Polar Express, Santa Trains and Christmas Train Rides are selling tickets. A lot of these book up long before you ever think of hanging tinsel on the tree.
We’ve put together a list of these kinds of holiday excursions in or (somewhat) near Kansas City. If you want to make this part of your festivities, wed recommend buying tickets now as many of them sell out.
Some of these train rides are pricey and rarely offer discounts. They are included here anyway because they are very popular and offer a special holiday experience for kids.
Some of these Santa Train rides have been cancelled or revised for 2020. Read the details carefully and follow the links. Again, reservations go quickly, so be sure to book your trip as soon as possible.
Feel like getting into the holiday spirit? Don’t miss our other holiday posts:
Best Holiday and Christmas Light Displays in Kansas City
Classic Holiday Movies at Theaters in Kansas City
Holiday Shopping Gift Card Bonus Offers
The Polar Express Train Ride – Baldwin City, Kansas
The Polar Express– Baldwin City, Kansas
Midland Railway, Baldwin City Station
1515 High Street
Baldwin City, KS 66006
(785) 594-1335
CANCELLED FOR 2020: Powered by Midland Railway, The Polar Express Train Ride runs from historic Baldwin City, Kansas. This is the only officially licensed Polar Express event in the State of Kansas. Due to health and safety concerns, concerns, Midland Railway and Baldwin City & Southern Railroad have canceled all holiday train events for the 2020 season.
2020 Dates: Trains are running Nov. 16 through Dec. 30 on Saturdays and Sundays, some Fridays and Monday, Dec. 23. Times vary from late afternoon (the earliest train leaves at 4:15 p.m. or 4:45 p.m.) to evening (latest train leaves at 7:45 p.m.). There are multiple trains on Saturdays and Sundays.
Length: Train ride is one hour. The full experience takes about two hours.
Features: The ride is a recreation of the popular Polar Express movie right down to the decorated train cars and sounds from the motion picture soundtrack. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride. The train cars are heated, but you will spend time on an unheated platform and your board and depart.
Passengers are required to arrive 45 minutes before their listed departure time to park and check in at Midland Railway. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure.
Once on board, your golden ticket gets punched and hot chocolate and cookies are served by dancing chefs. Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and give each one a silver sleigh bell to take home. During the trip, everyone is kept entertained with caroling and read along from the classic Polar Express book.
Cost
Prices listed do not include additional fees and taxes. Kids under the age of two can ride for free if they sit on an adult’s lap. However, a free infant ticket needs to be selected at the time of purchase. This allows the railway to account for all passengers. Purchase tickets here.
Coach Class: Coach class seating is arranged in a 2-2 configuration with two seats on each side of the aisle.
- Value Times: Adults are $40. Kids (2-11) are $30.
- Standard Times: Adults are $45. Kids (2-11) are $35.
- Peak Times: Adults are $50. Kids are $40.
First Class: First class seating is a traditional dining coach layout with tables and four chairs. First class passengers receive a commemorative ceramic hot chocolate mug in addition to their silver bell.
- Value Times: Adults are $50. Kids (2-11) are $40.
- Standard Times: Adults are $65. Kids (2-11) are $45.
- Peak Times: Adults are $60. Kids are $50.
Group Discounts: A 10% discount is available for groups of 20+ and must be booked by calling (785) 594-1335. To ensure your group is seated together please purchase all tickets in a single transaction. The name of each member of passenger is needed to complete the check-out process, so please have those together before you call.
Military Discounts: Active duty military members with the appropriate uniformed service ID card are eligible for a $5 discount on up to 10 tickets. The credit will be refunded after the purchase is completed. Please read full details and instructions in the FAQs.
Parking
Free: Free event parking is available downtown and at The Baldwin City Lodge. Both have activities, food options and bus stops for the free shuttle. Allow for an additional 30 minutes to get from the shuttle to stop to the depot.
Paid: A limited amount of paid parking is available at the depot. Passes are $10 and must be purchased online by noon on the day of your ride. No car will be allowed in the lot without a pre-purchased pass.
Belton, Grandview, & Kansas City Railroad Santa Train
Belton, Grandview, & Kansas City Railroad Santa Train
Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Depot and Museum
502 E Walnut Street
Belton, MO 64012
(816) 331-0630
CANCELLED FOR 2020: Due to health and safety concerns, the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad is not operating a holiday event train for the 2020 season.
Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express Train – Union Station
Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express Train – Union Station
30 West Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 460-2020
CANCELLED FOR 2020: Due to health and safety concerns, the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train will not be making its annual journey and stop at Union Station.
2019 Dates:
Dec. 18: 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.Dec. 19: 11 a.. to 6 p.m.Dec. 20: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Dec. 21: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Dec. 22: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Length: n/a
Features: Train rides are not offered for this event, but kids get to board the train and visit with Santa. Plus, Union Station looks magical around the holidays. The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express is a festive, lighted train that brings Santa Claus and his elves to town. Attendees can visit with Santa Claus and tour the Holiday Express train which includes a smiling tank car Rudy; a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a gingerbread boxcar; the elves’ workshop; the reindeer stable; and a little red caboose.
