The Best Festive Santa Train Rides Around The UK 2024
If you’re looking for Christmas days out for kids that are a little different to the usual Santa’s Grotto, why not try one of these Santa Train Rides?!
These Christmas train services offer a unique experience to meet Santa on a train and are a must if you have a railway enthusiast in the family.
These Christmas steam train journeys are located all over the UK so there’s bound to be something near you.
The post starts with Polar Express train rides and then goes on to list Santa Train rides.
**We endeavour to keep the Santa Train ride 2024 dates as up to date as possible. There may be cancellations of some of these events so please check on their websites for the most current information. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something from them, we may earn a small commission but at no extra cost to you. Thank You**
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Polar Express Train Rides
Perhaps the most well known of the Christmas steam train experiences is the Polar Express Christmas train ride.
Based on the book (and the popular kids’ Christmas movie) – The Polar Express – these Santa steam train journeys offer magical Christmas family days out. There are a number of Polar Express train ride UK locations.
Note: New Polar Express Train rides are being added each year. Full details can be found in our UK Polar Express trains post.
There are also 34 Polar Express train rides in the US in case you happen to be visiting the US over Christmas.
If you haven’t seen the movie or read the book of the Polar Express, you might want to watch it or read it with the kids before your journey.
Some of the train rides have a story reading during the journey and it can be nice to bring your own copy to read along with them.
To make the experience extra special, how about getting some Polar Express PJs for the occasion? Here are some cute options on Etsy:
Polar Express PJs with long sleeves
Polar Express PJs with short sleeves
Personalised Polar Express Pyjamas
This Polar Express onesie is also really cute or you may prefer this raglan Polar Express set.
Looking for the ultimate Polar experience but can’t justify the price of a Lapland package holiday? Here’s how to organise and book a DIY Lapland trip that is cheaper than a package holiday.
Churnet Valley Railway (NEW)
A journey on the Polar Express Train Ride at Churnet Valley Railway starts with hot chocolate and a cookie being served by the singing chefs after you board.
The Hobo will be on board to show you the true meaning of Christmas during your journey to the North Pole. At the North Pole, Santa will be waiting to greet believers and hand out a silver bell from his sleigh.
The journey on the Polar Express lasts around 1 hour but allowed around 1.5 hours for the whole experience.
Dates: TBC for 2024 (although not every day so check the website for dates).
Ticket Price: Tickets start from £22.95 for standard and £49.95 for premium. You can book here.
Location: Churnet Valley Railway, Kingsley and Froghall Station, Froghall, Staffordshire, ST10 2HA.
Wensleydale Railway
The Polar Express train picks you up at Leeming Bar station and transports you to the ‘North Pole’. During the journey you meet characters from the Polar Express movie.
When you arrive in the ‘North Pole’, you meet Santa who gifts a silver sleigh bell (just like the Polar Express bell in the movie) to all kids on the nice list!
Dates: 9th November to 23rd December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £36.95 to £51.95 per person. You can sign up to the newsletter to be notified of 2024 tickets here.
Location: Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar Station, Leases Road, Leeming Bar, Northallerton, DL7 9AR.
South Devon Railway
The South Devon Polar Express is a large, black steam train that puffs out clouds of steam as it pulls into the station, much to the excitement of children waiting on the platform.
During the one hour journey, you’ll meet the conductor (who will clip your ticket) and his crew. Remember to be on best behaviour as the elves will be scanning little ones to see if they’re on the nice list this year.
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: From £33.95 for standard tickets and from £46.95 for premium tickets. You can sign up to the newsletter to be notified of 2023 South Devon Railway Polar Express tickets here.
Location: South Devon Railway, The Station, Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0DZ.
Seaton Tramway
OK, this is not Christmas Santa train as it is a tram but the experience is similar so we thought we would include it anyway in case you can’t get a ticket for the South Devon Railway Santa train.
The journey lasts around 2 – 2 1/2 hours during which there will be hot chocolate, Christmas carols and a light show once you reach the ‘North Pole’. Each passenger will receive a silver sleigh bell as a gift from Father Christmas.
