Alaska Railroad’s Aurora Winter
Experience the last frontier with this exhilarating adventure that takes you into the heartland of Alaska. Soak in the breathtaking vistas of Denali National Park as you ride all the way to Fairbanks. Revel in the views from large windows, whether it’s the snowcapped mountains, frozen rivers, or the expansive backcountry as you drink hot chocolate from the confines of a heated train. Bring your skis on board to ride to the largest ski resort in interior Alaska, Moose Mountain Ski Resort. You can do this all on the Aurora Winter Train – the daytime train from Anchorage to Fairbanks. While in Fairbanks why not try dogsledding with one of the many dogsled operators who may compete in one of the famous dogsled races? Afterwards, witness the northern lights first hand as they dance across the midnight sky.
For a more rustic experience consider the Hurricane Turn Train. This is an essential flagstop service, connecting remote communities to Anchorage during the winter. If you want to experience how essential rail travel was prior to the automobile, we recommend this service. Watch the conductor deliver newspapers and mail to off-grid homes in the backcountry wilderness.
(Travel Manitoba)
VIA Rail’s Winnipeg-Churchill
Experience a journey that takes you from the central prairie metropolis of Winnipeg through the muskeg hinterland of Manitoba all the way to the “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” Churchill. Over two days and two nights experience the remoteness of Canada as you ride the rails. We recommend the sleeper-plus class to get a good night’s sleep. At the halfway point, the train will stop in Thompson, which is home to numerous cold weather-testing facilities and mining as the train loads essential goods for transport to Churchill. Thompson is the last community at the end of the road, so this train provides an essential service for residents in Churchill. First established as a fur trading outpost and later as a strategic fort, Churchill is Canada’s only major Arctic port and is home to their most famous wild residents, polar bears. Take in an up-close polar bear experience by going on a tundra vehicle tour. While similar looking to conventional passenger buses with tracker tires, these are true off-road vehicles designed to see polar bears in their natural environment. Don’t worry these vehicles stand high enough off the ground so bears won’t be joining you for a ride back to town.
(Ontario Northland)
Ontario Northland’s Polar Bear Express
Primarily an essential service train connecting Cochrane to Moosenee, this short journey (the shortest on our list) runs up to the southern tip of James Bay and the southernmost portion of the Arctic Ocean. Before the train departs, stay at The Cochrane Station Inn, a hotel within the train station. Visit the Polar Bear Habitat and say, hello to Ganuk, Henry, and Inukshuk, the resident polar bears. The world’s only zoo dedicated entirely to the care of polar bears. Fancy some snowmobiling? Visit Cochrane Classic Vintage Riders Snowmobile Museum to learn about the history of these snow machines.
The Polar Bear Express is an essential service train, so you’ll be riding amongst passengers bringing household items home to Moosenee. Experience Indigenous culture across the river in Moose Factory and learn about the Cree way of life. Stay a night in the Hudson Bay Company staff house, which is one of the last surviving outposts from the fur trade era. When Ontario Northland’s The Northlander makes a return in 2026 you’ll be able to embark on an epic adventure, riding the rails from Canada’s largest metropolis, Toronto to the edge of the Arctic, Moosenee.
Vy Tåg AB (Swedish Railways) Arctic Train
This epic sleeper train that travels through Scandinavia starts at the Stockholm Central and travels through Lappland to Narvik. Narvik is the northernmost train station in the Schengen Area. Fall asleep as the northern lights dance overhead while you cross the Arctic Circle, warmly nestled in your sleeper compartment. Three choices are available: couchette bunk beds, second-class sleeping compartments with shared facilities, or first-class sleeping compartments with private facilities. A late-night restaurant car is available if you’re feeling a little peckish.
If you don’t have time for an overnight train, consider the Arctic Train, running on the Ofoten Line. The line was originally built to enable access to the rich iron ore deposits in northern Sweden and to the ice free port of Narvik. Departing from Narvik Station, this 43 kilometer long tourist train route runs up the mountains to just over the Norway-Sweden border. Before you depart, consider downloading the “Voice of Norway” app for a free way to learn more about the historical sites as you travel the line. Up for a hike? Get off at Riksgränsen Station to explore the barren tundra landscape dotted with rocks and lakes. With the ice free port, boat tours are available year-round.
(VR-Group Plc)
VR’s (Finnish Railways) Santa Claus Express
Going all in with the branding, the Santa Claus Express whisks travellers from Helsinki Central Station to Lapland, the home of Santa Claus and his reindeer. While Rovaniemi is the final destination, so many adventures await along the route that you probably won’t make it to the end. This double-decker night train offers many amenities that put other agencies to shame. From the standard selection of couchettes, second-class compartments, and first-class compartments with private facilities. Amenities include bicycle storage, a late-night restaurant car, and a pet friendly cabin to make the journey much more comfortable for your furry friend. But our favourite amenity is the children’s play area, complete with slides and a miniature train.
Once in Lapland, experience the magic of Santa Claus’ hometown, Rovaniemi. Populated with reindeer, the region comes alive in winter. Situated right on the Arctic Circle, this city is all about Santa Claus. To make the experience even more authentic, there’s the Santa Claus Village where you can meet Santa and tell him what you would like for Christmas. Want to experience the full glory of the northern lights while warm and cozy in bed? Consider one of the many dome hotels, which are dotted throughout Lapland. We recommend the Apukka Resort in Rovaniemi. Fall asleep to the green glow of the northern lights dancing overhead, illuminating your room.