Skagway, Alaska: White Pass Yukon Railway and Bus Excursion
Skagway offers a variety of activities, including helicopter tours, dog sledding, and historical sites, as well as hikes along the Chilkoot Trail. If you have a long day in port, you can fit in multiple excursions and make the most of your time.
During our Skagway cruise stop, we chose the Yukon Rail and Bus Excursion, a day-long journey that took us by bus from Skagway into the Yukon, following parts of the old Gold Rush route. We returned to Skagway by train, riding the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad and taking in spectacular views.
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The trip gave us a chance to see the rugged beauty of both Alaska and the Yukon. We passed towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and a striking waterfall. While we didn’t see any wildlife, it’s not uncommon for others to spot bears or moose along the way.
If you’re considering this excursion, we’re sharing our experience, helpful tips, and thoughts to help you decide if it’s a good fit for your day in Skagway.
A Little About Skagway, Alaska
Skagway, Alaska, is a small town in the southeastern part of the state, set in a valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Known for its deep roots in the Klondike Gold Rush era of the late 1800s, Skagway’s downtown has been preserved to reflect that history. Today, its historic buildings house shops, restaurants, and museums that give a glimpse into the town’s storied past.
One of Skagway’s most popular attractions is the White Pass Scenic Railway. Built during the gold rush to transport prospectors and their gear, the railway now runs scenic excursions into the mountains and, on some routes, into Canada’s Yukon Territory.
Fun Fact: The town of Skagway has a population of 1200+ people. The city thrives off tourism during the Spring and Summer months. People from all over the US come to live and work in Skagway during these months.
Yukon Rail and Bus Excursion
During our longest port day on the Norwegian Encore cruise in Skagway, Alaska, we seized the opportunity to experience as much as possible. A highlight was the Yukon Rail and Bus Excursion by Chilkoot Charters, a locally-owned tour company (not affiliated).
This excursion perfectly combined a scenic bus tour through Canada’s Yukon territory with a return journey on the iconic White Pass Railway. The tour was thoughtfully designed to include everything from a tasty lunch to numerous photo stops and even train tickets for the return trip. For those on earlier arriving ships, the tour is available in reverse.
The small group setting allowed for many photogenic moments amid spectacular scenery. Our guide was fantastic, enhancing the experience. The return train ride was as breathtaking as anticipated.
Fortunately, we had sunny, warm weather, making it a perfect day. If the train ride hadn’t been a priority, we might have opted for a DIY Jeep tour or rented a car for more independent exploration.
Chilkoot Charters delivered a seamless experience that allowed my husband to relax and enjoy the journey without the need to drive. This tour made our visit to Skagway Port memorable. It also helped that we got lucky and had a gorgeous day.
Important: You will need your passport for this excursion or if you decide to drive a similar route. You will be crossing into Canada. Border patrol will check the passports when you enter Canada and upon arriving back in Skagway on the train or crossing back by car.
Can you drive from Skagway to Yukon?
Yes, you can drive from Skagway to the Yukon if you’re looking to skip a tour or save money, especially with a group. Some cruisers rent a vehicle and take the scenic Klondike Highway into Canada, following a route similar to the Gold Rush trail. It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Caribou Crossing.
Driving gives you the freedom to stop where and when you want, but keep in mind that you’ll need to manage your time carefully to return to the ship on time.
The main tradeoff? You’ll miss the White Pass & Yukon Route train experience, since rental cars can’t be left behind. Still, the Klondike Highway runs nearly parallel to the White Pass Railway, so the views are similar.
Bus Ride into Yukon Territory
Our tour began with a bus journey from Skagway Cruise Port, setting the stage for a scenic adventure. Our driver highlighted key landmarks and shared insights into Skagway’s rich history and ties with Canada as we traveled.
Our route took us through Tormented Valley, Fraser, and over the White Pass Summit, areas marked by their rugged terrain and historical significance during the gold rush. The courage of early miners who navigated these extreme conditions in search of fortune was a recurring theme of our journey.
The tour included several more scenic stops and breathtaking viewpoints, like Emerald Lake. Each offered a unique glimpse into the wilderness of the Yukon and created a picture-perfect scene.
Stopping in Bridal Veil Falls
Just a short drive from Skagway, our first stop was at Bridal Veil Falls. This spectacular waterfall tumbles down a rocky cliff, misting the air and catching the sunlight in a dazzling display. Before heading on, we paused to capture photos and soak in the falls’ natural beauty.
Photos at the Welcome to Alaska Sign
As we neared the British Columbia border, we briefly stopped at the “Welcome to Alaska” sign, the Gateway to the Klondike. Surrounded by breathtaking views, this location proved to be a must-see. Even without capturing a photo of the iconic sign, the scenery alone was worth the stop.
Pit-Stop at Tutshi Lake
In the southern Yukon Territory of Canada, Tutshi and Tagish Lakes stand out with their serene, picturesque settings. Encircled by majestic mountains and verdant forests, these lakes offer breathtaking vistas. Our journey included a memorable stop at Tutshi Lake, allowing us to appreciate its tranquil beauty fully.
Photo Opp at Welcome to Yukon Sign
Another highlight was the ‘Welcome to Yukon’ sign, an iconic spot that provides a picturesque photo opportunity against a backdrop of rugged mountains and unspoiled wilderness. Remarkably, this trip had me take more photos of signs than ever. Typically, I don’t go out of my way for such pictures, but having the driver snap a few shots of us was a convenient and pleasant touch.
