Last updated: October 17, 2026. Dates, departure times and ticket prices below come from the Railway Museum of BC’s North Pole Express page. Most departures sell out, so check the official page for current availability before you plan.
Most Christmas train rides in Metro Vancouver are miniature trains that loop around a park. The North Pole Express is a different scale: a full-size heritage train, with vintage and modern coaches, running out of Squamish with Santa, onboard entertainment and activities for children. The museum says that most departures sell out.
The 2026 season runs over five weekends and one Monday, from November 28 to December 21. Here is how the ride works, which ticket to choose, what each tier includes and how to avoid the reseller scams the museum warns about.
North Pole Express 2026: Quick Facts
| What it is | A Christmas train ride with Santa, run by the Railway Museum of BC |
| Where | Railway Museum of BC, 39645 Government Road, Squamish |
| 2026 dates | November 28-29, December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 (Saturdays and Sundays), plus Monday, December 21 |
| Departures | 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM |
| Prices | From CA$48.76 per seat (Bronze) to CA$75.26 per seat (Platinum) |
| Included with every ticket | Reserved seating and free parking |
| Official page | wcra.org/north-pole-express |
What Is the North Pole Express?
The North Pole Express is a holiday train experience at the Railway Museum of BC in Squamish. Guests ride a train for a Christmas journey and meet Santa, with onboard entertainment and activities for children. Seats are reserved, and you can choose your seats when you book.
According to the museum, the train runs north on CN tracks past the Squamish River rail bridge, then south through town and the rail yard toward the Squamish Estuary. It stops briefly at Squamish Terminals, where there are views of the Stawamus Chief, and then returns the same way. The museum’s page does not state the total ride length, so confirm the duration with them if you are planning around nap times.
2026 Dates and Departure Times
| Date | Day | Departures |
|---|---|---|
| November 28 and 29 | Saturday and Sunday | 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM |
| December 5 and 6 | Saturday and Sunday | 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM |
| December 12 and 13 | Saturday and Sunday | 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM |
| December 19 and 20 | Saturday and Sunday | 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM |
| December 21 | Monday | 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM |
The 5:00 PM departure is the Platinum dusk run. Bronze, Silver and Gold tickets are for the 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM departures.
Ticket Tiers and Prices
The museum sells four ticket levels, all priced per seat in Canadian dollars. Every ticket includes reserved seating and free parking.
Bronze: CA$48.76 per seat
- Seating: vintage quad seating (coaches 5, 6 and 7).
- Departures: 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
- Includes: reserved seating and free parking.
Silver: CA$55.12 per seat
- Seating: leather seats in a modern coach (coaches 3 and 4).
- Departures: 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
- Includes: reserved seating and free parking.
Gold: CA$60.95 per seat
- Seating: vintage coach with a table (coaches 1 and 2).
- Departures: 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
- Includes: reserved seating, free parking, preferred platform loading and a souvenir mug.
Platinum: CA$75.26 per seat
- Seating: vintage or modern coach.
- Departure: 5:00 PM only.
- Includes: enhanced onboard entertainment, a cookie and a souvenir mug.
- What makes it different: this is the dusk departure, and passengers get off the train into an outdoor Christmas light display.
Which Ticket Should You Choose?
- Bronze is the lowest price for a daytime ride, in a vintage coach.
- Silver is the modern-coach option, with leather seats.
- Gold adds a table, preferred platform loading and a mug.
- Platinum is the choice if the dusk departure and the light display are the main reason you are going.
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North Pole Express 2026 in Squamish | Nov 28–Dec 21 | Bronze to Platinum tickets from $48.76 | Free parking, departure times
Discounts and Special Offers
- Early-bird discount: 15% off 11:00 AM departures on the first three weekends was available for tickets bought before October 1. That offer has now ended.
- Limited-release tickets: 48 hours before each departure, the museum puts any remaining seats on sale at 35% off the regular price. This is a new offering this year, and the museum says to watch its website if you want to try for a last-minute deal. It depends on there being unsold seats, so do not rely on it for a specific date.
- Private coach: a private “Alberta” coach for groups of up to 15 costs $1,500 plus GST per ride, with limited availability. To enquire, email generalmanager@wcra.org with the subject line “Alberta Ride.”
How to Book, and a Scam Warning
Tickets are sold through the museum’s booking page on the official North Pole Express page. Seats are reserved, and you can select your seats when you book.
The Railway Museum of BC is the only authorized seller of North Pole Express tickets. The museum warns about fraudulent resellers, so buy only through the official page.
Getting There
The Railway Museum of BC is at 39645 Government Road in Squamish, on the Sea to Sky Highway about an hour north of Vancouver in normal traffic.
- By car: parking is free with every ticket. The Sea to Sky Highway can be slow in winter weather and on busy weekends, so leave extra time before your departure.
- Arrive early: the museum does not state a check-in time on its page, so confirm it in your booking confirmation.
Accessibility
The museum says its coaches are accessible, but there is only one dedicated wheelchair station per departure. If you need it, contact the museum before you book. You can call 604-898-9336 extension 2011 or email northpoleexpress@wcra.org. Staff are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Tips for Riding the North Pole Express
- Book early. The museum says most departures sell out.
- Pick your departure. The 5:00 PM Platinum ride is the one with the dusk run and the outdoor light display.
- Choose seats at booking. Seat selection is available, so you can book seats together.
- Dress for Squamish in winter. You will be outside around boarding, so dress for the weather.
- Check road conditions. The Sea to Sky Highway can be affected by weather, so check before you drive.
- Do not buy from resellers. Use only the Railway Museum of BC’s page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the North Pole Express in 2026?
November 28 and 29, December 5 and 6, December 12 and 13, December 19 and 20, and Monday, December 21.
What time are the departures?
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The 5:00 PM departure is the Platinum dusk run.
How much are tickets?
Bronze is CA$48.76, Silver is CA$55.12, Gold is CA$60.95 and Platinum is CA$75.26 per seat.
Is parking included?
Yes. All tickets include free parking and reserved seating.
Is the early-bird discount still available?
No. The 15% early-bird discount ended on October 1.
What are limited-release tickets?
Remaining seats, if any, go on sale at 35% off 48 hours before departure.
Where do I buy tickets?
Only through the Railway Museum of BC’s official page. The museum warns that resellers may be fraudulent.
Do babies and toddlers need a ticket?
The museum’s page does not say whether infants need a ticket or whether children’s pricing exists. Contact them at northpoleexpress@wcra.org before you book.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
The coaches are accessible, with one dedicated wheelchair station per departure. Contact the museum before you book.
Can I book a private ride?
The museum offers a private coach for up to 15 people at $1,500 plus GST per ride, with limited availability. Email generalmanager@wcra.org with the subject line “Alberta Ride.”
Sources: Railway Museum of BC: North Pole Express.
