The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad is a historic narrow-gauge railway offering scenic excursions from Skagway through coastal mountains and Yukon wilderness. Originally built during the Klondike Gold Rush, it climbs steep grades with dramatic views of waterfalls, glaciers, and gorges. Various tour options include summit trips and combined rail-bus experiences to Yukon destinations.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Track Gauge | 3 feet (narrow-gauge) |
| Total Elevation Gain | 2,865 feet |
| Steepest Grade | 3.9% (one of the steepest in North America) |
| Distance to Summit | 20.4 miles from Skagway |
| Typical Tour Duration | 3-8 hours depending on route |
| Best Viewing Side | Left side ascending, right side descending |
| Booking Window | Book 60-90 days before cruise date |
Want to know more about Alaska cruise ports and what to expect when planning your adventure?
Why This Railroad Matters
This isn’t just a pretty train ride through mountains. The White Pass & Yukon Route represents one of the most ambitious engineering feats of the late 1800s. Workers blasted through solid granite using black powder and hand tools while dangling from ropes on cliff faces. The project took 26 months and cost over 400 lives. When you’re riding along those narrow ledges carved into mountainsides, you’ll understand why they called it “the railway built of gold” – it cost about $100,000 per mile to construct, an astronomical sum at the time.
The gold rush history of Skagway comes alive on this journey. The rail line follows the treacherous Trail of ’98 that thousands of prospectors struggled up on foot, often making dozens of trips to haul required supplies over Chilkoot Pass.
Choosing Your Route
The railroad offers several excursion options from the port of Skagway, and picking the right one matters for your experience and schedule.
Summit Excursion (Most Popular)
- Round trip to White Pass Summit at 2,865 feet elevation
- 3 hours total duration
- Stays entirely on the train
- Crosses into British Columbia briefly
- Best for: Time-limited cruise passengers who want the full scenic experience
Yukon Suspension Bridge Tour
- Train to Fraser, bus to the suspension bridge, return by bus
- 5-6 hours total
- Includes walking on a 65-foot-high suspension bridge
- Best for: Active travelers wanting both rail and adventure elements
Skagway to Carcross
- Train north, bus return (or vice versa)
- 7-8 hours with lunch stop
- Visits historic Carcross village in Yukon
- Best for: Those wanting a deeper Yukon experience beyond the train
Bennett Scenic Journey
- Train to Lake Bennett at mile 40
- 6 hours with layover at Bennett
- Most remote and least crowded option
- Best for: Photography enthusiasts and those avoiding crowds
All railway excursions in Alaska have their charms, but White Pass offers the most dramatic vertical scenery in the shortest distance.
Booking Strategy
Here’s where many cruise passengers stumble. The White Pass Railroad is extremely popular and sells out fast during peak season.
- Book 60-90 days before your cruise: Earlier than this and you pay premium prices. Later and popular departure times vanish.
- Morning departures fill first: Afternoon trains often have better availability and slightly warmer temperatures.
- Book directly through the railroad: You’ll pay the same price as through your cruise line but have more departure time options.
- Consider the weather: Overcast days still offer excellent views – the clouds often sit dramatically in the valleys.
- Wheelchair accessible cars available: But must be specifically requested when booking.
Seating Matters More Than You Think
The vintage passenger cars feature bench-style seating where you face forward or backward. Some cars have been updated with larger windows and rotating seats in premium classes.
Standard Class
- Comfortable bench seating
- Windows that open for photos (bring a strap for your camera)
- Narration throughout the journey
- Access to outdoor viewing platforms between cars
Deluxe Class
- Cushioned seats with more legroom
- Complimentary snacks and beverages
- Slightly larger windows
- Not necessarily worth the premium unless you need the extra comfort
The secret: Standard class gives you the authentic experience and those opening windows are perfect for unobstructed photos. The glass in closed windows can create reflections that ruin shots.
What You’ll Actually See
The route climbs from sea level through distinct zones of scenery, each with signature landmarks.
Mile 0-6: Skagway River Valley
- Follows the river through cottonwood and spruce forest
- Views of abandoned gold rush trail equipment
- First major sight: Bridal Veil Falls at Mile 6
Mile 6-15: The Serious Climbing
- Dead Horse Gulch (Mile 10.5) – named for 3,000 pack horses that died here during the rush
- Tunnel Mountain and multiple tunnels blasted through solid rock
- Inspiration Point with panoramic views back toward Lynn Canal
- This section has the steepest grades and most dramatic drops
Mile 15-20: White Pass Summit
- Crosses into British Columbia
- Alpine tundra landscape
- Summit Lake and boundary markers
- Weather station that’s been operating for over a century
Practical Logistics From Your Cruise Ship
The Skagway port sits right downtown, making this one of the easiest shore excursions in Skagway to coordinate.
- Walking distance: The depot is a 5-7 minute walk from where ships dock
- All aboard time matters: Give yourself at least 90 minutes buffer before your ship’s departure
- If your ship is late: The railroad is good about holding trains for delayed ships on cruise line bookings
- Immigration consideration: You briefly cross into Canada but don’t disembark, so no passport control is needed for the Summit trip
- Longer excursions: Those going to Carcross or beyond must carry passports as you’ll be in Canada
Weather and What to Wear
Skagway’s weather is famously unpredictable, and you’ll gain significant elevation where it’s cooler and windier.
- Layer with a warm fleece or jacket even in summer
- Rain jacket or windbreaker (those open windows let in the breeze)
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for moving between cars
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (alpine sun is strong)
- Hat that won’t blow off when you stick your head out for photos
Temperature at the summit typically runs 15-20 degrees cooler than at sea level in Skagway.
Photography Tips
You’ll take hundreds of photos on this journey. Here’s how to get keepers instead of blurry disappointments.
