Texas Hill Country’s Favorite Holiday Tradition
Experience the joy of the season with a festive train ride featuring Santa, treats, and holiday cheer.
All aboard the North Pole Flyer, Texas Hill Country’s favorite holiday train ride! Step into a magical winter wonderland as you travel through the countryside on a vintage train filled with holiday cheer. This year, we’re excited to introduce themed train cars — each decked out with unique decorations that bring the Christmas spirit to life, offering a special experience for kids and adults alike.
Enjoy visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, sing along to holiday tunes, savor delicious cookies and hot cocoa, and create unforgettable memories with your family and friends. Perfect for all ages, the North Pole Flyer is a heartwarming holiday tradition that lights up the season.
Tickets sell quickly — reserve your seats today and make this holiday truly magical!
Scroll down to purchase tickets for the 2025 season!
*Private charters dependent on availability
*Group Sales discounts dependent on availability
*Standard Ticket Sales now open
What’s Included:
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A two hour excursion on a real, vintage train.
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A visit and photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
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All-you-can-drink hot cocoa.
- A locally baked holiday cookie.
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A custom balloon creation from a live balloon twister for each child under 13.
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On-board caroling and sing-a-long.
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A wooden train whistle for each child under 13 (sponsored by CapMetro).
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Christmas coloring sheets for each child under 13.
- A special reading of a Christmas story.
Know Before You Book:
- Location: All North Pole Flyers will be round-trip, departing from and returning to the Bertram Depot located at 100 W State Hwy 29, Bertram, TX 78605.
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Dates & Times: The 2025 North Pole Flyers will run for three weekends in a row: November 29th and 30th, December 6th and 7th, and December 13th and 14th. Each ride is two and a half hours long and will run four times each day. Departure times are 8:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. Please note that it may be too dark to see much of the outside scenery at the 7:00 p.m. ride but you’ll still be surrounded by twinkle and charm on board!
- Accessibility: Seating for wheelchairs is available but it is very limited and must be reserved in advance. Please contact us at reservations@austinsteamtrain.org or 512-915-2340 during business hours so we can make the right arrangements for you. Because all seating is assigned ahead of time, we’re not able to accommodate unannounced wheelchair seating on the day of your ride. Giving us a heads up helps us plan for your arrival and give you the best possible experience!
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Reservations & Cancellations: To help ensure everyone can sit comfortably with their group, we ask that guests book seats that are next to each other when possible. Reserving seats in a way that leaves gaps between them—such as selecting opposite sides of an aisle or multiple window seats —can make it difficult for other parties to sit together. If an entire section or grouping of seats is not booked by a single party, remaining seats may be shared with other passengers. To help accommodate all guests fairly, we may need to make adjustments to seating arrangements across all cars. Thank you for your understanding!
Please note: All North Pole Flyer tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. If you’re unable to attend your scheduled ride, you may request a gift card good for any future ticket purchase. To receive this, you must email reservations@austinsteamtrain.org by 4:00 p.m. the Friday before your ride. Gift cards will be mailed in January 2026. Unfortunately, we’re unable to reschedule guests on another 2025 North Pole Flyer. For full details, please see our Terms and Conditions.
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3 Ways to Ride: Choose from Coach, Lounge, or Private Compartment seating! All classes are available for all-ages and offer a cozy ride with holiday cheer.
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Lounge Cars: Great for snacking, chatting, and soaking in the festive atmosphere! Lounge cars offer a mix of tables, booths, and cozy chairs with tray tables. Available lounge cars are Rippling Stream, Nambe, Club 41, and Maurice Beckham. - Private Compartments: Looking for a little extra privacy? Our vintage compartments (once sleeper rooms and even barber shops!) are now charming spaces for your group to enjoy. Each compartment is different in layout and style — no two are exactly alike! Just remember: each guest needs their own ticket, even inside a private room. Private compartments are available on Rippling Stream, Nambe, and Maurice Beckham.
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Coach Cars: These classic train cars feature comfy seats — similar to a bus or airplane — perfect for large families and groups. Available coach cars are Silver Pine, Buckeye Lake, Buckeye Trail, and New Braunfels.
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- All About the Train: Each North Pole Flyer ride will be pulled by our beautiful blue diesel locomotive #3118. Read more about it here! Before you book, get to know our cars so that you can pick the best seats for you!
Booking Information:
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Charter Bookings: Planning a big holiday outing? Make it extra special by reserving an entire train car just for your group! Between Monday, June 23rd and Monday June 30th, you can reserve entire lounge cars for $58.50+fees per ticket or entire coach cars at $44+fees per ticket. Children under 3 may ride on a lap for just $10+fees.
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Group Bookings: Planning a festive outing with 20 or more people? Starting on Tuesday, July 1st, enjoy special group rates on the North Pole Flyer at $59.50+fees in Lounge and $49.50+fees per ticket in Coach. Children under 3 may ride on a lap for just $10+fees.
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Standard Tickets: Individual tickets may be purchased starting on Wednesday, July 16th at $65+fees per lounge ticket and $55+fees per coach ticket. Children under 3 may ride on a lap for just $10+fees.
- Train Rules, Safety Guidelines, and Terms & Conditions: All ticket purchases are subject to our Terms and Conditions. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, all passengers are expected to follow train rules and safety guidelines here.
Ready to purchase your tickets? Select a ride below!
Saturday, November 29th
Sunday, November 30th
Saturday, December 6th
Sunday, December 7th
Saturday, December 13th
Sunday, December 14th
Additional Information: Have questions? Read our Terms and Conditions here. Please contact us at reservations@austinsteamtrain.org or 512-915-2340 during business hours.
Interested in partnering with us? Contact Renee Maverick at fundraising@austinsteamtrain.org to learn how!
Sponsored By
CapMetro, IBC Bank, Austin Parks Foundation, The Secret Lantern Books & Games, Greater Texas Federal Credit Union, Sparkle Squad, Berryful Creations