All Aboard the Most Festive Holiday Train Rides in the U.S.
Live out your Polar Express dreams on these holiday train rides across the country.
Next to Santa’s sleigh, vintage trains are the most magical mode of transport come Christmastime. That’s in large part due to the enduring charms of Chris Van Allsburg’s iconic The Polar Express, a children’s book that for many has become an annual tradition as requisite — and inescapable — as eggnog and Mariah Carey. The book follows a little boy, dubious of Santa’s existence, who boards a magical train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, where St. Nick gifts him with a silver bell from a reindeer’s harness. Despite losing the bell on the ride home, the boy wakes up the next morning to find it under his tree, and the magic of Christmas saves the day.
Ever since Van Allsburg’s book was published in 1985 (let’s not speak of the unintended horrors of the dead-eyed Tom Hanks movie adaptation in 2004), historic steam engines across the country have interpreted their own versions of the festive tradition. Like the source material, many of these Christmas-themed rides are focused on kids and family fodder, emphasizing things like Santa appearances, storytime with Mrs. Claus, and of course, holiday cookies galore. Some rides, though, offer more adult-oriented outings, with enough spiked cocoa to land you on the naughty list.
Whether you’re looking for a cheerful family adventure or an elegant date night, there’s no shortage of Polar Express doppelgängers, all capturing the timeless and enchanting experience of chugging along a snow-swept train track while sipping cocoa and humming along to Christmas carols. Here are the best and brightest holiday train rides in the U.S. (Note that these experiences are wildly popular and often sell out in advance, so snag your tickets ASAP.)
November 21 - January 3
Durango, Colorado
A historic Rocky Mountain train that first transported miners during the Gold Rush is now mining merry memories come Christmastime. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s interpretation of The Polar Express is next level, offering an immersive theatrical recreation of the classic tale. As the train chugs along from downtown Durango up into the snowy wilds of the forested mountains, chefs hand out hot chocolate and sweet treats as the book is read aloud. Upon arrival at the “North Pole,” guests are treated to a dazzling holiday lights show set to music, and Santa boards the train for the return leg — gifts in tow.
Cost: From $42.12 for adults, $31.32 for kids.
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 28 - December 28
Napa, California
Hop onto a century-old train car for a 1.5-hour ride from downtown Napa to Yountville and back, rife with stunning Napa Valley views. While the Wine Train’s usual route includes stops at vineyards and wineries, the line’s holiday excursions are all about the journey — and there are four options available. The Gourmet Holiday Express offers kid-friendly meals inside a dining car dating to the early 1900s, while passengers on the Very Merry Vista Dome eat their three-course dinner on the second story of a windowed car, an incredible vantage point from which to watch the surrounding countryside fly by. The Jingle on the Rails experience invites riders to hang with Santa in a decorated Pullman lounge car before digging into a holiday dinner complete with a cookie and hot cocoa. (The popular Santa’s Cookie Car experience is already sold out.) Another December option, a Peppermint Tea excursion, is intended for adults and children 10+, with seasonal teas, finger sandwiches, holiday treats, and — for the grown-ups — sparkling wine. No matter which ticket you book, you’ll have the option to take a photo with Santa and watch caroling performances at the train station.
Cost: Gourmet Holiday Express tickets run $195.72 per person ($122.19 for kids). Very Merry Vista Dome tickets run $244.30 per person ($134.44 for kids). Jingle on the Rails tickets run $195.72 per person ($122.19 for kids).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 26 - December 28
Hill City, South Dakota
Choose between standard, first class, or spiked rides on the Black Hills 1880 Train Holiday Express. The decked-out train with a vintage diesel engine runs from Hill City to the “North Pole,” where Santa boards the train for the return journey back to the station. The entire trip takes an hour, and every ride includes a sugar cookie, candy canes, and mug of hot chocolate, in addition to a visit with ol’ St. Nick. If you opt for a spiked journey, you’ll be seated in an adults-only car and your hot chocolate will arrive fortified with the hard stuff. First-class passengers can spread out thanks to more spacious seating, hang with Mrs. Claus and an elf in addition to the jolly man himself, and down unlimited cups of cocoa. Pajamas are encouraged, and if you can’t climb aboard before December 25, select post-Christmas runs continue until the end of the year. There’s also the Winter Express option, which is the same outing as the Holiday Express, minus Santa.
