A classic Christmas story comes to life on the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express. Here, we’ve collected information about the Polar Express into a handy fact sheet. (Information source: www.thetrain.com)
What is The Polar Express?
Experience the magic of The Polar Express™, the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs the Williams Depot for a journey through the dark and quiet wilderness for a special visit to the “North Pole.” Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while listening to the magical story. Watch the joy on the children’s faces when the train arrives at the North Pole, where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting! Santa will board The Polar Express and hand each child their own special gift.
2007 Polar Express Schedule:
The Polar Express runs twice per evening – at 6:30pm and 8:00pm – on these 2007-2008 season dates:
November: 2, 3, 8 – 12, 14 – 19, 25, 26, 28 – 30
December: 1 – 3, 5 – 10, 12 – 22
January 2008: 4 – 6, 11, 12
Tickets – Pricing, Availability and How to Purchase
Pricing
Individual Tickets*
Adults: $26 Children (2 – 16): $14
*Individual tickets are available only after packages sell out for the requested evening. Please call 1-800-THE-TRAIN to check the status of packages and individual ticket sales. Please have multiple travel dates in mind, in case your first choice is not available.
Polar Express Package – Starting at $289 for two adults and two children includes:
- Polar Express train trip from Williams, Arizona to the North Pole
- One night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams next to the train depot
- Dinner and breakfast for each person at the Railway’s Max & Thelma’s Restaurant
- $10 retail certificate per adult (maximum $20 per package) for use in Railway Gift Shops
The package is $309 for two adults and two children on Fridays and Saturdays in November and December and from December 15 – 22.
Price is based on adult double occupancy and does not include tax. Options available for all family sizes!
Grand Canyon Railway Daily Ride Combination Package Discounts
Grand Canyon Railway is offering Polar Express package customers 50% off Coach Class or 50% off the cost to upgrade any class of service. This special offer is valid for travel December through February, excluding 2/15 and 16.
Availabilty – Tickets are still available for selected 2007 dates. Tickets sell out very quickly. TIP: Weekends closest to Christmas are the most popular dates. Weeknight and January dates are a good bet. Please call 1-800-THE-TRAIN to check availability. Please have multiple travel dates in mind, in case your first choice is not available.
2008-2009 Availability – Can’t get your desired 2007 dates? Advance reservations for the 2008 Polar Express season if paid in full. Click here for the 2008-2009 Polar Express schedule.
How to Purchase Tickets
Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-THE-TRAIN.
Where Does The Polar Express Start?
The Polar Express departs from the Grand Canyon Railway Depot in Williams, Arizona. Williams is located 32 miles west of Flagstaff off of Interstate 40. Take Exit 163 and drive south 1/2 mile to the Train Depot.
Where Does The Polar Express End?
Closely following The Polar Express book, this nighttime trip from Williams through the starlit wilderness to the “North Pole” features a special reading of The Polar Express while passengers enjoy hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies. After arriving at the “North Pole” – a Christmas light village featuring an Aurora Borealis – Santa Claus and his reindeer welcome passengers before boarding the Polar Express for the return trip to Williams. Santa then boards the train and makes his way through the historic Pullman passenger cars, greeting every child and presenting each one with a special gift – a jingle bell signifying their belief in Santa Claus. The round trip journey is a little more than an hour in length.
What Should We Wear?
Why, warm, snuggly pajamas and bathrobes, of course! TIP: Dress warmly for Grand Canyon winter weather, as the evening low temperatures are often in the 20s.
Anything Else We Should Know?
You can help the Grand Canyon Railway give back to the community and make the holidays special for a less-fortunate child.
[Bring] a new, unwrapped toy to the Grand Canyon Railway Depot when you come to ride The Polar Express. All items collected are donated to Northern Arizona Law Enforcement.
More Information
is available at www.thetrain.com
We were on the Polar Express December 10th and had pictures taken with Santa. I can not find the information to look up the pictures on line. Can you please tell me what site or what company to contact for these photos?
Thank you very much–Kristin Medlen
any suggestions for moderately expensive non-chain accommodations around Flagstaff?
thanks!
camping reservations
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