THE POLAR EXPRESS | Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

All Aboard The Polar Express™! This memorable journey will take you on an incredible journey! Believe the magic this Holiday season!!!

Over 42,000 passengers rode The Polar Express™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2011 and we hope to see you this year! The 1 ¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the “North Pole” to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot. The Polar Express™ begins November 9^th and operates through December 30^th. View the 2012 departure schedule here!

Ticket prices begin at $39 for adults and $26 for children ages 2-12. Children under two years old ride complimentary. For more information and reservations please call 800-872-4681.
Premium rates apply to specific dates in November and December and all Saturday trains.
Coach Class Premium: Adults $45, Children (2-12) $31, Infant Complimentary
Crown Class Premium: Adults $55, Children (2-12) $41, Infant $15
First Class Premium: Adults $68, Children (2-12) $46, Infant $20

Crown Class ticket prices are $49 for Adults, $36 for children 2-12 and $10 for less than two years.

First Class seating upgrades are available. Each guest will receive a deluxe serving of warm cocoa in a souvenir Polar Express™ mug and other treats in addition to the standard offerings. Upgrade to First Class at $59 for adults and $41 for children ages 2-12. Children under two years old are $15.

Ride the Polar Express™ Christmas Eve Limited for an evening you will never forget! Each guest will receive a special Christmas souvenir.

Adult ticket prices start at $52 and children 2-12 are $37. First Class seating upgrades are also available. Adult ticket prices are $73, children 2-12 are $50 and $20 for less than two years.

*All ticket fares subject to 6% Historic Preservation Fee, premium rates apply to premium dates.

Smoky Mountain Trains Museum admission is included with all train excursion tickets. Without train excursion admission is $9 for Adults and $5 for Children.

**The POLAR EXPRESS is not afraid of a little winter weather! No snow, rain, or gloom of night will keep the Polar Express away! Of course, we want all of our guests to remain safe on their travels. Rest assured The POLAR EXPRESS will operate.

In the event that the North Carolina Highway Patrol or Department of Motor Vehicles deems travel unsafe on Interstate 40 or Highway 74 resulting in a closure, please call your reservations staff at 1-800-872-4681 for further details and instructions.

We encourage guests to plan ahead and stay apprised of the latest weather developments. YOU MAY RESCHEDULE OR CANCEL your trip AS LATE AS 24 HOURS BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED DEPARTURE with a $6.00 fee per ticket. Once you are WITHIN 24 HOURS OF YOUR SCHEDULED DEPARTURE, the tickets are NON REFUNDABLE. HOWEVER, you may still reschedule your trip with a $6.00 fee per ticket.

Use our Physical Address 45 Mitchell St. Bryson City NC 28713 to find an alternate route if 441 Smoky Mountains National Park road is closed.**

About the Polar Express

The Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis reunite for The Polar Express, an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Sony Pictures Imageworks and visual effects supervisor Ken Ralston, Oscar winners for their innovative work, help bring the story vividly to the screen in full CG animation through Imageworks’ next-generation motion capture process that allows live-action performances to drive the emotions and movements of the digital characters. The Polar Express will air on ABC and ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas in December 2009. Warner Home Video will once again offer The Polar Express in standard-definition, Blu-ray and 3D DVD versions this holiday season.

About The Polar Express Book:

“The Polar Express” movie is based on Chris VanAllburg’s classic holiday picture book, which tells the story of a boy who takes a magical Christmas Eve train ride to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. First published by Houghtin Mifflin Company in 1985, The Polar Express became an instant holiday favorite and has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. In 1986 it won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Illustration.