Tour Highlights
See Denali from the luxury of the McKinley Explorer Private Train!
Explore Denali on the “OTHER” train – the McKinley Explorer RailTour! 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 7 hour trip to Denali 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, you don’t have to worry about a thing as you are bussed to the Denali Princess Lodge or McKinley Chalet Resort, both offering upscale accommodations just a mile from the main entrance to Denali National Park. 2 & 3 night packages also include tickets to the Music of Denali Dinner Theater. This rail package times well with flights to Juneau – with an arrival into Anchorage at 5PM, just enough time to fly to Southeast at 720PM.
Luggage handling & transfers in Denali are also included with this package – you will go straight from the train to your room, no stopping at front desk needed.
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
Activities
Rail adventure, wildlife viewing, adventure travel
Availability
May 13 – September 11, 2024
Not offered every day.
Pricing & Payment Options
Adult: As low as $315 + 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 & Denali
- Luggage handling
- Transfers to/from Lodge
- 1+ nights upscale lodge in Denali
- Dinner show in Denali
- Post travel support
Things you'll need
- Transfers to Anchorage Rail Depot
- Meals & drinks not included
- Tips for guides
- Trip Insurance incase of anything!
Tours Offered
Sample Itinerary/Schedule
Day 1: 9:15AM
Depart from Anchorage Railroad depot for the 7 hour trip to Denali
Day 1: 4:40PM
Upon arrival in Denali, you will be transferred to the lodge where your luggage will be awaiting guests in their rooms.
Day 2: On your own
Today is on your own for touring Denali or an excursion.
Day 2: 6:00PM
Dinner show at McKinley Chalet Resort
Day 3: 8:45AM
Check out of the resort & hop the shuttle to the Denali Rail Depot
Day 3: 5:30PM
Arrival in 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.
Denali Express with Princess RailTours
Starting at: $315*
- Destination: Denali
- Duration: 2 days +
- 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