12 Unforgettable Train Rides Operating this Holiday Season

Getting into the holiday spirit is as easy as hopping aboard a festive train, and we’ve rounded up a bunch of options to do just that. 

Some are full-fledged railway tours that could serve as an actual “12 Days of Christmas” trip if you book pre- and post-nights. Many are one-off attractions, perfect to add to a family’s winter weekend or daytripper itinerary. All offer magical experiences for all ages. 

Here are 12 holiday-themed train rides and railway tours that travelers won’t want to miss this season. 

North America

1. The Polar Express Train Rides, Across the U.S. 

Rail Events Incorporated has trademarked The Polar Express Train Ride and offers the experience at franchised locations. Last year, Brightline held the seasonal event on its Miami trains, but will not offer it this year. However, there are still dozens of railway museums and train stops across the country participating in about 24 different states. Some of them include Catskill Mountain Railroad, Colorado Railroad Museum, Grand Canyon Railway, and Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.  

A full list of locations can be found on the Polar Express Train Ride website. From there, navigate to the franchisees’ websites for information about the unique journeys offered at the different sites. Each trip lasts about one to two hours, depending on the route. Guests can expect a re-creation of the classic Polar Express story, a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, and Christmas carols.  

2. Napa Valley Wine Train’s Santa Train Jolly Journeys 

On select dates from Black Friday through Dec. 23, Napa Valley Wine Train offers an array of festive experiences aboard its rail cars. The tour operator brings guests to explore the region year-round, but this late afternoon/evening journey puts light-hearted, Christmassy fun for all ages at the top of its to-do list. 

All journeys begin at the rail station at around 4 p.m., where there will be photo opportunities with Santa and his elves, hot cocoa and cider, cookies, and postcard writing. Then, the train heads off for about a two-hour ride at 6 p.m. Different train cars will offer four different experiences, including a Napa Valley wine inspired three-course meal and kid-friendly dinners. 

3. Santa Trains at South Carolina Railroad Museum  

The South Carolina Railroad Museum operates train rides throughout the year and will host Santa Trains. This limited-time event lasts about an hour and 40 minutes in picturesque Winnsboro, S.C. The experience is ticketed, so it is an add-on to museum admission. Guests can choose from a coach seat or a dining car. 

Santa Trains are family-friendly – pajamas are welcome, and Santa will talk to every kid on the train and receive their Letters to Santa. The train runs during the day with rides scheduled each hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first three Saturdays of December. 

4. Santa Express at Railroad Museum of New England 

In Thomaston, Connecticut – less than an hour north of New Haven and west of Harford – Railroad Museum of New England will host its annual Santa Express and Northern Lights Limited train experiences. Santa Express is the afternoon attraction, leaving at noon and 2:15 p.m. on select dates, while Northern Lights Limited leaves at 5 and 7:15 p.m.  

Guests can choose from coach, premiere coach, Naugatuck Lounge, and Santa’s Lounge. Each offer a different level of service, amount of time spent with Santa Claus, and goodies for the kids. There will be decorations and Christmas carols, and all children will go home with a gift and bell from Santa. 

5. Holiday Express Aboard the 1880 Train in South Dakota 

From Nov. 29 through Dec. 29, the historic Black Hills Central Railroad will host roundtrip Holiday Express rides aboard its 1880 Train. The one-hour journey starts in Hill City, picks up Santa Claus at the “North Pole,” then heads on back. There will be storytelling, hot cocoa, cookies, and individual visits with Santa, with time slots from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. 

Aside from Holiday Express Classic, there are a few other experiences to choose from. Holiday Express First Class is hosted aboard elevated train cars. Holiday Spiked is an adult-only (21+) experience, starting at 4:15 p.m., serving hot cocoa with Schnapps in a commemorative 1880 Train tumbler. The Winter Express After Christmas rides have regular and spiked options and will follow more of a New Years’ theme. 

6. Mr. Skunk & the Giant Christmas Tree in California 

Families can visit the World’s Largest Christmas Tree when they ride the historic Skunk Train in Fort Bragg and Willits, California this holiday season. The decorated train will offer complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, games, music, and a visit from Mr. Skunk. 

There are several opportunities to hop on this experience throughout November and December, with trains leaving at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on most weekends and some weekdays. 

7. Canadian Rockies Winter Train Vacation 

For travelers wanting to take a full trip over Christmas break, VIA Rail in Canada has them covered. This seven-day journey kicks off on Dec. 20 and is one-way either from Vancouver to Calgary or Calgary to Vancouver. The packaged tour is complete with Fairmont hotel stays, excursions, and upscale meals. 

Some highlights of the trip include an evening sleigh ride followed by Christmas Dinner at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, ice walks, snowshoeing, and a wildlife tour. The train stops in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff along the way. 

Europe

8. England’s Santa Steam Express 

In London and across the U.K., Steam Dreams Rail Co. has several festive itineraries to Christmas markets, as well as express train rides as an add-on attraction for children. The market tours visit London, Bath, the South End, East Angelia, Chester, and many other towns in between. 

The Santa Steam Express train rides last an hour and 30 minutes. There are morning, late morning, afternoon, and early evening departures from the London Victoria station during the weekend before Christmas. The journey includes sweet treats, beverages, and meet-and-greets with Santa Claus. 

9. Central Europe’s Christmas Markets 

The Luxury Train Travel Company offers seven-night journeys to Central Europe’s Christmas markets aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express. The festive tours can either be experienced westbound – from Budapest to Munich – or eastbound – from Munich Budapest, both via Saltzburg and Vienna. 

This trip includes extended time to spend shopping at the famous Christmas markets, meals, stays at luxury hotels, and a range of amenities while riding on the railway. Full information about inclusions, exclusions, and itineraries can be found on the Luxury Train Travel Company website. 

10. Swiss Alps: Christmas Edition 

While this Swiss Alps vacation typically has a wintery vibe, the Christmas edition has a lot more in store to celebrate the season. Travelers will experience Swiss holiday traditions while traveling aboard the Glacier Express.  

The eight-night journey by AlpenWild visits Switzerland’s quaint alpine villages, such as Zermatt and St Moritz, and stops at Christmas markets in Switzerland, with departure dates on Dec. 11, 13, and 14.  

11. Ireland’s Santa Express 

Oakfield Park, located in Donegal, Ireland, each year holds a festival-like Christmas event for families to enjoy. The entire experience can last from two to three hours, including the 45-minute train ride that passes through a tunnel of Christmas lights. 

Interactive activities abound for children, even outside of the exciting train ride, including a real snow machine, themed mini golf, crafting, games, and more. There will also be photo opportunities with Santa, food and beverage, and a sensory tent for kids with special needs. Plus, each guest gets a Christmas token to exchange for a gift, and guests can also get their North Pole Passport stamped throughout the journey. 

12. Italy and Austria Holidays  

For those wanting to escape across the pond for Christmas and New Years Day, Great Rail Journeys has an enchanting trip to Italy and Austria planned for the holidays. All transportation is via picturesque train rides, and the trip includes most meals and 12 nights of 4-star hotel accommodations. 

Guests will celebrate Christmas Day at Italy’s Lake Garda and New Years’ Eve in Innsbruck, Austria. Wine tastings, shopping, and village tours are just some of what’s on the agenda. The itinerary begins in London, features stops Verona, Venice, and Munich, and ends in Brussels.