White Pass & Yukon Route Railway — Attraction in Alaska

Our excursion in Skagway was The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, the 2:45 hour round trip train ride. This trip turned around at White Pass Summit at 2,888 ft. There is no opportunity to leave the train anywhere. The cruise ship docked at the Railroad Dock by The Ship Signature Wall, and we had a ship’s tender ride to the slip in town. From there, it was a short walk to the train depot, where we waited to board the train. It was windy, misty, and cold, and there was no shelter. There are heated, indoor restrooms at the depot. Once aboard, there is open seating with restrooms in each car. One is not allowed to move between cars and there is no food service aboard. There is also a viewing platform at the end of each car, for photos. At 6.9 Miles and at 637 feet elevation, is Rocky Point. There is an excellent view down the lower valley to Skagway. Mt. Jarding and Harding Glaciers form the backdrop. A bridge at an unidentified place on the route. I liked the view of the train going across the greenish sediment-filled glacial river. At 11.5 Miles and 1334 feet is Bridal Veil Falls, created by waters from the glaciers on Mount Cleveland and Mount Clifton, plummeting 6000 feet to the river below. This brilliant yellow plant is Caribou Lichen. It is common along the train route. One of my favorite views was the train curving around itself. This is Bridge 15C. The train is crossing the bridge and entering the tunnel. Here is our train entering Tunnel 16A. It’s 250-feet long as it runs through Tunnel Mountain. At 16.0 Miles and 2275 feet, Tunnel Mountain is 1000 feet above the valley floor. At 18.6 Miles and 2613 feet is the Old Steel Bridge or Bridge 18A. This cantilevered bridge was constructed in 1901, because without crossing the chasm below, [which was over 1000 feet wide and several hundred feet deep], the railroad could not reach the Summit. It was the highest bridge of its kind in North America when it was built. It was used from 1901 until 1969, when it was retired. New tracks were laid in 1969, and a new bridge with a 670-foot tunnel was blasted from the rock. The visible remains of the Trail of 1898, used by the Stampeders, at 19.3 Miles and 2730 feet. At 20.4 Miles and 2888 feet, we have reached White Pass Summit. Nearby is The International Border and the Continental Divide are marked by a bronze obelisk. Just past the international border, is a replica of the original Northwest Mounted Police station used by the Mounties during the gold rush. Our train went just past the summit and turned around near Summit Lake. Another of my favorite photos was where the train tracks were over the river and we looked down at the river flowing with rapids and greenish white in color from the glacial sediment in it. Back in Skagway now, going past the WP&YR railroad maintenance yards at 2.0 Miles. After we disembarked, I walked along the tracks to take a photo of Engine 3005, which pulled our train. We enjoyed this train trip very much. It is fairly common to have mist and rain at higher elevations, especially in the shoulder seasons. Dress accordingly for the outside wait. Inside, the train...

When booking this excursion as a cruise ship passenger, absolutely book through the white pass website and NOT through the cruise line. First, booking through their website will save you a bit of money. Second, those who book through their website are in separate cars than those who booked with the cruise line. Once you are in the cars, you cannot move to another car. Therefore we saw the train cars that came from the cruise ship docks and they were full to the brim. Our car had 2 other parties in it so we basically had the car to ourselves and were able to move around to the different sides to see the views. I will say that when you book through the cruise line you get to board your train right at the dock. Since we booked independently, we did have to walk into town to check in at the actual train depot. The walk was about 10-15 minutes but it wasn’t bad at all. In the train depot they have a coffee shop, a gift shop, and restrooms. The woman who checked us in at the ticket counter was very friendly and explained everything clearly. We boarded 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time so be sure to get there early. The best views are on the left side going up and on the right side going down. The seats do have the ability to switch direction if needed. We flipped them to have more room by our feet. Since our trip was just the summit and back down, we actually did a loop at the top so the train kept going the same direction, so there was no need to flip the seat direction. They have clear narration throughout the trip on history, landmarks, and stories. The narration only plays inside though and not on the outside balcony. Each car has a front and back outside balcony that you are able to stand on to get better views or some fresh air. Since our car had few people it was easy to pop out and pop back in to take photos of landmarks or the train coming in or out of the tunnel. I did bring a microfiber rag/towel with because previous reviews mentioned that if the weather gets bad the windows will fog up and you can’t see out. However our day was clear and slightly overcast so there was no need. The cars also each have a heater and a bathroom on them. You do get a booklet on your seat that shows you the map, as well as some more history too. Overall it is a very cool scenic train ride up and down the mountains. If you can, try and get the caboose car, then when you stand out the back there will be no other cars to obstruct your view. However since we booked independently, our choice of cars was towards the front. We chose the very first car behind the engine and it worked out because your field of vision was only blocked a tiny bit by the engine and you could turn back and watch the entire train follow you. At the end the narrators/tour guides come through the cars and basically that is the time to tip them if you so choose. Overall everyone in our party really enjoyed this excursion. You have to really be in to just looking out at the scenery and taking in the beauty. I would recommend this as the main thing to...

We booked our experience through Disney Cruise Line, opting for the adults-only, three-hour adventure, which features a car designated for those aged 18 and over. Families are accommodated in the same train but in different cars. There are both morning and afternoon departures available, as well as an eight-hour option. Upon boarding, our guide team escorted us directly to the platform, which was just a short distance from the ship. This excursion is wheelchair accessible; however, space is limited in the lift-equipped car. If you or anyone in your party requires the lift to board the train, please inform them during the reservation process. Each rail car has a small restroom, and it's important to note that movement between cars is not permitted, so ensure your entire group is booked together.

Once everyone is seated and the adventure begins, you will remain seated while in town. When the train is outside of town, they will announce that you can enjoy complimentary water at the back of the train, use the restroom, or step out onto the platforms to take photos. Although the train shields you from the wind, your hands may feel cold while taking pictures or videos. I highly recommend stepping outside, as the photos taken inside the train often have glare. The train will complete a full turn, allowing you to enjoy views from the opposite side on the return journey. Please be aware that the intercom does not function outside the train, so you will miss the commentary while on the outside platform. This area is small and shared, so be considerate and take turns to allow everyone to enjoy this opportunity.

You will not need a passport, as the train does not stop, and you will remain on board until returning to town.

Near the end of your journey, they will offer an embroidered hat and a photo book for a $20 bundle. The hat is exclusive to the train and is not available in the gift shop. They accept Apple Pay and credit cards. There is also a gift shop on land with additional merchandise options.

This experience was a favorite among our group, and we would absolutely ride this adventure again. It provided us with a wonderful opportunity to relax and soak in the...