Tennessee has more train rides than most people realize. Some are short and cheap. Others eat up a whole day.
I ranked seven of them by starting adult fare, from lowest to highest. Prices were checked on October 14, 2026, and they don’t include taxes, booking fees, parking or food. Rail schedules and fares change, so confirm your date before you book.
1. Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Chattanooga): $24.99
Adult round-trip tickets cost $24.99. Kids ages 3 to 12 pay $12.99, and children 2 and under ride free with a paying passenger.
This one isn’t a locomotive pulling cars. It’s a cable-operated funicular that climbs Lookout Mountain. Near the top, the track hits a 72.7% grade. That’s a percentage, not a 72.7-degree angle. Still steep!
The ride takes about 10 minutes each way. Plan on at least an hour for the whole visit, since the upper station has an observation deck that looks out over the Tennessee Valley.
A few useful details:
- You can board at either station. The lower station is at 3917 St. Elmo Avenue, and the upper one is at 827 East Brow Road.
- The railway began running in November 1895.
- The cars are heated but not air-conditioned.
- Manual and electric wheelchairs are allowed.
- Lower-station parking is $3 for three hours or $5 for longer.
One thing to know: this ride does not take you straight to Ruby Falls or Rock City. Also, the official FAQ gives mixed information about Monday opening times, so check the hours before you go.
2. Missionary Ridge Local (Chattanooga): $26
Adults 13 and up pay $26. Kids 2 to 12 pay $17. Under-2s ride free on a lap without a reserved seat. A family ticket for two adults and two kids is $76.
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) runs this one from Grand Junction Depot at 4119 Cromwell Road. The whole outing lasts about 65 minutes. Only about 30 of those minutes are on the moving train.
So what fills the rest of the time? Quite a bit:
- A working turntable demonstration
- A guided visit to the restoration shop
- A pre-Civil War tunnel (the Missionary Ridge Tunnel)
- Four historic bridges
- Live narration from the conductors
The route runs three miles each way. Expect bridges, a tunnel, rail yards and neighborhoods, not sweeping mountain views. TVRM presents this as a railway history experience, and that’s exactly what it is.
The engine is normally diesel. You only get steam when a departure is advertised that way. Snacks and drinks are sold before departure, and you should arrive at least 20 minutes early. The old equipment has accessibility limits, so talk to TVRM before booking if you have specific needs.
3. Hiwassee Powerhouse : $50
Observation seating is $50, but it’s marked for ages 13 and up. Dome seating is $60 and open to all ages. So if you’re bringing little ones, your real starting price is $60.
Don’t mix this one up with the Chattanooga museum. This ride leaves from 9406 Highway 411 in Delano.
The trip takes about 90 minutes round trip. The train follows the Hiwassee River through the Cherokee National Forest to the historic Apalachia Powerhouse, then heads back. You’ll see river water, rocky bluffs and forested hillsides. Halfway through, passengers switch sides, so everyone gets both river views and mountain views.
The dome seats sit under a glass ceiling and require stairs. Snacks and drinks are sold onboard.
This is the shorter Hiwassee outing, and it does not include the famous Loop (more on that next). One more catch: the website calls this a 2026 ride but still lists 2025 departures in its description. Make sure you can book an actual upcoming date before you plan around it.
4. Hiwassee Loop (Delano): $55
Regular adult coach seats start at $55. Fall coach seats cost $65. Here’s the full price list:
| Seating | Regular fare | Fall fare |
|---|---|---|
| Adult coach, 13+ | $55 | $65 |
| Child coach, 2 to 12 | $40 | $50 |
| Crown adult | $65 | $90 |
| Crown child | $50 | $75 |
| 9410 Dome, all ages | $105 | $130 |
A $170 family four-pack covers two adults and two kids on select non-fall departures. TVRM’s main listings also show a “from $62” price, so check the fare for your exact departure at checkout.
This ride leaves from the same Delano spot at 9406 Highway 411. It runs about 4½ hours and covers 50 miles. There’s no town stop, just a continuous trip through the Hiwassee River Gorge.
