White Pass & Yukon Route in Skagway, Alaska

Oct 19

Skagway, Alaska · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesExcursions run during the May to September season

The White Pass & Yukon Route is the narrow gauge railway blasted through the coastal mountains above Skagway during the Klondike Gold Rush, completed in 1900 and now an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark that carries visitors toward the summit every summer.

Built in 1898 for the Klondike Gold Rush
Climbs almost 3,000 feet in 20 miles
Grades up to 3.9 percent
Two tunnels and 1901 cantilever bridge
1947 steam locomotive on select trips
Oldest coach built in 1883

White Pass & Yukon Route at a glance

Hours: Seasonal, May to September; departure times vary by excursion
Admission: 2026: Summit Excursion $155 adult, $77.50 child; Steam Summit Loop $249 adult, $180 child; Bennett Scenic Journey $289 adult, $144.50 child
Train rides: Summit, steam, Bennett, one-way Fraser and Carcross trains, train and bus combos to Whitehorse, and hiker service
Plan for: 2.5 to 8 hours depending on the excursion
Best for: Cruise visitors, families and rail fans in Skagway
Best ages: All ages; longer trips suit older kids
Accessibility: Some coaches have wheelchair access lifts installed.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Contact and directions

Address201 Second Avenue, Skagway, AK 99840(opens in a new tab)
Phone(800) 343-7373
Emailinfo@wpyr.com
Websitewpyr.com(opens in a new tab)

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Look inside the book

Taking the kids to White Pass & Yukon Route? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Skagway.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A railway blasted through the mountains for gold

The railway's story starts with gold. In 1896 George Carmack and two First Nations companions, Skookum Jim and Dawson Charlie, found flakes in Bonanza Creek in the Klondike. Skagway's founder, Captain William Moore, had already scouted a lower route north with Skookum Jim and named it White Pass, after Canada's Minister of the Interior, Sir Thomas White. Moore built a sawmill and wharf on his homestead and told his son a railroad would one day reach the lakes.

When the Seattle Post-Intelligencer shouted "Gold! Gold! Gold!" in July 1897, tens of thousands of stampeders poured into Skagway and Dyea. A railway was considered impossible, yet it was blasted through the coastal mountains in only 26 months. The $10 million project combined British financing, American engineering and Canadian contracting, and tens of thousands of workers used 450 tons of explosives. The golden spike was driven at Carcross, Yukon on July 29, 1900, linking Skagway's deepwater port to Whitehorse on a 110-mile line.

White Pass grew into a full transportation company running docks, trains, stagecoaches, sleighs, paddlewheelers, trucks, ships, airplanes, hotels and pipelines, and it pioneered ship, train and truck container shipping. When Yukon mining collapsed, the railway suspended operations in 1982. It reopened in 1988 as a seasonal tourist line, carrying 37,000 passengers that first year. Today it runs on the first 67.5 miles of the original line, from Skagway to Carcross, and is recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Tunnels, trestles and a working Gold Rush fleet

The route climbs almost 3,000 feet in just 20 miles, with grades up to 3.9 percent, 16-degree cliffside curves, two tunnels and numerous bridges and trestles. Watch for the steel cantilever bridge, the tallest of its kind in the world when it was built in 1901, and for mountains, glaciers, gorges and waterfalls along the way.

The railway's fleet is a working collection in itself. It has 79 coaches seating about 3,360 riders, and the oldest, No. 244, the Lake Emerald, dates to 1883. Steam fans can ride behind a 1947 steam locomotive on the Steam Summit Loop. The railway also keeps historic engines such as No. 52, its first locomotive, built by Brooks in 1881, and No. 69, delivered by Baldwin in 1908 to help push trains over the steep grade to the summit.

Don’t miss

White Pass SummitThe goal of the most popular excursion, reached after a climb of almost 3,000 feet in about 20 miles from Skagway.
The steel cantilever bridgeWhen it was built in 1901, it was the tallest bridge of its kind in the world.
Steam Summit LoopA summit trip pulled by a 1947 steam locomotive up one of the steepest grades in North America.
Lake Emerald, coach No. 244Built in 1883, it is the oldest car in the railway's 79-coach fleet.
Engine No. 52The railway's first locomotive, a Brooks 2-6-0 from 1881 that worked the Skagway valley, Lake Bennett and later the Taku Tram.
BennettThe historic lakeside stop at the headwaters region of the Yukon, reached on the eight-hour Bennett Scenic Journey.

