White Pass, Bennett Lake & Yukon Excursion Review

White Pass, Bennett Lake & Yukon Excursion at a Glance

Schedules, inclusions, prices and operating details can change. Confirm the current requirements for your sailing with the cruise line or White Pass & Yukon Route before booking.

What the Bus-Out, Train-Back Route Was Like

I liked doing the bus portion first and taking the train back. It meant we didn't see the same scenery from the same angle twice. The bus took us out of Skagway and into the Yukon, with stops and historic locations along the way. Then we came back through Bennett and White Pass on the train.

The ride also made it clear just how far people traveled during the Gold Rush. Looking at the mountains and the terrain from a comfortable bus or train is one thing. Trying to imagine crossing that country with the clothing, equipment and transportation available in the late 1890s is something else entirely.

This is basically your Skagway day. It isn't the excursion to choose if you want to be back in town after a couple of hours. For us, that was fine. This was one of the experiences we had come to Alaska to have.

Why Bennett Lake Was a Highlight

Bennett Lake was one of my favorite parts of the entire day. It was beautiful, but the location and history were what made it stick with me.

Bennett became a major stopping point for prospectors who had crossed the Chilkoot or White Pass trails and were trying to continue toward the Klondike. The more Gold Rush information we heard, the more overwhelming it became to think about what those people actually went through. They crossed mountains carrying huge amounts of gear, endured brutal weather and then still had an enormous journey ahead of them.

Standing there, it was hard to reconcile how peaceful Bennett Lake looked with how difficult and desperate the experience must have been during the Gold Rush.

You also cannot simply drive into the historic Bennett area. It is reached by the White Pass train or by hiking the Chilkoot Trail. That is one reason this longer excursion is very different from taking only the shorter train ride to White Pass Summit.

The Yukon, the Border and the World's Smallest Desert

One of the things I liked most was that we didn't just take a train into the mountains and turn around. We left Alaska, crossed into Canada and traveled through scenery that kept changing as the day went on.

We also stopped at the Carcross Desert, which is commonly promoted as the world's smallest desert. Technically, it is a series of sand dunes rather than a true desert, but finding a stretch of sand like that surrounded by Yukon mountains was still unexpected—and “we saw the world's smallest desert” is a pretty good story to bring home from a cruise excursion.

The border crossing was another memorable part of the trip, but it also means you need the correct documents. Bring the passport or other documentation specified for your excursion and verify the current requirements for everyone traveling with you. This is not the day to realize your passport is still in the cabin safe.

Original Video From My Excursion

These videos were filmed during my White Pass, Bennett Lake & Yukon Adventure in August 2026.

Is the Longer Bennett Lake Excursion Worth It?

I would recommend it to someone who enjoys scenery and history and doesn't mind devoting most of the port day to one excursion. If your main goal is shopping in Skagway or fitting three different activities into the day, it probably isn't the right choice.

What to Know Before Booking

• Expect a full-day commitment. The official Bennett Scenic Journey is typically around eight hours.
• Bring your passport. The route crosses the United States–Canada border.
• Dress in layers. Conditions can change between Skagway, the highway stops, Bennett and the train.
• Keep essentials with you. Bring medication, a charged phone or camera and anything you may need during a long day away from the ship.
• Confirm accessibility. The official operator classifies the trip as a moderate activity and states that the Bennett train is not equipped with a wheelchair lift.
• Verify the direction. The excursion may operate train-out/bus-back or bus-out/train-back. I took the bus-out/train-back version.
• Check the port schedule. Confirm that the excursion offered through your cruise line is coordinated with your ship's arrival and departure.

How This Fit Into My Alaska Cruise

This was one of several memorable destination experiences during my Alaska sailing. In Juneau we went whale watching, saw Mendenhall Glacier briefly while traveling to a salmon bake, and in Glacier Bay we spent the day surrounded by scenery that simply does not exist on a typical Caribbean itinerary.

For help comparing routes, ports, glaciers and sailing months, start with our Alaska Cruise Planning Hub. You can also read the broader account of my August 2026 Alaska cruise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the White Pass, Bennett Lake & Yukon excursion require a passport?

Yes. The excursion crosses the United States–Canada border, and the official White Pass & Yukon Route information identifies a passport as required. Travelers should verify the precise documentation requirements for their citizenship and sailing.

How long is the White Pass Bennett Lake excursion?

The official Bennett Scenic Journey is typically approximately eight hours and covers about 120 miles round trip. Cruise-line versions and schedules can change, so check the details attached to your particular sailing.

Can you take the bus out and the train back?

Yes. That is the direction I traveled. The official operator lists both bus-out/train-back and train-out/bus-back departures on applicable dates.

Is the Bennett Lake excursion worth the longer day?

It was definitely worth it for me. Bennett Lake, the Yukon scenery, historic locations and the international journey made it one of the standout excursions from my Alaska cruise.

Is this the same as the shorter White Pass Summit excursion?

No. The Bennett journey travels farther and includes Bennett Lake and Yukon portions that are not part of the shorter summit-focused train ride.