Polar Express Train Ride 2026: Dates and Prices

The Polar Express train ride is a licensed holiday train show with 38 US hosts on the licensing list, each with its own 2026 dates, prices and refund rules. Chicago and Miami say they are not running in 2026. As of 5 November 2026, the railroads we read list seasons from 5 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with adult fares from $40 to $110. Pick the railroad first, then check its refund rule before you book flights or hotels.

As of 5 November 2026, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad shows many weekend and mid-December dates as sold out. Durango says it is on track to restart after October flooding on 20 November. Chicago Union Station says it will not run the ride in 2026.

Where can you ride the Polar Express in 2026?

Note: Rail Events Inc. licenses the ride. Its locations page lists 38 US hosts and 2 in Canada, and says to contact each railroad directly to buy tickets (read 5 Nov 2026)

The 38 US hosts on the Rail Events list, by state:

• California: California State Railroad Museum (Sacramento), Railtown 1897 (Jamestown), Southern California Railway Museum (Perris)

• Colorado: Colorado Railroad Museum (Golden), Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (Durango)

• Arizona: Grand Canyon Railway (Williams)

• Texas: Texas State Railroad (Palestine), Galveston Railroad Museum (Galveston)

• Oklahoma: Oklahoma Railway Museum (Oklahoma City)

• Louisiana: New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal

• Missouri: Branson Scenic Railway (Branson), St. Louis Union Station

• Illinois: Chicago Union Station (not running in 2026, see below), Monticello Railway Museum

• Indiana: French Lick Scenic Railway, Whitewater Valley Scenic Railroad (Connersville)

• Ohio: Dennison Railroad Depot Museum

• Wisconsin: National Railroad Museum (Green Bay)

• Kentucky: Big South Fork Scenic Railway (Stearns)

• North Carolina: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (Bryson City), North Carolina Transportation Museum (Spencer)

• Florida: Miami on Brightline (not running, see below)

• Maryland: B&O Railroad Museum (Baltimore), Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (Cumberland)

• New Jersey: Delaware River Railroad Excursions (Phillipsburg), Morristown and Erie Railway (Whippany)

• New York: Adirondack Scenic Railroad (Utica), Catskill Mountain Railroad (Kingston), Medina Railroad Museum, North Fork Trolley Company (Riverhead)

• Massachusetts: Cape Cod Central Railroad (Buzzards Bay)

• Rhode Island: Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (Woonsocket)

• Vermont: Vermont Children's Trust Foundation (Burlington), White River Rotary Club (White River Junction)

• Maine: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad (Portland)

• Oregon and Washington: Mt. Hood Railroad (Hood River), Chehalis-Centralia Railroad (Chehalis)

• Nevada: V&T Railway Commission (Carson City)

We read the 2026 pages of 21 of these hosts on 5 November 2026. The tables and sections below cover them. The other 17 are not checked.

So, there are 38 licensed hosts in the US, and you buy from the railroad, not from a central seller.

When are the 2026 Polar Express dates and prices?

Every field above is repeated in that railroad's section below, with the page we read.

So, seasons run from early November to early January, and adult fares we read range from $40 to $110.

What are the Polar Express dates in California?

Hours: California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento: 13 November to 21 December 2026, Wednesday to Monday, with select days in November. Departures at 3:30, 5:00, 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. On 21 December only the first three run. About one hour (California State Railroad Museum Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Price: Sacramento prices, fees included: Coach $80 to $85, First Class $100 to $110 per person. Sleigh Ride Car $320 to $340 and Audubon Dining Car $400 to $440, per table of four. Children under 2 ride free on a lap (same page)

Booking: Sacramento booking: public sales began 18 September 2026 at 9 a.m., online only. "There will be no refunds or exchanges." There is no waitlist, but cancelled tickets sometimes go back on sale on the website. Tickets are emailed one week before (same page)

Address: Sacramento boarding: Central Pacific Passenger Station, 930 Front Street, Old Sacramento (same page)

Hours: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Jamestown: 27 November to 20 December 2026, Friday to Sunday. Departures at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m., from Jamestown Station. About one hour (Railtown 1897 Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Price: Railtown price: coach seating only, $85 per person, all fees included. Children under 2 ride free on a lap. "All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges." Arrive at least 1 hour early for parking (same page)

So, Sacramento has four trains a night from $80, and Railtown runs weekends only at $85, and neither gives refunds.

