Check out our Atlanta Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for awesome gift-giving activities and ideas for everyone on your list. And subscribe to our free Mommy Poppins newsletter to stay updated about all the exciting activities in Atlanta!

Children ride along The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad on the Polar Express for a round trip to the "North Pole." Photo courtesy The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad 

Christmas and Polar Express Train Rides 2024

1. Holiday Express - Blue Ridge, Georgia

Distance from Atlanta: 1.5 hours 
Dates: November 29-December 24, 2024
Cost: $42.99 children 2-12; $54.99 adults; Free 0-23 months on a lap 

Families head north to the mountains for this one-hour Christmas train ride aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, featuring The Night Before Christmas. Riders are also treated to holiday music, an activity packet, a candy cane, and a jingle bell. Parents can purchase snacks and hot chocolate while on board. 

2. Holiday Pavilion - Blue Ridge, Georgia

Distance from Atlanta: 1.5 hours
Dates: December 7, 14, 19, 20 & 21, 2024
Cost: $52.99 children 2-12; $74.99 adults

Families with older kids might prefer the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway's four-hour Holiday Pavilion train ride. Offering the same perks as the Holiday Express, riders also get off the train for a two-hour stopover in the bordering towns of McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN. 

3. The Polar Express - Bryson City, North Carolina 

Distance from Atlanta: 3 hours
Dates: November 7-December 31, 2024
Cost: Starting at $29 children 2-12; $44 adults. Prices vary based on date and train seating

Children ride along The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad for this 75-minute round trip to the "North Pole." Along the way, passengers listen to the story and music from The Polar Express and enjoy hot cocoa and a treat. Santa makes an appearance on this Christmas train and gives children a sleigh bell on each holiday ride. 

4. Candy Cane Express - Cordele, Georgia

Distance from Atlanta: 2.5 hours
Dates: December 6, 7, & 13, 2024
Cost: Starting at $29.99 children 2-12, $39.99 adults. Prices vary by section of train

This Christmas train ride on the Historic SAM Shortline Railroad in south Georgia runs for just three days in December so interested families should book quickly! Passengers take the holiday train for a two-hour stopover in Plains to explore the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site Museum, shop, and sample peanut butter ice cream. Kids will love seeing Santa! Higher-priced tickets include options such as snacks, drinks, and lunch. 

5. Cordele Holiday Train - Cordele, Georgia

Distance from Atlanta: 2.5 hours
Dates: December 14, 20 & 21, 2024
Cost: $17 children 2-12; $27 adults; $37 deluxe class for all ages

Offering hot chocolate and cookies, the one-hour Cordele Holiday Train (also offered on the Historic SAM Shortline Railroad) will delight younger kids who won't sit still for too long. Sing along to holiday music and see what Santa gives each passenger! Reserve tickets soon as the holiday train only operates for three nights this season.

6. North Pole Limited Christmas Train - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Distance from Atlanta: 2 hours 
Dates: November 15-December 23, 2024
Cost: $30 for daytime rides ages 1 and up; $40 for evening rides ages 1 and up

Atlanta families travel to Chattanooga for this Christmas train ride to the North Pole on the Tennessee Valley Railroad. Passengers enjoy refreshments (including cookies and hot chocolate), listen to stories, and write letters to Santa on the hour-long ride. At the North Pole, Santa visits with all the passengers. 

7. Holiday Christmas Lights Train - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Distance from Atlanta: 2 hours 
Dates: December 26, 2024 - January 12, 2025
Cost: $15 children 2-12; $24 ages 13+ 

The Tennessee Valley Railroad also offers a train ride featuring holiday lights, starting the day after Christmas. Passengers ride through various light displays, from twinkling snowflakes to towering Christmas trees along this 65-minute ride. 

RELATED: Chattanooga with Kids: 25 Best Things to Do in Chattanooga, Tennessee

8. Santa's Hiwassee Holiday Train - Delano, Tennessee

Distance from Atlanta: 2 hours
Dates: December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, & 23, 2024
Cost: Starting at $24 per ticket for ages 1 and up; price varies by section of train

Kids can write a letter to Santa while enjoying gingerbread cookies and chocolate milk during the 1+ hour ride along the Hiwassee River Gorge. Santa Claus rides along and gives every passenger a holiday bell. 

Take a Christmas Sing-Along Scenic ride on the Stone Mountain Railroad.  Photo courtesy of the railroad 

9. Sing-Along Scenic Railroad - Stone Mountain, Georgia

Distance from Atlanta: 30 minutes
Dates: November 9, 2024-January 5, 2025
Cost: Included with attraction pass: $34.99 children 3-11; $39.99 ages 12+; free for babies 2 and under

Enjoy Christmas magic aboard this Atlanta holiday train ride at Stone Mountain Park. Guests purchase attraction passes and enjoy all the park offers (including Summit Skyride and the interactive dinosaur exhibit), plus seasonal Christmas activities, holiday light displays, and fireworks. The train ride is a five-mile loop around the mountain; at night, the excursion turns more festive with Christmas carols.  

10. North Pole Express - Calera, Alabama

Distance from Atlanta: 3 hours
Dates: Weekends, November 15-December 20, 2024
Cost: Starting at $30 ages 2 and up. Prices vary by section of the train

Just south of Birmingham, families will find the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum. Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas aboard this 75-minute holiday train ride with singing, storytime, sweets, and a chocolate drink. Santa and Mrs. Claus climb aboard at the North Pole to pose for photos.

11. Christmas at the Station - Calera, Alabama

Distance from Atlanta: 3 hours
Dates: November 30, December 7, and 14, 2024
Cost: $20 ages 2 and up.

For a daytime option available for only three days, climb aboard the Shelby and Southern Steam Railroad for a 30-minute trip with pre-recorded holiday music. Food trucks and holiday gift vendors will be at the depot. Pose for pictures with Santa at the museum.

12. Santa Train – Huntsville, Alabama

Distance from Atlanta: 3 hours
Date: December 7 & 14, 2024
Cost: Starting at $20, price varies by section of train

If families find themselves visiting NASA’s U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, combine it with a holiday train ride at the North Alabama Railroad Museum. The Santa Train runs three times during one day and offers holiday sing-alongs and a gift for children on the 30-minute daytime ride. First-class passengers enjoy refreshments and a larger gift.

13. North Star Limited – Huntsville, Alabama

Distance from Atlanta: 3 hours
Dates: December 6, 7, 13 &14, 2024
Cost: Starting at $35 per person

For an evening ride in Huntsville, wear pajamas on the 45-minute North Star Limited, complete with a Christmas story, a sing-along, and refreshments. All children receive a gift from Santa and may visit with him on the loading platform. Kids should have their wish lists ready to give to Santa! 

Tell Santa all your wishes aboard the Santa Special Train Ride. Photo courtesy of Georgia Coastal Railway

14. Santa Special Train Ride - Kingsland, Georgia

Distance from Atlanta: 5 hours
Dates: November 29 & 30; December 7, 14, 21, 22, 23, & 24, 2024
Cost: Starting at $12.50 for ages 3-12 and $24.50 for adults. Prices vary by section of the train

This Christmas train ride may not be as close to Atlanta, but if your family plans to head to the beach this holiday season, consider adding the Georgia Coastal Railway to the vacation agenda. Frosty the Snowman, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and all the elves visit each coach on the 70-minute journey. Purchase snacks and beverages at the station to bring on board.

Additional reporting by Elsa Simcik