Polar Express train rides in Pennsylvania.

Closest Polar Express rides to Pennsylvania

Some ticket links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

• Baltimore, MD

  National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation (formerly B&O Railroad Museum)

  Dates

  Nov 28 - Dec 22 · Nov 28-29, Dec 5-6, 12-13 and 19-22, with entry times from 2:30 pm

  Depot

  North Car Shop entrance off Arlington Street, 901 W. Pratt St.

  Price

  Bronze $50-$60 child, $60-$70 adult; Silver $80-$95; Gold $105-$125 (prices rise closer to Christmas)

  Length

  About 2 hours for the whole event

  Lap children

  Under 2 can come as lap infants; pick the lap-infant option when you buy

  Included

  Hot cocoa and a sugar cookie, a silver sleigh bell from Santa for each guest, and Santa photos. Gold adds a mug per ticket

  A two-hour event at Baltimore's railroad museum. Families ride to the North Pole, drink cocoa, get a bell from Santa and can take photos with him.

  Booking: The time on your ticket is when doors open, so arrive then. Free event parking is at 1100 James Street. Strollers are not allowed past the entrance; check them at the door and collect them after the ride.

  Parent tip: The museum now goes by a new name, so look for National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation when you book.

  Official site

• Cumberland, MD

  Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

  Dates

  Nov 20 - Dec 24 · Select dates, Nov 20-Dec 24

  Depot

  Cumberland Depot, 13 Canal Street

  Price

  Coach $40, First Class $90, tables $153 (2 seats) or $305 (4 seats), plus a $5 heritage fee per ticket

  Length

  About 1 hour

  Lap children

  Ages 2 and under ride free on an adult's lap

  Included

  Hot chocolate and a sugar cookie and a silver sleigh bell for every rider. First Class adds a mug; table and First Class add an ornament

  A one-hour ride from the Cumberland depot. Everyone gets cocoa, a cookie and a silver bell, and pajamas are welcome.

  Booking: Arrive 40-45 minutes early to park, pick up tickets and board. Kids with allergies can bring their own cocoa and cookies.

  Parent tip: Coach is the cheapest seat at $40 and still comes with cocoa, a cookie and a bell. Allow extra time on I-68 if snow is in the forecast.

  Official site

• 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.

  Official site Tickets on Ticketmaster

• 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.

  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

• Dennison, OH

  Dennison Railroad Depot Museum

  Dates

  Dec 3-13 · Dec 3-6 and 10-13; 6 and 8 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, 2, 4, 6 and 8 pm on weekends

  Depot

  Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, 400 Center St.

  Price

  Coach $55-$65, Deluxe $66-$74, First Class $75-$85, plus a $4 fee per ticket; private compartment for 6 is $595

  Lap children

  Everyone 1 year and up needs a ticket and seat. A baby carrier on a seat needs its own ticket

  Included

  Hot chocolate and cookies, the book read aloud, songs and games with elves, and a jingle bell from Santa for each child. Deluxe and First Class kids get an engineer cap and whistle

  Ohio's licensed ride runs for just two weeks in December from a historic depot. Storytellers read the book, elves lead games, and Santa boards with bells.

  Booking: Arrive 1 hour early. Boarding starts 30 minutes before, and gates close 5 minutes before. Strollers go to stroller parking, not on the train. Skip open-toe shoes and slippers.

  Parent tip: Babies over 1 need their own seat here, which is stricter than most rides. The 8 pm Thursday and Sunday trains are the cheapest.

  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.