<p class="ingestion featured-caption">I spent about four hours on the Alaska Railroad. Molly O'Brien</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I bought a premium ticket for my four-hour ride on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.alaskarailroad.com/">Alaska Railroad </a>from Denali to Fairbanks.</li><li>My GoldStar <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-brightline-train-premium-smart-class-comparison-upgrade-worth-it-2023-7">premium seat</a> was roomy, the views were great, and I got a three-course meal.</li></ul><p>Much to my surprise, train rides were some of my favorite parts of my entire <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheap-glacier-cruise-best-part-of-my-alaska-trip-phillips-cruises-2023">trip to Alaska</a>. </p><p>One highlight in particular was my four-hour ride on the Alaska Railroad from <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-underrated-national-parks-according-frequent-traveler">Denali National Park</a> to Fairbanks. For this trip, I splurged on a GoldStar premium-service class ticket for $202. The standard adventure-class ticket would've cost me $88.</p><p>This <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-saga-premium-class-on-icelandair-review-worth-it-2023-5">premium class</a> came with a seat in a glass-dome railcar, a three-course meal, complimentary drinks, a tour guide, and access to a special upper-level viewing platform.</p><p>Here's what my ride was like and why I think the $114 upgrade was worth every penny.</p>