Visit to Caribou Crossing Trading Post | Wild Adventure Yukon
Located in Carcross along the Klondike Highway, Wild Adventure Yukon, formerly known as Caribou Crossing Trading Post, offers a range of attractions. Our tour included a delightful BBQ lunch with sides and cinnamon sugar donuts. We also explored the Yukon Wildlife Museum, which features a notable collection of mounted animals native to the region, such as grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves.
Additional attractions at this stop included a petting zoo and the opportunity to visit puppies trained for dog sledding, with sled rides available for an extra fee. The gift shop offered a variety of local treats, souvenirs, and t-shirts.
Though primarily catering to tourists, this stop provided a welcome break with good food and facilities, which are scarce along the Klondike Highway. We spent about an hour here, making the most of the diverse offerings.
View of Majestic Emerald Lake: Jewel of the Yukon
Following our visit to Caribou Crossing, we stopped at Emerald Lake, renowned as the “Jewel of the Yukon” for its stunning beauty. The lake’s vibrant emerald hue is due to light reflecting off the fine glacial silt deposited on the lake bed. On the day of our visit, the water was exceptionally calm, providing perfect, glass-like reflections—a rare sight, as noted by our guide.
Quick Stop at Historic Downtown Carcross
Our final stop before heading to and boarding the train in Fraser was Historic Downtown Carcross. The Carcross Commons area features a small shopping mall with local gift shops, a visitor center, and clean restrooms. Though nearby Bennet Beach was within walking distance, our time constraints didn’t allow a visit.
The stop was brief, but our guide efficiently highlighted the best quick activities. We used the facilities, grabbed some of the best coffee at the coffee shop there, and got our passports stamped. With time constraints and having to get us to our train on time, we understood this was a fast-paced tour.
Tip: You can stamp your passport outside the Matthew Watson General Store. The ice cream there looked amazing, too.
Tour Ideas:
White Pass Deluxe Tour from Skagway Mini-Bus Tour [book here]
Half-Day Yukon Sightseeing Shore Excursion from Skagway [book here]
Skagway Shore Excursion: Yukon Discovery Tour [book here]
White Pass & Yukon Route Railway Experience
After our tour guide drove us back to Fraser, we experienced an unexpected 30-minute delay before boarding the train. The wait wasn’t too bad, though—the view of Bernard Lake helped pass the time.
We almost considered skipping the train ride, worried the delay might make us miss our ship. But our guide reassured us: many passengers were also cruise guests, and the ship wasn’t likely to leave without us. We stuck it out, and we’re so glad we did.
The train ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route was the highlight of our excursion. Built between 1898 and 1900 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow-gauge railway winds through rugged mountains, deep gorges, and quiet alpine valleys. Riding in vintage railcars with access to open-air platforms made the views even more impressive.
To clarify, the section of the railway from Fraser to Skagway still runs along the historic White Pass; however, the Yukon portion of the route is part of longer excursions that travel deeper into Canada, including to places such as Bennett and Carcross. In our case, we experienced the cross-border segment that ended back in Alaska.
Our 1.5-hour ride from Fraser back to Skagway was packed with incredible scenery and the soothing rhythm of the train. Once we arrived, border patrol gave a quick passport check before we were allowed to disembark. Our same driver was waiting to take us back to the cruise port.
While a 2.5-hour round-trip journey from Skagway to White Pass and back sounds appealing, we thought the one-way route from Fraser struck the right balance. It gave us time to see and experience a lot, just enough to make us want to ride again. Next time, we’ll have to plan and try the Denver Caboose for a fresh perspective.
Tip: Sit on the right side when returning to Skagway. Left side if you’re leaving from Skagway and on the way up to White Pass.
Tour Ideas:
Summit Experience & Yukon Suspension Bridge Tour [book here]
White Pass Summit and Yukon Suspension Bridge Tour [book here]
Is the Yukon Rail and Bus Excursion worth it?
Overall, we had a great experience and do not regret it. However, combining the Bus Excursion with the White Pass Yukon Railway makes for a long day, but we set out to see as much as we could in the limited time available. The stops we made were beautiful, but they were short and fast-paced. So keep that in mind when you decide to book this excursion.
Is White Pass Scenic Railway worth it?
Yes. The White Pass Scenic Railway is an experience that should be done at least once. You get to see a side of Alaska you won’t be able to see staying in town. If you’re not coming on the railway excursion with a bus tour for the day, you can always book just the White Pass Summit excursion in the early morning or afternoon.
How long is the white pass train ride?
The White Pass Summit Excursion is a 2.5 to 3-hour round trip. If you have an excursion that combines a one-way train ride with a trip into the Yukon, that would most likely be the Fraser One Way Service, which is one way that goes into Fraser or returns from Fraser, a 1.5-hour train ride.
BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:
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Kathy Ava
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
Such wonderful photos and details in your post, Kathy! I would enjoy the bus tour. I experienced the round trip tour on White Pass Railway and loved it. The time went by way too fast and it didn’t seem like we were on the train for 3 hours. I enjoyed standing outside on the platform to get a better view.
That is great to hear! We will be back in a couple of years with family and we were wondering if the 3 hours would be too long, if we did it again. I think I’ll still be mesmerized by it all over again. Appreciate you stopping by.
@Kathy Ava, My pleasure!