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White Pass & Yukon Railroad

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Re Carroll
Re Carroll
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5 out of 5
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White Pass & Yukon Railroad

  • February 21, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by sizemoretravel from Jacksonville, Florida
White Pass & Yukon Railroad

During my cruise to Alaska, I quickly decided that Skagway was my favorite port call. The town was rustic, charming and beautiful.

One of the most famous tours is the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. This train is famous and takes visitors up into Canada's Yukon territory.

I chose to do something a little different. I took a bus tour that went along the same path as the Railroad (but was less expensive), plus my travel companion (my mother) wasn't too sure that she wanted to go on the very narrow railroad bridges.

It turned out to be a great choice. Our tour driver took us to the old Gold Rush Cemetery where we saw Jefferson "Soapy" Smith's grave. It was isolated from the rest of the cemetery because he swindled everyone in town.

We also followed the route of the White Pass-Yukon Railroad. We saw beautiful snow-covered glaciers, bridges, waterfalls and the railroad train as it crossed some narrow passes.

This was one of the highlights of our Alaskan cruise.

From journal Alaskan Cruise from Seattle

Editor Pick

White Pass & Yukon Railroad

  • June 28, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by dimmzy from Rochester, New York
White Pass & Yukon Railroad

Taking a 90-minute scenic tour on this antique train was a highlight of our trip to Alaska and the Yukon. Coming on our first day after departing our cruise ship, this excursion introduced us to the breathtaking Alaskan scenery—and to snow in June.

The Railroad operates May to September and offers three tours plus a “hikers service” for those brave enough to backpack the demanding Chilkoot Trail, a 33-mile route that first challenged the intrepid gold prospectors more than 100 years ago.

As we were traveling on our cruise’s “land tour,” we took the one-way White Pass Summit Excursion trip to Fraser and then proceeded by bus to Whitehorse. The railroad also offers round-trips to Bennett and a leisurely “Sunday Steam” to Fraser Meadows. Prices aren’t cheap: in 2006, rates ranged from $90 to $180 round-trip (half-price for children.) Lowest rates are offered for the Monday-Thursday 4:30pm tour.

Built in 1898 as a result of the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad climbs from sea level to 3,000 feet to the White Pass Summit. The train passes historic sites, picture-perfect mountain views, waterfalls and historic sites, traveling across gravity-defying trestles high above rivers and valleys. The cars are comfortable with cushioned seats, big viewing windows and restrooms. Each car also has a little potbelly stove in the back that our conductor filled with coal (I think) before we left the station.

Where to Sit

If you take the round-trip voyage, seating doesn’t matter as you will switch sides on the return trip. For a one-way trip, if you want the BEST view from Skagway, sit on the LEFT side (facing towards the train engine). If you’re afraid of heights, sit on the right as you pretty much hug the mountainside. Sit at the front or the back of the cars as passengers are allowed to stand on the car platforms for most of the ride. I spent nearly all of my time outside hanging over the wrought-iron railing. Other passengers did the same and we all generously took turns standing at the edge so everyone could have photo opportunities.

Buy Lunch or Not?

If you have the chance, skip the purchased box lunch. Our $10 lunches featured dry and crumbly sandwiches, a packaged cookie and an apple with bottled water. Lunch places are plentiful in Skagway so buy what you want or have a pleasant sit-down lunch in a local restaurant before departure.

Don’t Miss This Trip

All in all, the trip was a fabulous introduction to the Alaska scenery we would be seeing in the coming days. Live narration points out the highlights, including the Gold Rush Cemetery where local hero Frank Reid is buried after he lost his life in a gun battle with the notorious Soapy Smith—a real life “High Noon” story. Reservations are required. For more information, visit www.wpyr.com.

From journal Alaska Cruise: Scenery, Seas + a Toe Cocktail

White Pass & Yukon Railroad

  • August 23, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by bdbarbe from Aurora, Colorado
The train ride took us in land from Skagway and followed the trail of the Alaskan Gold Rush. It was hard to imagine how the first to follow this trail managed it. The country was rugged with steep inclines.

From journal Alaskan Cruise

Editor Pick

White Pass Railroad

  • August 17, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by jpeterson424 from West Chester, Pennsylvania
White Pass Railroad

This 3+ hour tour up the mountain to White Pass offers a relaxing trip as well as great scenery. This trip is also completely wheelchair accessible. One car on the train is designated as handicapped and offers automatic wheelchair lifts on either side of the car. Once the train gets moving, you are taken past several historic sites as well as countless views of the surrounding mountains and other sites. Several waterfalls can be seen during the ride, as well as a view of the cruise ships in the harbor from half way up the mountain. The tour leads you through a couple pitch-black tunnels as well as over bridges spanning canyons 1,000 feet deep.

This tour is very relaxing and enjoyable. The views are fantastic, as well as the tour commentary and the people onboard. This excursion is definitely worth taking if you're traveling as a family. It will certainly be enjoyable for everyone involved.

From journal Alaska on Radiance of the Seas

White Pass & Yukon

  • July 24, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by wa3hr from Bensalem, Pennsylvania
We started with a bus trip into the Yukon right from our cruise ship in Skagway. The sights are beautiful. The bus driver was very knowledgeable about the area and things we were seeing. Saw a mother moose and her baby cross the road in front of us. The trip ends in the small Yukon town of Carcross had lunch along the way- not very good). Carcross is in the middle of nowhere, and fits well into the area.

Next, we were bused to a train station to take the White Pass & Yukon Railroad back to Skagway. The train is built along the old trail where the prospectors went into the Klondike to try to make their fortune in the 1890's. It is built on the side of a mountain, so the train ride at times felt treacherous. Most of the sights were unbelievable and thrilling. When you get back to Skagway, you feel a little disappointment that the trip is finished.

From journal Alaskan Cruisetour with Princess Cruises

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