Santa Special Trains in the UK

Mostly between June and September, with a few lines opening as early as spring. The popular dates, weekend afternoons and Christmas Eve, are usually gone by October, so booking in September is sensible and booking in November is optimistic.

Typically £15 to £35 per seat including a present for each child, with adults often paying the same as children. Private compartments for a family group run higher, roughly £70 to £150 depending on the line.

Usually yes, though most lines sell a cheap or free under-2 ticket without a seat or present. Check the listing, because a few railways include a small gift for babies and charge accordingly.

The train does a steady round trip of 45 minutes to an hour and a half while Santa moves through the coaches with helpers, giving every child a present and a chat. Refreshments come round too, and stations are usually dressed with lights and sometimes a grotto.

Look midweek, look at early December, and look one line further away. Returns do appear, so it is worth checking again in late November, and our weekly re-checks catch released seats.

Often but not always, and a heritage diesel can substitute in bad weather or during maintenance. If steam matters to you, check the listing notes, though at 4pm in December the lights and the hot chocolate matter more to most children.