The Alaska Railroad

The Alaska Railroad has been instrumental in the survival of rural Alaskans and America's Last Frontier for nearly 100 years. Spanning from the port town of Seward on the Gulf of Alaska to Fairbanks in the heart of the state, this rail line successfully transports more than 5 million tons of freight and 400,000 passengers annually. Travelers can choose between five routes in Alaska:

• Coastal Classic - Travels between Anchorage, Girdwood, and Seward
• Glacier Discovery - Connects Anchorage and Grandview with stops in Girdwood, Whittier, Portage, and Spencer
• Denali Star - A route between Anchorage and Fairbanks, stopping in Denali, Talkeetna, and Wasilla
• Hurricane Turn - Follows a summer route between Hurricane and Talkeetna and a winter route that includes Hurricane, Talkeetna, Wasilla, and Anchorage
• Aurora Winter - Travels in the winter season only and connects Anchorage and Fairbanks by way of Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Healy

The Alaska Railroad has accumulated numerous awards throughout the years. In 2010, National Geographic Traveler noted this railway as one of the Top 10 North American Train Trips. USA Today Travel offered a similar designation in 2015, calling the line one of the 10 Best Train Trips in the U.S. Trip Advisor awarded the railway a Certificate of Excellence in 2015, and the National Tour Association presented the Alaska Railroad with Gold Medal designation in 2016. Additionally, the line has also earned Green Star Award Certification, thanks to its green efforts: reducing water and energy consumption and making efforts to curb emissions and provide outstanding air quality.