All aboard The Polar Express! You’re in for the journey of a lifetime when you ride the Polar Express Train Ride. Experience your favorite movie come to life as you travel on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad all the way to the North Pole! Read on for the inside scoop about what to expect on this Smoky Mountain train ride!
About the Train Ride
The Polar Express Train Ride is just over an hour long and departs from the Bryson City Depot. Guests are in for an unforgettable train ride to the North Pole as they enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, eat freshly baked cookies, listen to the motion picture soundtrack, and read along with the story. It’s perfect for all Polar Express lovers, but it’s also an incredible experience even if you’ve never read the book or watched the movie. Once you reach the North Pole, you’ll find Santa Claus waiting for you! He’ll board the train, greet every child, and present them with a special gift from the story– a beautiful silver sleigh bell! On the ride back to the Bryson City Depot, all the passengers will join in and sing Christmas carols. It’s the perfect way to spread holiday cheer when you spend Christmas in the Smoky Mountains! The Polar Express ride runs through the end of December, but certain dates tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to get your tickets in advance!
Different Classes of Service
The Polar Express Train Ride has different classes of service available for guests:
- First Class– features plush furniture, large windows, and climate control; also includes a cookie and warm cocoa in a Polar Express souvenir mug, a surprise treat, and a souvenir tote.
- Premium Crown Class– features a beautifully restored wood interior resembling the train from the film with windows that open as well as ceiling fans and heating; also includes a cookie, cocoa in a Polar Express souvenir tumbler, and a surprise treat.
- Crown Class– includes a cookie and cocoa in a Polar Express souvenir tumbler and features plush seating, large picture windows, and climate control.
- Coach Class– includes a freshly baked cookie and warm cocoa and features windows that can open for fresh air, ceiling fans, and heat for cooler evenings.
Seats are assigned, and families love the ability to book 4 or 2-seat sections; also children under 2 are free (one complimentary lap child ticket per adult ticket). There are easily accessible restrooms located throughout the train, so regardless of which ticket option you go for, there’s not a bad seat on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s Polar Express Train Ride!
Where to Stay
Looking for a place to stay with enough room for the whole family? We have a great selection of Smoky Mountain cabins available, only about an hour away from the Bryson City Depot and The Polar Express! Our beautiful cabins are great for families, from small and cozy cabins to large group cabins. Choose from amenities such as fireplaces, hot tubs, and pool tables to plan your incredible vacation! Plus, all our cabins have spectacular mountain views! You’ll love being able to spend your holiday nestled in the mountains with your loved ones.
You can’t go wrong when you spend Christmas in the Smoky Mountains. Give your children the best gift of riding The Polar Express on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Browse all our North Carolina cabin rentals and book the perfect one for your stay. Don’t miss the chance for an unforgettable holiday!
