The Polar Express

To get the full experience, we recommend allowing 2 hours for the entire event. The round-trip train time to the North Pole and back is 60 minutes. You’ll want to be at the Galveston Railroad Museum Train Depot 30 minutes before actual departure time in order to experience the performance that occurs as the train STEAMS into the station! Final boarding is 10 minutes before departure. After the train arrives at the North Pole, you will enjoy live entertainment and pick up Santa and his elves for the return trip.

This is a family-friendly, kid-focused, alcohol-free event. We will not offer any alcoholic beverages and passengers are not allowed to bring their own alcohol onboard the train. Adult beverages are available in the museum food court prior to boarding and following the ride.

Yes. Restrooms in most coaches will be available. There are family-size portable restrooms next to the museum.

For best seating we recommend you book your seats as soon as you are able to finalize your date. Certain departure times and certain cars book quickly! If you are in town during THE POLAR EXPRESSTM and HAVEN’T made a reservation, please check to see what we have available. We often have seats available even on the same day!

We have Standard, Deluxe, and Premium-class seating to choose from every night. All cars are heated. ALL children receive a bell. ALL cars are decorated for Christmas.

Standard-class: Seating: Forward-facing; two people per seat.

Deluxe-class: Seating: ‘Flip-over’ seating enables parties to face each other. Upgraded amenities include your own take-home souvenir ceramic THE POLAR EXPRESSTM mug.

Premium First-class: Seating: Table and chair seating in historic, first-class style as the whole family enjoys the upgraded amenities including your own take-home souvenir ceramic THE POLAR EXPRESSTM mug. Special ‘theme’ Christmas decor!

Yes, our wheelchair-friendly coach has a hydraulic lift to load a passenger in their wheelchair into the coach to ride right along with family and friends. It also features an ADA restroom.

As in the story, we encourage everyone to wear their pajamas on this special journey.

Limited parking is available in the museum parking lot and overflow parking is located at an adjacent parking lot on Santa Fe Place. Parking fee is $20 advance – may be purchased online – and $25 at the gate.

We ask that you arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. Don’t miss the pre-boarding show!

Enjoy the thousands of lights and wave to Santa and his elves as you observe the North Pole from the comfort of air controlled coaches.

Special and Licensed events (such as Polar Express) are non-refundable if canceled within 60 days of departure.

If change is requested MORE THAN 60 DAYS before the trip date, the fee is waived. If a request is made LESS THAN 60 DAYS from the trip date, we will apply a service/change fee. If you UPGRADE to a more expensive car or trip date, the fee will be waived!

The Polar Express train ride runs rain or shine. Should extreme inclement weather cause track flooding – the show will be presented in its entirety, however, the train will not leave the depot, but will remain in place for the experience.