Branson Scenic Railway locomotive waiting for passengers
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Branson Scenic Railway

The Branson Scenic Railway leaves the depot at 206 E Main Street for a 1 hour 45 minute ride, about 20 miles north to Galena or south to the Barren Fork Trestle in Arkansas and back. In 2026 a coach seat costs $36 for 13 and up and $23 for kids 2 to 12, plus tax; dome seats cost the same at any age, $81 in the First Class Dome.

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Compare the fares
Checked November 7, 20261 hr 45 minFrom $36

Branson Scenic Railway, Branson, Missouri · Photo: Doug Wertman / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Credits

The short answer

The train ride in brief

Seats are sold in pairs in most cars. The dinner train season ended in October.

The Polar Express at Christmas

Downtown Branson

Depot
206 E Main St, downtown Branson
Ride
1 hour 45 minutes, about 20 miles out and back
Route
North to Galena in the James River Valley, or south to the Barren Fork Trestle in Arkansas; the railway picks the direction just before leaving
Season
Depot and gift shop closed in January and February; excursions start again in March
Parking
A small lot across from the depot next to Starbucks, 201 E Main Street
Rules
No outside alcohol on the train or the platform
Wheelchairs
Train doors are 24 inches wide; book the coach with wheelchair space by phone
Fares

2026 fares by car

Prices are plus tax. Lap infants under 2 pay $7 in any car. Seats are assigned when you book, and later changes go through the phone line only.

  • Coach

    Ages 13+$36Ages 2–12$23What you getA reserved seat

  • Deluxe Coach

    Ages 13+$41Ages 2–12$25What you getTable or booth seating

  • First Class

    Ages 13+$66Ages 2–12$41What you getSnack, dessert, soft drinks and a souvenir

  • Deluxe Class Dome

    Ages 13+$61Ages 2–12$61What you getDome car, up stairs; out of service for restoration

  • First Class Dome

    Ages 13+$81Ages 2–12$81What you getDome car with snack, dessert, soft drinks and a souvenir

  • First Class 21+ Westport

    Ages 13+$71Ages 2–12Adults onlyWhat you getSnack, dessert, soft drinks and a souvenir

Pick seats and book

Which seat to book

A family of two adults and two kids
Coach for $118 or Deluxe Coach for $132 before tax; First Class is $214. Dome seats cost the same for kids, so the First Class Dome comes to $324
A couple
Any car: every car except Coach sells seats in pairs, and you may share a table with another party
Traveling alone
Coach, or the Silver Island and Silver Terrace First Class cars, which sell single seats
After the view
A dome car, upstairs with panoramic windows
In a wheelchair
The coach with wheelchair space, booked by phone; the domes are up stairs
The ride

Tunnels, trestles and dome cars

Every excursion is a round trip from downtown Branson.

  1. 20 minutes before departure

    Board at the depot

    Boarding starts at 206 E Main St; be in your assigned seat 10 minutes before the train leaves.

  2. North or south

    It's a working freight line, so the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad decides just before departure: north to Galena in the James River Valley or south to the Barren Fork Trestle in Arkansas.

  3. Out through the hills

    Tunnels, high trestles, streams and wilderness you can't reach by car, past the ruins of communities that now exist only on railroad maps.

  4. 1 hour 45 minutes in all

    Turn and come back

    About 20 miles out the train reverses and returns on the same tracks to the downtown depot.

Vintage cars and three domes

Wide-window coaches and three dome cars with panoramic views. All seats are assigned when you book.

On board

Restrooms in several cars and a concession car with drinks, snacks and sweets; you can walk through the train.

Dinner Train

A 2-hour weekend ride on the same route with a three-course meal, narration and live music; beer, wine and cocktails for 21+. Seasonal, through October.

Season

Excursions from March, with Dinner Trains and The Polar Express filling the calendar to early January.

November departures

The railway's list of scenic rides ends on November 24. From November 12 to January 2, the evenings belong to The Polar Express.

Branson Scenic Railway departures, November 2026
DayDepartures
Mon, Nov 99:30 am, 12 pm
Tue, Nov 109:30 am, 12 pm
Thu, Nov 122:30 pm
Fri, Nov 1312 pm
Sat, Nov 1411:15 am, 1:30 pm
Sun, Nov 1512 pm
Mon, Nov 169:30 am, 12 pm
Wed, Nov 189:30 am, 12 pm
Thu, Nov 192:30 pm
Fri, Nov 2012 pm
Sat, Nov 2111:15 am, 1:30 pm
Sun, Nov 2211:15 am, 1:30 pm
Mon, Nov 2311:15 am, 1:30 pm
Tue, Nov 2411:15 am, 1:30 pm
Know before you go

Boarding, parking and rules

Changes and cancellations go through the reservations line only, not the website.

Boarding
Starts 20 minutes before departure; be seated 10 minutes before
Tickets
Mobile or printed boarding passes go straight to the train; otherwise pick up at the depot
More parking
Paid parking on Sycamore Street across from the Branson Convention Center, or the Branson Landing garage
Weather
Runs in rain; no refund if the train runs
Not allowed
Alcohol, firearms and smoking, including on the platform
Changes
$6 per ticket plus any fare difference, by phone only
Cancel
$14 per adult, $7 per child up to 5 days before; no refund after that
Shoes
Closed-toe shoes recommended; parts of the property are uneven
Phone
1-800-287-2462
Stay nearby

Hotels next to the depot

Both Hiltons are within a quarter mile of the depot by road.

Branson vacation rentals on Vrbo

What people ask

Quick answers

How long is the Branson Scenic Railway ride?

1 hour 45 minutes. The train runs about 20 miles out, either north to Galena or south to the Barren Fork Trestle in Arkansas, and back.

How much is the Branson train ride?

In 2026 a coach seat costs $36 for 13 and up and $23 for kids 2 to 12, plus tax. Lap infants under 2 are $7. First Class is $66, or $41 for kids, and the First Class Dome is $81 at any age. The $61 Deluxe Dome is out of service for restoration.

Does the Branson train go north or south?

Either. The freight railroad that owns the track picks the direction just before departure, depending on freight traffic and track work.

Is there food on the Branson Scenic Railway?

A concession car sells drinks, snacks and sweets on every excursion. First Class and First Class Dome include a snack, dessert and soft drinks.

Does the Branson train run in the rain?

Yes, unless conditions become unsafe. There's no refund for weather if the train runs.

Is there a dinner train in Branson?

Yes, on weekends in season, through October: a 2-hour ride with a three-course meal and live music. Adults 21+ can order beer, wine and cocktails.

When should I arrive for the Branson Scenic Railway?

Boarding starts 20 minutes before departure, and you should be in your seat 10 minutes before. Park in the small lot across from the depot.