St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Union Station
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-22- TypeSeasonal licensed holiday train at St. Louis Union Station
- LocationSt. Louis, MO
- Rating4.1 ★299 Google reviews
- Typical rideThe FAQ says the train ride is about 45 minutes, excluding activities before and after
- Operating windowThe official 2026 event is advertised November 13-December 30; exact daily Etix inventory remains checkout-controlled
About St. Louis Union Station
St. Louis Union Station hosts the licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride as a seasonal rail experience inside the restored 1894 station complex. The official 2026 pages advertise a November 13-December 30 season, a real train journey to a staged North Pole north of the Arch grounds, cocoa and a cookie, story presentation, Santa boarding and a bell or gift. They also publish sensory-friendly departures on November 23 and December 1 at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m. Exact day-by-day ticket inventory is controlled by Etix and could not be independently enumerated through its protected checkout, so this guide does not fabricate occurrence dates.
Plan the 2026 Polar Express without assuming inventory
Choose the visit that fits your groupVisitors choosing a departure
Check the protected live ticket inventory
The official season is advertised for November 13-December 30, but Etix controls the exact dates, times, availability and final checkout price.
Families comparing ticket options
Choose a published seating tier
Starting prices at capture were $19.99 Holiday Saver, $35 Coach, $45 First Class, $100 Premium Lower Lounge and $115 Premium Upper Dome; date-dependent prices, quantity rules and checkout control.
Ticketed guests
Arrive for check-in and event parking
The FAQ advises arriving 45 minutes early and prepaying the $5 event lot before following Polar Express signs to Depot or Tent check-in.
Visitors needing a specific accommodation
Call before booking an access need
Specific ADA seats exist on some cars, but not all historic cars are fully accessible and the operator directs guests to call for booking help.
Current Operating Status
Official operating information
2026 Polar Express advertised Nov 13-Dec 30 · exact daily inventory controlled by Etix
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check official operating status ↗
Plan Your Visit
- SeasonThe official 2026 event is advertised November 13-December 30; exact daily Etix inventory remains checkout-controlled
- ArriveArrive 45 minutes early and check in at the Depot or Tent entrance shown by event signage
- ParkingPolar Express parking uses the main Union Station lot off 18th Street and is listed as $5 prepaid; current event instructions control
- AccessibilitySome cars have specific ADA seating, but not all historic cars are fully accessible; call before purchase for the exact boarding and seating need
- WeatherThe event runs rain or shine; if state highway patrol closes major roads or freeways for snow, the operator may cancel or postpone and says affected tickets receive a full refund
- RestroomsOnboard restrooms are limited, with additional property restrooms nearby
- JourneyThe real train leaves Union Station for a staged North Pole north of the Arch grounds and returns
- DurationThe FAQ says the train ride is about 45 minutes, excluding activities before and after
- Published TimesOfficial fare bands reference 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m., with 8:30 p.m. in pre-Thanksgiving and after-Christmas bands; this is not a day-by-day calendar
- Sensory DeparturesThe official page publishes sensory-friendly departures on November 23 and December 1 at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m.; live inventory controls availability
- FaresPublished starting prices run from $19.99 Holiday Saver, $35 Coach, $45 First Class, $100 Premium Lower Lounge and $115 Premium Upper Dome, with date-dependent ranges and quantity rules
- Young ChildrenChildren age 2 and under may ride free on an adult's lap without a ticket; the current FAQ controls
- StrollersStrollers remain in a secure designated area rather than onboard
- RefundsTickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable; change requests may be attempted only when availability allows and are not guaranteed
- ContactPolar Express guest services: (314) 942-6942 · info@stlpolarexpressride.com · 201 S 18th St, St. Louis, Missouri 63103
- Image BoundaryThe licensed gallery shows dated Union Station property and historical context only; none establishes the current Polar train, consist, schedule or access
Find the Depot
The Trains
The current Polar Express pages promise a real train journey in historic cars and sell Coach, First Class and two Premium configurations. They do not publish a current locomotive, power, car number, consist or assignment for a specific departure. Some cars have designated ADA seating, but not every historic car is fully accessible. Call the event before booking a required accommodation rather than inferring equipment from photographs or ticket tier names.
History
St. Louis Union Station opened on September 1 from Theodore Link's Romanesque design.
The station expanded to serve traffic around the St. Louis World's Fair.
The last Amtrak train departed the historic station.
Union Station reopened for adaptive reuse.
The official Polar Express pages advertised a November 13-December 30 season while Etix retained exact inventory control.
See full history
St. Louis Union Station opened September 1, 1894, from Theodore Link's Romanesque design and served 22 railroads beneath a 230-foot clock tower. It expanded for the 1904 World's Fair, reached a reported peak of roughly 100,000 daily passengers, saw its last Amtrak train in 1978 and reopened for adaptive reuse in 1985. The present destination includes the historic Grand Hall alongside an aquarium, observation wheel, hotel and seasonal attractions; those nonrail products have separate tickets and operating contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Polar Express season?
The official pages advertise November 13-December 30. Exact operating dates, times, availability and checkout prices are controlled by Etix.
How long is the train ride?
The official FAQ says approximately 45 minutes, excluding activities before and after the ride.
How early should guests arrive?
Arrive 45 minutes early and follow event signs to the Depot or Tent check-in entrance.
How much are tickets?
Published starting prices range from $19.99 Holiday Saver to $115 Premium Upper Dome, with date-based bands and quantity rules. Etix checkout controls the final price.
Are children age 2 and under free?
Yes when held on an adult's lap; the FAQ says no ticket is required. Strollers stay in a secure designated area.
Can tickets be refunded or exchanged?
The operator says tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable. A change may be attempted only if inventory allows and is not guaranteed.
What happens in bad weather?
The event runs rain or shine. If highway patrol closes major roads or freeways for snow, the operator may cancel or postpone and says affected tickets receive a full refund.
Is the Polar Express wheelchair-accessible?
Some cars have specific ADA seating, but not all historic cars are fully accessible. Call (314) 942-6942 before booking the exact need.
Where should guests park?
The FAQ directs Polar Express guests to prepay $5 for the main Union Station lot off 18th Street and follow current event signage.
Do the gallery images show the 2026 Polar Express?
No. The six independent works are dated Union Station property or historical context and make no current train, schedule, consist or access claim.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 22, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official 2026 Polar Express ride page for season, journey, tiers, bands and sensory-friendly departures
- Official Polar Express FAQ for check-in, duration, parking, child, refund, weather, access and restroom policies
- Official Union Station holiday page
- Official Etix 2026 inventory and checkout target
- Official Union Station history
- Official Union Station accessibility statement
- Official Union Station directions and general parking context
- Official Union Station code of conduct
- Exact 2023 station exterior under CC BY-SA 2.0
- Exact 2023 Grand Hall image under CC BY-SA 2.0
- Exact 2023 canopy image under CC BY-SA 2.0
- Exact 2023 corridor image under CC BY-SA 2.0
- Exact circa-1907 train-shed image in the public domain
- Exact 2023 St. Louis Wheel image under CC BY-SA 2.0
