EACH Christmas, one major activity fires up the magic spirit for families – festive train fun.
With November just one week away, family members are most likely going to begin nudging you for things to do together over the festive period – and what is a more perfect way to spend time with the family than a Christmas train experience!
From trains wrapped in lights to journeys to see Santa, the UK isn’t short of Christmas rail experiences.
Here are some of the top Christmas train experiences across the UK.
The Polar Express
Perhaps one of the most iconic Christmas train experiences is The Polar Express, which runs in a number of locations across the country including Birmingham, London and south Devon.
Inspired by the iconic film, passengers get to head on board with a Golden Ticket to meet Santa, whilst enjoying entertainment, music and even dancing chefs.
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Trips depart from across the country and tickets prices vary depending on date and location, but can usually be found as low as £27 per person.
Santa Steam Express
The Santa Steam Express heads off from London Victoria Station and features an interactive storytelling theatre experience whilst on the journey.
Passengers will also get to meet Santa and his elves.
The experience runs on December 20 and December 22, with four departures each day.
The experience then lasts around 90 minutes, taking passengers through London’s suburbs.
All children get to meet Santa, who will deliver them a traditional gift and they will also receive a snack and drink.
Parents aren’t left out though, as they will be able to have tea or coffee and a mince pie.
There are a range of different classes on board the train that vary in price.
For example, Coach Class costs from £55 per person, Club Class from £75 per person and Private Compartments available from £600 each, for up to six guests.
Christmas North Yorkshire Pullman
On board the North Yorkshire Pullman, passengers get to journey through the North York Moors National Park.
Each guest will enjoy a three-course meal, with tea and coffee, as well as a mince pie.
Trips take place from November 25 to January 4, departing and returning to Grosmont Station.
Seats cost from £99 per person.
Christmas Afternoon Tea on the Great Western Saloon
For an afternoon treat, opt for the Great Western Saloon, which departs from Grosmont in North Yorkshire.
The train travels along the heritage line and as it does, passengers get to enjoy a range of sandwiches, other savoury nibbles and sweet treats.
The experience will be running on November 27 and December 4, 11 and 18.
Tickets cost £85 per person and the experience is for those aged 16 and over.
All Aboard for Festive Dining
Down in Devon, the South Devon Railway is running the ‘All Aboard for Festive Dining’ experience.
Dubbed to be “one of Britain’s most nostalgic rail journeys”, passengers will be able to see the stunning Dart Valley scenery as well as hear the chugs of the steam engine.
Passengers can choose from four different experiences.
In the 1950s Restaurant Car, guests can enjoy a Festive Ploughman’s Lunch with local cheeses, chutneys and bread, or opt for Festive Afternoon Tea instead.
Alternatively, head to the 1925 Pullman Car ‘Lydia’ for a spot of luxury dining in Winston Churchill‘s former dining carriage.
In this carriage, guests can have a Pullman Festive Afternoon Tea or the Pullman Christmas Lunch.
The festive dining experiences run throughout December, costing from £69.95 per person.
Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) Santa Specials
The Kent & East Sussex Railway will feature Santa Specials this festive period.
The experience lasts 75 minutes, and passengers get to have gifts hand delivered by Santa.
On board, there are also a number of family photo opportunities and complimentary hot drinks (which includes mulled wine for adults).
You also get entry to the Winter Wonderland marquee and unlimited rides on the vintage gallopers at Tenterden Town Station.
With the Bronze package, passengers get a complimentary refreshment pack, containing a mince pie for each adult and a chocolate bar for each child.
Passengers in Silver and Gold class carriages then get to meet Jingle and Sparkle, Santa’s Head Elves.
There are Silver first class and Gold premium class packages as well.
The 2025 Santa Specials run every weekend from November 29 until December 21, plus December 23 and Christmas Eve.
Tickets cost from £30 per person (based on booking a table of four for £120).
Elf Express
The Strathspey Railway travels through the Cairngorms National Park on a heritage steam train, and for the festive season there will be elves onboard with the passengers.
Kids even get the chance to meet Santa.
A trolley will also operate on board with seasonal treats, like the Festive Steam Tea with sandwiches and cakes, hot chocolate and prosecco.
The train is running on selected Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from December 6.
A table for four on board the train costs from £95.
Steam Illuminations
Along the Watercress Line in Hampshire you could hop on board the Steam Illuminations train – a train wrapped in LED lights.
Travelling from Alresford or Alton, the heritage steam train dates back to between the 20s and the 30s.
The journey lasts one hour and 45 minutes, and passengers will see illuminations along the way.
There are even ‘singing’ Christmas trees at Alresford.
The train is operating on various dates from November 28 to January 4 and it costs from £34 for adults and children.
Epping Ongar Railway Santa Specials
Families heading on the Epping Ongar Railway Santa Specials start their journey before they reach the station.
As they can hop on a vintage London bus at Epping Underground station or in Ongar, to get to North Weald Station – and you’ll spot different festive characters will be walking around.
Then once on board, the train will head off on a return journey via Epping Forest.
The Santa Specials trains will be running on November 29 and 30 and on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24.
Tickets start at £65 per two people.
Bluebell Railway SteamLights
The Bluebell Railway SteamLights train heads off through the Sussex countryside, with passengers able to spot festive-themed scenes along the way.
Then the train arrives at Horsted Keynes Station, with passengers able to get off and take pictures of the train which is entirely covered in lights for 30 minutes.
The train then heads back to Sheffield Park, with the experience lasting around two hours in total.
The experience is running from November 22 to December 28 and tickets start from £35 per person.
Christmas Train of Lights
Located along Dartmouth Steam Railway in Devon is the Christmas Train of Lights – supposedly the UK’s first ever steam train of lights, according to the operator’s website.
Both a spectacle from the inside and the outside, passengers will get to experience lineside displays and a number of festive surprises throughout the journey.
They will run from November 28 to December 30.
Tickets cost £29.95 per adult and £21.95 per child.
East Somerset Railway Santa Paws
One for families with a much-loved pooch is the East Somerset Railway Santa Paws experience.
Four-legged friends aren’t left out of the fun on this one as you can bring them along to meet Santa.
There are lots of photo opportunities and your pooch even gets a special gift.
The experience will run on December 6 and 7.
Tickets cost £15 per adult and £10 per child.
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