The White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) is a narrow-gauge (36-inch) privately owned railroad built during the Klondike Gold Rush. Construction of the WP&YR began in May 1898 and reached White Pass in February 1899 and Whitehorse in July 1900. It was the first railroad in Alaska and at the time, the most northern of any railroad in North America.
The WP&YR has one of the steepest railroad grades in North America. Starting at sea level in Skagway the railroad climbs to 2,865 feet/873m at the Summit of White Pass in only 20 miles/32 km of track. In 1994, it was declared an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, one of only 42 in the world today. From 1900 until 1982, the WP&YR provided passenger and freight service between Skagway, AK, and Whitehorse, YT. Today, it operates passenger service only from Skagway, AK, to Carcross, YT; the tracks to Whitehorse are inactive. Bus service fills in to/from Whitehorse.
For summer visitors, the WP&YR offers daily train service and sightseeing excursions from May through September
Following are schedules and fares for White Pass & Yukon Route in 2018. All times indicated in schedules are Alaska Standard Time. Skagway is on Alaska Standard Time, which is 1 hour earlier than Whitehorse, which is on Pacific Standard Time. Reservations a must! Fares in U.S. dollars and include taxes; half price for children 12 and under. Cancellation fees apply. Schedules and fares are subject to change without notice. Contact the White Pass & Yukon Route at PO Box 435, Skagway, AK 99840. Phone (907) 983-2217 or 1-800-343-7373; email at [email protected]; www.wpyr.com.
White Pass Summit Excursion: Available May 1 to Oct. 3, 2018. This 3- to 3½-hour, 40-mile fully narrated round-trip features 2 tunnels, trestles, waterfalls and more. Departs Skagway 8:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. daily. (There is a 4:30 p.m. departure Tuesday and Wednesday from May 29 to August 29. Adults $125, children $62.50. Passport not required. Train is wheelchair accessible. Visit website for additional information on availability and exceptions to schedule.
Bennett Scenic Journey: Passport required. Follow the trail of the Klondike stampeders between Skagway, AK, and Carcross, YT. Guests enjoy a stop at our restored 1903 Bennett Station for a visit to the Bennett Museum and a self-guided walking tour around the old town site. Lunch is served on board the train upon departing Bennett. Motorcoach transfer to/from Skagway via the Klondike Highway with a stop at Emerald Lake. Available May 22 to Sept. 9, 2018. Departs 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday–Friday and Sunday (train to Carcross with bus return to Skagway); departs 9:30 a.m. Tuesday–Thursday, Saturday–Sunday (bus to Carcross with train return to Skagway). Visit website for additional details and pricing.
Train and Motorcoach Connections via Carcross: Passport required. A boxed lunch on board the train is 
included in all tours. For details visit website. There are several options, including Skagway to Whitehorse via Carcross train/bus one-way; Whitehorse to Skagway via Carcross bus/train one-way; Skagway to Whitehorse via Carcross with bus return (overnight); and the Carcross to Skagway Train with bus return (an overnight). RV travelers are driving down to Carcross from the Alaska Highway, then taking the train round-trip to Skagway.
Laughton Glacier Hiker Service: Passport required. This 14-mile train ride leads to a 5- to 8-mile self-guided hike through old growth forest to Laughton Glacier. Departs Skagway daily at 7:40 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. May 2 to Sept. 28, 2018. Visit website for exceptions to schedule, pricing and more information.
Denver Glacier Service: Passport required. Board in Skagway for a round-trip train to the Denver trailhead. Self-guided walking tour to view Denver Glacier, recommended for those in fair physical conditions. Departs Skagway daily at 7:40 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. between May 1 and Sept. 26, 2018. Visit website for exceptions to schedule, pricing and more information.
Chilkoot Trail Hiker Service: Passport required. Operates May 22 to Sept. 9, 2018. Northbound train departs Bennett on Tuesday–Friday and Sunday at 11 a.m. for Carcross. Southbound train departs Bennett for Fraser and Skagway on Tuesdays–Thursdays at 3:10 p.m. and on Saturdays at 2:10 p.m. For details visit website. Hiker lunches are available for advance purchase.
