🎄 2026 holiday season
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Polar Express 2026
Bryson City, NC
Skip to ticket infoThe Great Smoky Mountains Railroad runs The Polar Express for the 2026 holiday season from Bryson City, NC. The published season window is November 5, 2026 – January 3, 2027. Tickets are listed at $33.52–$92.45 per seat depending on coach class and travel night. On-sale date: April 2026. The most-requested weekend dates routinely sell out within days, so booking the moment seats open is the difference between getting your first-choice night and watching it scroll past.
2026 dates
November 5, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Tickets on sale
April 2026
Price range
$33.52 - $92.45
Discounts
No standing discount published by Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for 2026. Some operators run quiet presale windows for past riders or season-pass holders — joining the railroad's email list is the most reliable way to catch one.
Where to stay
Bookings through this map support usatrainrides at no extra cost.
Rent a car
Most Polar Express stations sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Book on the operator
Tickets are sold directly by Great Smoky Mountains Railroad — this is the only link on this page that leaves usatrainrides.
Book on Great Smoky Mountains Railroad→Frequently asked
When does Great Smoky Mountains Railroad run The Polar Express in 2026?
How much do Polar Express tickets at Great Smoky Mountains Railroad cost?
When do tickets go on sale?
Are there any Polar Express discounts at Great Smoky Mountains Railroad?
Where does the train depart from?
More about Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Year-round schedule, equipment, and visitor info live on the operator's full page.
See the full Great Smoky Mountains Railroadpage →