Skagway: Train vs. Rental Car (with photos)

Although snow isn't impossible in early May, it melts very quickly. By the end of the month, it's not going to happen. This winter has been so warm, it might not even happen in April! :) Rental cars don't have snow tires.

Thank for the information. I thought it might be a lot colder.

This. I am trying to decide what to do in skagway and this is an excellent thread.

Although it does appear that Sourdough car rental is out of business. All I can find is Avis and Green Jeep.

This. I am trying to decide what to do in skagway and this is an excellent thread.

 

Although it does appear that Sourdough car rental is out of business. All I can find is Avis and Green Jeep.

We are going in May and have rented a Green Jeep. We did the train a few years ago. We are taking our teenage granddaughters this time and the cost was a fraction to rent the jeep. They give you a guide to use. I think it will be a much better option for us.

We are going in May and have rented a Green Jeep. We did the train a few years ago. We are taking our teenage granddaughters this time and the cost was a fraction to rent the jeep. They give you a guide to use. I think it will be a much better option for us.

We are going in July Party of 8 - so we would have to rent 2 jeeps. If we could fit in 1 this would be optimal. If we do guided looking at Dyea Dave - 11 passenger van. http://www.******************/tours.htm I just bought Murrays Guide http://*****************/ hoping that will help me decide. all drive or train up. OR my original plan fly trip of glacier bay with Fly Drake http://www.flydrake.com/glacier-bay-flightseeing-from-skagway.html. I am having lots of trouble with this port to many options and not enough time to do them all!!

We are going in July Party of 8 - so we would have to rent 2 jeeps. If we could fit in 1 this would be optimal. If we do guided looking at Dyea Dave - 11 passenger van. http://www.******************/tours.htm I just bought Murrays Guide http://*****************/ hoping that will help me decide. all drive or train up. OR my original plan fly trip of glacier bay with Fly Drake http://www.flydrake.com/glacier-bay-flightseeing-from-skagway.html. I am having lots of trouble with this port to many options and not enough time to do them all!!

I have read good things about Dyea Dave. The van may be the best option if you don't do the flight tour. One thing to consider is clouds. We had a flight cancelled due to low clouds. We saved a lot of money but we missed out on a big trip. We do go into Glacier Bay on our cruise. It's really fantastic to see! I also purchased Murray's Guide. Hopefully it all works out just perfect!

Yes, the weather is a huge factor on what you see. When it's foggy and rainy views are not good and unfortunately can't be predicted. We've seen glacier bay in beautiful weather and rain and fog. Two very, very different experiences and memories. When rainy and foggy with low visibility, no one was outside long, and the experience did not have the same memorable beauty.

Plan for good weather, and book the excursion you really want. But just be prepared;)

When taking the bus/train combo tour, which side is the best place to sit in order to get a better view of the sights?

Thanks in advanced.

• For the train ride up.... sit on left
  
• For the train ride down.... sit on right
  
• For the bus ride up.... sit on the right
  
• For the bus ride down.... sit on the left
  

Remember... white is right. Don't go to red.

• For the train ride up.... sit on left
  
• For the train ride down.... sit on right
  
• For the bus ride up.... sit on the right
  
• For the bus ride down.... sit on the left
  

Remember... white is right. Don't go to red.

Outstanding. Thanks for the quick reply.

Does RCI usually have an excursion that does train up, bus back down? If so, cost?

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Does RCI usually have an excursion that does train up, bus back down? If so, cost?

 

 

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You are going to have to log into their WEB site in order to find out.

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/asr/login.do?componentTypeCategoryId=1002

Does RCI usually have an excursion that does train up, bus back down? If so, cost?

 

 

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Their WEB site is back operational. They have several different tours to chose from. Different duration, etc.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/destinations/shoreExcursions/subGateWayByPort/search.do?LocationCode=SGY&DestinationCode=ALCAN

As far as the train ride, stand out side on the veranda to take pictures.

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As far as the train ride, stand out side on the veranda to take pictures.

 

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Thank you

In last stages of planning our may '17 cruise. Many many thanks for the pics. We've got train reservations. Very tempted to investigate a one way car ride. Traveling with kids 11 and 13 so variety is key!!!!!

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We took the road that led to the old cemetery. Definitely worth a look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were back in Skagway by a little after 6 and we left Whitehorse about 2:30pm. It was a full day, but we enjoyed it VERY MUCH!

If you have any questions, just let me know.

 

Mary

Where did you pick up the road that takes you to cemetery?

Great comparison of train vs driving!

Where did you pick up the road that takes you to cemetery?

Great comparison of train vs driving!

Thanks!

I'm not exactly sure, but Skagway is a small town and not too hard to get lost. I am sure there were signs to the cemetery as it was easy to find. It's called "the Goldrush Cemetery" and near the train track.

It 's easy to find on Google Maps and that will give you an idea of where it is in relation to the dock.

Have fun!

Mary

Giving this a bump.

If you 're trying to decide between a rental car in Skagway or the train, this thread from marysb provides lots of info and photos from someone who has done both.

I was debating the tour vs driving too. My hubby said he'd prefer to do the train up & bus back. He thinks he'd miss too much being the driver & would have to pay attention to the road instead of scenery.

This is so helpful - thank you for posting!