Experience the Magic
through the Royal Gorge

Your ticket to ride the Santa Express Train includes your journey aboard the train, hot cocoa, cookie, meeting Santa and a special gift for all ticketed children. Food, beverages and gratuity are not included. Click BOOK NOW to check availability and current pricing!

Dining Information: Breakfast, lunch and dinner is additional and may be pre-ordered while booking your tickets, or purchased while aboard the train. Soft drinks and beverages from the bar may also be ordered while aboard the train!

Up to Four Daily Departures: Nov. 20 – Dec 31, 9 AM, 12:30, 3:30 & 6:30 PM*

The Santa Express Train journey is approximately 1.5 hours. Please arrive 60-90 minutes prior to departure to pick up your tickets.

*Departure times may vary

When You Get Here: We recommend arriving 60-90 minutes in advance of your scheduled departure time to get your photos and golden tickets to take onboard. Early arriving passengers may be allowed to pre-board to get settled in for the unforgettable journey ahead. Please note that all guests are assigned seating and arriving early does not allow you to pick your seats.

Visit our Trackside Mercantile & Santa Fe Depot Gift Shops: While waiting to board the train, enjoy a little holiday shopping in our new Trackside Mercantile and Santa Fe Depot retail store, brimming with unique gifts for the holiday season. Gift certificates are also available.

The Royal Gorge Route has a no refund policy.

Virtually all of our guests understand that together, we engage in a common social contract: we provide a journey and dining experience aboard our train through the Royal Gorge. In exchange, guests pay for their ride aboard the train and the food, beverages and other special packages they order. Unfortunately, the pandemic has created a new phenomenon – guests who have no intention of paying are purchasing and enjoying hospitality, travel and restaurant experiences across the U.S., then, they are reversing charges and scamming businesses.
Please don’t purchase a ticket with this intention. Remember, really good people are working hard to provide a wonderful trip and dining experience for you. We promise to do our best and thank you in advance for being a gracious guest.

We look forward to sharing our slice of Royal Gorge beauty with you.

For same day booking please call the reservations department.

Please note that we seat in parties of 4. In the tradition of railroad fine dining, parties of 2 will most likely be seated across from another couple. Most of our guests enjoy meeting fellow rail fans. When seated with another couple, you and your guest will be seated on the same side. Larger groups will be seated in adjacent rows.

Call our Group Sales team at 719.276.4000 to book the entire car for your special group.

Seating is limited and trains sell out quickly, so make your reservations early online or by calling us at: 719-276-4000.

Every effort will be made to accommodate any special dietary or physical needs. For questions about the accessibility of the train, its different classes, or if you would like to be seated with another party, please call the reservations department at 719-276-4000 prior to booking a reservation on our web site.

We offer full menu options to accommodate any dietary restrictions our passengers might have. Every effort will be made to accommodate any special dietary or physical needs. For serious allergies, please call our reservations line at 719-276-4000 in advance of your ride to ensure our team is aware of your needs. However, because we serve known allergens, please be advised that we cannot guarantee the absence of cross-contamination.

The train only can accommodate a limited number of wheelchair patrons per each train departure. The Vista Dome is not accessible to wheelchairs. Guests must be able to climb 14 steps themselves in order to sit in the Dome Cars.

Please call Reservations if you have a wheelchair (24″maximum at base), walker, or difficulties climbing stairs. For questions about the accessibility of the train and its different classes, please call prior to booking a reservation on our website. All seating is assigned/reserved and cannot be guaranteed. Please call a representative at 719-276-4000 to book your tickets for the entire party with a wheelchair or movement impaired passenger.

The Royal Gorge Route follows restaurant health codes. Only licensed, certified service animals are allowed on the train. Any other animals, including emotional support animals, are not allowed on the train.