Skagway Cruise Port: White Pass Railway Fares and Costs (2026)

Where these numbers come from

Skagway is a one-street gold rush town, and the cruise docks are close to it. The National Park Service says the visitor center is under half a mile from every dock. That makes walking the default, and it keeps ground transport close to free. The park itself charges no entrance fee, and its ranger programs and museums cost nothing.

If you would rather ride, the local SMART bus charges $3 per person each way or $5 for an all-day pass, running from 7 am to 9 pm while ships are in. A separate on-demand shuttle covers farther stops: $5 from the dock to the Skagway River Bridge, $10 to the end of the pavement on Dyea or Liarsville Road, and $15 to Dyea. Those rates matter if you plan a hike outside town.

The big-ticket item is the White Pass Summit Excursion. In 2026 the railway lists an adult fare of $155 and a child (3 to 12) fare of $77.50, with infants free. The trip covers 40 miles round trip in about 2.5 to 2.75 hours. Cruise passengers board on the pier alongside the ship, and the operator runs the season from April 30 to October 7, 2026. Cancelling 24 or more hours ahead costs $10 per person; later cancellation forfeits the fare.

Worked example, family of four with two children. Two adults at $155 is $310. Two children at $77.50 is $155. The train totals $465. Add SMART all-day passes of $5 each for four people, $20, if you want to ride into town, and the day is about $485. A zipline day for two adults at $284 is $568, and a helicopter glacier tour for two at $459 is $918.

Prices for adventure tours come from a tour seller that lists starting fares, so expect the final number to change with date and group size. Skagway runs tight schedules because the railway and buses share a small town, so book ahead when a large ship day is expected. The train also gives a rare mountain view without the long flight of a helicopter tour.

If you are comparing Alaska ports, see the Juneau port guide for glacier and whale prices, then set your plan in the cruise excursion budget calculator.

Sources

• White Pass and Yukon Route: Summit Excursion
• Skagway visitor info: getting around (SMART bus)
• NPS Klondike Gold Rush: directions from cruise ships
• NPS Klondike Gold Rush: fees
• Skagway Shore Tours: tour overview

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.