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Santa greets train riders aboard the Northwest Railway Museum’s Santa Limited. Photo: courtesy Northwest Railway Museum
Picture this: Several months from now, when the dark winter has set in, you and your sweet family are enjoying a holiday train excursion on The Polar Express, perhaps with the grandparents or a group of friends. Your kids are over the moon at the prospect of meeting Santa, and there might even be hot cocoa to keep things cozy. The historic train car trundling through the countryside makes for a special afternoon of holiday cheer.
But wait! If you don’t take a moment to book your tickets now, you might miss out on this holiday tradition. Holiday excursions like The Polar Express and Santa train rides tend to sell out.
So, while we apologize for bringing up anything related to the winter holidays before we’ve even picked out our pumpkins or spent the day at a fall festival, now is the time to book your tickets for these Santa train rides.
The Polar Express Train Ride, Chehalis
Dates: Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 9–Dec. 22 (Friday dates available starting Nov. 29)
Location: Excursions depart from the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum, 1101 S.W. Sylvenus St., Chehalis.
Tickets: $60 (everyone ages 3 and older needs a ticket; tots age 2 and younger ride free on a lap). Tickets go on sale Sept. 1 and can be booked online.
The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum’s popular holiday train excursion, The Polar Express, is not to be missed. On this 45-minute train ride, families listen to the classic story book “The Polar Express,” by Chris Van Allsburg, while sipping hot cocoa and snacking on treats. At the North Pole, train passengers encounter Santa and his elves. On the trip back to the depot, Santa presents each child with a gift.
The Polar Express Train Ride, Elbe
Dates: Friday–Sunday, Nov. 22–Dec. 8; Thursday–Sunday, Dec. 12–22; Monday, Dec. 23
Location: Trains depart from the Elbe Depot, located at 54124 Mountain Highway E., Elbe. Elbe is about a two-hour drive from Seattle or Bellevue, and a one-hour drive from Tacoma.
Tickets: Adults $48; youth ages 2–17 $38; tots ages 2 and younger ride free. Tickets go on sale Sept. 1 and can be booked online.
This year, you can also take The Polar Express on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad in Elbe. This 90-minute immersive experience includes entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies, along with a reading of the classic book. Once you arrive at the North Pole, Santa will board the train with a gift for each kid. Wear your pajamas and enjoy the magic of the holiday season.
Yuletide Express Train Ride
Dates: Saturdays, Nov. 30–Dec. 21
Location: Board this train at the Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie.
Tickets: $28 (everyone age 2 and older needs a ticket; tots age 1 and younger ride free on a lap). Book online.
This 25-minute holiday train excursion is offered by the Northwest Railway Museum. It begins at the historic Snoqualmie Depot where passengers board antique train cars that are all dressed up for the season. While your train chugs along toward a view of majestic Snoqualmie Falls, Santa turns up to give each child on board a small gift.
Santa Limited Train Ride
Dates: Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 30–Dec.1; Friday–Sunday, Dec. 6–22
Location: Board the train at the North Bend Depot, 205 E. McClellan St., North Bend.
Tickets: $39 (everyone ages 2 and older needs a ticket; tots age 1 and younger ride free on a lap). Book online.
The Northwest Railway Museum’s Santa Limited is its longer holiday train excursion. This two-hour train outing has been running since 1969 and is the museum’s most popular seasonal event. Board the Santa Limited at the North Bend Depot and enjoy the ride in a festively decorated antique train car. Travel past the Snoqualmie River and through the woods to the Railway History Campus. There, Santa greets each family and presents each child with a small gift. A Santa Limited ticket includes access to exhibits and hands-on activities all located inside the Train Shed Exhibit Hall. All guests receive a holiday cookie on this train excursion.
North Pole Express
Dates: Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 23–Dec.15
Location: Railway Museum of British Columbia, 39645 Government Rd., Squamish, British Columbia. (Squamish is about an hour north of Vancouver, British Columbia, or a 3.5-hour drive from Seattle, across an international border.)
Tickets: Prices start at $82 CDN per pair of tickets (tickets sold in pairs only); tots age 1 and younger ride free on a lap. Book online.
This holiday train ride takes place in Canada and we’re including it in case your family makes a trek north. Catch the North Pole Express at the Railway Museum of British Columbia in Squamish. The festive one-hour ride delivers families to the North Pole activity area where they’ll meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and also Marshall P. Bear, the polar bear who’s in charge of Santa’s workshop.
More train-themed adventures near Seattle: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published many years ago and updated most recently in August 2024 by family fun editor Meredith Charaba. New Santa train adventures were added and all entries were fact-checked and updated with 2024 pricing and ticket information.
