The White Pass Railway in Skagway Recap
- Victoria Ogier
- Aug 11
- 7 min read
When clients stop in Skagway during an Alaska cruise, the excursion we’re asked about most often is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. And until this trip, I had never actually done it.
I’d visited Skagway before, but I was always a little…meh about the train.
I’ve ridden trains. I’ve seen mountains. And I had recently traveled aboard Canyon Spirit through the Rocky Mountains and the red-rock landscapes surrounding Moab. I wasn’t convinced another scenic train ride needed to be at the top of my list.
But I finally experienced the White Pass Railway—and I completely understand the hype now. It was beautiful.
The vintage train was adorable. The staff and crew were wonderful. The scenery was incredible. And the history gave the entire experience so much more meaning than I expected.
I’m so glad I finally did it.
What Is the White Pass Railway?
The White Pass & Yukon Route is a narrow-gauge railway built during the Klondike Gold Rush. Construction began in 1898 as thousands of gold seekers attempted to travel from Skagway into the Yukon. The railway climbs from sea level through incredibly steep and rugged terrain toward White Pass, following the route traveled by prospectors more than 125 years ago.
The most common cruise excursion is the White Pass Summit Excursion, a round-trip ride covering approximately 40 miles. It typically lasts between two and a half and three hours.
Along the route, passengers travel through part of the Tongass National Forest and see mountains, waterfalls, gorges, trestles, tunnels and historic landmarks such as Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch.
You can even see portions of the original Trail of ’98 worn into the mountainside.
It Took Me Half the Ride to Understand What “The Pass” Really Meant
I knew we were taking a train through White Pass.
But I don’t think I fully understood what a mountain pass really represented until I saw the terrain.
About halfway through the ride up, it finally clicked.
This wasn’t simply a beautiful route through the mountains. This was one of the ways people attempted to reach the Klondike during the Gold Rush.
They crossed this landscape on foot.
They carried supplies through steep, rocky, unpredictable terrain in brutal weather. Thousands of animals were used to transport gear, and so many died along one section of the route that it became known as Dead Horse Gulch.
Looking out the window and seeing the cliffs, narrow pathways and enormous mountains puts those stories into a completely different perspective.
The narration onboard explains the railroad’s construction, the Gold Rush and what people endured while traveling north in search of fortune.
The scenery is stunning on its own. Understanding the history makes it unforgettable.
My Favorite Part Was Standing Outside
Each passenger car has an outdoor platform where you can step outside during the journey. That was easily my favorite part.
I loved standing on the platform, leaning slightly to the side and watching the train curve through the mountains ahead of us.
You can feel the cool air, hear the train moving across the tracks and smell the evergreen forest surrounding you.
It smelled like Christmas trees.
Not the candle version. Not the air-freshener version. The real, cold, fresh Alaska forest version.
There was something about standing outside, breathing it all in and watching the vintage train wind through the mountains that made the experience feel completely different from simply looking through a window.
Just hold onto your phone.
This is not the time to attempt an elaborate one-handed Reel while dangling over the side of a moving train.
You Travel Through the Tongass National Forest
Part of the journey passes through the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States.
The Tongass covers nearly 17 million acres of Southeast Alaska and contains the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest.
That helps explain the deep green forest, rushing waterfalls and the incredible fresh evergreen smell I loved so much.
As the train climbs higher, the landscape changes. The dense coastal forest begins giving way to rockier alpine terrain, creating an entirely different view near the summit.
You’re not looking at the same scenery for three hours. The landscape evolves throughout the ride.
Which Side of the White Pass Train Should You Sit On?
For the best views while traveling uphill from Skagway, try to sit on the left side of the train while facing forward.
That side generally offers the most dramatic views into the valley, across the gorge and back toward Skagway and the cruise ships.
But don’t panic if you don’t get your ideal seat.
On the standard round-trip summit excursion, passengers may be invited to switch sides for the return trip so everyone gets an opportunity to experience the major views. You can also step onto the outdoor platforms for a different perspective.
There are beautiful sights on both sides—but if you have a choice when boarding, I’d start on the left.
What Is the Train Like Inside?
The restored and replica passenger coaches are charming and comfortable, with large windows designed for sightseeing.
Each car has:
Complimentary bottled water
A restroom
Onboard narration
An outdoor viewing platform
A small stove for warmth
And yes, the little stoves are very cool.
They add to the vintage atmosphere while keeping the cars comfortable on cold or rainy Alaska days. They’re another one of those small details that makes the experience feel special.
