North Pole Express

A Holiday Tradition for the Whole Family

All aboard for an unforgettable journey to the North Pole!

The North Pole Express is a magical holiday experience featuring a 45-minute train ride from Parrish, Florida, to the North Pole. Once you arrive, your family will step into an evening filled with festive activities, unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, glowing campfires, holiday entertainment, and a special visit with Santa Claus.

Every child will have an opportunity to visit Santa and will receive a special gift to remember the journey.

The complete experience lasts approximately 3¾ hours.

For generations, train journeys have captured the excitement and wonder of the holiday season. Gather your family, climb aboard, and join us for an evening of memories at the North Pole.

Space is limited, and popular departures will sell out quickly.

Your Journey to the North Pole

Your evening begins at the Florida Railroad Museum’s Parrish station, where you will board your selected train car for the journey north.

After approximately 45 minutes aboard the train, you will arrive at the North Pole and enjoy 2½ hours of holiday activities. Explore the grounds, gather around the campfires, enjoy unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, and visit Santa in his private office.

When the evening’s festivities conclude, everyone will reboard the train for the return journey to Parrish.

Included with Every Ticket

• • Round-trip train transportation to the North Pole
  • A personal visit with Santa Claus
  • A special gift for every child
  • Unlimited cookies and hot chocolate
  • Holiday activities and entertainment
  • Storytelling
  • Model train displays
  • Campfires
  • Reindeer food
  • Access to the toy tent

Additional food, beverages, and s’mores kits will be available for purchase at the North Pole.

2026 Dates of Operation

The North Pole Express operates on select evenings from November 27 through December 22, 2026. Most evenings offer departures at 5:15 PM and 7:15 PM.

November

• • Friday, November 27
  • Saturday, November 28
  • Sunday, November 29

December

• • Wednesday, December 2
  • Thursday, December 3
  • Friday, December 4
  • Saturday, December 5
  • Sunday, December 6
  • Wednesday, December 9
  • Thursday, December 10
  • Friday, December 11
  • Saturday, December 12
  • Sunday, December 13
  • Wednesday, December 16
  • Thursday, December 17
  • Friday, December 18
  • Saturday, December 19
  • Sunday, December 20
  • Monday, December 21
  • Tuesday, December 22

Choose Your Journey

The North Pole Express offers several ways to travel. Regardless of the class you choose, every ticket includes the complete North Pole experience, activities, cookies, hot chocolate, Santa visit, and child’s gift.

Coach Class

Our most economical way to travel to the North Pole.

Coach Class features traditional open-air railroad cars, offering the sights, sounds, and fresh air of a classic train ride. These cars are directly exposed to outdoor temperatures, wind, and occasional weather.

Coach seating is assigned by car, with seats selected on a first-come, first-served basis during boarding.

Best for: Families seeking the most affordable option and an authentic open-air railroad experience.

Excursion Class

A comfortable upgrade positioned between Coach and First Class.

Excursion Class offers comfortable seating and assigned seats for your party. Depending on the car selected, accommodations may include open windows or a fully enclosed, climate-controlled interior.

Best for: Families who prefer assigned seating and additional comfort without moving into First Class.

First Class

Our most comfortable and premium way to travel.

First Class features assigned seating in fully enclosed, climate-controlled passenger cars. Seating options include traditional coach seats, reclining seats, tables, and private booths, depending on the car selected.

First Class guests also receive a selection of complimentary snacks and beverages during the train ride to the North Pole.

Best for: Families looking for maximum comfort, climate control, and a more elevated onboard experience.

Private Caboose

Make the journey your own by reserving an entire historic caboose for up to 16 guests.

Each caboose offers tables, flexible seating, a restroom, and space to store personal belongings while your group enjoys the North Pole. A Museum host will accompany your party to assist with safety, boarding, and detraining.

Private caboose guests may bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Best for: Extended families, groups of friends, celebrations, and organizations traveling together.

Seating Your Party Together

Assigned seating is prepared before departure for guests traveling in First Class and Excursion Class.

Please include everyone traveling together on one reservation. Guests included in the same booking will be seated together. We cannot guarantee adjacent seating for tickets purchased through separate reservations.

When selecting tickets, be certain that every member of your party is booked in the same car and class.

For table and booth accommodations, one ticket reserves the entire table or booth for the stated number of guests.

Plan Your Evening

Arrive Early

Plan to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before your scheduled departure. This allows time for traffic, parking, ticket pickup, restroom visits, and boarding.

The train must depart on schedule and cannot be held for late-arriving guests.

Only one person from your party needs to visit the Ticket Office to pick up the group’s tickets.

Boarding Times

Boarding generally begins approximately 20-30 minutes before departure.

Please listen for boarding announcements and remain near the station once you have collected your tickets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tickets and Reservations

How much are tickets?

Ticket prices vary by travel date, departure time, class of service, seating type, and guest age. Current prices will be displayed when you select a date and departure.

