THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station
Passengers board decorated trains at St. Louis Union Station for a journey to the North Pole set to the motion picture soundtrack. During the ride, guests listen to a reading of the classic book while onboard chefs serve hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies. Upon arriving at the North Pole, Santa Claus boards the train to visit children and present them with a Christmas gift.
What to Expect
A magical train ride to meet Santa at the North Pole.
Event Details
Duration
Approx. 45 min. long not including activities before and after the ride.
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
St. Louis Union Station
Food & Drink
Chefs serve freshly brewed hot chocolate and a Homefree chocolate chip cookie during the ride.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and storybook-like
Energy Level
Low
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Children 2 & under are free on a lap and do not require a ticket. Event parking is $5.00 per car. No other ticket prices are stated on this page. – Get tickets
- Hours: 4:30pm departure (opens 3:30pm, boards 4:00pm, returns 5:15pm); 6:00pm departure (opens 5:00pm, boards 5:30pm, returns 6:45pm); 7:15pm departure (opens 6:15pm, boards 6:45pm, returns 8:00pm); 8:30pm departure (opens 7:30pm, boards 8:00pm, returns 9:15pm). Train doors close 10 minutes before departure.
- Parking: Event parking is in the main St. Louis Union Station lot off 18th Street, in a secured event parking area. It costs $5.00 per car. Parking is prepaid upon entering; no cash is accepted. At exit, guests insert their entry ticket first, then the parking voucher, and pay the $5 fee by credit or debit card.
- Accessibility: ADA seating is available on select rail cars by calling (314) 942-6942 in advance, as historic rail cars are not all fully accessible.
Tips & Advice
- Book as soon as you know your date and train, because tickets are expected to sell out quickly and can't be refunded or exchanged.
- Arrive about 45 minutes before departure to check in, take a family photo and enjoy the Depot Tent, because late guests can't board.
- Bring a credit or debit card for parking, since no cash is accepted when you enter the lot or when you leave.
- Dress the family in warm pajamas or Polar Express outfits to match the story, though it isn't required.
- Call reservations directly to book ADA seating, since only certain cars have it because the rail cars are historic.
Special Events & Promotions
- Sensory-friendly rides on Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, December 1, in the Grand Rapids and Northern Lights cars. Lights and music are lowered and characters interact more quietly.
- Everyone who rides in November gets a free ticket to one Wheel Park attraction, such as the Wheel, Carousel, Mini Golf or the new rides.
- Weekday riders (Monday to Friday) in December get a free ticket to Elfie Express.
- Hotel packages are sold separately for staying overnight at St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton.
- First Class and Premium seats come with a souvenir mug and a digital photo download. Premium seats also include a Polar Express retail coupon.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens on the ride?
The Conductor welcomes you aboard decorated trains set to the movie soundtrack. On the way, you hear the classic book read aloud, and chefs serve hot chocolate and a cookie. At the North Pole, Santa boards the train and visits each child with a Christmas gift. The ride takes about 45 minutes, plus the activities before and after.
How early should we get there?
Arrive about 45 minutes before departure. Check in at the Ticket Office at the entrance to the Depot/Tent area, then take a family photo and enjoy the Depot Tent activities. Train doors close 10 minutes before departure, and late guests can't board.
What should we wear?
Families are encouraged to wear their warmest pajamas or Polar Express-themed outfits, though it's not required.
Do little ones need a ticket?
Children 2 and under ride free on a lap and don't need a ticket. Strollers stay in the secure stroller area at the event entrance.
Is the cookie allergy-friendly?
The Homefree chocolate chip cookies are gluten-free. They're made in a dedicated facility with no peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat or sesame.
More Christmas Events Near St. Louis
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.