Skagway - Chilkoot Train/Bus Tours - Which Tour?

[Shellilin]

Thanks you Dis for the recommendation of Chilkoot Charters & Tours in Skagway! I have read so many helpful details on this from the boards. One question remains that I don't see anyone specify. Which rail/bus tour do you like best??

I'm planning bus up/train down. There are 5 of us total with kids age 14, 11, & 6. I was so surprised when I saw the Yukon and Bennett tours were 7.5 & 8 hours long. Wow! Is that too long with kids??

The bus/rail Tour options are
-Bennett Scenic Journey
-Yukon Rail & Bus
-Yukon Rail & Bus with Dogcart experience
-White Pass Summit Rail & Bus

Which to choose? Thanks!!!

 

[NancyIL]

I've done the Yukon Rail & Bus tour twice with Chilkoot Charters. Both times I originally booked the Bennett Scenic Journey, and both times (2007 and 2009) the tracks washed out before I got to Skagway! Hence, I changed to the Yukon Rail & Bus tour. Last May I did the shorter White Pass Summit Rail (to Fraser) & Bus tour in the morning, as I had a second excursion planned for the afternoon. Chilkoot Charters does a nice job, and I enjoyed the tours - but I didn't cruise with kids. I'd still like to try the the Bennett Scenic Journey some day (and hope the tracks don't wash out!) - but that one might have too much train time for younger kids.

 

[Geomom]

We did the Yukon Rail and Bus with Dogcart Experience with Chilkoot charters. Loved it! My girls were 12 and 16 at the time. It was not too long for those ages. We did bus up, train down--for many reasons--later start time means more time for breakfast/getting ready, time for the morning fog to burn off so you have a better chance of views for the train part, and the train part is relaxing--which was great after a full day of touring. The train ride itself is over 1 1/2 hrs. The bus ride up is about the same amount of time--but the bus driver will stop at various picture spots, so you can stretch your legs, take pics, etc. We had a 25 minute stop in the town of Carcross to shop, and maybe a 2 hr stop at Caribou Crossing Trading Post for lunch/dogcart ride/puppies/shopping/wildlife museum (we didn't have time for that part). The tour guide does a great job of timing the stops so you're not there with the big cruise buses--you may skip something on the way up, and instead hit it after Caribou Crossing on your way back to the railroad station in Fraser. This excursion was the highlight of our trip!

 

[jetskigrl]

We did the Yukon Rail & Bus with Dogcart experience (Bus first and then Train). Only the kids did the dogcart but they really enjoyed it. We also liked having the train part last since it was a nice relaxing way to end the excursion. At the time we went (2014), Chilkoot tours had the last car of the train and my son was able to spend almost the whole trip on the back (open) platform. He absolutely loved that part

 

[Shellilin]

Thanks for all of the great information!!

 

[Shellilin]

We did the Yukon Rail & Bus with Dogcart experience (Bus first and then Train). Only the kids did the dogcart but they really enjoyed it. We also liked having the train part last since it was a nice relaxing way to end the excursion. At the time we went (2014), Chilkoot tours had the last car of the train and my son was able to spend almost the whole trip on the back (open) platform. He absolutely loved that part

Yikes!! I just booked, but it was $$$! LOL! $1,005 for 5 of us! The sticker shock had me second guessing, but I went ahead & booked. I have heard such great things!!

 

[anricat]

Yikes!! I just booked, but it was $$$! LOL! $1,005 for 5 of us! The sticker shock had me second guessing, but I went ahead & booked. I have heard such great things!!

You really won't regret it. We were on the same tour at Geomom who commented above (literally, the same day, same bus/train) and we felt the same. It was a highlight of our trip. My daughter was 8 and had a great time. Here's our day on that excursion: https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...extra-fun-in-vancouver.3537617/#post-56316268

 

[OrcaPotter]

My parents and I did the Yukon Rail & Bus with Dogcart experience, train first bus down, back in 2013. I liked doing the bus down because it allowed us to shop in town before getting back on the ship. Our bus driver dropped us in the heart of the shopping area. The dog cart ride was so much fun and a baby bear ran across the track! It was worth every penny.

 

[Geomom]

@OrcaPotter We did bus up/train down, and our bus driver met us in Skagway when we got off the train, offering anyone a ride anywhere in Skagway. We were the only ones to take him up on the offer--we wanted to go to the Klondike Gold Rush NHP, so he dropped us off near there vs. walking all the way through town to get to it.

 

[Geomom]

Yikes!! I just booked, but it was $$$! LOL! $1,005 for 5 of us! The sticker shock had me second guessing, but I went ahead & booked. I have heard such great things!!

I agree with @anricat , you will not regret it. That was one excursion that was worth every penny!