White Pass & Yukon Route - A road sign sits against snowy mountains.
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White Pass & Yukon Route

Skagway, United States

Ride a historic narrow-gauge railway through stunning Alaskan and Canadian Gold Rush landscapes, witnessing glaciers, mountains, and waterfalls.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer Mornings

Best light for photos

CrowdHigh
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White Pass & Yukon Route - A road sign sits against snowy mountains.

White Pass & Yukon Route

Best Time

Summer Mornings

Best light for photos

CrowdHigh
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Ride a historic narrow-gauge railway through stunning Alaskan and Canadian Gold Rush landscapes, witnessing glaciers, mountains, and waterfalls.

"The White Pass & Yukon Route offers unbelievable views and breathtaking memories – a truly magical Alaskan experience!"

Vertical photo
TIP

📸 Capture the Views

Bring your camera! The scenery is incredible. Consider a guided tour for more photo stops.

🎟️ Book in Advance

Tickets sell out fast, especially for cruise passengers. Book your White Pass train tickets early!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Gold Rush Scenery

Historic Gold Rush Scenery

Skagway to White Pass Summit

Journey through breathtaking mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls, retracing the steps of gold rush stampeders.

The World Famous Tunnel Bridge

The World Famous Tunnel Bridge

MP 16

Witness the engineering marvel of this iconic tunnel bridge, a must-see for photographers and train enthusiasts.

Summit Views and Glaciers

Summit Views and Glaciers

White Pass Summit

Reach the summit for panoramic vistas and stunning views of glaciers, a truly unforgettable Alaskan spectacle.

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Planning Your Visit

Book Your White Pass Train Ride Early

The White Pass & Yukon Route is a highly sought-after experience, especially for cruise ship passengers. Booking your tickets in advance is crucial to secure your preferred date and time, as tours often sell out. Consider the different tour lengths to best fit your schedule.

Consider Alternative Excursions

While the White Pass train is iconic, some travelers suggest that guided driving tours, like the Yukon Suspension Bridge & Summit Tour, offer similar scenic routes with more opportunities to stop and explore. Weigh the cost and experience to find your perfect Skagway adventure.

Best Times

When
Summer Mornings
Why
Best light for photos
Crowd
High
When
Late Spring/Early Fall
Why
Fewer crowds, beautiful colors
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

In complete awe #skagway #alaska #whitepassrailway #views #fyp #foryou
@mariakletzkow
1.3M likes • 11.5M views

📸 Capture the Views

Bring your camera! The scenery is incredible. Consider a guided tour for more photo stops. TikTokInstagram

🎟️ Book in Advance

Tickets sell out fast, especially for cruise passengers. Book your White Pass train tickets early! Reddit

🚂White Pass & Yukon Scenic Railroad provides unbelievable views and breathtaking memories #celebrity #celebritycruises #alaskacruise #alaska #canada #yukon #skagway #whitepass #whitepassrailroad #whitepassandyukonroute #goldrush #snow #mountains #magical #breathtaking #spring #may #train #scenictrail #nature
olenalymar_
143.6K likes • 1.7M views
Bucket list train ride in Alaska 🚂 The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway was such an unforgettable experience in Alaska! The amazing scenery makes this train ride definitely worth adding to your travel list🏔 Here is everything you need to know about this train ride: • Located in Alaska’s seaport town of Skagway, this town is filled with old-world charm. • It was built in 1898 during the Gold...
ethoventures
79.3K likes • 1.2M views

🧥 Dress in Layers

Alaska's weather can change quickly. Pack layers for comfort on your scenic train ride. Instagram

💰 Consider Tour Options

The train is popular, but driving tours offer more exploration time at scenic spots. Instagram

The world famous tunnel bridge at the White Pass & Yukon Route. Video taken yesterday during the Lerro Photography photo charter. #whitepass #Photocharter #lerrophotography #whitepassandyukonroute #railroad #Alaska #yukon
lerrophotography
5.9K likes • 61.8K views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Capture the Views