Cost: Holiday Express tickets start at $46 per person ($29 for kids). Holiday Express Spiked Tickets run $69 per person (21+ only), first class tickets are $79 per person ($56 for kids), and Winter Express tickets start at $46 per person ($23 for kids).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 16 - December 27
Portland, Maine
Follow the friendly bellow of “alllll aboard” to this fully immersive Polar Express experience that closely follows the book (the classic is even read aloud on the train’s journey to the makeshift North Pole). Departing from Portland’s Ocean Gateway Marine Terminal, the Polar Express™ Train Ride on the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad has all the traditional trappings of the classic holiday tale (think golden tickets, hot cocoa, cookies, and carolers), with costumed actors, chefs, and Santa, who doles out silver sleigh bells. First-class passengers sit in turn-of-the-century train cars and receive special-edition ceramic mugs, while presidential class passengers get copies of The Polar Express autographed by Santa.
Cost: From $37.75 for adults and kids in coach.
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 28 - December 24
Lamy, New Mexico
If you’re familiar with the Sky Railway, you’ll know that just about anything goes inside this psychedelic immersive experience on rails, from margarita-themed rides to burlesque — and this holiday-themed adventure is no exception. Climb aboard the trippy Dragon Train, say hello to Mrs. Claus, and sip some cocoa while you learn all about how Santa helped little Pablito the Dragon — from the Doug Preston book, Santa’s Dragon — save New Mexico’s Christmas. (And here you thought Santa’s menagerie stopped at reindeer.) The journey takes you toward a winter elf village stashed in the middle of the desert. Tickets include a hot cocoa, holiday sing-a-longs, and additional snacks and drinks for purchase on board. After the hour-long trek, Santa will be waiting back at the station for photo ops.
Cost: $64 for adults, $34 for kids.
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 15 - December 21
Trego, Wisconsin
Cookies and cocoa may be the typical seasonal combination, but is there ever really a wrong time for pizza? The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad’s beloved Santa Train won’t require you to play favorites, because you’ll find both on board. Each group rides in their own private dining compartment fitting up to six people, and tickets include a personal pizza, beverage, and holiday sweets. Watch the fields and forests of northern Wisconsin fly by through the window as you eat, then make the trip to Santa’s private car for some photos and good cheer, and sip hot chocolate on the return leg. For the 21+ set, the Holiday Wine Train is an adults-only lounge on the Santa Trains, featuring pours from Door Peninsula Winery, hors d’oeuvres, sultry holiday tunes, and the potential for a toast with Santa.
Cost: Santa Train tickets run $50 per person ($40 for kids). Holiday Wine Train tickets run $75 per person (booths sit two people).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 29 - December 20
Adams, Massachusetts
These train rides through the stunning Western Massachusetts hills come courtesy of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, which operates two holiday railway excursions throughout November and December. The Tinseliner Scenic Christmas trains are the standard, with carols, Santa visits, and small gifts for children. But it’s the Mrs. Claus Cookie Express train that really hits the sweet spot. Offered on December 20th only, with two trips, the trains feature cookies from the First Lady of the North Pole herself, and optional first-class tables that seat up to four.
Cost: Tinseliner tickets run $26.50 per person ($19.08 for kids). Mrs. Claus Cookie Express tickets run $26.50 per person ($19.08 for kids).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 21 - December 23
Lebanon, Ohio
For the singular experience of riding in a holiday-themed passenger car featured in the Cate Blanchett lesbian drama, Carol, you’ll have to snag a ticket on the North Pole Express. Operated by the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, out of Lebanon, Ohio, the holiday rides are a cinematic experience, not just thanks to the train’s maximal merry decor, but also because the quaint town of Lebanon itself has been a setting for Carol (which takes place during Christmastime 1952) and Hallmark’s The Christmas Spirit. Each 75-minute outing features Santa and elves handing out souvenir bells and cookies (hot chocolate is available for purchase).
