Polar Express train rides in Connecticut.

Closest Polar Express rides to Connecticut

• Buzzards Bay, MA

  Cape Cod Central Railroad

  Dates

  Nov 20 - Dec 23 · Select dates, Nov 20-Dec 23, with daytime matinee and evening trains

  Depot

  Buzzards Bay station, 70 Main Street (not Hyannis)

  Price

  Standard Class $69 child / $79 adult in the evening, $54 / $64 for matinees; lower on opening weekend (Nov 20-22); First Class from $89 / $99; table classes sold by the whole table

  Length

  About 1.5 hours round trip

  Lap children

  Lap babies need a $10 Babe-in-Arms ticket, one per paying adult

  Included

  Hot chocolate, shortbread cookies, a sleigh bell, a souvenir golden ticket and a visit from Santa, who greets each child on the way back. Some classes add a mug or tumbler

  A 1.5-hour round trip from Buzzards Bay. Riders get cocoa and cookies, hear the story, and meet Santa, who hands each child a keepsake on the ride home.

  Booking: Arrive 45-60 minutes early. Boarding starts 30 minutes before, and the train cannot wait for late riders. All sales are final.

  Parent tip: Matinee trips run in daylight and cost less, which can suit toddlers who go to bed early.

  Official site

• Kingston, NY

  Catskill Mountain Railroad

  Dates

  Nov 13 - Dec 30 · Select dates, Nov 13-Dec 30, with peak and off-peak trains

  Depot

  Westbrook Lane Station, 55 Kingston Plaza Road

  Price

  Adults $48 off-peak, $58 peak; kids $38 off-peak, $48 peak

  Length

  About 70 minutes on the train; about 1.5 hours in all

  Lap children

  Under 2 ride free on a lap; pick the free infant ticket and give the child's name

  Included

  Hot chocolate and cookies served by dancing chefs, Santa and his elves boarding at the North Pole, and a silver sleigh bell for each guest

  A ride of just over an hour from Kingston in the Hudson Valley. Chefs serve cocoa and cookies, and Santa boards to hand every rider a bell.

  Booking: Arrive about 45 minutes early to park and check in. Boarding starts about 20 minutes before, and trains leave on time. The platform is not heated.

  Parent tip: Off-peak trains cost $10 less per person. The cocoa has dairy, so bring your own drink if your child needs one.

  Official site

• Medina, NY

  Medina Railroad Museum

  Dates

  Nov 21 - Dec 27 · Select dates, Nov 21-Dec 27

  Depot

  Medina Railroad Museum, 530 West Avenue (free parking at 698 Gwinn St.)

  Price

  Coach from $49, First Class from $65, plus fees

  Length

  About 1 to 1.25 hours

  Lap children

  Lap infants under 2 ride free

  Included

  Hot chocolate, an iced sugar cookie and a silver sleigh bell from Santa. First Class adds table seats, a mug and more time with Santa

  A ride of about an hour from the Medina Railroad Museum, between Buffalo and Rochester. Santa boards, greets each child and hands out bells.

  Booking: Arrive 1 hour early to pick up tickets at will call. Closed-toe shoes are required. The old cars cannot take wheelchairs.

  Parent tip: Lake-effect snow is common here, so leave extra driving time.

  Official site

• Utica, NY

  Adirondack Railroad

  Dates

  Nov 20 - Dec 20 · Select dates, Nov 20-Dec 20. Trains at 2:00, 5:00 and 7:30 pm (2:00 pm on select December weekends only)

  Depot

  Utica Union Station, 321 Main Street

  Price

  Coach $47 adult, $39 child (2-12); First Class $68 adult, $58 child

  Length

  1 to 1.5 hours on the train; about 2 hours in all

  Lap children

  Under 2 ride free on a lap unless you buy them a seat

  Included

  Hot chocolate and sugar cookies, the story and carols, and Santa visiting each family with a silver bell for every rider. First Class adds a table and a mug

  A ride of about an hour from Utica's Union Station, with a short opening show first. Santa visits every family, and each rider gets a silver bell.

  Booking: Arrive about 1 hour early; bags are checked before boarding. Tables and coach sections seat 4, so smaller groups may share.

  Parent tip: Buy all 4 seats in a section if you want your family to sit alone.

  Official site

Dates and prices were checked on each railroad's official site. Rides often sell out, and details can change, so check the official site before you go. THE POLAR EXPRESS is a trademark of Warner Bros.; rides are run by individual railroads under license.