What are the Polar Express dates in Arizona and Colorado?

Hours: Grand Canyon Railway, Williams, Arizona: select dates from early November through late December. Nightly at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Arizona time. About 90 minutes round trip. Exact dates and fares are in calendar images on the page (Grand Canyon Railway Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Booking: Grand Canyon refunds: bookings made on or after 10 August 2026 are fully refundable up to 14 days before departure and 50 percent refundable within 14 days. Train-only fares are per person, plus tax. Adults are 16 and over, children 2 to 15 (same page)

Address: Grand Canyon boarding: the station is directly behind the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, 233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams, AZ 86046. Parking is free. Arrive at least 1 hour 30 minutes before a train-only departure. Booking for the next season opens on 1 November each year (Grand Canyon Railway Polar Express FAQ, read 5 Nov 2026)

Hours: Durango and Silverton, Colorado: 20 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. About 65 minutes, and the railroad says to allow 2 hours in all. Classes are Standard, Deluxe and First Class. Times and fares are in an image. After October flooding, the railroad says it is "fully on track" to resume Polar Express trains on 20 November 2026 (Durango and Silverton Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Booking: Durango refunds: full payment when you book. Cancel up to 60 days before for a refund minus $14 per adult and $7 per child ticket. Inside 60 days, no refund. A date change costs $7 per ticket. Fares carry an 8 percent historic preservation fee. Depot: 479 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301. Reservations 888-872-4607 (same page)

Hours: Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden: opening night Friday 6 November 2026, final shows Wednesday 23 December. Shows at 5:00, 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. The page does not give a ride length (Colorado Railroad Museum Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Price: Golden prices: standard seating $100 for ages 16 and up and $80 for ages 2 to 15. First Class $475 per table of four, and First Class Preferred Viewing $505. Shows before Thanksgiving are 10 percent off. Under 2 rides free on a lap. The page says the event has sold out in advance every year since 2020. No refund rule on the page. 17155 W. 44th Avenue, Golden, CO 80403 (same page)

So, Durango refunds only up to 60 days out, Grand Canyon refunds up to 14 days out, and Golden is closest to Denver.

What are the Polar Express dates in the South?

Hours: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, North Carolina: listings run from Thursday 5 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Most trains leave at 5:00, 6:40 or 8:20 p.m. Each listing says steam or diesel. On 5 November 2026, many listings were marked sold out, including every train on 21 and 28 November and on 5, 12, 19, 20 and 21 December (GSMR 2026 Polar Express listing, read 5 Nov 2026)

Price: Smokies prices, fees included: Coach adult (13 and up) $50.85, child (2 to 12) $33.52, infant $0 with their own seat. Crown Class $57.50, Premium Crown $66.16 and First Class $71.94 per seat. Peak, steam and Christmas Eve trains may cost more. 1 h 15 m round trip (GSMR Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Booking: Smokies refunds: cancel up to 60 days before, minus $12 per seat (First, Premium Crown, Crown) or $7 (Coach). Inside 60 days, no refund. Rescheduling costs $7 per seat. Arrive 1 hour early. Parking is at 45 Mitchell Street, across from the depot, and is included (same page)

Address: Texas State Railroad, Palestine: 789 Park Road 70, Palestine, TX 75801. About 60 minutes round trip. The 2026 season runs with a diesel locomotive. Dates and times are in images (Texas State Railroad Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Price: Texas adult prices, plus a $3 fee: Coach $40 value, $50 standard, $60 premium. First Class $70 or $80. Deluxe First Class $80 or $90. Presidential cars $90 to $105. Children 2 to 12 pay $20 to $85 by class (same page)

