The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
What to expect from Skagway's signature ride.
By Greg Peters, editor · Updated October 2026
The narrow-gauge railway was built during the 1898 rush and climbs roughly 3,000 feet from sea level in about 20 miles.
Tips
- Book ahead on busy ship days; seats can sell out.
- Sit on the side with the views your guide recommends for the outbound leg.
- Bring layers — the summit is colder than the dock.
Railway details · Compare rail excursions
Map: Skagway to White Pass
The railway and the Klondike Highway both climb from Skagway to White Pass Summit at the Canadian border.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Suggested Reads
How the railway over White Pass was built.
Find it on Amazon →The definitive narrative history of the stampede through Skagway and over the passes.
Find it on Amazon →A journalist's firsthand 1900 account of the rush.
Find it on Amazon →Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Skagway Times earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. More Gold Rush books →
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