Monticello Railway Museum announces sale date for popular Polar Express tickets
Tickets for peak times of holiday train rides certain to be claimed quickly
It’s a tradition many area families know well. No, not the actual train ride itself, but setting the alarm for the morning Polar Express tickets go on sale for the year. It won’t be the middle of the night like it was several years ago. But Polar Express tickets are tentatively set to go on sale on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 8 a.m.
Has your family ever experienced the Monticello Railway Museum‘s Polar Express? An important note if this is the first time: Make sure you are at your computer a few minutes before 8 a.m. to give yourself the best chance to secure tickets for the time desired. Tickets — for rides beginning in November and continuing into December — move fast and you don’t want to miss out completely. Tickets are held for 8 minutes when customers start transactions; if tickets are abandoned, they will reappear after 8 minutes. (If at first you don’t secure the tickets you want, keep trying as tickets get released by abandoned transactions.)
The traditional Polar Express experience in Monticello includes meeting Santa (while he visits the different train cars), caroling, hot chocolate and a treat. It is a festive experience that’s sure to make lasting memories. Trains depart from Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello.
Dates, ticket prices and more
Numerous questions are answered on this FAQ page, but the first one is when does the Polar Express take place? According to the site, the 2026 dates are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on Nov. 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 and Dec. 4-6. Trains will depart at 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
A visit to the Monticello Railway Museum website shows the different ticket options that will be available. It is important to note that different ticket class options are seated in different cars on the train; for an entire party to sit together, tickets must be purchased in the same class.
- Coach tickets for $48 per rider of any age. Children under 2 may ride without a ticket but must ride on an adult’s lap.
- Special coach tickets for $60 and up, per rider. Seated in a separate car, riders receive a hot chocolate mug on their trip.
- Deluxe tickets, sold for $340 for a party of four. These tickets are for a table in a restored dining car and include beverages and snacks. Partial table sales are not an option.
- Private Presidential Room, $800 for up to 8 riders
- Private Observation Lounge, $1,500 for up to 12 riders. Photo below.
