3 Christmas Trains in Tennessee, and the Priciest One Is Right Here in Nashville

Want a Christmas train ride without leaving the state? You have three choices. One is in Nashville. The other two are a drive away.

Here is what each one costs and what to know before you book.

All prices were checked on October 16, 2026. They are posted fares, before fees and taxes. Family estimates mean two adults and two kids ages 5 to 11, tickets only.

Nashville Santa Express

Family estimate: $216

The Tennessee Central Railway Museum boards at 220 Willow Street. No road trip, no hotel. That is the big selling point for locals.

The 2026 dates are November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19. Trains leave at 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Fares from the museum’s flyer:

• Coach or dining seats: $70
• Children under 12: $38
• Dome seats: $120 (no child discount)

A convenience fee is added. All seats are reserved.

The ride is about 1.5 hours round trip, with no layover. Food, drinks and souvenirs cost extra. The flyer does not promise cocoa, cookies or a meal, and outside food is not allowed.

Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure. Parking is free.

It costs the most per ticket. But you skip the gas, the hotel and the long drive. That can narrow the gap, though it depends on your family.

Know before you go:

• The flyer says no refunds or exchanges.
• Boarding usually means five steps. Ask about wheelchair help before you buy. Call 615-241-0436.
• Toilets are on several cars, but they are generally locked until the train is moving.
• If your child is exactly two, call first. The museum’s FAQ and excursions page word the free lap-child rule differently.

Chattanooga North Pole Limited

Family estimate: $152 for daytime seats

This is the closest out-of-town option. It is roughly two hours from Nashville. Chattanooga runs on Eastern Time, one hour ahead of us.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum runs it from Grand Junction at 4119 Cromwell Road. Do not route to the downtown Choo Choo complex. It is a different place.

Dates run from November 13 to December 23, 2026. Daytime tickets are $38 for ages 1 and up. Evening tickets are $45. Four daytime seats cost $152, versus $180 at night. Babies under one ride free on a lap, without the paid extras.

The ride lasts about 75 minutes. You get cocoa, a cookie, a story and music. Santa visits each family at their seat. Every family gets an ornament, and each child gets a bell.

Looking for lights all along the track? You won’t find them. Displays are near the depot and the North Pole.

Here is a money tip. The page also sells Elves & Bells daytime tables from $100 for up to four people. That could beat four individual seats. Get an actual quote and compare.

Know before you go:

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Parking is large.
• Coaches are heated, but dress warmly for the walk in.
• Toilets vary by train. Ask about yours.
• The station FAQ says wheelchairs cannot be used inside the historic cars. Ask TVRM about boarding help before you buy.
• No sensory-friendly departure was verified. Whistles, music and bells are part of the show.

Delano Santa’s Hiwassee Holiday

Family estimate: $120

This is the cheapest ticket on the list, but it is the longest drive. Delano is about 3 hours 15 minutes from Nashville, and it also runs on Eastern Time.

It is a short Santa outing from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum at 9406 Highway 411. Do not confuse it with the Chattanooga train or the long Hiwassee Loop trip.

It runs on selected dates from December 5 to 22, 2026. Mistletoe coach seats are $30 for ages 1 and up. Holly premium seats are $45.

The ride is under an hour, in heated coaches. You get a Santa visit, a letter-writing activity, a chocolate-chip cookie, chocolate milk, a boarding pass and a bell. Holly adds premium dome, lounge and observation seating and a family ornament, depending on equipment.

Is it worth a 3-hour drive for a ride under an hour? On its own, probably not. It works best if you are already headed to southeast Tennessee with younger kids.

Know before you go:

• Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early. You may wait outside.
• Parking is free, but rideshare pickups afterward may be hard.
• Leave large strollers in the car. Fold compact ones.
• The event page says wheelchairs cannot be accommodated onboard. If a guest can transfer with help, call 423-894-8028.
• A missed departure is not refundable.
• The rule for babies under one was not clear, so ask before you book.

Which One Fits Your Family?

Staying local? Nashville wins on convenience. Start with coach or dining seats, and pick seats next to each other. Save the dome for a treat, since it has only 20 seats.

Want a fuller Christmas show without a long train ride? Chattanooga is the middle ground. Pick daytime if bedtime matters. Pick evening if you want the after-dark feel. Neither guarantees a better Santa visit.

Already heading to southeast Tennessee with little ones? Delano is a short, low-cost add-on. Pick the Mistletoe seats first, since the core Santa program is already included.

Quick Checks Before You Book

No live seat counts were confirmed for any of these trains, so check each calendar early.

Ask about accessibility in plain terms. Parking, help up steps and staying in a wheelchair onboard are different needs.

And check the final total. Fees, taxes and cancellation rules can change what you pay.