The White Pass & Yukon Railway: the star of your Skagway port day
We love to visit Skagway, Alaska, on our Alaskan cruises. Skagway highlights include the Skagway Brewing Company pub, shops featuring Alaskan artisans, and picturesque scenery via a journey on the White Pass & Yukon Railway.
The White Pass & Yukon Railway is a fitting excursion for all ages and will especially appeal to history buffs and photographers.
At select times throughout the journey, passengers have permission to stand on the platforms between the railcars. This is a good opportunity for you to take photos of the valleys below without getting window glare.
In fact, a former colleague let me know that his favorite part of his entire Alaskan cruise week was the White Pass railway. It’s a popular excursion for a reason, so you’ll want to be sure to book your train ticket in advance.
Your Summit Excursion journey on the White Pass & Yukon Railway begins in Skagway and initially travels through a pine forest. But much more expansive views lie ahead!
The White Pass & Yukon Railway is somewhat of a “splurge” excursion, with tickets for the 2021 Alaska cruise season starting at $130 for adults. (Children’s tickets are half price.) But since it is an only-in-Skagway experience, we’re glad we spent the money.
As your White Pass & Yukon railcar climbs in elevation, you’ll see in the distance this latticed trestle bridge that you’ll be crossing.
Booking an Excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Railway
Often you can get tickets via a cruiseline excursion. This may add in other features such as transportation to/from the ship and the train depot. Depending on where your ship docks, you may be able to board the train right at the pier.
(As of July 31, 2018, the railway has new owners. Carnival Corporation, the cruise line parent company that owns Holland America, Princess, Carnival, and more, purchased the railway and port. I expect that this acquisition may provide even better transportation and convenience for cruise ship passengers. Stay turned!)
The Summit Excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Railway travels over bridges and past rushing streams.
You can see snow-capped mountains in the distance as your railcar climbs in elevation.
The White Pass Summit Excursion
The cruiselines usually offer the White Pass Summit excursion. You’ll travel roundtrip over 2.5 – 2.75 hours to an elevation over 2,800 feet.
Once we reached the summit of the White Pass & Yukon Railroad, we found snow in early June.
During this particular excursion, the Summit Excursion route, the train stays within Alaska (as opposed to traveling into the Yukon Territory, Canada), so you won’t need a passport.
On the White Pass & Yukon Railway’s Summit Excursion, your railcar passes through narrow gauges where rocks had been removed over 100 years ago.
On board the railcars, there are restrooms and full narration.
The vintage rail cars include seats that seem to have been made for shorter and smaller past generations. But often you can get a window seat for good photo opportunities.
I enjoyed learning about the Klondike Gold Rush and marveled at the tenacity of the workers who built the railroad.
On the Summit Excursion, you’ll travel through two tunnels that were built by many workers in the late 1800’s.
On this relaxing train journey, you may also spy cascading waterfalls and wildlife such as bears or moose.
Not all Alaska cruise itineraries stop in Skagway. If you think you might enjoy the White Pass & Yukon Railway, you won’t regret choosing an itinerary that includes Skagway as a port.
Let’s make the most of our vacation days!
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