The award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg and adapted to the big screen in 2003, the story of a child’s Christmas Eve journey comes alive onboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride! The Polar Express themed train ride is a popular family-friendly holiday activity that treats passengers to a retelling of the classic story while onboard a magical train voyage. About 40 cities around the country, as well as a few outside of the U.S., offer their own Polar Express train ride. The officially licensed Polar Express train rides are operated by Rail Events Inc. in partnership with Warner Brothers studios.
Each official Polar Express train ride lasts about an hour round-trip. Just like in the story, passengers board the train and then are taken to the “North Pole” to see Santa Claus, all while sounds from the Polar Express movie plays in the background. Guests are served hot chocolate and a cookie and also receive a keepsake sleigh bell and souvenir golden ticket. Many locations also add their own spin on their Polar Express train rides, such as singing Christmas carols or a read-along of the Polar Express book.
The Polar Express train rides are a hugely popular holiday event and tickets tend to sell out months in advance at some venues, so get your tickets as early as possible! Ticket prices vary by location and type, starting around $30 for children. Polar Express train rides take place on select days through November and December.
Here is where to ride some of the most popular Polar Express Trains around the country:
National Railroad Museum – Wisconsin
One of the most popular Polar Express train rides is at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This event features an immersive experience with a Northern Lights display as well as a live rendition of the Hot Chocolate Dance from the story as you ride around the museum grounds. The Polar Express begins on November 22 through December 8th, 2019.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – Colorado
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado hosts the official Polar Express train ride on their historic steam-powered locomotives. This is one of the most popular Polar Express voyages in the country and sells out quickly. The train runs on select dates November 15th through December 28th. Prices range from $32 to $55 per adult and $22 to $45 per child for coach class where seats face forward. They also have deluxe and first class seating available so that you can face one another. First class offers a take home ceramic mug and theme decor on the train.
Fort Lauderdale on Brightline – Florida
One of the newest Polar Express train rides is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida aboard the Brightline/Virgin Trains railway. Passengers are encouraged to wear their best holiday pajamas for the ride and there will be a read-along of the book as well as treats served by dancing chefs. Brightline is also offering Polar Express train rides in Miami. The price for the ticket is $55 to $70 for adults & $50 to $65 for children ages 2 to 11 (plus taxes & ticketing fees.) The trains depart the Fort Lauderdale Brightline Station select dates November 16 – December 29.
Adirondack Scenic Railroad – New York
The Adirondack Scenic Railroad hosts its official The Polar Express train rides departing from Utica Union Station through the picturesque mountains. It is the most popular Polar Express train ride in New York state. When you arrive at the North Pole, Santa will board the train visiting with each family, and giving each child their first gift of Christmas in the form of a Silver Bell, just like in the book or movie! The train runs select dates from November 15th through December 23rd.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad – Colorado
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad’s Polar Express train ride takes nearly 100,000 passengers on the magical voyage from the Bryson City depot to the North Pole each year. The event features Christmas carols on the return voyage.
More Places to Ride the Polar Express Train:
Alberta Prairie Railway, Canada
Aspen Crossing, Canada
B&O Railroad Museum, Maryland
Big South Fork Scenic Railway, Kentucky
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Rhode Island
Branson Scenic Railway, Missouri
California State Railroad Museum, California
Catskill Mountain Railroad, New York
Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Association, Washington
Chicago Union Station, Illinois
Colorado Railroad Museum, Colorado
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Ohio
Delaware River Railroad Excursions, New Jersey
Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, Ohio
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, West Virginia
Fillmore, CA (Ventura Co.), California
Fox River Trolley Museum, Illinois
French Lick Scenic Railway, Indiana
Galveston Railroad Museum, Texas
Grand Canyon Railway, Arizona
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Maine
Medina Railroad Museum, New York
Mid-Norfolk Railway, United Kingdom
Midland Railway, Kansas
Monticello Railway Museum, Illinois
Morristown & Erie Railway, New Jersey
Mt. Rainier Railroad & Logging Museum, Washington
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, Louisiana
North Carolina Transportation Museum, North Carolina
North Fork Trolley Company, New York
Oklahoma Railway Museum, Oklahoma
Orlando & Northwestern Railway, Florida
Perris, CA (Inland Empire), California
RAILTOWN 1897 State Historic Park, California
Seaton Tramway, United Kingdom
St. Louis Union Station, Missouri
Telford Steam Railway, United Kingdom
Texas State Railroad, Texas
Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation, Vermont
Vintage Trains, United Kingdom
Virginia & Truckee Railroad, Nevada
Waterloo Central Railway, Canada
Wensleydale Railway, United Kingdom
West Coast Railway Heritage Park, Canada
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Maryland
White River Rotary Club, Vermont
Whitewater Valley Scenic Railroad, Indiana
York-Durham Heritage Railway, Canada
