Tour Highlights
See Denali from the luxury of the McKinley Explorer private train!
Explore Denali on the “OTHER” train – the McKinley Explorer ULTRAdome car private train! This amazing upscale offering puts travelers in a specially-built railcar with large wrap-around windows with an open air platform to give you the full Alaska wilderness experience. The 3 hour trip to Talkeenta is narrated, along with bar service at your seat by the car attendant. If you are hungry, you can dine on the 1st level of the car (so no rushing to grab a table with a few hundred other folks on the train). Once in Denali & Talkeetna, you don’t have to worry about a thing as you are bussed to the Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge in Trapper Creek; while in the southern portion of Denali National Park, you’ll have access to flightseeing, white water rafting, and bus tours to the closest entrance to Denali.
On the second day, you’ll be transferred back to the rail depot where you’ll enjoy a 4 hour, jaw dropping trip to Denali in the same Ultradome Rail Cars, offering 360 degree panoramas as you travel thru Alaska’s remote wilderness to Denali. Upon arrival in Denali, you’ll have time for a few tours before bed.
Your return trip will be seamless as your bags get transferred for you and guests can just leave the resort & hop on the bus, to take the same trip back to Anchorage.
Booking options include 3 day, 2 night and 4 day, 3 night tours – bookable on the far right.
This tour is offered on request and we do our best to keep our booking engine updated.
Please note: No cancellations or changes are permitted within 45 days of travel, we HIGHLY encourage you to purchase travel insurance to cover this trip. Learn more here.
Departure Point
Anchorage
Key Destinations
Denali & Talkeetna
Activities
Rail adventure, wildlife viewing, adventure travel
Availability
May 14 – September 15, 2024
Not offered every day.
Pricing & Payment Options
Adult: As low as $369 + tax
Booking Requirements
Must be booked at least 96 hours in advance. Subject to availability. This tour DOES sell out!
Things you'll see
What's Included
- Scenic rail between Anchorage & Talkeetna
- Scenic rail between Talkeetna & Denali
- Luggage handling
- Transfers to/from Lodge
- 1 night upscale lodge in Talkeetna
- 1+ night upscale lodge in Denali
- Dinner show in Denali (4 day pkgs only)
- Post travel support
Things you'll need
- Transfers to Anchorage Rail Depot
- Meals & drinks not included
- Tips for guides
- Trip Insurance to protect your vacation
Tours Offered
Itinerary/Schedule
Below is just a sample offered. Tour may operate with Denali first depending on availability.
Day 1: 9:15AM
Depart from Anchorage Rail Road depot for the 3 hour trip to Talkeetna
Day 1: 12:15PM
Upon arrival in Talkeetna, you’ll be transferred to the McKinley Wilderness Lodge where your bags will be awaiting you.
Day 1: On your own
The rest of the day is on your own to explore the southern entrance to Denali
Day 2: 11:00AM
Transfer back to the Princess Rail for the train to Denali
Day 2: 4:50PM
Arrival at Denali and transfers to the lodge
Day 3: 8:45AM
Depart lodge for Denali Rail Depot and the Princess Rail to Anchorage
Day 3: 5:30PM
Arrival back at Anchorage
More Details & Info
Seats are assigned at check-in for the Alaska Railroad AND Princess Rail.
Princess Rail departs from a second depot that is about 500 feet EAST of the Alaska Railroad Depot – you must check-in at the white tent FIRST and drop off your bags and receive your ticket to board the train. You can either walk to the train or ride the bus.
Princess Rail Experience
Legal stuff
The booking engine, located top RIGHT, is where you will start. The system will provide you an ESTIMATED cost of the tour based on your customizations and input. The rates are based on availability & subject to change. Should the final price not be acceptable, we do allow you a full refund, no questions, of the deposit!
For overnight & same day travel excursions, we will lock in any/all air or sea travel first, and secure hotel space if overnight was requested. Most tours & excursions will be confirmed at a later date, but not less than 20 days prior to departure.
AYT’s Travel Designers will monitor your flight schedules before and during your trip. We will work proactively when there are schedule changes or issues – including weather or other issues. We’ll work with you and our vendors to ensure you have a fantastic vacation.
Any upgrades to packages components will require a reprice of the package. Substitutions are allowed.
Final price is dependent on variables, such as airfare & hotel availability, and government taxes & fees. Once the travel designer & you have confirmed the options, AYT will require an additional payment.
We HIGHLY encourage you to purchase travel insurance – either individually for this trip or an annual plan. We can provide you a quote by clicking on the check-box in the booking engine.
The Railtour product requires full payment at time of booking. While our system is NOT directly connected to Princess, if we are not able to secure your space, we will attempt to book you on the similar Alaska Railroad & offer alternative accommodations in Denali – which may result in a price difference (up or down). If this is not acceptable to you, we will refund you in full – no penalty.
AYT accepts American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. We also accept ACH (bank transfers) and Zelle.
All funds collected are paid directly to Princess, and no funds remain held by AYT or in escrow.
Changes to your itinerary are subject to availability. AYT will do its best to honor all change requests.
Date changes may require a reprice or adjustment of the package total.
Name changes & fixes are subject to Princess Lodges. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you have provided accurate and legal names of all travelers. Please verify the names on all receipts & itinerary. We are NOT responsible for any errors made by online bookings.
A full refund, less a $25 admin fee per guest, will be made for cancellations received at least 46 days prior to the date on which you are to commence travel.
Passengers, who cancel after that date for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following cancellation fees:
– 45-31 days before commencing travel – 50% of gross fare less $25 admin fee per guest.
– 30 days or less before commencing travel – 100% of gross fare (non-refundable)
Princess Lodges reserves the right to cancel all or part of a tour in its reasonable discretion including in response to insufficient sales. If Princess Lodges cancels the entire tour, you will receive a full refund of amounts paid to Princess Lodges. If Princess Lodges cancels a portion of the tour due to weather or other reasons beyond the control of Princess Lodges, or if you decide for any reason whatsoever to not participate in all or part of the tour, Princess Lodges will not be required to make any refunds. For other partial cancellations by Princess Lodges, you will receive a refund for the value of the cancelled portion, with value to be determined by Princess Lodges in a fair and equitable manner. If, due to weather or other unforeseen reasons, flights are adversely impacted or you are required to spend an additional night in a location, hotel and meal costs and other incidental expenses are your responsibility.
McKinley Express Luxury Rail Tour
Starting at: $369*
- Destination: Denali & Talkeetna
- Duration: 3 days / 2 nights (or longer)
- Travel Type: Luxury Rail
- Activity Level: Minimal
- Accessibility: Excellent
The AYT Difference
- Destination Knowledge
Even though we live in Alaska, we’ve got extensive travel to Belize, Hawai’i, and the world. AYT uses ONLY vendors that we have used!
- Special Savings
AYT has negotiated special rates that are lower than the normal rates you’ll find online. Our buying power with TravelEdge also means travel tricks you can’t get from one of the “big guys”.
- Experience
With over 50 years in the travel business, we know all the tricks to keep your vacation going smooth.
- Technology
AYT has access to key systems & IT to provide you the BEST rates and provide REAL customer support. This includes our online booking tool for tours & excursions – no need to wait on an e-mail.
- Secure Payments
Travelers can pay via our fully secure portal, and we accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa