The Santa Express
Guests ride aboard a festively decorated train listening to holiday music while enjoying cookies and hot chocolate. Children receive a souvenir Santa coin and a goody bag with mini candy canes and a coloring sheet. Santa visits passengers onboard, with excursion options ranging from coach and private table seating to upper dome views.
What to Expect
Holiday train ride with cookies, cocoa, and personal visits from Santa.
Event Details
Duration
Approximately 60 minutes.
Food & Drink
Cookies and complimentary hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and sodas are offered; alcoholic drinks are available to purchase onboard, and Holiday Spirits is for guests 21 and older on select dates.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and cozy
Energy Level
Low
Budget
$$$
Photo Friendly
Moderate
Weather Sensitivity
Low
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Coach Class Experience: $50 per person, all ages welcome (Staunton only). Table Seating Experience: $65 per person, all ages welcome. Upper Dome Seating Experience: $60 per person, all ages welcome (Staunton only). The page also lists Santa Express at approximately $51–76 per person. Children age two and under may ride free if seated on the lap of a ticketed adult. – Get tickets
- Hours: Tue–Fri: 11:00 AM, 12:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:45 PM, 6:30 PM; Sat–Sun: 10:00 AM, 11:45 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:45 PM, 5:30 PM, 7:00 PM. No Monday departures.
- Accessibility: Passenger cars are not accessible for walkers, wheelchairs, or motorized scooters due to stairs and narrow hallways.
Tips & Advice
- Reserve online as early as possible because seats are filling up fast and same-day reservations are not accepted.
- Dress warmly for time on the platform before boarding, and wear festive attire if you wish.
- If travelling with a child aged two or under, they can ride free only on a ticketed adult’s lap.
- For Table Seating, parties are arranged at tables of two or four; larger parties are seated at adjacent tables.
- Check the selected experience carefully: Upper Dome Seating is new this year, while Holiday Spirits is for adults only on select dates.
Special Events & Promotions
- Children age two and under ride free when seated on a ticketed adult’s lap; no refreshments are provided for a child without a ticket.
- Holiday Spirits is an adults-only (21+) experience available on select dates.
- The new Upper Dome Seating Experience is available in Staunton.
- Coach Class, Table Seating and Upper Dome Seating are separate ticket experiences.
- Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase onboard and are not included in the ticket.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can ride The Santa Express?
All ages are welcome; children aged two and under can ride free on a ticketed adult’s lap.
Do I need to reserve a seat ahead of time?
Yes. Prepaid reservations are required, must be made online, and same-day reservations are not accepted. Seats are filling up fast.
What happens during the ride, and how long does it last?
The approximately 60-minute ride features holiday music, treats and a visit from Santa. Passengers stay onboard until the round-trip excursion is complete.
What refreshments are included?
Guests receive cookies and hot chocolate, with complimentary nonalcoholic drinks also available. Table Seating and Upper Dome guests can choose coffee or hot chocolate.
What should I wear before boarding?
Festive attire is welcome, and dressing warmly is advised because the platform can get chilly before boarding.
More Christmas Events near Staunton
Always check the official website for the most current information.
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