Georgia Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: September 4, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Georgia’s mountain Christmas train is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Holiday Express from downtown Blue Ridge. SAM Shortline (Cordele) and St. Marys Railroad have run Santa and candy-cane trips in past years—confirm 2026 before you count on them. There is no licensed Polar Express host in Georgia. The nearest Polar rides are Bryson City, North Carolina, and Chattanooga is a Christmas train, not Polar. See the Polar Express hub if that is the ticket you want.
St. Marys Railroad's Santa Express at Kingsland, Georgia. SMRR photo.
On this page: At a glance · Christmas hosts · Planning tips
Georgia Christmas trains at a glance
| Host | City | 2026 product | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Scenic Railway | Blue Ridge | Holiday Express, Nov. 28–Dec. 24. ~1 hour, no layover. Adult $56.99 / child 2–12 $46.99 listed. Santa, story, jingle bell, candy cane | Holiday Express page |
| SAM Shortline | Cordele | Christmas in Plains, North Pole Express, Candy Cane Express, Breakfast with Santa in prior years. Confirm 2026 | Railroad site |
| St. Marys Railroad | St. Marys | Santa Express in prior Novembers/Decembers. Confirm 2026 | Railroad site |
| Southeastern Railway Museum | Duluth | Santa-on-the-train / breakfast events in prior years. Confirm 2026 | Museum site |
Schedules and fares change. Confirm on each railroad before you book. Information compiled September 3, 2026. These are Christmas trains—not licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ events.
Christmas hosts
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
(Blue Ridge): 241 Depot Street. Former L&N Hook & Eye along the Toccoa River. The Christmas trip is the one-hour Holiday Express—not the 2-hour or 4-hour scenic to McCaysville. Holiday music, The Night Before Christmas, Santa, a railroad jingle bell and candy cane for children. Cocoa and snacks in the concession car for purchase. Closed coaches with winter vinyl windows.
2026: November 28–December 24 (operator holiday page; some listings start November 27). About one hour. Listed $56.99 ages 13+ / $46.99 ages 2–12; infants free. brscenic.com. Overview: Blue Ridge Holiday Express.
SAM Shortline
(Cordele): Southwest Georgia Railroad Excursion Authority on the old SAM / Seaboard. Prior holidays mixed a Christmas-in-Plains layover, a North Pole Express into Cordele, a Candy Cane Express, and breakfast with Santa. Please be aware these are not Polar Express events.
St. Marys Railroad
(St. Marys): Short-line freight that added tourist specials. Prior Santa Express trips ran late November into December. Confirm 2026 at thegeorgiatrain.com.
Southeastern Railway Museum
(Duluth): Official state transportation museum. Prior holidays used Santa-arrives-on-the-train and breakfast/lunch with Santa more than a long scenic. Confirm 2026 at train-museum.org.
Planning tips
- Georgia has no licensed Polar Express host. Bryson City, North Carolina, is the nearest mountain Polar.
- Holiday Express is the short Christmas product. Book a winter scenic if you want the state-line layover.
- Blue Ridge December weekends sell. Do not assume walk-up.
- Cordele and St. Marys are a different day from Blue Ridge. Confirm those calendars first.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- Blue Ridge Holiday Express
- Georgia scenic train rides
- Christmas Train Ride Locations 2026
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Locations 2026
Always verify 2026 schedules, fares, and event names on each railroad’s official website before you travel. American-Rails.com does not sell tickets.
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