Cost: Free
Mini Holiday Express Train at Union Station
Union Station Mini Holiday Ride-On Train
30 West Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 460-2020
Little ones can take a festive journey on the mini holiday ride-one train. The Mini Holiday Express was once a popular attraction at the downtown Kansas City Jones Store. After the store’s closing the train found a new home at Union Station for the holidays.
This attraction is only accessible if you’ve purchased a ticket to the Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village.
Riders must be under 48″ tall.
2020 Dates: Nov. 21, 2020 – Jan. 1, 2021. Open Monday thru Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Must be in line by 7 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.
Cost: $5 per child, FREE for Union Station members. This cost is in addition to your ticket to the Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village.
Union Station Parking: Parking is available in two nearby lots and a parking garage. Rates range from $5-$15. You can also ride the KC Streetcar. There’s a stop right out front of Union Station.
Holiday Model Train Gallery Exhibit at Union Station
Holiday Model Train Gallery
30 West Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 460-2020
Union Station has train fun in all sizes.
The Model Train Gallery expands into Grand Plaza. The display features more than 800 feet of track, 18 consecutive running trains and a 15-foot, 3-D, lighted Kansas City Southern Rudy train engine, all that part of a holiday-themed scene.
Viewing is FREE with a Holiday Reflections Walk-Thru Village ticket.
Santa Express – Bonner Springs, Kansas
Santa Express and 5K – Bonner Springs, Kansas
National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame
630 N. 126th Street
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
(913) 721-1075
CHANGES FOR 2020: The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame’s popular Santa’s Express has been transformed into a drive-thru wonderland of holiday lights and living nativity.
See here for more details about 2020 Santa’s Express in Lights.
2019 Dates: Dec. 14 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and 15 (noon to 4 p.m.)
Length: n/a
Features: Saturday morning kicks off at 9 a.m. with the holiday-themed 5K and one-mile reindeer route for kids after which all the other activities begin. Hay wagons will transport you from the parking lot to the fun where Santa will be available for visits and pictures (bring your own camera). You can also enjoy mini train rides (running all weekend), snacks, hot chocolate and live entertainment.
Cost: $5 per car (cash only)
The Polar Express Train Ride – Branson, Missouri
The Polar Express Train Ride – Branson, Missouri
Branson Scenic Railway
206 E Main Street
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 334-6110
Branson is about a 3.5-hour drive from Kansas City. Some of you may have family near there or would enjoy a weekend getaway. The train ride offered at this location is an officially licensed Polar Express event. Tickets are currently on sale for the Branson location.
Train capacity has been reduced to allow guests to space out as needed. The Branson Scenic Railway is following CDC and Missouri State health and safety guidelines. As we all know, this guidance changes frequently, please see the latest information for this attraction here.
2020 Dates: Beginning in December, trains run every day through Dec. 23 except for Sunday, Dec. 6. Times vary by day, but depart some days as early as 3 p.m. and as late as 8:15 p.m.
Length: Train ride lasts one hour and 15 minutes.
Features: The ride is designed to recreate the experience seen in the Polar Express movie. This is a ride to the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus. During the trip the book “The Polar Express” is read aloud and hot chocolate and cookies are served by the chefs. Santa joins the ride at the North Pole and visits each car giving each passenger a special gift. Christmas carolers and the Hobo are also on board the train. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas. Some adults do as well.
Cost
Prices do not include tax. Infant lap riders will not have a seat and do not receive hot chocolate, cookies or the special gift. New for 2020, any level of tickets can be purchased online.
Coach Class: Coach passengers will be assigned a specific car but seating within is first-come, first served.
- Adults (13+): $46
- Kids (2-12): $36
- Infant lap rider (under 24 months): $2
Premium Levels: All passengers with premium tickets have reserved seats at a dining table and receive unlimited cookies and unlimited hot chocolate served in a Polar Express souvenir mug (except infants riding on laps).
Premium level passengers have reserved seats in groups of four at tables or booths. Premium seating tickets are only sold in even numbers so families can be kept together as much as possible. Parties with 6 or more will be divided up among multiple tables and will share a table with another family. Every effort is made to keep family groups together.
Premium Level:
- Adults (13+): $62
- Kids (2-12): $52
- Infant lap rider (under 24 months): $2
Premium Dome Level:
- Adults (13+): $72
- Kids (2-12): $69
- Infant lap rider (under 24 months): $2
Parking: There is free parking across from the depot in a large lot next door to Starbucks Coffee. Covered parking is available at the Branson Landing or at The Hilton Convention Center for a fee.
Here’s a handy Branson Polar Express flyer you can print or refer to for most of these details.
