toward interior Fairbanks through snow-covered river valleys.
Have a question about Aurora Winter Train?
Frequently Asked Questions
The Aurora Winter Train takes approximately 11.5 to 12 hours one-way between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Trains depart their origin station at 8:30 AM and reach their final destination around 8:00 PM. Unscheduled backcountry flagstops can occasionally extend the total running time depending on winter boarding conditions.
The Aurora Winter Train runs two trips a week for most of its season, September to May: northbound on Saturdays and southbound on Sundays. In February and March 2027 the railroad adds midweek departures: northbound Tuesdays and Thursdays, southbound Wednesdays and Fridays (Thursday/Friday trips Feb 25–Mar 26).
A standard one-way adult fare between Anchorage and Fairbanks is $265 in Adventure Class. Children ages 2 through 11 pay $133. Shorter segments cost less, such as Anchorage–Talkeetna at $104 adult / $52 child.
Meals are not included in the Adventure Class fare. Passengers can buy hot meals, snacks, and drinks in the onboard dining car. The train is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card.
Adventure Class is the only class of service on the Aurora Winter Train. It offers comfortable seats and large picture windows, and passengers can walk freely between cars. GoldStar dome service runs only on summer trains.
Checked baggage service is offered only at the Anchorage and Fairbanks depots. Passengers may check up to four bags (50 lb max each) plus one carry-on. Excess, oversized, or overweight bags cost $20 each.
Scheduled stops are Anchorage, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali, Healy, Nenana, and Fairbanks. The train also makes flagstops along a 50-mile roadless stretch south of Hurricane Gulch.
Seeing the aurora from the train is unlikely: the cars are lit and moving, and trains depart at 8:30 AM and arrive around 8:00 PM. Fairbanks is an excellent base for nighttime aurora viewing tours after you arrive.
Plan to check in 60 minutes before departure at Anchorage or Fairbanks; seats may be reassigned if you are not checked in 15 minutes before departure. Passengers 18 and older must show a government-issued photo ID (or two IDs, one government-issued).
The Alaska Railroad offers 20% off published fares for active duty and retired U.S. military and their dependents with ID (CAC or retired card required at check-in). Seniors 65+, Medicare cardholders, and travelers with eligible disabilities can travel at half fare during the non-summer season.
The Verdict
An authentic, snowbound long-distance journey connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, ideal for travelers wanting unhurried transit through Alaska's interior backcountry.