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Home > Alaska Tours > FAQ
Alaska Rail Tours |
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Reservations Ready to go? Use our secure online reservation center or Denali Lodge Alaska Rail Tours Intro |
Frequently Asked QuestionsBelow are some of the most frequently asked questions... What is included in the Princess Rail Tour Package?Your rail package includes rail travel; overnight(s) stay at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and/or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, transfers and baggage handling from the train depot to our lodges. How is seating arranged in the dome area of the train?You and your traveling companions will be assigned to tables, as indicated on your boarding pass. Your boarding pass will be assigned at the embarking rail station. Tables generally hold four adults, two facing in each direction. It is customary to change places throughout the trip to allow for a different perspective. Rail travel will be on Princess railcars or similar luxury railcars, wherein seating will be similarly designated. What if I want to add additional nights at Mt. McKinley or Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge?You may book one of the packaged vacations Princess offers or we can assist you in customizing a rail package that suits your needs. You have the flexibility of deciding where and when you want to go. If you decide to add an overnight once you are at one of our lodges, see the front desk. What activities do you offer at the Lodge?Both lodges offer a variety of optional excursions that can be reserved once you arrive at the lodge. Some options for each property are listed below: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
Check out for more information on activities offered at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge
Check out for more information on activities offered at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge Where do I get my boarding passes?You will not need a boarding pass to board the railcars. You will only need to show your ID to receive your car and table or seat assignment and board the train. What time should I arrive at the train depot?You should arrive at the depot 30 minutes prior to departure time. Where are the Princess Lodges located?The Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is located in Denali State Park, a 45 minute motorcoach transfer from the Talkeetna depot. The transfer is included in your Rail Tour. Click here for maps and directions to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is farther north, located just one mile from the Denali National Park entrance. It sits high above the Nenana River and is only minutes from the Denali National Park visitor center. Click here for maps and directions to Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. How do I get from my hotel to the train depot and reverse?Princess provides transfers between the train depot and the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge for all rail tour packages. Guests not booked on a Princess package must purchase a transfer from train depot to lodge if staying at either Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. Are there sleeping cars onboard?Each leg of your rail journey onboard Princess Rail, or similar luxury rail service, is short enough that it is not necessary to overnight. There are no sleeping cars. Will I be able to see any wildlife?Princess railcars, or similar luxury railcars, offer our travelers an excellent view of all the majesty Alaska has to offer. Watch for moose and bear! Do the windows on the train open?No, but if you desire fresh air, we do offer the largest open-air viewing platforms on the Alaska Railroad. Is there a place to store my luggage?Passengers are limited to two pieces of checked baggage, not to exceed 50 pounds, that must be checked with the Alaska Railroad without charge. Each guest may also bring one carry on, not to exceed 2 ” by 14” by 17 ”, which will be stored under your seat on the viewing level. Please pack any medications, cameras, binoculars, identification or valuables in your carry-on. Is there a dining car?Yes, each car has a dining room! Princess Rail offers full service breakfast, lunch and dinner – all custom made to order. You will have the opportunity to visit the dining room and order freshly prepared food from the menu. Is Princess Rail accessible?Each train has at least one Princess railcar, or similar luxury railcar, that is fully accessible to wheelchairs. A specially designed lift makes getting on and off the train easy and safe. There are also accessible restrooms on each of the accessible railcars. Can I smoke on board?There is no smoking allowed in the railcars. Smoking is allowed outside on the platforms. Ashtrays are available on the outside viewing platform. Can you cater to special meal requirements?Since all of our dishes are prepared to order we will do our best to accommodate all dietary concerns. Please notify the reservation center of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking. What is the temperature on the train?We do our best to maintain a comfortable temperature for all. Bring a light jacket if you wish to visit the outside viewing platform. What are the tipping guidelines for the train staff?Recommended tips to the train staff and host guide are $3 to $5 per person. Tips for meal and bar service are also discretionary, but 15% is customary in most Alaskan restaurants. All tipping is a matter of individual preference and is always voluntary. Can I use my credit card while on board?Yes, Princess accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. No cash or checks. What is there to do onboard the train?Sit back, relax, and watch the wonders of Alaska's wilderness drift by your window. Or visit the outdoor platforms, dine on freshly prepared cuisine, watch for wildlife, visit the rolling gift shop, listen to the car manager share stories and natural history, sign up for a rafting trip at the Princess Lodge, get to know your traveling companions, enjoy a cocktail, chat with the conductors… What type of clothing should I wear while on tour?Given Alaska's fluctuating climate, we strongly suggest you dress in layers and wear comfortable, low-heeled walking shoes or sturdier shoes for activities such as hiking. You may want to bring a fold-up umbrella and a light jacket in your carry-on. Can you guarantee that I'll see the wildlife and scenic attractions described in each tour?We cannot guarantee that you will see wildlife. Our Tour Suppliers make every effort to fulfill a tour's description. However, weather, time of season and other factors beyond our control can affect wildlife sightings and scenic views. What are the advantages of organized excursions: There are a number of advantages to taking organized tours offered by Princess, including: Quality – We are well acquainted with the areas in which we operate our tours and have carefully selected the most reputable tour operators. Variety – All of our tours are designed to feature the most popular and interesting attractions at each destination, and to satisfy the diverse interests of our passengers. Service – By having your tours organized onboard the train or by the Tour Desk in your hotel, you can maximize your time at each destination and avoid having to make last-minute arrangements. Safety – Your safety and security is of the utmost importance to us and every effort is made to ensure each tour operates as safely as possible. Value – We endeavor to select local tour operators who provide excursions of the highest quality. We carefully monitor prices to ensure you are receiving a good value. Have a question that we did not answer? Email our reservations center or call us at 800 426-0500. |