Dates: 23rd November – 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £27.00 – £40.00 per person (under 2 free). You can book tickets here.
Location: Seaton Tramway, Harbour Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2NQ.
Santa on the South Devon Railway Polar Express | Photo Credit: South Devon Railway
Telford Steam Railway
Dates: 22nd November to 22nd December 2024.
Ticket Price: Standard Class for 2 passengers – from £63.99 and Premium Class for 2 passengers from £87.99.
Location: The Old Loco Shed, Bridge Road, Horsehay, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 3UH.
Mid Norfolk Railway
Polar Express
Dates: 9th November to 23rd December 2024.
Ticket Price: Standard tickets from £33.95 to £41.95.
Location: The Railway Station, Station Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DF.
Spa Valley Railway (NEW)
Spa Valley Railway Polar Express
Dates: 9th November to 23rd December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £38.95 (standard) to £53.95 (premium) per person.
Location: Wealden Railway Co. Ltd, West Station, Nevill Terrace, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY.
See our post on Christmas events in Kent for more festive inspiration!
Cholsey and Wallingford Railway (NEW)
Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Polar Express
Dates: Will not run in 2024
Ticket Price: From £24.95 (standard) to £36.95 (premium) per person.
Location: Cholsey & Wallingford Railway, Wallingford Station, 5 Hithercroft Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 9GQ.
Photo Credit: Rail Events Inc
Other Santa Train Rides in the UK
These are the more traditional Christmas train rides for 2023.
Bure Valley Railway
The 1 hour experience includes a steam train ride which departs from Aylsham station and a visit to see Santa in his grotto.
Each child will receive a gift from Santa.
Dates: Select dates from 2nd December to 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: £22.00 per person.
Location: Bure Valley Railway, Aylsham Station, Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6BW.
See also this list of Christmas events in Norfolk for more festive days out.
North Norfolk Railway
Address: North Norfolk Railway, Sheringham Station, Station Approach, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8RA.
Dates: Weekends from 23rd November to 22nd December.
Tickets: From £22.00 per person. Under 1 – £10.00.
They also have an illuminated train experience. See our guide to the best Christmas lights in Norfolk for more winter light displays.
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
Enjoy a visit from Father Christmas in your compartment on board The Panto Express steam train at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre.
You will be shown to your compartment on the steam train, and you will be taken up and down our 1/3 mile length of track whilst you wait for Father Christmas, who makes his way along the train visiting all the children.
When he comes to you, one of his elves will pull gifts for the children from his huge toy sack.
Afterwards, enjoy a mini family pantomime of Beauty and the Beast, brought to you by a professional touring theatre company!
Dates: Weekends from 25th November to 17th December 2023.
Ticket Price: Choice of Bronze, Silver and Gold tickets. Prices start from £17.50 per person for Bronza class. Babies under 12 months – £6.00.
Location: Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4BY.
The Brecon Mountain Railway
The Brecon Santa Train
Dates: 25th November to 21st December 2023.
Ticket Price: Adult – £20.75 and child – £17.75.
Location: The Brecon Mountain Railway, Pant Station, Merthry Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan, CF48 2DD.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Enjoy a 10 mile steam train ride through a wintery woodland before heading back to the station to meet Santa.
Each child will receive a gift.
Dates: Weekends in December and 23rd to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £16.75 for adults, £13.75 for children 5+ and £10.75 for children under 5.
Location: The Railway Station, Main Road, Havenstreet, Ryde, PO33 4DS.
They also run Halloween trains in case you’re interested.
Isle of Wight Santa Specials
Great Central Railway
Santa Train Loughborough
Dates: 26th November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £22.00 per person.
Location: Quorn and Woodhouse Station, Woodhouse Road, Quorn, LE12 8AG.
Midland Railway Butterley
Midland Railway Santa Specials
Dates: 2024 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Midland Railway butterley, Butterley Station, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3QZ.
Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway
Boness Santa Train
Dates: Weekends in December 2023.