- Camera strap is essential: Leaning out open windows while the train moves is thrilling but dropping your phone into a 1,000-foot gorge is not
- Shoot through open windows: Glass creates glare and reflections
- Fast shutter speed: The train vibration will blur slower shots
- Face backward occasionally: Some of the best views are behind you as the scenery opens up
- Don’t just shoot landscapes: The vintage train details and other passengers’ reactions make great shots
- Dead Horse Gulch and Bridal Veil Falls: Everyone photographs these, but they’re worth it – the conductor slows down specifically for photos
Bonus Tips
- The outdoor platforms between cars offer unobstructed 360-degree views but get crowded at scenic highlights – head there between the big landmarks
- Bathrooms are at the ends of cars and surprisingly clean for vintage trains
- The gift shop at the depot has the same merchandise as the gift shop at the summit, so browse afterward rather than rushing before departure
- Bring snacks and water – there’s a small cafe car but selections are limited and prices are high
- Motion sickness is rare but if you’re prone to it, sit near the middle of the car and face forward
- The conductor’s narration happens in English only, but printed guides are available in multiple languages
- Cell service disappears after about Mile 8 and doesn’t return until you’re back in Skagway
- Tipping the conductor isn’t expected but is appreciated if you received good service
- The train can’t go in reverse on steep sections, so if you forget something at the depot you’re out of luck
- Wild bears, mountain goats, and eagles are occasionally spotted but this isn’t a wildlife tour – don’t book expecting that
The History Angle
Understanding the broader context of gold rush history in Alaska makes this journey more meaningful. The railroad was completed in 1900, just as the gold rush was ending, which meant it never achieved its intended purpose of hauling prospectors and supplies to the Yukon goldfields. Instead, it transported ore from mines and became crucial during World War II for moving military supplies to Alaska and the Yukon.
The railway nearly died in the 1980s but was revived as a tourist attraction. Every piece of rolling stock you ride has been meticulously restored, and the diesel locomotives that pull the trains now are painted to resemble the original steam engines.
If Things Go Wrong
Weather delays happen but are rare. The bigger concern is missing your departure.
- If you miss your train: Head immediately to the depot office – they’ll try to accommodate you on the next departure if space exists
- If the train is delayed: The railroad coordinates closely with cruise lines and will notify your ship
- Medical emergencies: The conductor has first aid training and radio communication, but this is a remote location with limited immediate medical access
- If you feel unwell: Let the conductor know immediately rather than toughing it out
Is It Worth the Cost?
The Summit Excursion runs about $150-180 per adult for standard class. That’s not cheap, but this ranks among the most spectacular train journeys in North America. The engineering alone is worth seeing, and the scenery delivers consistently dramatic views rather than long stretches of ordinary landscape.
Compare this to helicopter tours (much more expensive and weather-dependent) or bus tours (less scenic and no historic element). The railroad offers the best value for a signature Skagway experience.
That said, if you’ve done the Rocky Mountaineer or similar rail journeys, adjust your expectations. This is a shorter excursion focused on one specific mountain pass rather than an all-day luxury experience.
Common Questions and FAQ
Can I get off the train at the summit?
On the Summit Excursion you stay aboard while the train pauses briefly at the summit. The Bennett Scenic Journey and Carcross routes include longer stops where you can disembark and explore.
Is food available on the train?
A limited snack and beverage car operates on most trains, selling sandwiches, chips, cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. Prices are high so many passengers bring their own snacks.
What if I have mobility issues?
The railroad has wheelchair-accessible cars with lifts, but you must request this accommodation when booking. Moving between cars during the journey requires navigating steps and outdoor platforms, which can be challenging for those with limited mobility.
Do children enjoy this excursion?
Kids generally love the train experience, especially the open windows and outdoor platforms. However, it’s three hours of sitting, which can test the patience of very young children. The dramatic scenery keeps older kids engaged.
Can I bring alcohol on board?
Outside alcohol is not permitted on the train. Beer and wine are sold in the snack car for those who want a beverage with their journey.
What happens if my cruise ship is delayed getting into Skagway?
If you booked directly through your cruise line, the railroad will hold the train for your ship or rebook you on a later departure. If you booked independently, call the railroad as soon as you know about the delay – they’ll work with you but can’t guarantee they’ll hold a scheduled train.
Is this excursion affected by rain?
Rain doesn’t stop the trains from running, and the scenery remains dramatic in wet weather. You’ll want to keep windows closed during heavy rain, which means some glare in photos, but the waterfalls are actually more impressive after rainfall.
Can I do this excursion if I’m staying in Skagway rather than on a cruise?
Absolutely. The train runs multiple departures daily during the season and welcomes independent travelers. You may find slightly better rates for non-cruise-passenger bookings on certain departures.
Personal Experience
Taking the White Pass Railroad from Skagway turned out to be one of those experiences that actually lived up to the hype. I booked tickets about six weeks before our cruise, which seemed to be the sweet spot – not crazy expensive yet, but still plenty of options. We grabbed seats on the left side going up (the conductor mentioned this before we boarded), and wow, what a difference that made for views of the gorges and waterfalls. The narrow-gauge train chugs along at a pretty relaxed pace, which is perfect because you’re constantly craning your neck to catch another angle of those dramatic cliffs and valleys. Bring layers though – even in summer, it gets chilly when you open the windows for photos.
The whole ride takes about three hours round trip, and honestly, the time flies by. Dead Horse Gulch and Bridal Veil Falls are the spots where everyone crowds to one side with their cameras, and for good reason – the drops are incredible. The conductors share stories about the gold rush era that make you appreciate how insane it was to build this railway back in 1898. My best tip? Skip the gift shop browsing before the train leaves and head straight to board so you can snag a good seat. And keep your camera ready the entire time because those mountain views just keep coming at you around every bend.