The Polar Express train ride leaves the Branson Scenic Railway depot at 206 E Main Street on selected dates from November 12 to January 2. The ride lasts 75 minutes, and every rider gets a silver sleigh bell from Santa. In 2026, adult tickets start at $51 and kids 2 to 11 at $39, plus tax.
Compare the faresBranson Scenic Railway, Branson, Missouri · Photo: Doug Wertman / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Credits
Each date is priced as Value, Standard or Peak. The cheapest seats are in the Deluxe Coach on Value dates, mostly Thursdays and Sundays in November.
Once the train is moving, dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and a treat while the book by Chris Van Allsburg is read aloud. Santa boards to greet every family and hands out the first gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell, and the ride back has caroling. The whole visit takes about two hours with time at the depot.
Prices are per person, plus tax, for Value, Standard and Peak dates in that order. Kids' fares are for ages 2 to 11; lap infants of 23 months and under pay $8 plus tax on any date and in any car.
| Car | Adults | Kids 2–11 |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Coach | $51 / $61 / $71 | $39 / $49 / $59 |
| Coach Class Dome | $61 / $71 / $84 | $51 / $61 / $74 |
| First Class | $61 / $71 / $84 | $51 / $61 / $74 |
| First Class Dome | $71 / $81 / $94 | $61 / $71 / $84 |
First Class and both dome cars are sold in pairs, so a party of three pays for four seats there. You pick your seats at checkout.
Tickets are sold only by the Branson Scenic Railway: book on the railway's site or call 1-800-287-2462, daily 8:30 am to 4 pm Central. With tax, the cheapest ticket comes to $44.21 and a Peak First Class Dome adult seat to $106.55.
Value dates are mostly early in the week, and from December 18 to 24 every day is Peak. Some December days add a 2:40 pm train; there's no ride on December 25.
| Day | Departures | Price level |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 12 | 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Value |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Sat, Nov 14 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Sun, Nov 15 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
| Thu, Nov 19 | 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Value |
| Fri, Nov 20 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Sat, Nov 21 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Sun, Nov 22 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Mon, Nov 23 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Tue, Nov 24 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Wed, Nov 25 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Fri, Nov 27 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Sat, Nov 28 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Sun, Nov 29 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Mon, Nov 30 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
| Tue, Dec 1 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
| Wed, Dec 2 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
| Thu, Dec 3 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Fri, Dec 4 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Sat, Dec 5 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Mon, Dec 7 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
| Tue, Dec 8 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
| Wed, Dec 9 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
| Thu, Dec 10 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Fri, Dec 11 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Sat, Dec 12 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Sun, Dec 13 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Mon, Dec 14 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Standard |
| Tue, Dec 15 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
| Wed, Dec 16 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Standard |
| Thu, Dec 17 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Fri, Dec 18 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Sat, Dec 19 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Sun, Dec 20 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Mon, Dec 21 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Tue, Dec 22 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Wed, Dec 23 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Thu, Dec 24 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Sat, Dec 26 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Sun, Dec 27 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Peak |
| Mon, Dec 28 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Standard |
| Tue, Dec 29 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Value |
| Wed, Dec 30 | 2:40 pm, 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Value |
| Thu, Dec 31 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm, 7:55 pm | Value |
| Fri, Jan 1 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
| Sat, Jan 2 | 4:25 pm, 6:10 pm | Value |
Within 60 days of the ride there are no refunds, so book the date you're sure of. Switching to another date costs $6 a ticket.
Both Hiltons are within a quarter mile of the depot by road, so you can walk back after a late train instead of hunting for a space in the railway's small lot.
Photo: ExpediaDowntown and Branson Landing 8.6/10 on Expedia
Parking Covered self-parking $15 a dayPets: 2 pets up to 75 lb, $100 a pet a stayBreakfast extra
Right by the depot on the downtown side; indoor and outdoor pools. Plan for the $34.01 nightly destination fee and $15 parking.
Hilton Promenade at Branson LandingDowntown and Branson Landing 8.6 on ExpediaParking Covered self-parking $22 a nightPets: 2 pets up to 75 lb, $100 a pet a stayBreakfast extraAbout 0.2 miles from the depot, at Branson Landing. Plan for the $34.01 nightly destination fee and $22 covered parking.Check pricesThe ride lasts 75 minutes. Plan on arriving about 40 minutes before the listed time, since boarding starts at that time and the platform closes 10 minutes later.
Only if the table and the ceramic mug matter to you. The ride, the cocoa, Santa and the sleigh bell are the same in every car, and Value, Standard and Peak dates differ only in price.
The 4:25 pm train is back around 5:40 pm, early enough for dinner at Branson Landing. The 7:55 pm train gets back around 9:10 pm. In December, some days add a 2:40 pm train.
In 2026 adults pay from $51 and kids 2 to 11 from $39 in the Deluxe Coach on Value dates, plus tax. Standard and Peak dates and the dome and First Class cars cost more, up to $94 for an adult. Lap infants are $8.