Ticket Price: £20.00 per person or £126.00 for a standard private compartment for 6 or £135.00 for a first class private compartment for 6.
Location: Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, Bo’Ness Station, Union Street, Bo’ness, EH51 9AQ.
Churnet Valley Railway
Santa Steam Trains becomes the Polar Express Ride in 2024
Dates: See details above under the Polar Express section.
Ticket Price: Tickets will go on sale on 1st June 2024 and will start from £24.95.
Location: Churnet Valley Railway, Kingsley & Froghall Station, Froghall, Staffordshire, ST10 2HA.
North York Moors Railway
Santa Reimagined
Dates: Weekends from 30th November to 15th December and then 21st to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: £30.00 per person (adult and child).
Location: Pickering and Grosmont Stations, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AJ.
Dean Forest Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: Weekends from 26th November to 18th December and then 21st, 21st to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: £17.00 per adult and child. Under 2 are free.
Location: Dean Forest Railway, Norchard Station, Forest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire. GL15 4ET.
Longleat Santa Train
You board the train at Longleat Central Station and are whisked to the ‘North Pole’ where you will meet Santa and receive a gift. This is a quick, 15-minute ride.
Dates: 9th November to 5th January 2025.
Ticket Price: Adult from £6.95, Children from £19.95.
Location: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7JS.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway Santa Train
Kent & East Sussex Railway
Santa Specials – one of the best things to do in Kent
Dates: Select dates from 30th November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £100 for a table of 4.
Location: Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE.
See also things to do at Christmas in Kent.
Peak Rail
Santa and Steam Specials – tickets on sale in August 2024.
Dates: Select dates from 30th November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £65.00 for a table of 4 and £95.00 for a compartment of 6
Location: Matlock Station, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NA
Didcot Railway Centre
Steam into Christmas
Dates: Weekends from 30th November and 21st to 23rd December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £20.00 per adult and £35.00 per child.
Location: Didcot Railway Centre, DIDCOT, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ.
Bluebell Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: Select dates from end of November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: Third class compartments – £160.00 & First Class compartments – £200.00.
Location: Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex, TN22 3QL.
See also Christmas events in Sussex.
Audley End Miniature Railway
Dates: Select dates from 21st November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £19.00 over 92cm and £11.00 under 92cm. Under 1 – FREE.
Location: Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Waldon, Essex CB11 4JB.
See also this guide about things to do in Essex at Christmas.
Audley End Christmas Special
Steam Trains Ireland
Dates: 2024 TBC.
Ticket Price: £25.00 per person.
Location: Whitehead Excursion Station, Castleview Road, Whitehead, Carrickfergus, BT38 9NA
Leighton Buzzard Railway
Dates: Select dates through December 2024.
Ticket Price: Adults (13+) – £10.50, Child (2-12) – £11.50. Child under 2 – £6.50.
Location: Page’s Park Station, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 4TG.
Alderney Railway
Alderney Railway Santa Special
Dates: TBC for 2024.
Ticket Price: Adults – £6.00, Children – £4.00. Under 2 – FREE.
Location: Alderney Railway, 7 Rue de Beaumont, St. Anne, Guernsey.
Bodmin and Wenford Railway
Dates: Weekends in December and then 21st to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: Adult – from £16.00. Child – from £19.95. Under 2 – from £9.95.
Location: General Station, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 1AQ.
Leek and Rudyard Railway
Dates: 2024 TBC.
Ticket Price: £16.00 per person. Under 1 – free. Tickets go on sale in October.
Location: Rudyard Station, Rudyard Road, Rudyard, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8PF.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
Santa Experiences (Ride with Santa or the Santa Express)
Dates: Select dates from 23rd Novemer to 23rd December 2024.
Ticket Price: £25.00 per person. Under 1 require a ticket but are free.
Location: The Railway Station, New Town, Toddington, GL54 5DT.
Bodmin and Wenford Railway Santa by Steam
Severn Valley Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: 2024 TBC.
