Polar Express train rides in New York.
New York has 3 licensed Polar Express train rides for 2026: Catskill Mountain Railroad in Kingston, Medina Railroad Museum in Medina and Adirondack Railroad in Utica.
On the ride, kids hear the story, get hot chocolate and a treat, and meet Santa. Each railroad sets its own dates, prices, and rules for lap kids and strollers, so check the details below. Rides often sell out, so book early.
Polar Express rides in New York
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rides in nearby states
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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.
Phillipsburg, NJ
Delaware River Railroad Excursions
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Dec 20 · Fri-Sun: Nov 27-29, Dec 4-6, Dec 11-13, Dec 18-20, departures 2pm to 8pm
- Depot
- Lehigh Junction station, 38 Market St
- Price
- About $48 adults, $38 kids (subject to change)
- Length
- About 90 minutes round trip
- Included
- Hot chocolate, a cookie, and a visit from Santa on board
A 90-minute round-trip ride based on the picture book. Kids get hot chocolate, a cookie, and a visit from Santa.
Booking: Buy tickets ahead for a set departure. Tickets are sold through the railroad's ticket seller.
Parent tip: Afternoon weekend trains are easier for toddlers. Pajamas are part of the fun.
Whippany, NJ
Morristown & Erie Railway
- Dates
- Nov 1 - Dec 30 · Most days, Nov 1-Dec 30, priced as value, standard or premium dates
- Depot
- Whippany Station, 1 Railroad Plaza
- Price
- Coach $67-$91 adult, $59-$82 child (2-11); First Class $98-$109 adult, $90-$101 child; fees included. Parking $12 a car
- Length
- About 2 hours in all, with a 1-hour show on board
- Lap children
- Under 2 ride free on a lap; pick the free infant ticket and give the child's name
- Included
- Hot chocolate and shortbread, and a silver sleigh bell from Santa. Babies under 2 get a bell but no treat
A two-hour event in north New Jersey, with a one-hour show on the train. Riders get cocoa and shortbread, and Santa gives out bells.
Booking: Arrive about 60 minutes before showtime. The box office closes at showtime, and no one boards after that. The platform is not heated. A sensory-friendly train runs Dec 1.
Parent tip: November and weekday dates cost less and have more seats. Coats over pajamas help on the cold platform.
Burlington, VT
Vermont Children's Trust Foundation
- Dates
- Dec 5-6 · Dec 5 and 6 only
- Depot
- Wing Building lobby, bottom of King Street, just south of Union Station
- Price
- $40 a person, up to 5 per order
- Length
- About 20 minutes on the train; about 1 hour 15 minutes in all
- Lap children
- Under 2 on a lap do not need a ticket
- Included
- Hot cocoa and cookies from chefs, the story at Union Station, and a bell from Santa for each child
A short charity train along the Burlington waterfront for two days only. Kids drink cocoa, hear the story and get a bell from Santa.
Booking: Most tickets go to donors, sponsors and a random draw from a wait list. Kids with food allergies should bring their own cocoa and cookies. Walk back to your car on Battery Street.
Parent tip: Join the wait list early. Bring a warm coat over pajamas, because the waterfront is windy in December.
White River Junction, VT
Rotary Club of White River
- Dates
- Dec 12-13 · Sat Dec 12, trains 10:00 am-7:00 pm; Sun Dec 13, trains 10:00 am-5:30 pm
- Depot
- White River Junction (the boarding station is not named on the official site)
- Price
- $45 regular seat, $50 seat with a table, plus a handling fee; up to 8 per order
- Length
- About 45 minutes on the train; plan about 1.5 hours in all
- Lap children
- Kids 1 and under ride free on a lap
- Included
- Hot chocolate in a covered cup, a sugar cookie and a bell for each child; Santa boards at the North Pole
A Rotary Club train runs for one weekend in White River Junction. Kids get cocoa, a cookie and a bell, and Santa climbs aboard at the North Pole.
Booking: Strollers are not allowed on the train; leave them at the station. There are no bathrooms on board. Pick up tickets at your boarding time.
Parent tip: Use the station bathroom before you board. Wear boots and warm layers over pajamas.
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.
Questions parents ask
Where is the Polar Express train ride in New York?
Catskill Mountain Railroad runs it from Westbrook Lane Station, 55 Kingston Plaza Road in Kingston. Medina Railroad Museum runs it from Medina Railroad Museum, 530 West Avenue (free parking at 698 Gwinn St.) in Medina. Adirondack Railroad runs it from Utica Union Station, 321 Main Street in Utica.
When does the Polar Express run in New York in 2026?
Catskill Mountain Railroad: Nov 13 - Dec 30 (Select dates, Nov 13-Dec 30, with peak and off-peak trains). Medina Railroad Museum: Nov 21 - Dec 27 (Select dates, Nov 21-Dec 27). Adirondack Railroad: 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)).
How much is the Polar Express train ride in New York?
Catskill Mountain Railroad: Adults $48 off-peak, $58 peak; kids $38 off-peak, $48 peak. Medina Railroad Museum: Coach from $49, First Class from $65, plus fees. Adirondack Railroad: Coach $47 adult, $39 child (2-12); First Class $68 adult, $58 child. Check the official site for the price on your date.
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