Bring your camera! The scenery is incredible. Consider a guided tour for more photo stops. TikTokInstagram

🎟️ Book in Advance

Tickets sell out fast, especially for cruise passengers. Book your White Pass train tickets early! Reddit

🧥 Dress in Layers

Alaska's weather can change quickly. Pack layers for comfort on your scenic train ride. Instagram

💰 Consider Tour Options

The train is popular, but driving tours offer more exploration time at scenic spots. Instagram

🚂 Train Enthusiast? Ask About Charters

For unique photo opportunities, inquire about special photo charters for dedicated railfans. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the White Pass & Yukon Route for its breathtaking scenery, historic significance, and the overall magical experience of riding a vintage train through the Alaskan wilderness. The journey is often described as a highlight of an Alaskan cruise, offering unparalleled views of glaciers, mountains, and waterfalls. Some find the price steep, and a few suggest alternative driving tours offer more exploration.

What People Like

Spectacular scenery
Historic Gold Rush route
Vintage train experience

What People Dislike

High ticket prices
Limited exploration on train

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The White Pass & Yukon Route is primarily accessed from Skagway, Alaska. Most visitors arrive in Skagway via cruise ship. If you're not on a cruise, you can fly into Juneau and take a ferry, or drive the scenic route. Instagram

The White Pass & Yukon Route railroad starts in Skagway, Alaska, and travels up to the White Pass Summit, crossing into Canada's Yukon Territory. Instagram+1

Some travelers recommend guided driving tours, such as the Yukon Suspension Bridge & Summit Tour, which follow a similar route and allow for more stops and exploration. Instagram

Yes, Skagway is accessible by car via the Klondike Highway. The drive itself offers stunning Alaskan scenery. Instagram

While the route extends into Canada, the primary departure point for the scenic train ride is Skagway, Alaska. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices for the White Pass train ride can vary, but expect them to be around $150 for a 3-hour round trip. Booking in advance is highly recommended as tours can sell out. Instagram

Tickets can be purchased directly through the official White Pass & Yukon Route website, or through your cruise line if you are arriving by ship. Booking early is advised. Instagram

The most popular White Pass train ride is a 3-hour round trip excursion from Skagway to the White Pass Summit and back. Instagram

Yes, besides the classic train ride, there are also bus and rail excursions, as well as tours that combine train travel with other activities. Instagram

It is highly recommended to book your White Pass train tickets in advance, as they are very popular and often sell out, especially during peak cruise season. Reddit

🎫 🚂 Onsite Experience

Summer mornings often offer the best light for photography, but can be crowded. Late spring and early fall may have fewer crowds and beautiful foliage. Instagram+1

Expect stunning views of mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and historic gold rush sites. The route is incredibly scenic and often described as magical. Instagram+1

Yes, the White Pass train ride is generally suitable for all ages. It's a seated excursion, making it accessible for most. Instagram

It's advisable to dress in layers as the weather in Alaska can change rapidly. Comfortable shoes are also recommended. Instagram

Absolutely! The White Pass & Yukon Route offers incredible photo opportunities. Many passengers capture breathtaking shots of the landscape. TikTokInstagram

📸 📸 Photography

Key photo spots include the tunnel bridge at MP 16, trestle 15A, and the summit views. Many travelers find the entire journey offers spectacular photographic moments. Instagram+2

Yes, for dedicated railfans, special photo charters are sometimes available, offering unique opportunities like 'dirty stack' shots. Instagram

Summer mornings often provide the best light for capturing the dramatic Alaskan scenery. However, any time of day offers stunning views. Instagram

Yes, the locomotives themselves are part of the historic charm. You can capture images of both diesel-electric and steam engines. Instagram+2

While not always advertised as 'photography tours,' many excursions allow ample time for photos. Some specialized photography charters exist for enthusiasts. Instagram+1