Choosing the right trip for young riders

For families with small children, the White Pass Summit Excursion is the easiest fit at 2.5 to 2.75 hours round trip, long enough for tunnels, trestles and the summit without an all-day commitment. Kids who love steam will want the three-hour Steam Summit Loop behind the 1947 steam locomotive. The eight-hour Bennett Scenic Journey suits older children with more patience.

Child fares are about half the adult price on most trips, as of the 2026 season. Some coaches have wheelchair lifts, which can also help families with mobility needs; ask when booking.

Plan your visit: tips for White Pass & Yukon Route

Book ahead on wpyr.com; the summit trip is Alaska's most popular shore excursion.
Pick the Summit Excursion for younger kids and the Bennett Scenic Journey for a full day.
Driving from Whitehorse? The one-day combo lets you leave your car there and ride into Skagway.
Ask about wheelchair-lift coaches when booking if anyone in your group needs one.
Hikers can use the Chilkoot Hiker Service or the Denver and Laughton trips for backcountry access.

The railroaders who keep the line running

The White Pass & Yukon Route is a working railway company, and its own employees maintain and restore equipment at the Skagway maintenance facility. Riding a train is the best way to support the line's history, and you can follow the railway on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X for news on equipment, steam trips and the season.

Planning more rail travel in Alaska

Skagway's railway is cut off from Alaska's other lines, so plan it as its own trip. For the rest of the state's rail history, see train museums and railways in Alaska, browse our national guide to train museums, or read our tips on long train routes with kids.

Every train museum in Alaska

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs — From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

This railway has two tunnels on its climb out of Skagway, and that's my favorite part of our book too. The train slips into the dark, everyone holds their breath, and then there's a big bright light and happy cheers. Rally sits tight between Mom and Dad through it all. I can only imagine the cheers when a train full of kids pops out into mountain sunshine here.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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Every Amtrak route with kids

Work or volunteer at White Pass & Yukon Route?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

White Pass & Yukon Route: 20 questions riders ask

What is the White Pass & Yukon Route?

The White Pass & Yukon Route is a narrow gauge railway built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, linking the port of Skagway, Alaska with Whitehorse, Yukon. Today it runs seasonal scenic excursions on the first 67.5 miles of the line, from Skagway to Carcross, and calls itself the Scenic Railway of the World.

How much are White Pass & Yukon Route tickets?

As of October 2026, posted 2026 fares are $155 for adults and $77.50 for children on the White Pass Summit Excursion, $249 and $180 on the Steam Summit Loop, and $289 and $144.50 on the Bennett Scenic Journey. One-way trips to Fraser start at $108 for adults. Check wpyr.com for current prices.

How long is the White Pass train ride?

It depends on the trip. The White Pass Summit Excursion takes about 2.5 to 2.75 hours for a 40-mile round trip, the Steam Summit Loop about 3 hours, and the Bennett Scenic Journey about 8 hours for 120 miles round trip. One-way service to Carcross takes about 4.75 hours.

What is the White Pass Summit Excursion?

The White Pass Summit Excursion is the railway's most popular trip, a 40-mile round trip from Skagway to the summit of White Pass taking about 2.5 to 2.75 hours. As of October 2026, 2026 fares are $155 for adults and $77.50 for children. Book on wpyr.com.

Where can I buy White Pass & Yukon Route tickets?

Tickets for 2026 excursions are sold through the railway's website, wpyr.com, where each trip has a Book Now option. You can also call (800) 343-7373 or email info@wpyr.com with questions. Booking ahead is wise, since it is Alaska's most popular shore excursion.

What is the White Pass & Yukon Route schedule?

Trains run during the May to September tourist season, with departure times that vary by excursion and date. The railway posts its 2026 excursion calendar and booking times on wpyr.com. Check there, or call (800) 343-7373, for the trains running on your day in Skagway.

Are there discounts on White Pass & Yukon Route tickets?

