Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. for The Polar Express Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station.
More information and tickets for the popular holiday tradition are available at www.stlpolarexpressride.com.
The real train rides — a Midwest holiday tradition — travel to the North Pole again this year to tell the magical story of a boy’s search for the real meaning of Christmas. The train rides begin at St. Louis Union Station on November 15 and continue through December 30, 2024. Riders are encouraged to wear their holiday pajamas on the train rides.
Early ticket buyers will have the best choice of available dates. A discount code, ELF2024, is active through Friday, August 9 for additional savings. Weekday riders in November also will get a free ticket to ride the St. Louis Wheel at Union Station.
Trains will depart St. Louis Union Station at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m. every night during the season except Thanksgiving. Trains also run at 8:30 p.m. on selected dates. Prices vary by date and ticket class. More information is available at www.stlpolarexpressride.com. This year celebrates the Polar Express story’s 20th Anniversary and each First Class and Premium Class rider will receive a commemorative 20th Anniversary mug.
Families can make their holiday getaway complete by enjoying a decorated hotel room at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton. Hotel packages are available on the website.
Families can also book a magical Pancakes With Santa meal in the magnificent Grand Hall at St. Louis Union Station, Held on select dates during the holiday season, the meal includes a meeting with Santa himself. Tickets are available at www.stlpolarexpressride.com. Santa also will dive in the St. Louis Aquarium’s Shark Canyon habitat at Union Station on select dates during the holidays. The Scuba Claus encounters are included with general admission to the Aquarium.
The beloved story of The Polar Express comes to life when the real train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by a cast of talented characters familiar to everyone who loves the classic movie and book, including the Boy, the Hobo, the Conductor, dancing and singing chefs and, of course, Santa and his elves. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy time in a pre-ride venue filled with Christmas-themed selfie stations.
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a one-hour trip to meet Santa. The Jolly Old Elf will meet every child on the train and will give them the first gift of Christmas, a silver bell. It’s an immersive, family-oriented experience that will create lasting holiday memories.
St. Louis Union Station is located at 201 S. 18th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Follow on social media @unionstationstl. Phone inquiries: (314) 942-6942.
Click here for a 30-second video of The Polar Express Train Ride.
