Kids who dream of taking a ride on The Polar Express can get their wish on a local holiday train ride this season.
Several historic railroads host special rides for the holiday season, some with specific themes (including “The Polar Express”) and others with more general festive décor. All of them include something warm to drink and a visit from Santa – two must-have amenities.
Holiday train rides, which can rank among the more expensive holiday excursions, have in recent years been getting more expensive, as ticket costs have been rising with the price of fuel and the costs of maintaining the historic engines.
For the 2025 season, prices have gone up on two railroads (the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and the Sumpter Valley Railroad), but have remained flat on three (the Mt. Hood Railroad, the Oregon Heritage Rail Center and the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad). The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, which runs the Candy Cane Express, has the biggest change in fares this year, increasing its top prices by $5 for adults and $6 for kids, but decreasing its lowest prices by $2 for adults and $4 for kids.
This year, a family of four can expect to pay between $76 and $416 for a holiday train ride in Oregon and southwest Washington.
With the chug-chugging of the historic engines and beautiful scenery rolling by, the Pacific Northwest’s historic train rides are a fun and fascinating way to celebrate the holidays.
Chehalis-Centralia Polar Express
Based on the popular children’s book and movie by the same name, the Polar Express Train is run by the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad in southwest Washington. The one-hour train ride incorporates several elements from the story and includes gifts, singing chefs and treats. First-class seating options are available in a historic 1920s business car for groups and families.
Nov. 9-Dec. 22; $66 per person; buy tickets online at steamtrainride.com or call 360-748-9593.
Mount Hood Polar Express
The Mt. Hood Railroad is bringing back its Polar Express train ride, an interactive experience based on the popular book and movie, onboard its classic train cars. The popular 90-minute train ride departs from the Mt. Hood Railroad depot in Hood River. Entertainment will be provided ahead of the ride while people wait to board.
Nov. 21-Jan. 3; $59-$109 for adults, $49-$99 for kids; buy tickets online at mthoodrr.com or call 541-387-4000.
Candy Cane Express
You can soak up the views of the stunning Oregon coast aboard the Candy Cane Express, run by the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. The one-hour train ride runs from Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach and back, and includes hot chocolate and cookies. The train is decorated with lights for evening rides. Try the covered outdoor cars (which are discounted) to really be immersed in the elements.
Nov. 28-Dec. 23; $33-$49 for adults, $23-$39 for kids; buy tickets online at oregoncoastscenic.org or call 503-842-7972.
Holiday Express
Run by the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Southeast Portland, the Holiday Express train is decked out with lights to take passengers on a 45-minute ride along the Willamette River. Onboard, you can purchase hot chocolate, coffee, tea, cider and cookies. Santa will also be aboard each train for photo ops. Riders can find discounts on 10% off days, primarily offered earlier in the season.
Nov. 28-Dec. 28; $34 for adults, $25 for kids, $31 for seniors; $105 for a family of four; buy tickets online at orhf.org or call 503-233-1156.
Chelatchie Christmas Train
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad in north Clark County will host its Christmas Train rides, running along the Lewis River from the station in Yacolt, Washington. Guests will be able to order warm cider, cocoa and hot coffee, and Santa will be handing out gifts to kids.
Nov. 29-Dec. 21; $22 for adults, $16 for kids; buy tickets online at tickets.bycx.org or call 360-686-3559.
Sumpter Valley Christmas Trains
The Sumpter Valley Railroad in eastern Oregon is once again hosting its one-weekend-only Christmas Trains, roundtrip excursions that allow visitors to see Santa at the Sumpter Station and go shopping at the Sumpter Christmas Bazaar. Free cocoa, coffee and tea are provided. The 10-mile train ride takes 2½ hours.
Dec. 13-15; $27 for adults, $24 for seniors, $18 for kids; buy tickets online at sumptervalleyrailroad.org.
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