White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: Alaska's Best Shore Excursion Opens April 30

Few Shore Excursions Earn Their Reputation This Completely

The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad opens its 2026 season on April 30 and runs through October 7, covering the full Alaska travel season from early spring to fall. Whether your ship pulls into Skagway in May or you are driving the Klondike Highway in September, the train is waiting.

On my first Alaska sailing, I had never been to the west coast of Canada or Alaska before and was curious what the mountains actually looked like up close. You really do not know until you go, so I booked the White Pass Rail. The views are unbelievable. Here is everything you need to know before you board:

A Railroad Built through the Impossible

Between May 1898 and July 1900, roughly 35,000 workers spent two years, two months, and two days carving a narrow-gauge line through some of the most unforgiving terrain on the continent. Thirty-five workers lost their lives in the effort. The route required 450 tons of explosives just to blast through the rocky sections around Rocky Point at Milepost 6.9. Workers were suspended from cliff faces by ropes to get the line through country that defeated every easier approach.

Today the White Pass & Yukon Route holds the designation of International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, placing it alongside the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and the Panama Canal.

How Boarding Works for Cruise Passengers

I booked this excursion through my cruise line's shore excursions desk and I would recommend doing the same. It was my first trip to Alaska, I was travelling solo, and I wanted to make sure I did it right, so being with a group from my ship made sense. The meeting point was onshore at the end of the pier, where a tour bus was waiting to take us to the station. On arrival back in Skagway, we were dropped at the train station and from there you can walk back to the ship or explore the town. Each cruise ship may have its own train cart reserved, which is ideal for staying with your fellow passengers throughout the journey. Booking through the cruise line also gives you protection if your ship misses the port; they will typically refund you, whereas a third-party booking may not.

Which Route Is Right for Your Day

There are a few excursion options in 2026. Here is the breakdown.

For cruise passengers who want a taste of the White Pass without spending their entire port day on the train, the White Pass Summit Excursion is a good option. At 2.5 to 2.75 hours round trip, it fits neatly into a port day without consuming it entirely. No passport is required, since passengers stay on board when the train reaches the US-Canada border. At $155 per adult, it delivers some of the most dramatic scenery in Southeast Alaska at a very reasonable price.

The Bennett Scenic Journey is a magnificent full-day experience running 120 miles round trip with a box lunch served along the way to the historic Bennett Station House, which is reachable only by train or by completing the Chilkoot Trail on foot. At 8 hours, it will occupy your entire time in Skagway. Cruise passengers need to confirm their ship schedule carefully before booking. Bring your passport; it is required at every Canadian stop. On the longer journey there is also an option to return by bus rather than by rail, which gives you a slightly different perspective on the scenery, including views of a waterfall and a visible fault line along the road.

The Fraser Meadows Steam Excursion is worth a look for anyone with a fondness for the golden age of railroading. Steam Engine #73 leads this one, adding the authentic sights, sounds, and spirit of the Gold Rush era to the climb up the pass. Check wpyr.com for current availability.

Jules' video from the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad in Skagway, Alaska.

What You Will See out That Window

The scenery builds from the moment the train leaves Skagway. Shortly after departing, you will pass the grave of Soapy Smith, Skagway's most notorious Gold Rush-era con artist, after which the real climbing begins. The train ascends nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles of steep grades and tight curves carved into cliff faces above the valley floor, travelling through gorgeous forests, past waterfalls, and into mountains.

Along the way, passengers take in Inspiration Point overlooking Skagway Harbour and the Sawtooth Range; the spectacle of Dead Horse Gulch, which is every bit as dramatic as the name suggests; a horseshoe curve at mile 12; Slippery Rock; a wooden trestle; a tunnel; and eventually a view across toward the headwaters of the Yukon River before the train loops back toward town. As we moved higher in elevation, you could really see the change in the vegetation — the trees get a lot smaller as you climb. At times the snow looked red, and I still wonder why that would happen.

Passengers travel in parlour cars, some vintage and some replica, with enormous windows and a viewing platform at each end. If you are departing northbound from Skagway, sit on the left side facing forward — that side consistently has the better views. The viewing platform is great for photography, though holding on is advisable on the steeper sections. Morning departures offer soft, golden light for photographs. Evening trains on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays bring warm golden-hour light and noticeably smaller crowds.

On the longer journey, there is a stop at the Chilkoot Trail, an area accessible only by rail or on foot via the Chilkoot Trail. You get about 15 to 20 minutes at this stop. A museum is on site, but the time is short enough that you will need to choose between the museum and a short hike. The hike functions as an open-air museum of sorts; Gold Rush-era artifacts are scattered throughout the area, and you are not permitted to touch anything. It is a beautiful and remote setting.

On the Train: a Few Practical Notes

Each car has tables in front of the benches, and on the longer excursion a box lunch is served on board. On my journey, the meal included a sandwich, water, some very good white cheddar cheese, grapes, and a bag of chips.

The car I was in had a stove in the back corner and a clean washroom. The narration throughout the journey is worth paying attention to; the history comes alive as the train climbs.

For Independent Travellers: Getting to Skagway

Skagway is accessible by road via the Klondike Highway from Whitehorse, Yukon, a drive of approximately 110 miles. The route crosses the US-Canada border, so a valid passport is required. Parking is available near the train station on Second Avenue. Tickets can be booked online at wpyr.com, by phone at 1-800-343-7373, or by email at info@wpyr.com. Skagway also has a small airport with limited connections for those arriving by air.