Booking: Texas refunds: cancel 30 days or more before, minus $20 per ticket. Inside 30 days, no refund. Rescheduling costs $20 per ticket and is not done within 14 days. The same page also says "tickets are non-refundable," so call 1-855-632-7729 before you buy (same page)

Hours: Galveston Railroad Museum, Texas: 13 November to 23 December 2026. A 60-minute round trip, and plan about 2 hours in all. A sensory-friendly car runs on Tuesday 15 December 2026 at 5:30 and 7:15 p.m. Prices are on the ticket link, not the page (Galveston Railroad Museum Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Booking: Galveston rules: "Special event ticket sales are final." Changes cost $5 per ticket. All children need a ticket. Rides run in any weather. 2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston, TX 77550 (same page)

So, the Smokies has the longest season and the most sold-out dates, Texas has the lowest fare we read, and Galveston gives no refunds.

What are the Polar Express dates in Missouri and Illinois?

Hours: Branson Scenic Railway, Missouri: select dates from 12 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. The train ride is 1 h 15 m, and the visit about 2 hours. Arrive about 40 minutes early. The platform closes 10 minutes after showtime. 206 E Main St, Branson, MO 65616 (Branson Scenic Railway Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Price: Branson adult prices, plus tax: Deluxe Coach $51, $61 or $71 by date. First Class and Coach Class Dome $61, $71 or $84. First Class Dome $71, $81 or $94. Children 2 to 11 pay $39 to $84. Lap infants under 2 are $8 (same page)

Booking: Branson refunds: cancel by phone (1-800-287-2462) up to 60 days before, minus $14 per adult and $7 per child. Inside 60 days, no refund. Rescheduling costs $6 per ticket. Full refunds if the railroad cancels (same page)

Hours: St. Louis Union Station, Missouri: 13 November to 30 December 2026. Departures at 4:30, 6:00, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m., each returning 45 minutes later. Doors close 10 minutes before departure. Prices are on the ticket site, not the page. No refund rule on the page (St. Louis Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Address: St. Louis boarding: 201 S. 18th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Parking is $5 per car, card only. Children 2 and under ride free on a lap (same page)

Note: Chicago Union Station, Illinois: "THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride will not operate in Chicago at Union Station in 2026" (Chicago Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026). The Rail Events list still shows Chicago. In Illinois, Rail Events also lists the Monticello Railway Museum, which we did not read

So, St. Louis is the one city-center ride we read in the Midwest, and Chicago has no ride in 2026.

What about Los Angeles, San Diego and the other hosts?

There is no licensed Polar Express train ride in Los Angeles or San Diego. The Rail Events list has three California hosts: Sacramento, Jamestown and Perris (read 5 Nov 2026). Perris, in Riverside County, is the one in Southern California.

Note: Southern California Railway Museum, Perris: the ride site shows the "Official Event Schedule" as an image and sells tickets through Etix. Its ticket links name the 2026 season. We have no dates, times, ride length or prices in text (read 5 Nov 2026)

Hours: North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer: "November 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 & 27-29 and December 4-6 & 10-23, 2026." Prices include handling fees, and NC tax is added. Everyone 2 and up needs a ticket and a seat. 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC (museum's Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026). The page text gives no ride length, prices or refund rule

Price: B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore (now the National Museum of Railroad History and Innovation): 28 and 29 November, and 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 to 22 December 2026, described as a two-hour experience. Bronze adult $60 to $70, Silver $80 to $95, Gold adult $115 to $120 and Gold booth $120 to $125 per ticket, by date. "Tickets are non-refundable," with optional ticket protection, and exchanges only up to 48 hours ahead. 901 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21223 (museum's Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Note: National Railroad Museum, Green Bay: 20 November to 13 December 2026. The page says "2026 Shows Sold Out" (museum's home page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Price: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, Portland: Friday 20 November to Monday 28 December 2026, with shows from 1:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. by date. Tickets $37 to $111, with standard and peak pricing. Some trains were sold out on 5 November 2026, including 28 November at 2:45 p.m. No refund rule on the page (Maine Narrow Gauge, read 5 Nov 2026)

