Did you ever imagine boarding The Polar Express and reliving one of the best scenes of the movie? The Polar Express Train Ride invites families aboard a festively decorated train for a magical, one-hour journey complete with music, hot cocoa, and a special visit from Santa Claus himself!
Hosted at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, the interactive experience sets guests aboard restored train cars themed after the universe created by author Chris Van Allsburg, all set to the original soundtrack of the feature film.
Hot Cocoa, Golden Tickets, and Santa on Board
The adventure begins as soon as passengers take their seats and train conductors sweep through the aisles to punch their golden tickets just like in the movie.
As the train rolls along, dancing chefs serve warm hot chocolate and Walker’s Shortbread cookies while guests listen to a live reading of The Polar Express.
The highlight of the trip comes when Santa Claus and his elves board the train to greet families and deliver the “first gift of Christmas”: a silver sleigh bell for every passenger to take home as a keepsake.
The journey continues with sing-along Christmas carols and interactive performances featuring favorite characters from the story.
Organizers emphasize that the experience focuses on internal entertainment and atmospheric train travel, rather than an outdoor North Pole set creation.
Polar Express Train Ride Pricing
For the 2026 holiday season, the event offers a single service level called Coach Class, hosted in restored vintage railcars adorned with Christmas decor.
Each car seats roughly 100 passengers, with assigned seating selected at the time of purchase.
Ticket prices vary based on peak departure times, with all service fees included:
- Value Departures: $56.25 (Adults) | $49.25 (Children ages 2–11)
- Standard Departures: $74.25 (Adults) | $67.25 (Children ages 2–11)
- Premium Departures: $88.25 (Adults) | $81.25 (Children ages 2–11)
Where Is The Polar Express Train Ride Located?
The Polar Express Train Ride will take place at the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California, making it an easy holiday getaway for families looking to build traditions or relive childhood memories.
Departure dates, daily schedules, and ticket reservations are available through the official Polar Express Train Ride website.
