All aboard! Feel that holiday magic when you hop aboard Austin Steam Train’s North Pole Flyer! Children of all ages can experience their own little Polar Express-inspired moments when they go for a real train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy story time, hot cocoa, a sing-along with elves, and Christmas cookies, too! Rides are available from November 26 – December 18! Read on for all the details and enter to win tickets!
A popular annual holiday tradition for local families, the Austin Steam Train Association’s two-hour excursion takes place on a real train, departing at the vintage 1912 station in Bertram, Texas, where each car is decorated for the season. Passengers enjoy a live reading of the North Pole Flyer book, the railroad’s own Christmas story, and each ride features a visit and gift from Santa.
Dates and Times: The North Pole Flyer runs on Saturdays and Sundays from November 26 through December 18, 2022. There are train departure times at 8:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. Families are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes prior to your departure time to get parked, boarded, and seated. This ride is 2 hours round trip with no layover.
New Ticket Options for 2022: This year, the Austin Steam Train Association has created “Silver” and “Gold” weekends to better suit your North Pole Flyer desires! Silver weekends are November 26-27 and December 3-4. Gold weekends are December 10-11 and 17-18. Entertainment offering and pricing is different on each weekend.
What to expect on a Silver departure date, November 26-27 and December 3-4: 2 hour trip, visits and photos with Santa (Santa will sit for photos in the lounge cars only), a gift for each child 13 and under from Santa or his Elf, visit and cookie from Mrs. Claus, letters to Santa, coloring sheet with crayons, unlimited hot chocolate on board and at the depot (expanded from last year) and live reading of the North Pole Flyer book with updated amplification. Private compartment passengers are welcome to join the festivities in the main lounge, though standing space will be limited.
What to expect on a Gold departure date, December 10-11 and 17-18: 2 hour trip, visits and photos with Santa (Santa will sit for photos in the lounge cars only), a gift for each child 13 and under from Santa or his Elf, visit and cookie from Mrs. Claus, on-board caroling and sing-a-long, letters to Santa, coloring sheet with crayons, unlimited hot chocolate on board and at the depot (expanded from last year), live balloon twisting with balloon art for each child 13 and under, and live reading of the North Pole Flyer book with updated amplification. Private compartment passengers are welcome to join the festivities in the main lounge, though standing space will be limited.
What is the difference between Silver & Gold? Gold departures get on-board caroling and balloon twisters and are $10 more per ticket.
Tickets: Tickets range from $45 to $65 which you can book online here or by calling 512-915-2340. Please take note that this popular holiday tradition sells out each year!
Location info: All North Pole Flyer rides depart from the historic 1912 Bertram Depot, (170 S. Gabriel St., Bertram, TX 78605) which is about 45 miles from downtown Austin. Click here for directions.
This giveaway has ended, but thank you to everyone who entered!