Price: Mt. Hood Railroad, Hood River: select days from 20 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, about 90 minutes round trip. Adult (13 and up) Standard $59 to $79, Parlor $69 to $89, Premium $79 to $99, VIP $89 to $109 by day. Child (2 to 12) $49 to $99. Lap infants $10. "There are no refunds or cancellations," unless you buy the optional Cancellation+ cover. Park at the overflow lot, 113 Portway Avenue, for the shuttle (Mt. Hood Railroad Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Price: Cape Cod Central Railroad, Buzzards Bay: "From 54/pp - 122.50/pp," about 1.5 hours round trip, departing 70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay. "Tickets for The Polar Express Train Ride are nonrefundable." Dates are in the booking calendar (Cape Cod Central Polar Express page, read 5 Nov 2026)

Note: Miami on Brightline: the Miami ride page says the ride "will not be operating in 2025, and for the foreseeable future," and points to other licensed locations (read 5 Nov 2026). Rail Events still lists Miami

We also opened the New Orleans and Oklahoma City ride sites. Both sell 2026 tickets, but neither gives dates or prices in text, so they are not in the table.

So, from Los Angeles or San Diego the nearest licensed ride is in Perris, and in Florida there is no licensed ride this year.

Which Christmas trains are not the Polar Express?

Note: The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs the North Pole Adventure from Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence, OH 44131, from 13 November to 22 December 2026. It leaves at 5:00 or 7:55 p.m., lasts 90 minutes and costs $60 to $110 per person. The railroad's page says it stopped licensing the Polar Express name in 2021 (Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad North Pole Adventure page, read 5 Nov 2026)

If you want the licensed Polar Express, check that the railroad is on the Rail Events list. If you only want a Christmas train, the North Pole Adventure may suit you.

So, a holiday train with a different name is not a licensed Polar Express ride.

What we checked and what can change

Read on 5 November 2026:

• Rail Events locations page: the 38 US hosts, and that tickets are sold by each railroad.

• California State Railroad Museum: Sacramento dates, times, prices, no refunds.

• Railtown 1897: Jamestown dates, times, $85 price, no refunds.

• Grand Canyon Railway event page and FAQ: times, length, refund rule, arrival time, parking.

• Durango and Silverton: dates, length, refund and change fees, the flood notice.

• Colorado Railroad Museum: Golden dates, show times, prices.

• Great Smoky Mountains Railroad page and 2026 listing: prices, refund rule, dates, sold-out trains.

• Texas State Railroad: price table, fee, refund rules.

• Galveston Railroad Museum: dates, length, sales final.

• Branson Scenic Railway: dates, price table, refund rule.

• St. Louis Union Station ride page: dates, times, parking.

• Chicago Union Station ride page: no ride in 2026.

• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: North Pole Adventure details.

Also read on 5 November 2026: the Southern California Railway Museum ride site, the North Carolina Transportation Museum, the B&O Railroad Museum, the National Railroad Museum, Maine Narrow Gauge, the Mt. Hood Railroad, Cape Cod Central, the Miami ride page, and the New Orleans and Oklahoma City ride sites.

Not confirmed: Grand Canyon, Durango, Texas and Perris dates and fares (shown only in images), Galveston, St. Louis, Spencer and Green Bay prices, refund rules where a page gives none, which dates are sold out outside the Smokies, Portland and Green Bay, and whether Durango restarts on 20 November as planned. We did not read the other 17 hosts' pages or check how to reach any station by bus or train. We have not ridden these trains.