The star of the show is the Hiwassee Loop near Farner. The track spirals uphill and crosses above itself. TVRM says the crossing is 62 feet above the lower track. Ever seen a train cross over its own tail? This is your chance.
The vintage cars are climate-controlled. You also get narration and onboard restrooms. Snacks and drinks are for sale. Parking is free, and you should arrive 30 minutes early. Departures are seasonal, not daily all year. Dome seating requires stairs, and the historic cars have limited mobility access.
5. Nashville to Watertown Excursion (Nashville): $80
Nashville Parent lists $80 for adult coach and $40 for kids 12 and younger on the October 2026 foliage trips. I could only confirm that through a secondary source, not the operator’s checkout page. Its stated timing also differs from the museum’s listing, so double-check both.
This ride comes from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum, which is a different group from TVRM. The train leaves from 220 Willow Street in Nashville. It’s restored, streamlined equipment from the 1950s, which gives the whole trip a retro feel.
The route covers about 90 miles round trip. You head east through Middle Tennessee countryside, then spend time in Watertown for lunch and shopping. The museum lists its October foliage outings as six-hour experiences. Other themed trips also run to Watertown, including wine and train-robbery excursions, so make sure you’re pricing the right one.
Heads up: October 17 and 24, 2026 are currently sold out. Several 2027 trips have been announced as coming soon.
Practical stuff:
- Trips run on select Saturdays.
- The cars have heating and air-conditioning.
- There are onboard restrooms and food and drink sales.
- Departure parking is free, with attendants to guide you.
- Children 2 and under don’t need a ticket if they sit on a lap.
- Tickets are nonrefundable.
Here’s a sneaky one. Dining-car seating does not automatically mean a meal is included. Coach, dining-car booth and dome seats are all separate categories.
6. Copperhill Special (Delano): $80
Adult coach seats start at $80, or $90 on fall departures. This ride ties with Watertown for price, but the fall fare puts it slightly higher.
| Seating | Regular fare | Fall fare |
|---|---|---|
| Adult coach | $80 | $90 |
| Child coach | $50 | $60 |
| Crown adult | $90 | $115 |
| Crown child | $60 | $85 |
| 9410 Dome | $135 | $160 |
This is the long one. It leaves from 9406 Highway 411 in Delano and runs about 8 to 9 hours over 94 miles. A typical day starts with a 9:30 a.m. departure and returns around 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Confirm your exact departure, and arrive at least 30 minutes early.
You get the Hiwassee Gorge and the same famous Loop from the shorter excursion. After that, the train keeps going past Farner through the Turtletown and Ducktown area toward Copperhill.
Once you arrive, you get about 90 minutes of free time for lunch and shopping. Copperhill, Tennessee, sits right next to McCaysville, Georgia. You can literally walk across the state line. Not many train rides end with a free trip to another state!
Meals are not included in standard coach fares. The cars are climate-controlled, with restrooms, narration and a midpoint seating rotation. Dome seating requires stairs, and the historic cars have limited accessibility.
A note on the border: the official descriptions name Copperhill as the destination, but they don’t spell out exactly where the train sits relative to the state line. So I can’t tell you whether the train itself enters Georgia. Ask TVRM if that matters to you.
7. Dollywood Express (Pigeon Forge): $94.99
Here’s the twist. The train itself has no separate charge, but you need park admission to ride it. Dollywood currently advertises date-selected adult admission starting at $94.99 before tax. Good-any-day adult admission starts at $99.99. Prices change by date and ticket type, and parking costs extra.
Calling this ride free would be misleading if you’re visiting mainly for the train. So the entry cost counts here.
The train sits in The Village section of the park. A 110-ton steam locomotive pulls it. The ride lasts about 20 minutes and covers five miles through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Keep in mind it’s a ride inside a theme park. It isn’t a trip through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Good to know before you go:
- Seating is first come, first served.
- Dollywood recommends arriving 20 minutes before departure.
- Departures can change or cancel because of maintenance or weather, including lightning.
- The steam engine can send particles into the air, so protect your eyes.
- Accessible seating is limited, and some mobility devices need a transfer.
