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.
Thanks to Chris Van Allsburg’s iconic The Polar Express, a classic children’s story as inescapably omnipresent as Mariah Carey come November, vintage trains have become inextricably linked with the magic of Christmas. Or, in the case of the Tom Hanks movie version, the uncanny horrors of Christmas realism. Either way, there’s something truly transportive about chugging along a snow-swept train track, while sipping hot cocoa and dangling brass bells. Over the years, numerous historic steam engines have interpreted their own versions of the timeless tradition.
Unsurprisingly, many of these Christmas-themed rides are focused on kids and families, with a few bellwether through-lines, like requisite Santa appearances, story-telling, and sweets. Some rides, however, skew more adult-oriented, with multi-course meals and cocoa spiked with Schnapps—naughty list be damned.
Whether you’re looking for a festive family outing, with trinkets and treats, or an elaborate evening affair with boozy libations, holiday lights shows, and a post-ride feast, there’s guaranteed to be a makeshift Polar Express out there for you this holiday season. Don your coziest pair of pajamas, come hungry for cookies, and climb aboard one of these jolly trains that are sure to thaw even the Grinchiest of hearts.
November 22 - January 4
Durango, Colorado
A historic Rocky Mountain train that first transported miners during the Gold Rush is now mining merry memories come Christmastime. Rather than simply recite lines from the story, or dole out cocoa and cookies, the Durango & 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: Tickets start at $39 per person ($29 for kids).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 29 - December 23
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 views of Napa Valley. While the Wine Train’s usual longer route includes stops at a series of vineyards and wineries, the line’s holiday excursions are all about the journey. File into the Cookie Car for a sweet treat and warm beverage, or enjoy a three-course kid-friendly meal aboard the Gourmet Holiday Express. Those who choose the latter feast inside a dining car dating to the early 1900s, while Very Merry Vista Dome passengers will eat on the second story of a windowed car, an incredible vantage point from which to watch the surrounding countryside fly by. And 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. No matter which ticket you book, you’ll have the option to take a photo with Santa, watch caroling performances at the train station, and munch on cookies with hot cocoa.
Cost: Santa’s Cookie Car tickets run $100 per person ($80 for kids). Gourmet Holiday Express tickets run $160 per person ($100 for kids). Very Merry Vista Dome tickets run $200 per person ($100 for kids). Jingle on the Rails tickets run $160 per person ($100 for kids).
How to book:Purchase tickets online.
November 29 - December 29
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 (well, sort of), where Santa will board the train for the return journey back to the station. The entire trip takes an hour, and every ride includes a sugar cookie 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 as many cups of cocoa as they’d like. Pajamas are encouraged, and if you can’t climb aboard before December 25, select post-Christmas runs continue until the end of the year.
Cost: Holiday Express tickets start at $49 per person ($29 for kids). Holiday Express Spiked Tickets run $69 per person (21+ only), and first class tickets are $79 per person ($56 for kids).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 16 - December 24
Strasburg, Pennsylvania
More than 60 years of tradition bolsters Strasburg’s Christmas trains. The line’s original ride, the Santa’s Paradise Express, is a 45-minute weekend adventure with a Santa visit and carolers, plus cookies and cocoa for first class passengers, a meal for dining car passengers, small gifts for children 11 and younger, and a Christmas market for all. Newer additions include the weekday Santa Claus Limited with Santa on board, a Night Before Christmas ride that features a performance of the titular poem, Santa’s Paradise Express Brunch, and an in-station event where Mrs. Claus joins guests for a traditional Christmas dinner inside Lefever Hall, complete with meatloaf, baked ham, and bread pudding.
Cost: Santa’s Paradise Express tickets start at $39 per person ($29 for kids). Santa Claus Limited tickets start at $32 per person ($25 for kids). Night Before Christmas tickets start at $39 per person ($29 for kids). Santa’s Paradise Express Brunch is $60 per person ($45 for kids). Dinner with Mrs. Claus, which includes a pre-dinner train ride, starts at $79 per person ($59 for kids).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 29 - 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 save New Mexico’s Christmas while hurtling toward a winter elf village stashed in the middle of the desert. Yes, you read that correctly. 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. This year, they’re partnering with The Food Depot and UNM Children’s Hospital to host a food and toy drive, respectively.
Cost: Pablo’s Holiday Express tickets run $64 per person ($34 for kids).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 8 - December 21
Independence, Ohio
Five different seating options—including a scenic domed car—beckon riders aboard this 26-mile, 90-minute excursion from the Akron Northside Station to the North Pole, past a Christmas Tree Forest and Candy Cane Farm. The trains come chock full of elves, Santa visits, caroling, cookies, and cocoa, plus souvenir mugs and totes for those booking tables, seats in the lounge car, or a first class ride beneath the glass dome. Pajamas are encouraged, and kids will have the opportunity to write letters to Santa, and hand them directly to the North Pole Postmaster.
Cost: North Pole Adventure tickets start at $50 per person.
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
November 16 - December 22
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.
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 21
Adams, Massachusetts
These train rides through the stunning hills of Western Massachusetts come courtesy of the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, which operates two types of holiday railway excursions throughout November and December. The Tinseliner Santa trains are the standard, with carols, Santa visits, and small gifts for children. But it’s the Mrs. Claus Cookie Express trains that really hit that sweet spot. Offered on December 21st 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 $25 per person ($18 for kids). Mrs. Claus Cookie Express tickets run $25 per person ($18 for kids).
How to book: Purchase tickets online.
Late November - Late December
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, reindeer, and Christmas trees, and you can track the trains 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 24 - December 28
Thomaston, Connecticut
Ride the train affectionately known as “the Naugy” on one of its two Christmas-themed outings this season. The rides are similar, but the kid-centric Santa Express (now with an autism-friendly version) runs during the daytime, while the Northern Lights Limited is the one to catch if you want to see the train’s vibrant lights shine through the wilderness. Snuggle into the 1920s-era coach on either trip to enjoy elf-led caroling, a Santa visit, and small gifts for children, or snag a seat in a lounge car for longer Santa visits and some hot cocoa.
To really make the most out of the journey, reserve a spot on one of the Naugy’s two premium cars: The Naugatuck Lounge comes with better goodies (a.k.a. a gift bag, exclusive brass bell, and cookies), along with onboard bar service. The more intimate Santa’s Lounge offers all the above plus an observation area. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but note that the Santa’s Lounge car is the only one with in-car restrooms.
Cost: Santa Express tickets start at $25 per person. Northern Lights Limited tickets start at $35 per person.
How to book: Purchase tickets online.