Child fares are the main discount posted: about half the adult fare on most excursions, such as $77.50 versus $155 on the Summit Excursion for 2026. The railway marks child fares with an asterisk, so check the fine print on wpyr.com for age limits and any other offers.

Is there a steam train on the White Pass & Yukon Route?

Yes. The Steam Summit Loop Excursion is pulled by a 1947 steam locomotive up one of the steepest grades in North America. It takes about three hours for a 40-mile round trip, and as of October 2026, fares are $249 for adults and $180 for children.

What will I see on the White Pass & Yukon Route?

Riders climb almost 3,000 feet in 20 miles past mountains, glaciers, gorges and waterfalls, through two tunnels and over numerous bridges and trestles. Look for the steel cantilever bridge, the tallest of its kind in the world when it was built in 1901, and cliff-hanging 16-degree curves.

Where is the White Pass & Yukon Route depot in Skagway?

The railway's address is 201 Second Avenue, Skagway, Alaska 99840. Trains leave from Skagway, and the Whitehorse-Skagway combo includes a 1.75-hour stop in town for shopping, dining or exploring. Call (800) 343-7373 if you need help finding your boarding point.

Can I ride the White Pass & Yukon Route from Whitehorse?

Yes. The Whitehorse-Skagway One Day Combo lets you leave your vehicle in Whitehorse and travel by bus and train, with a 1.75-hour stop in Skagway. It takes about 10 hours for a 224.7-mile round trip, 28 miles by rail. As of October 2026, fares are $175 for adults and $87.50 for children.

How long did it take to build the White Pass & Yukon Route?

Only 26 months. Considered an impossible task, the railway was blasted through the coastal mountains by tens of thousands of workers using 450 tons of explosives. The 110-mile line was completed with a golden spike at Carcross, Yukon on July 29, 1900.

Is the White Pass & Yukon Route good for kids?

Yes, especially the White Pass Summit Excursion, which lasts about 2.5 to 2.75 hours and includes tunnels, trestles and the summit. Children ride at about half the adult fare. The eight-hour Bennett Scenic Journey is better for older kids who can handle a long day.

Is the White Pass & Yukon Route wheelchair accessible?

Some coaches have wheelchair access lifts installed, according to the railway's rolling stock information. Not every car has one, so mention your needs when you book on wpyr.com or by calling (800) 343-7373, so the railway knows to place you in a car with a lift.

What locomotives does the White Pass & Yukon Route have?

The railway's history includes Engine No. 52, its first locomotive, a Brooks 2-6-0 built in 1881, and Engine No. 69, delivered by Baldwin in 1908 to help pull and push trains up to the summit. The Steam Summit Loop runs behind a 1947 steam locomotive.

How old are the White Pass & Yukon Route coaches?

The railway has 79 coaches with an average age of about 44 years and a total of 3,360 seats. The oldest is No. 244, the Lake Emerald, built in 1883. Some coaches have sound systems and wheelchair lifts.

When did the White Pass & Yukon Route start tourist trains?

The railway suspended operations in 1982 when Yukon's mining industry collapsed, then reopened in 1988 as a seasonal tourism operation, serving 37,000 passengers that first year. It has since become Alaska's most popular shore excursion, carrying about 400,000 passengers in 2014.

Can hikers use the White Pass & Yukon Route?

Yes. The railway offers a Chilkoot Hiker Service, Skagway to Denver and Skagway to Laughton round trips for glacier walks and self-guided hikes, and a Bennett Camping Adventure for overnight camping at remote, historic Bennett. Check wpyr.com for 2026 details.

Who discovered the White Pass?

Captain William Moore, Skagway's founder, and Skookum Jim scouted the route north over uncharted ground and named it White Pass after Sir Thomas White, Canada's Minister of the Interior. Moore predicted a gold rush and built a sawmill and wharf in Skagway to prepare for it.

What train rides are near the White Pass & Yukon Route?

The White Pass & Yukon Route is an isolated system with no direct connection to any other railroad, so it is its own trip. Its one-way and combo options connect Skagway with Fraser, Bennett, Carcross and Whitehorse. Elsewhere in Alaska, plan a separate trip for other rail museums.

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Kelsey Cecil