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 THE 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.
2026 CALENDAR
Ticket Information
Departure Dates and Times
All departures will take place from the Central Pacific Passenger Station at 930 Front Street on the Old Sacramento Waterfront in Sacramento, CA.
November 13 - December 21, 2026
Wednesdays - Mondays (Beginning After Thanksgiving, Select Days in November)
3:30pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm & 8:00pm
Note that December 21st will only run the 3:30pm, 5:00pm, & 6:30pm trains
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 are seated on an adult's lap while on board.
TICKET SALE DATES
Public Sales Begin Friday, September 18, 2026 at 9 AM
Member Presale Dates
September 14 - 17
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.
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 THE 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.
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 - $110 per passenger.
El Dorado Lounge
A section that seats up to 18 passengers on burgundy sofas and chairs facing each other.
Pricing
$100 - $110 per passenger.
The Noel Vodden
This beautifully restored 1912-vintage car features an Art Deco interior and lounge seating for more than 40, with a bar dispensing cocoa to eager North Pole travelers.
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. Donations should be made 48 hours prior to departure.
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.
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]
SENSORY AWARENESS
The California State Railroad Museum Foundation offers accommodations for guests with sensory needs. In order to be sensory inclusive, many staff members and volunteers have been trained in sensory awareness. There are free sensory bags available to be checked out at the Ticketing Office (930 Front Street) to be used on the train and in the station. For other accommodation requests, please email us at [email protected].
Please note that THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride has loud portions of the experience. In the station, guests will hear the train horn as the Polar Express arrives as well as see a short stage show that focuses on getting the crowd excited. There will be short bursts of strobe lights around announcements and boarding. On the train, guests will experience music, the sound of the train horn, and many ringing bells.
We encourage guests to review our social narrative, which includes a section for parents and caregivers at the end as well.
FAQs
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 18, 2026.
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.
Cookies: Flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, baking sodar, cream of tartar, salt, and cinnamon. Made on equipment shared with nuts, soy, wheat, and milk products.