Skagway, Alaska
A Klondike Gold Rush town at the top of the Inside Passage, with a historic railway climbing into Canada from the edge of the pier. Here’s how to make one day ashore count.
Gateway to the Klondike
In 1897 and 1898, tens of thousands of gold seekers poured off steamships here and started the climb over White Pass and the Chilkoot Trail toward the Yukon. Much of the town they built still stands, and a large part of downtown is now Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, with wooden boardwalks, false-front saloons and restored buildings along Broadway.
Skagway is small enough to walk, and the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad leaves from right beside the docks. Most visitors ride the rails or head up the Klondike Highway into British Columbia and the Yukon, then spend the rest of the day in town. Below are the excursions we’d book, what the cruise lines sell and the details that keep the day easy.
Which pier you’ll dock at
Skagway assigns docks ship by ship, so confirm yours on your itinerary a few days before you arrive.
Broadway Dock
The most central berth, at the foot of Broadway. Step off the ship and you’re a short walk from the historic district, the national park visitor center and the railroad depot.
Used by: Disney, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Silversea, Viking, Oceania and American Cruise Lines.
Ore Dock
On the east side of the harbor, recently rebuilt. Downtown and most tour meeting points are a short walk from the pier.
Used by: Norwegian, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Cunard and Azamara.
Railroad Dock
The longest dock, on the west side of the harbor beneath a steep, rockfall-prone mountainside. Walking along this dock has been restricted since 2022, and guests are transferred between the ship and town. Allow extra time, especially on the way back. Rockfall mitigation work is planned in the off-season over the next few winters.
Used by: Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Silversea, Regent, Viking, Oceania, Azamara and Virgin Voyages.
Excursions we’d book
Hand-picked shore excursions from local operators, bookable through our partner Project Expedition. Every tour here carries Project Expedition’s Back to Ship Guarantee. Prices are per person and can change; check the live price when you book.
White Pass Summit Rail & Suspension Bridge Tour by Rail/Bus
Ride the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad over the summit to Fraser, British Columbia, then continue by coach to the Yukon Suspension Bridge, 65 feet above the Tutshi River. You cross into Canada, so bring your passport.
View on Project ExpeditionWhite Pass Summit Rail & Bus Excursion by Rail/Bus
The shorter way to ride the famous railroad: 28 miles by train up the 1898 route to the summit and Fraser, with the return by road and stories of the stampeders along the way. Passport required.
View on Project ExpeditionYukon Sled Dogs & Summit Experience
Up the Klondike Highway into the Yukon to a sled dog camp on Tagish Lake, with puppies, a talk from the mushers and a summer cart ride behind the team. Passports are required for the Canadian border.
View on Project ExpeditionChilkoot Trail Hike, Float & Summit Drive (from Skagway)
Hike the first two miles of the historic Chilkoot Trail through the rainforest, float the Taiya River, then drive up to White Pass. Picnic lunch included. Rated difficult; ages 8 and up.
View on Project ExpeditionChilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Half Day Float (From Skagway)
A fast catamaran down the fjord to Haines, then a calm raft float through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve with a naturalist guide. Picnic lunch included; ages 7 and up.
View on Project ExpeditionSkagway City & Summit Tour
A two-hour guided drive through historic Skagway and up the Klondike Highway to the Welcome to Alaska sign, with waterfalls and glacier views along the way. Easy, and good value if you want the rest of the day in town.
View on Project ExpeditionThe Back to Ship Guarantee and refunds if your ship skips Skagway are covered by Project Expedition’s shore excursion terms. Your advisor can walk you through them.
Cruise line favorites
Book these in your cruise planner. Ship-sold tours cost a bit more, but the ship waits for you if the tour runs late.
- White Pass Summit excursion. The classic narrated round trip on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad to the summit and back. No passport needed on the summit-only trains, since you don’t get off in Canada.
- Yukon & Carcross. A full day by coach and rail into the Yukon to Emerald Lake and the village of Carcross. Long, scenic and passport-required.
- Glacier dog sledding. A helicopter flight onto a glacier to a summer sled dog camp. Costs extra, sells out early and depends on the weather.
- Liarsville Gold Rush camp. A Gold Rush revue, gold panning and a salmon bake just outside town. An easy, family-friendly option.
Exploring without a tour
Prefer to explore at your own pace? These are the highlights to know, wherever your day takes you. Keep an eye on the clock.
Broadway & the historic district
Boardwalks, false-front buildings and saloons like the Red Onion, a former brothel turned museum and bar. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park visitor center is here, and its rangers lead free walking tours.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Restored buildings across downtown, including the Moore House and Mascot Saloon, tell the story of the 1898 stampede. Most exhibits are free.
Gold Rush Cemetery
The resting place of con man Soapy Smith and Frank Reid, the man who shot him, with Reid Falls just beyond. It sits at the north edge of town, so a guided tour is the easiest way to fit it in.
Before you go ashore
- All-aboard is firm. If you book independently, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Ships do leave without late guests.
- Bring your passport. Many Skagway tours cross into British Columbia or the Yukon and stop at Canadian customs. Check your tour details, and carry your passport ashore.
- Railroad Dock takes longer. If your ship is at the Railroad Dock, guests are transferred to and from town because of rockfall risk. Leave extra time before all-aboard.
- Weather changes fast. It can be sunny in town and cold and windy at White Pass Summit. Bring layers and a rain jacket.
- Tours sell out. Skagway welcomes well over a million cruise visitors a season, and the railroad and sled dog tours fill early. Book as soon as your cruise is set.
Sailing to Skagway
Most seven-night Inside Passage cruises call here, round trip from Seattle or Vancouver, along with one-way Gulf of Alaska sailings between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier.Find a cruisePlan with Harr Travel
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