Cost: From $40 for adults in coach.
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 29 - December 23
Chicago, Illinois
The first-ever CTA Holiday Train took to the elevated rails in 1992, delivering food to charities around Chicago. Today, the celebrated seasonal El train is a family-friendly way to elevate your daily commute, complete with Santa “driving” the train from his perch atop an open-air flatcar. The whole gang is there, including a sleigh and reindeer, and you can track the train’s progress via the CTA Train Tracker app. This year, Santa is once again opening up a coveted spot on his sleigh to photo-seeking kiddos. Costing just a single Ventra swipe, this is one of the most wallet-friendly holiday trains out there.
Cost: Admission to the Allstate CTA Holiday Train is included in the standard CTA fare.
How to book: Seats are first come, first served. View full route and schedule here.
November 22 - December 27
Ely, Nevada
Nothing says “ho ho ho” like a vintage train ride through the great basin of the Nevada high desert — a region so remote and frosty that it could easily double as the arctic tundra. For the holidays, the Nevada Northern Railway morphs into Santa’s Reindeer Flyer, featuring cozy 90-minute rides into the snowy, starlit desert. On board, Santa makes his way through the train cars, handing out hot cocoa and cookies, before arriving at the “North Pole,” aka the middle of the pitch-black desert, a sea of powdery snow in every direction.
Cost: $45 for adults, $20 for kids.
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 28 - December 30
Grapevine, Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including Christmas traditions. In Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas® — it earns that moniker with an advertised 1,400 Christmas events locally over 40 days — the town transforms into a veritable winter wonderland. On Santa’s North Pole Express, families are encouraged to come dressed in pajamas or Christmas sweaters and mingle with Mrs. Claus at the train depot’s Christmas Village before hopping aboard for a 45-minute journey. On the train, Santa and his elves orchestrate carols and hand out cookies from Mrs. Claus’s kitchen, as well as “We Believe” silver bells. For adults, there’s also a Christmas Wine Train serving Texas wine and Christmas cheer.
Cost: $45-50.
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 29 - December 21
Sebring and Clewiston, Florida
The Sugar Express holds the distinction of being the only operating steam locomotive in Florida, choo-chooing its way from the charming towns of Sebring and Clewiston through sugarcane fields, citrus groves, and rural towns of the Sunshine State’s agricultural center. For the holidays, the 1920s steam engine decks its halls and transforms into the Santa Express, a two-hour round trip filled with twinkling lights, festive decor, joyful carols, and Christmas cookies. Halfway through, Santa hops aboard to greet passengers and present commemorative gifts to children. Adults have exclusive access to first-class cars, which offer locally made desserts, hot chocolate, and boozy drinks.
Cost: $60 for adults, $50 for children, $95 for first class (adults only).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
December 4 - 21
Cass, West Virginia
Through the rolling hills and snow-draped forests of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, West Virginia’s Cass Scenic Railroad is a convincing stand-in for the North Pole. In December, the vintage steam-powered locomotive gets a merry glow-up, winding its way along the Greenbrier River as Santa mingles with children in the cozy, decorative coach cars. Each ride runs 60 to 75 minutes, and includes surprise gifts for kids. For pre-boarding and post-train activities, the town of Cass gets in the holiday spirit, glowing with thousands of lights and luminous homes.
Cost: From $53 for adults ($43 for kids).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
The first three Saturdays of December
Winnsboro, South Carolina
Home to forested counties like York, Lancaster, and Chester, the Olde English District feels more New England than South Carolina — and it’s an idyllic backdrop for a romp on Santa’s North Pole Express. Departing from the South Carolina Railroad Museum in the town of Winnsboro, the annual tradition is a 90-minute affair with visits from Santa, Christmas carols, chocolate chip cookies, and hot cocoa (pajama wearing is encouraged). Head to the train’s historic dining car — a 1924 Pullman Diner — for Christmas stories.
Cost: $22 for adults and kids in the dining car; $17 for all ages in coach.
How to book: Purchase tickets online.