Alaskan Adventure: Train vs. Car and Denali vs. Fairbanks

Elsie Young

Elsie Young

Active Member
Planning an Alaskan adventure for the family? Sounds awesome! Here’s a breakdown to help you decide between taking the train or renting a car, and choosing between Denali and Fairbanks:

Train or Car:
Alaskan Adventure_ Train vs. Car and Denali vs. Fairbanks.webp

Train:

  • Option: Consider the Denali Star (Anchorage to Denali) for a scenic experience with glaciers and mountains.
  • Duration: Around 12 hours.
  • Pros: Great for relaxing and enjoying the views.
  • Cons: Limits your exploration in Denali since you’ll need to rely on buses within the park.
Car:

  • Option: Renting a car offers flexibility.
  • Route: Anchorage to Seward (coastal route) is shorter (4-5 hours) with stunning ocean views.
  • Pros: You can stop at your own pace and explore more in both Seward (glacier cruises, marine life) and Denali (drive to the park entrance, then take buses further in).
Denali vs. Fairbanks:

Alaskan Adventure_ Train vs. Car and Denali vs. Fairbanks (2).webp
Denali National Park:

  • Highlight: North America's tallest mountain, Denali.
  • Activities: Excellent wildlife viewing (bears, moose).
  • Caution: Weather can be unpredictable in June, potentially limiting visibility.
Fairbanks:

  • Nickname: "The Golden Heart of Alaska."
  • Activities: Unique experiences like gold panning and exploring historic sites.
  • Consideration: In June, Fairbanks might not be as exciting as Denali and has fewer daylight hours (around 18 hours).
Suggestions Based on Your Interests:

  • Love nature and wildlife? Prioritize Denali, take the train for the scenery, and be flexible with bus tours due to weather.
  • Want a mix of scenery, towns, and activities? Rent a car, drive to Seward (coastal beauty) and Denali (explore the park entrance area), then consider a shorter Fairbanks visit.
Numbers to Remember:

  • Train ride (Anchorage to Denali): ~12 hours.
This should help you plan an amazing and memorable Alaskan adventure
 
Elsie Young said:
Planning an Alaskan adventure for the family? Sounds awesome! Here’s a breakdown to help you decide between taking the train or renting a car, and choosing between Denali and Fairbanks:

Train or Car:

Train:

  • Option: Consider the Denali Star (Anchorage to Denali) for a scenic experience with glaciers and mountains.
  • Duration: Around 12 hours.
  • Pros: Great for relaxing and enjoying the views.
  • Cons: Limits your exploration in Denali since you’ll need to rely on buses within the park.
Car:

  • Option: Renting a car offers flexibility.
  • Route: Anchorage to Seward (coastal route) is shorter (4-5 hours) with stunning ocean views.
  • Pros: You can stop at your own pace and explore more in both Seward (glacier cruises, marine life) and Denali (drive to the park entrance, then take buses further in).
Denali vs. Fairbanks:

Denali National Park:

  • Highlight: North America's tallest mountain, Denali.
  • Activities: Excellent wildlife viewing (bears, moose).
  • Caution: Weather can be unpredictable in June, potentially limiting visibility.
Fairbanks:

  • Nickname: "The Golden Heart of Alaska."
  • Activities: Unique experiences like gold panning and exploring historic sites.
  • Consideration: In June, Fairbanks might not be as exciting as Denali and has fewer daylight hours (around 18 hours).
Suggestions Based on Your Interests:

  • Love nature and wildlife? Prioritize Denali, take the train for the scenery with the help of db fahrplanauskunft, and be flexible with bus tours due to weather.
  • Want a mix of scenery, towns, and activities? Rent a car, drive to Seward (coastal beauty) and Denali (explore the park entrance area), then consider a shorter Fairbanks visit.
Numbers to Remember:

  • Train ride (Anchorage to Denali): ~12 hours.
This should help you plan an amazing and memorable Alaskan adventure
Click to expand...
Looking for suggestions on the following options for August 2024

fly to Fairbanks, rent a car, spend a few days, return rental,car.
Take train to Denali, rent a car, spend a few days and return car.
Take train to Anchorage. Rent a car, drive the Glenn Highway to Richardson Highway to Valdez.
Spend a few days in Valdez, take ferry to Anchorage.
Return car and Fly home from Anchorange .


Which is more scenic,, the train from Fairbanks to Denali and then Denali to Anchorage, or driving that same route?

Also, I saw an old thread with an option from Gardyloo. He suggested Flying into Anchorage and driving a loop : Anchorage- Denali-Fairbanks- Valdez.
This sounds appealing as we have previously driven the Glenn Highway but not the Richardson.

We like beautiful scenery and this will probably be the last time we visit Alaska. Any suggestions are appreciated.
 
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