Ticket Price: Reserved table for 4 – from £180.00. Private compartment for 4 from £180.00. Private compartment for 6 from £229.00.
Location: Severn Valley Railway, Station Drive, Kidderminster, DY10 1QX.
Nene Valley Railway
Santa Steam Express
Dates: Select dates from end of November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £32.00 per person. Children under 1 – FREE.
Location: Nene Valley Railway Ltd, Wansford Station, Stibbington, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6LR.
See our post on Christmas events in Cambridgeshire for more festive days out inspiration.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: Select dates from end of November to 23rd December 2024.
Ticket Price: £22.50 per person. Child under 1 on parent’s knee – £13.95 with present / free without present).
Location: Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1SW.
Epping Ongar Railway
Santa’s Special Trains
Dates: Weekends in December and then 21st to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £110.00 for up to 4 people.
Location: North Weald Station, Station Road, North Weald Bassett, Epping, Essex, CM16 6BW.
See also our post on the best Christmas markets in Essex.
Avon Valley Railway
Santa Special
Dates: Select dates from end of November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £13.00.
Location: Avon Valley Railway, Britton Station, 3 Bath Road, Bristol, BS30 6HD.
See also Christmas events in Bath and surrounding area.
Ribble Steam Railway
Santa Special
Dates: 2024 TBC.
Ticket Price: £15.00 per person (age 3+).
Location: Ribble Steam Railway, Chain Caul Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 2PD.
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Elf Express
Caledonian Railway
Polar Express
Dates: 2024 TBC.
Ticket Price: From £24.95 per person. Under 2 – free.
Location: Caledonian Railway, The Station, Park Road, Brechin, DD9 7AF.
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
Santa Specials – this has become a Polar Express experience.
Dates: Select dates from 15th November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £14.00 per person.
Location: Bolton Abbey Station, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6AF.
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
The Elf Explorer
Dates: Select dates from 23rd November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £20.00 per person.
Location: Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, The Railway Station, Haworth, West Yorkshire, BD22 8NJ.
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Middleton Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: Select dates from 1st to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: £12.75 per person (12+), £15.75 per child (3-12 yrs), Under 3 – £11.00 (with present) and FREE with no present.
Location: Middleton Railway, Moor Road, Leeds, LS10 2JQ.
Amerton Railway
Santa Specials – tickets on sale from 1st September.
Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday in December and Christmas Eve.
Ticket Price: £40 per carriage of 6 people and £48.00 for a carriage of 8 people.
Location: Amerton Railway, Stowe-by-Chartley, Nr. Weston, Staffordshire, ST18 0LA.
Llanberis Lake Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: N/A
Location: Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 4TY.
See our guide to visiting North Wales with kids for more holiday inspiration.
East Kent Railway
Santa by Train
Dates: Select dates from mid-November to 24th December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £30.00 for a group of 4.
Location: East Kent Railway, Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent, CT15 7PD.
Mid Suffolk Light Railway
Santa Specials – see also best things to do in Suffolk at Christmas.
Dates: Weekends in December.
Ticket Price: Bookings open beginning of October 2024.
Location: Mid Suffolk Light Railway, Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5PW.
Yeovil Railway Centre
Santa Specials
Dates: Sundays in December and 23rd December 2024.
Ticket Price: From £11.00 per person. Under 1 – FREE.
Location: Yeovil Railway Centre – Yeovil Railway Centre, Yeovil Junction Station, Yeovil, BA22 9UU.
West Lancashire Light Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd December 2024.
Ticket Price: Adult – £8.00. Child – £13.00 or a private compartment for 4 – £60.00.
Location: West Lancashire Light Railway, Station Rd, Hesketh Bank, Nr Preston, Lancashire, PR4 6SP.
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
Santa Specials
Dates: Select dates from end of November to 24th December 2022.
Ticket Price: From £27.50 per person.
Location: Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, New Romney Station, New Romney, Kent TN28 8PL.
So – these are the best Santa Train Rides in the UK. Do you have any that you would like to recommend? Let us know in the comments.
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