There isn’t food available for purchase on the standard summit excursion, so bring a small snack if you’re snacky like me. Two and a half to three hours is absolutely long enough for me to start wondering why nobody packed crackers.
Should You Book Through the Cruise Line or Independently?
White Pass Railway tickets may be available through:
Your cruise line
The White Pass & Yukon Route website
The railway ticket counter in Skagway
Third-party excursion providers
The best option depends on your sailing, desired departure time and availability.
During our visit, tickets at the White Pass counter were $175 per person. We paid $199 per person through Disney Cruise Line.
For our first experience, I thought the cruise-line booking was worth the small difference in price.
We secured an early departure and walked directly off our Disney cruise ship into the rail-boarding area. There was no additional transportation to arrange and very little to figure out once we arrived.
Cruise lines also reserve large blocks of seats. On our sailing, the departure time we wanted was already sold out through other booking channels, so Disney was our only option for that time.
Booking through the cruise line doesn’t always provide the lowest price, but sometimes you’re paying for convenience, availability and fewer logistics.
For a first-time visitor, that can be worth it.
Pricing and availability change, so compare your exact options before booking. The railway’s current advance-purchase pricing may also differ from what’s offered at the counter on the day of your visit.
Do You Need a Passport for the White Pass Railway?
It depends on the route.
The standard round-trip White Pass Summit Excursion from Skagway (which we did) doesn’t currently require a passport. The train reaches the summit and returns to Skagway without passengers disembarking in Canada.
However, some longer or one-way excursions continue into British Columbia or Yukon and do require a passport.
These can include routes traveling to or through:
Fraser, British Columbia
Bennett, British Columbia
Carcross, Yukon
Whitehorse, Yukon
Your ticket and excursion description should clearly indicate whether a passport is required.
Don’t assume every excursion with “White Pass” in the name follows the same route. Read the complete description before leaving your passport safely locked inside your cruise cabin.
Is the White Pass Railway Good for Families?
Yes—especially for families who want to experience Alaska’s scenery without a physically demanding excursion.
The standard summit ride requires very little walking and works well for:
Multigenerational families
Children who enjoy trains
Travelers interested in Gold Rush history
Photographers
Guests who prefer a relaxed excursion
Travelers with some mobility limitations
The standard White Pass Summit Excursion is wheelchair accessible, but space in lift-equipped train cars is limited. Accessibility arrangements should be requested when reserving.
Families with younger children should bring a snack and something quiet to do if the scenery and narration won’t hold their attention for the full ride.
For older children and teenagers, the Gold Rush stories make much more sense when they can see the terrain people were trying to cross.
My Best Tips for the White Pass Railway
After finally experiencing it, here’s what I’d recommend:
Book early because cruise lines may hold large blocks of seats.
Compare cruise-line convenience with direct pricing.
Sit on the left while facing forward for the best uphill views.
Spend time on the outdoor viewing platform.
Bring sunglasses for bright days.
Dress in layers because the temperature changes with elevation.
Bring a snack; food isn’t sold onboard the standard summit train.
Keep your phone or camera secured while standing outside.
Listen to the narration—the history is what gives the scenery context.
Check whether your specific route requires a passport.
Request an accessible train car in advance if someone needs the lift.
Don’t dismiss it because you’ve ridden other scenic trains.
That last one is specifically for me.
Is the White Pass Railway Worth It?
Yes. I went into the experience thinking, “I’ve done trains before.”
I left understanding why this is the excursion everyone asks us about in Skagway.
It wasn’t only the mountains, waterfalls or vintage railcars. It was standing outside in the cold air, smelling the forest and watching the train curve through terrain that once challenged thousands of people searching for a new life.
It was hearing their stories while looking directly at the route they attempted to survive.
The White Pass Railway took a history lesson I thought I understood and turned it into something I could actually see and feel.
I’m very glad I finally experienced it—and I won’t be “meh” about recommending it anymore.
Planning an Alaska Cruise?
The right Skagway excursion depends on your interests, mobility, budget, itinerary and the kind of experience you want.
If you’re already working with a Good Trip advisor, ask us to help you compare White Pass routes and booking options.
If you’re ready to begin planning your Alaska cruise, submit a Good Trip inquiry at http://goodtrip.biz/inquiry. Our team can help you choose the right cruise, itinerary and excursions for your family.
A Note About This Review: We paid in full for the travel experiences and services shared in this post. No discounts, complimentary services or other compensation were provided in exchange for this review. These are our honest opinions based on our personal experience.
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