Live the magical journey of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
Enjoy this magical family event! The evening begins in our passenger station where you will be entertained by Polar Express characters, and then board your train to the North Pole where you will enjoy hot chocolate and a sweet treat courtesy of our hot chocolate chefs. Once you reach the North Pole, the jolly old elf — Santa himself — will come on board to give each passenger the first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell.
The Polar Express™ Train Ride is Sold Out!
Thank you for your incredible support! Both Sacramento and Railtown locations are now fully booked for the 2024 season. All aboard for an unforgettable adventure—we’ll see you at the North Pole!
2024 CALENDAR
Ticket Information
Departure Dates and Times
All departures will take place from the Central Pacific Passenger Station at the Old Sacramento Waterfront in Sacramento, CA.
November 16 - December 22, 2024
Tuesday - Sunday
3:30pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm & 8:00pm*
*There will be no 8:00 pm train on Sunday, December 22, 2024
Ticket Pricing
First Class: $100 - $110 per passenger
Coach Class: $80 $85 per passenger
All fees are included in ticket price
Children who have not yet reached their 2nd birthday do not need a ticket if they ride on an adult's lap.
Membership Presale Update
The exclusive member presale for The Polar Express™ Train Ride has now ended.Thank you to our incredible members for your support! Not a member yet? Join today to secure early access to 2025 tickets and be part of the magic next year!
Click Here for Membership Information
Public Sales Begin September 16, 2024
Car Descriptions
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Sacramento consists of seven separate cars pulled by vintage locomotives from the California State Railroad Museum’s collection. On board you will be seated in either Coach, enclosed Gondola, or First Class according to your ticket purchase. Guests in each car will experience the same excitement and wonder of
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.
Enclosed Gondola Car
Sleigh Ride Car
C’mon it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you and yours. The Sleigh Ride Car is a unique addition to our Polar Express Train and holds up to 76 passengers. These converted enclosed Gondola cars have translucent plastic window coverings to keep any frightful weather at bay, while still allowing for a magical view. Think of it as your cozy sleigh ride to the North Pole. Tickets are sold by tables of four, and guests are invited to bring along a blanket and snuggle up together like four birds of a feather would be.
Pricing
$320 - $340 per table of four seats.
Coach Cars
Katy Coach Car
The Katy Car is our largest coach which holds up to 76 passengers. The seats are comfortable loveseat style for groups of four facing each other, two on each side.
Pricing
$80 - $85 per passenger.
Kris Kringle Coach Car
The seats are comfortable loveseat style for groups of four facing each other, two on each side. The Kris Kringle Car holds up to 64 passengers.
Pricing
$80 - $85 per passenger.
Gingerbread Coach Car
The Gingerbread Car seats up to 52 passengers in chair-style seating with sets of two chairs in groups of four facing each other.
Pricing
$80 - $85 per passenger.
First Class Cars
Join us in our first class cars where you will ride in our most luxurious and spacious cars and take home a collectible souvenir Polar Express Train Ride™ mug.
Audubon Dining Car
The Dining Car also known as the Audubon - thanks to hand-painted reproductions of the artist/naturalist John James Audubon's bird illustrations - holds 44 passengers. Groups of four passengers are seated around a small table. Tickets are sold by tables of four.
Pricing
$400 - $440 per table of four seats.
French Quarter Lounge Car
The French Quarter Car was inspired by the New Orleans French Quarter, with wrought iron details and a “Sunset Pink” painted ceiling studded with stars. Complete with its own serving bar, the French Quarter has large windows and a combination of tables, settees and lounge-style chairs. The French Quarter holds 35 passengers.
Pricing
$100 - $110 per passenger.
El Dorado Observation Car
The beautifully restored First Class Observation Car is called the El Dorado. This handsome 1920s lounge car offers large windows and comfortable seating. The car is divided into two sections: The Parlor and the Lounge.
The El Dorado Parlor
A private interior room decorated with stained glass interior windows and tufted leatherette seats. The Parlor has comfortable seating groups for two, four, or more and holds up to 18 passengers.
Pricing
$100 - $110per passenger.
The El Dorado Lounge
A section that seats up to 18 passengers on burgundy sofas and chairs facing each other.
Pricing
$100 - $110 per passenger.
Policies and Rules
- All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
- Purchasers who wish to donate unused tickets back to the nonprofit CSRM Foundation will be given a tax letter of donation for the full amount of the tickets.
General Ticket Policies
- All fees are included in the ticket price.
- Tickets will be delivered digitally one week prior to scheduled departure date.
- Children who have not yet reached their 2nd birthday do not require a ticket but must be seated on the lap of an adult while on board the train.
Member Advance Ticket Sales Policies
- Members of the California State Railroad Museum and Railtown 1897 are allowed to purchase THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride tickets in advance of the general public.
- Members are not guaranteed to get tickets during Member Advance Ticket Sales, merely the opportunity to try to purchase tickets in advance of the general public.
- New, renewing or upgrading memberships should have been active and current as of August 26, 2024 to participate in Member Advance Ticket Sales.
- Members must have their member code to purchase presale tickets. Member codes will be emailed to members prior to their specific presale date.
- Member households may purchase a maximum of twelve individual tickets or three tables of four, per location, during Member Advance Ticket Sales.
- Member sales begin at 9:00 a.m. each day.
Resale & Monetization
Our policy strictly prohibits the resale or attempted resale of any tickets for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride for personal profit. Additionally, the use of public advertising – such as but not limited to eBay and Craigslist – to resell tickets is not permitted. Either action will result in the immediate cancellation of the tickets. Tickets may not be raffled, used as auction items or otherwise monetized without the express written permission of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation.
ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Sacramento is not fully accessible to persons with disabilities, due to historic, limited doorway widths and steep stepwells within the train cars. However, our train crews are always pleased to lend assistance when boarding and alighting from the train (provided wheelchairs or other oversize assistive devices are not required during the trip). Please notify the event crew prior to boarding, so we may best meet your needs.
The California State Railroad Museum and related event activities are fully accessible to persons with disabilities, except as noted above. If you require special accommodation, please notify us in advance of your visit by emailing [email protected]
FAQs
Please note - membership does NOT guarantee your purchase of tickets. Members have the opportunity to purchase up to 12 individual tickets or 3 tables of four per member household during Member Advance Ticket Sales. Available tickets are limited and sell out very quickly.
Once on board the train, you will travel to the North Pole while we read the story of The Polar Express. You will enjoy hot chocolate and a yummy treat delivered by our onboard chefs. As the train passes the North Pole, you will catch a glimpse of Santa and his elves while the train readies for the return trip. As you head back to Old Sacramento, Santa will come aboard and walk through each car to give out the “first gift of Christmas” — the silver sleigh bell — to each passenger. We will all join in and sing Christmas carols as we pull into the station in Old Sacramento. Once you depart the train, walk across the walkway to the Eagle Theatre, where Santa will be available to spend more time and visit with your child.
Additional ticketing details will be included when you receive your e-tickets prior to your train ride.
You also have the option to purchase tickets for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at our sister site, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, in Jamestown, CA, starting September 16, 2024.
The California State Railroad Museum and related event activities are fully accessible to persons with disabilities, except as noted above.
We recommend pre-purchasing your parking before you arrive. Reservations for Polar Express event parking can be made here.