Virginia Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: September 14, 2026
By: Adam Burns
Virginia’s Christmas train is Virginia Scenic Railway Santa Express from the Staunton station—about 60 minutes, cocoa, cookie, Santa, not the three-hour Alleghany Special or Blue Ridge Flyer. There is no licensed Polar Express host in Virginia. See the Polar Express hub if that is the ticket you want.
Virginia Scenic Railway's "Santa Express" with Santa posed aboar Buckingham Branch Railroad's GP38-2 #16. Virginia Scenic photo.
On this page: At a glance · Christmas hosts · Planning tips
Virginia Christmas trains at a glance
| Host | City | 2026 product | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Scenic Railway | Staunton | Santa Express, Thanksgiving through Christmas as scheduled. ~60 min. Confirm 2026 dates and fares | Railroad site |
Schedules and fares change. Confirm on the railroad before you book. Information compiled September 10, 2026. This is a Christmas train—not a licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ event. Virginia has no Polar host.
Christmas hosts
Virginia Scenic Railway
(Staunton): 415 Bridge Street (Amtrak station). Buckingham Branch freight railroad; public Christmas is the Santa Express, a shorter family trip than the three-hour scenic trains. Decorated cars, hot cocoa, a cookie, Santa. Coach and other classes as posted. Arrive 30 minutes early; boarding is tight and the train does not wait. This is not Polar Express, and it is not the Dillwyn Santa of the old live copy—the public product boards Staunton.
2026: The railroad markets Santa Express between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Confirm the 2026 grid and fares at virginiascenicrailway.com. Sign up for the newsletter if the holiday calendar is not up yet. Do not buy an Alleghany Special or Blue Ridge Flyer ticket thinking Santa is included.
Planning tips
- Virginia has no licensed Polar Express. Do not treat Santa Express as a Polar substitute.
- Staunton station, 415 Bridge Street. GPS that address, not Dillwyn.
- Santa Express is about an hour. The regular scenic trains are three hours with dining. Different tickets.
- Peak December dates sell. Book when the holiday grid opens.
Related Reading on American-Rails.com
- Virginia scenic train rides
- Virginia Scenic Fall Foliage 2026
- Christmas Train Ride Locations 2026
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Locations 2026
Always verify 2026 schedules, fares, and event names on the railroad’s official website before you travel. American-Rails.com does not sell tickets.
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