The Polar Express is coming back to Kingston. The Catskill Mountain Railroad runs its Polar Express ride from November 13 through December 30, 2026, out of Westbrook Lane Station at 55 Kingston Plaza Road. It is one of eight holiday trains in NewYorkUpstate.com’s October 8 roundup, and the only one that leaves from the edge of the Catskills. By the roundup’s dates, it is also one of only two on the list that keep running after Christmas, and the one that runs latest.
That makes it the easiest holiday train to build a cabin weekend around. The station is under an hour from both of our cabins. Below: what the ride actually is, what it costs, how to book, the drive times, and a two-night plan for November or December. Every date and fare here comes from the railroad’s own page, checked on October 9.
What the ride is
It is a 70-minute round trip of less than 10 miles, from Kingston to “the North Pole” and back, in 1950s coaches. Per the railroad’s Polar Express page, a conductor punches your golden ticket, dancing chefs serve hot chocolate and a cookie, everyone reads along with Chris Van Allsburg’s book, and Santa boards at the North Pole to hand each passenger a silver sleigh bell to keep. On the way back there is caroling. The whole visit, check-in included, takes about an hour and a half.
The Polar Express, the Chris Van Allsburg book
The ride is a read-along. Kids who know the book before they board get more out of it, and it makes a good first-night story at the cabin.
Affiliate link · we may earn a commissionThe fine print matters with kids, so here it is, all from the railroad:
Timing. Arrive about 45 minutes before departure to check in at the will-call desk. Boarding starts about 20 minutes before. Trains leave on time, and a missed train is not refunded.
Seats. Seating is assigned. You pick your seats at checkout, like on a plane, and you will ride backward for half the trip.
Restrooms. There are none on the train. Portable restrooms are at the station.
Weather. Trains run in snow and bad weather. The platform is unheated, so the railroad suggests warm pajamas plus real winter layers.
Babies. Children under 2 ride free on a lap, but you must select a free infant ticket with the child’s name at checkout.
Access. Wheelchair seating is limited and there are seats set aside for families with sensory sensitivities, with softer sound and lighting. Book both by phone at 845-332-4854, not online.
Rules. No alcohol on board. Parking is free in the Kingston Plaza lot.
Fares and booking
| Ticket | Off-peak train | Peak train |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $48 | $55 |
| Child | $38 | $48 |
| Child under 2 on a lap | Free (infant ticket required) | Free (infant ticket required) |
Peak trains are the high-demand departures, and off-peak trains are discounted. The railroad lists them separately, so check both before you settle on a date. Book on the railroad’s ticketing page at Etix: 2026 The Polar Express tickets. Tickets are good only for the date and time you choose, and the railroad says this ride has sold out quickly in past years.
The drive, measured
| From Westbrook Lane Station, Kingston | Distance and route | Free-flow drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Heron, Tannersville, NY | About 27 miles, via the Thruway, Route 32 and Route 23A | About 42 minutes |
| Clove Creek Cabin, Hunter, NY | About 31 miles, via Route 28 and Route 214 | About 51 minutes |
| Midtown Manhattan (for reference) | About 95 miles | About 2 hours |
Both drives climb into the mountains, and in December you may do them after dark. To Blue Heron, the last stretch is Route 23A up the Kaaterskill Clove, a steep, winding state road. To Clove Creek, it is Route 28 west to Phoenicia, then Route 214 north through the Stony Clove notch, where there is little to no cell service. Load maps before you leave Kingston and check road conditions on 511NY if snow is in the forecast. If you want a stop on the Route 28 side, our sister site’s Phoenicia field guide has the list.
HotHands hand warmers, 10 pairs
The platform is unheated and the railroad tells families to dress for winter. Open a pair in each kid’s pocket before you leave the car.
Affiliate link · we may earn a commissionSeventy minutes on the train. Under an hour to the fire.
A two-night holiday plan
Friday: drive up and settle in. Get to the cabin before dark if you can, and do the grocery run on the way. Keep the first night quiet.
Saturday: train in the afternoon. An afternoon departure gets you back on the road before it is late, and with the 45-minute check-in plus the 70-minute ride you are in Kingston for about two hours. Pajamas on under coats, hand warmers in pockets. Eat in Kingston after the ride or drive straight back.
Saturday night: the cabin is the second half of the trip. Fireplace, cocoa, and the bell on the windowsill.
Sunday: slow morning, short walk, home. Our weekend plan for two uses the same pace, minus the train.
Which dates? November weekends are the calmer pick, before the December rush. Mid-December weekends fill first. The railroad runs through December 30, so the quiet week between Christmas and New Year’s is a real option for a midweek cabin stay. Book the train first, then the cabin.
Where to stay
Clove Creek Cabin in Hunter, NY, is the winter pick: two bedrooms for up to four guests, an indoor fireplace, and a hot tub and sauna on the deck for after the ride. It is rated 4.95 on Airbnb. Check dates for Clove Creek on Airbnb. The Hunter field guide covers the mountain and where to eat, and our Hunter Mountain guide has the lay of the land around it.
Blue Heron in Tannersville, NY, is the closer of the two to the station: a two-bedroom for up to four guests, about a five-minute walk from Tannersville’s restaurants and shops, with a fire pit, and pets allowed. Check dates for Blue Heron on Airbnb. The Tannersville field guide covers the walkable part of town.
Juniper Ridge, our tiny cabin in Jefferson, Schoharie County, is coming soon and not bookable yet. Join the Juniper Ridge list to hear when it opens.
Other holiday trains near the Catskills
The same roundup lists the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad’s Santa Claus Express, a 2.5-hour ride from Milford to Cooperstown and back, on dates from November 27 through December 20. We have not checked its fares, so confirm on the railroad’s own site. If you go that way, our Fly Creek Cider Mill day trip and the Cooperstown field guide cover the area; Fly Creek’s cider mill says it stays open through December 20.
Reading this in October? The color is still up: see our Catskills peak foliage guide, our apple picking guide, and how the Catskills stack up against USA Today’s fall lists.
FAQ
When does the Polar Express run in Kingston, NY, in 2026?
The Catskill Mountain Railroad runs The Polar Express from November 13 through December 30, 2026, from Westbrook Lane Station, 55 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston. Exact departures are on the railroad’s booking calendar.
How much are Polar Express tickets in Kingston?
Off-peak trains are $48 for adults and $38 for children. Peak trains are $55 for adults and $48 for children. Children under 2 ride free on a lap with an infant ticket. Ulster County and Kingston residents can get $10 off, and military and first responders $5 off, by contacting the railroad.
How long is the Catskill Mountain Railroad Polar Express?
The train ride is about 70 minutes, a round trip of less than 10 miles. With check-in, the whole visit is about an hour and a half, and the railroad asks you to arrive about 45 minutes before departure.
How far is the Kingston Polar Express from Hunter and Tannersville?
Without traffic, about 42 minutes (27 miles) to Blue Heron in Tannersville, NY, and about 51 minutes (31 miles) to Clove Creek Cabin in Hunter, NY. Allow more time in winter weather and after dark.