Holiday Train FAQ

Ever since Santa arrived aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad 20 years ago, the Santa Express Train experience has gotten bigger and better.

This year, we’ve doubled the Christmas lights at the North Pole in the gorge, and even more spectacular, we’ve added an all-new laser-light recreation of the Aurora Borealis that shimmers above the North Pole deep within the Royal Gorge — it’s absolutely magical.

We’ve also illuminated our entire 17-car with about a mile and a half of lights, running along the exterior of every railcar. When the train winds through the Royal Gorge at night, it’s a breathtaking, glowing ribbon of soft white light.

What hasn’t changed is the absolute joy we see on guests’ faces as they arrive in matching pajamas, with their entire families, and board the only train that takes them to the North Pole. It’s one of our favorite times of the year! Guests arrive excited and leave so happy, with full hearts, knowing the magic of the holiday season continues to live right here in the Royal Gorge.

From the moment guests arrive, they’re immersed in a festive holiday world – aboard a beautifully renovated mid-century train that winds through the most stunning Rocky Mountain canyon in Colorado.

The train itself is beautifully decorated, and holiday music fills the air. Once onboard, guests settle into their cozy seats, they’re served warm cocoa and cookies and we begin our trip through the Royal Gorge all the way to the North Pole.

Elves greet families, lead sing-alongs, and play holiday games with children. Of course, the highlight is when we reach Santa’s home in the Royal Gorge, the North Pole. It’s lit up with hundreds of thousands of lights, surrounded by his workshops, North Pole creatures, and the ethereal, colorful lights of the Aurora Borealis.

Santa and his elves welcome our train full of families, waving to everyone aboard. As Santa boards the train, we linger at the North Pole letting children take in the wonderland of the North Pole. Santa takes his time, walking through every train car, greeting every child and family – with plenty of time for photos and handing out a special present to each child – a magical Christmas bell.

It’s warm, joyful, and nostalgic — the kind of holiday tradition families look forward to year after year.

The Holiday Train runs daily throughout November and December, offering a festive, more relaxed holiday-themed journey. While aboard, guests ride and dine, surrounded by Christmas elegance on our beautifully appointed, mid-century railcars. It’s a full-service journey that’s more adult, where instead of Santa and his elves providing the entertainment, guests create their own Christmas joy with friends and family, all while listening to nostalgic Christmas music and taking in the sights. This train takes the full journey to the North Pole in the Royal Gorge and back. Holiday Train guests enjoy the journey in style, while they ride and dine, and visit the open air car anytime they’d like, for an up close and personal view of Colorado’s grandest canyon.

The Santa Express Train is the ultimate Christmas experience for families and children to take in the magic of the holiday, featuring games, music, cocoa and cookies, all while anticipating the train’s arrival at the North Pole in the stunning Royal Gorge, when Santa boards the train. Once aboard, Santa makes his way through the entire train, greeting every child and gifting them a special Christmas bell. This is also a ride and dine experience tailored to families with children, and anyone who loves an immersive Christmas event.

The train travels from the historic Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City through the stunning Royal Gorge to the North Pole in the gorge and back, all without needing to turn around thanks to its push-pull operation.

In 2005, we launched the Santa Express Train to bring a magical holiday experience to families in Colorado. It’s a one-of-a-kind Rocky-Mountain-style holiday experience, traversing the stunning, singular Royal Gorge. We transport guests into another world while aboard the train, ultimately arriving in the center of Colorado’s grandest canyon, the North Pole, where Santa and his elves live.

Since launching it 20 years ago, it has grown into one of America’s most cherished Christmas traditions. Now families from across the U.S. make their way to the Royal Gorge Route Railroad to experience our one-of-a-kind Christmas train.

The Santa Express Train offers up to four departures daily, 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 or 4:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. aboard our Vista Dome, Deluxe and Coach cars.

Aboard the train we offer our 403 Grill experience where guests are invited to order breakfast, lunch or dinner and enjoy festive cocktails, mocktails and anything else they’d like from our fully stocked bars.

New this year, we’ve added a special First Class Gourmet Santa Express Train and Holiday Train, from December 20 – January 1. Aboard these select 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. departures, guests indulge in our multi-course gourmet offering, all while immersed in the joy and merriment of our Rocky Mountain Christmas train journey.

Approximately one hour and 45 minutes.

There is no official dress code on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. We are a Colorado casual kind of place, so come comfortable and ready for fun. For our Santa Express Train and Holiday Train journeys, many families wear their favorite pajamas, cozy holiday sweaters, or festive outfits. It makes the experience even more magical, especially when Santa boards the train to meet every child. We do recommend closed toed shoes for all departures. If you are riding up front with the engineer, closed toed shoes are required, and we will share a few extra safety guidelines when you book.