Online and telephone reservations are subject to a service fee.

Does every child need a ticket?

Everyone needs a ticket to travel.

Children under one may ride without charge when seated on an adult’s lap with a lap rider ticket. Be sure to select your Adult tickets first before selecting Lap Rider or Child tickets. Lap riders are not permitted at Tables for 2, Booths for 4 or Booths for 6.

How do I purchase tickets?

The fastest and easiest way to reserve your journey is through the Florida Railroad Museum website.

Reservations may also be made by telephone or in person at the Parrish Ticket Office.

A departure appears sold out. Is there a waitlist?

We do not maintain a waitlist for sold-out North Pole Express departures.

Ticket availability is updated in real time. Occasionally, tickets may become available if another guest changes or cancels a reservation, but availability is not guaranteed.

Can I change my reservation?

Reservations may be exchanged to another available date or departure with at least 48 hours’ notice. Any difference in ticket price will apply.

The value of eligible tickets may also be placed on a Florida Railroad Museum gift card for future use.

Within 48 hours of departure, reservations cannot be exchanged or refunded.

What is Ticket Refund Protection?

Optional Ticket Refund Protection may be purchased with your reservation. It allows you to cancel eligible tickets up to 48 hours before departure and receive a refund to the original payment method, less the cost of protection and applicable processing fees.

Without Ticket Refund Protection, tickets and service fees are non-refundable.

Ticket Refund Protection must be purchased when the original reservation is made and cannot be added later.

Preparing for Your Visit

What should we wear?

The North Pole activities take place outdoors on a large grassy field.

Coach Class is open-air and directly exposed to the evening temperature, wind from the train’s movement, and occasional weather. Some Excursion Class cars also feature adjustable windows.

Dress for the forecast and consider bringing layers, especially for children.

Is parking available?

Yes. Parking at the Florida Railroad Museum is free.

Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle. The Museum is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage involving parked vehicles.

Can we bring a stroller?

Strollers, car seats, large coolers, and oversized bags are not permitted aboard the train because storage space is extremely limited.

Small bags must fit comfortably on your lap. Please leave unnecessary belongings in your vehicle.

Can we bring food or drinks?

Outside food, beverages, and coolers are not permitted aboard the train.

Exceptions are made for infant needs, allergies, medically necessary food, and special dietary requirements. Small soft-sided coolers may be used for these purposes.

Private caboose guests may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages for their group.

Are restrooms available?

Restrooms are available at the Parrish station and at the North Pole. Restrooms are available onboard to all passengers. Onboard restrooms are not wheelchair accessible.

Accessibility

Is the North Pole Express wheelchair accessible?

Wheelchair spaces are available in designated accessible cars and must be reserved through the appropriate wheelchair ticket option.

The accessible boarding ramp is located near the accessible parking area. The same car will load and unload by ramp at the North Pole.

The Parrish station and North Pole are primarily level grass fields. Conditions may be uneven or soft depending on recent weather, so guests using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices should use additional caution.

Accessible restroom facilities are available at both locations. Onboard train restrooms are not wheelchair accessible.

Guests with specific accessibility questions should contact the Ticket Office before purchasing so we can discuss the available accommodations.

Aboard the Train

Are seats assigned?

First Class and Excursion Class seats are assigned before departure and printed on your tickets.

Coach Class tickets reserve space within a specific car, with individual seats selected during boarding.

Can we move between train cars?

Guests should remain in their assigned car during the journey except when directed otherwise by Museum personnel.

Train cars move, sway, and have narrow passageways. Please use handrails, supervise children, and follow all safety instructions.

What items are prohibited?

For everyone’s comfort and safety, the following are not permitted aboard the train:

• • • Strollers
    • Car seats
    • Large coolers
    • Oversized bags
    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Smoking or vaping devices
    • Weapons or hazardous materials

Museum personnel may deny boarding to items that cannot be safely accommodated.

At the North Pole

What activities are available?

Your ticket includes access to the evening’s holiday activities, including cookies and hot chocolate, campfires, storytelling, model trains, the toy tent, reindeer food, and a visit with Santa.

Specific activities and entertainment may vary.

Will every child see Santa?

Yes. Every family will have an opportunity to visit Santa before the train departs the North Pole.

Return times may vary slightly depending on the number and pace of Santa visits.

Can we leave belongings on the train?

No. The passenger train does not remain at the North Pole during your visit.

All personal belongings must be removed from the train and carried with you. Please bring only what your family can comfortably manage throughout the evening.

Is food available for purchase?

Yes. Additional meals, snacks, and beverages will be available for purchase at the North Pole.

Menu items and prices will be emailed to you a few days prior to departure.

Are s’mores available?

S’mores kits are available for purchase to enjoy around the North Pole campfires. Save $2 per kit and skip the line by adding s’mores kits to your ticket purchase. They’ll be waiting for you at the North Pole.