Christmas & Polar Express Train Rides Near Philadelphia

Here's your guide to Pennsylvania Polar Express train rides for Philadelphia area families. All aboard for a magical Christmas train ride that will remind your kids of one of the best loved holiday books!

If your crew has gone on any holiday train rides around Philadelphia, please like and review your picks to help fellow parents looking to try a fun Christmas tradition.

The most popular Polar Express trains book up early, and it might be necessary to plan far in advance to avoid a sellout!


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    Wanamaker Kempton & Southern Railroad - Santa Claus Express
    Pin

     (496.9 mi)

    Date

    12/07/2024, 12/08/2024

    Price

    $18/person

    Don't miss this one-weekend only special on board the Wanamaker Kempton and Southern Railroad! Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman and the Elves will all be there to help you kick off the holiday season on the Santa Claus Express. Santa will even hand out a gift to each child!

    Delaware River Railroad Excursions - The Polar Express
    Pin

     (542.3 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $48/adult, $38/child

    Hop on board the Polar Express for this magical ride to the North Pole! Step into the pages of the iconic Christmas story and start your own memorable family holiday tradition. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and sing Christmas carols. Feel free to wear your Christmas jammies on board! Santa will be waiting to greet your children at the North Pole, and each child will receive a sleigh bell, just like in the story!

    New Hope Railroad - North Pole Express & Santa's Steam Train Ride
    Pin

     (557.7 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $69+/adult, $67+/child

    Enjoy a magical holiday ride on the North Pole Express, a train pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive. Come in your pj's if you would like, and enjoy Christmas carols, hot chocolate and a cookie. Your little ones will also be delighted by a visit from the man himself - Santa Claus, with Mrs. Claus!

    New Hope Railroad also has the Santa's Steam Train Ride, which is a similar experience but pulled by a steam engine.

    West Chester Railroad - Christmas Tree Train & Santa's Express
    Pin

     (512.2 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $30+/adult, $25+/child

    The Christmas Tree Train boards at Market Street Station and will stop at Wiggins Tree Farm where your family can cut your own Christmas tree. Trees will be wrapped, tagged and placed on the train's flat car for the return trip.

    Santa's Express will allow passengers a visit with Santa while they enjoy live holiday music aboard the train to Glen Mills. There will be plenty of photo opportunities with Santa!

    Wilmington & Western Railroad - Santa Claus Express & Holiday Lights Express Trains
    Pin

     (510.2 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $19+/adult, $17+/child

    The whole family will enjoy the Santa Claus Express, a 90-minute round trip train ride with Santa on board! He will visit with every child on board, and will even have a chocolate treat for each child.

    Wilmington & Western Railroad also offers the Holiday Lights Express Train. This does not include the Santa experience, but will take families for a ride on a vintage coach train decorated with thousands of holiday lights.

    Cape May Seashore Lines - The Santa Express
    Pin

     (563.6 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $35.95+/adult, $31.95+/child

    The Santa Express and the Santa Starlight Express are 75-minute trips departing from either Richland Village or Tuckahoe Village,

    Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway - Santa Claus Special
    Pin

     (506.6 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $22+/adult, $9+/child

    Experience Jim Thorpe and Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway's Santa Claus Special as you travel through mountain scenery, cliffs and bridges. These round-trip train excursions feature Santa Claus! He will be on board handing out small treats and visiting with the kids.

    Allentown & Auburn Railroad - Santa Trains and Hot Chocolate Trains
    Pin

     (501.5 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $18+/adult, $12+/child

    Board the train at the Kutztown Train Station and experience some Christmas magic aboard Allentown & Auburn Railroad's Santa Train or Hot Chocolate Train.

    Colebrookdale Railroad - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Train & Santa's Polar Bear Express
    Pin

     (510.4 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $50+/adult, $40+/child

    This charming Edwardian-era train expedition has the evening ambiance of bright holiday lights, mixed with the storybook magic of reading Christmas classics. Families are invited to embark on a 2-hour ride, in their PJs, and sip on hot chocolate while 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is read aloud. Rumor has it, Santa will make an appearance!

    Santa's Polar Bear Express offers a scenic ride through the Secret Valley. Hot chocolate, cookies and Christmas carols will make this truly a ride to remember. Little ones can also visit with Santa.

    Strasburg Rail Road - Christmas Trains
    Pin

     (473.3 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $32+/adult, $25+/child

    Pennsylvania's Strasburg Rail Road has a variety of Christmas-themed train events. Choose from Santa's Paradise Express, The Night Before Christmas, or The Santa Claus Limited. Any of the Christmas Train experiences would make a memorable family Christmas tradition!

    Black River & Western Railroad - Santa Express & North Pole Express
    Pin

     (564.5 mi)

    Time

    Multiple dates

    Price

    $42.99/adult, $39.99/child

    Board in Flemington and close your eyes – when you open them, you’ll have been transported to the North Pole! Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on board and experience holiday joy at the North Pole, with delicious cookies and hot cocoa, an abundance of festive photo opportunities, our historical train museum, and more. 

Primary photo:   Colebrookdale Railroad

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