FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Cape Cod Central Railroad desires for its passengers to have a safe experience and has therefore implemented certain measures and protocols designed to minimize the transmission of COVID-19. These measures and protocols currently include, but are not limited to this items below. Please note that specific measures may change by the date of departure:

• Increased onboard sanitation including the use of a CDC-compliant air and surface sanitation system which is effective in safely killing 99.99% of all viruses. This is being used to sanitize the train at regular intervals
• Reduced capacity (through the elimination of “traditional railroad seating”). Parties are not currently being combined with others.
• The policies above may change by the date of your departure, based on updated mandates.
• Passengers riding must agree to comply with any rules and procedures adopted by The Cape Cod Central Railroad. Failure to follow any such rules and procedures could result in the immediate cancellation of Passenger’s ticket and denial of Passenger’s privilege to be on The Cape Cod Central Railroad property or its railcars.

If you have additional questions please email us at [email protected]

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you aboard the Cape Cod Central Railroad!

All safety protocols which are required on the date of departure will be met. Face coverings are not currently required for cast members or guests. Please note that this guideline may change depending on what the current requirements are on the date of departure. Your safety is our utmost priority. In addition, your ability to make merry memories with your family this season is very important to us. As such, we promise to do everything we can to help you and your family make magical holiday memories together. “Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see”.

 Nov 25 – Dec 23 (note that train trips are not on all days, please check for availability)

2pm, 4:30pm, 6pm, and 7pm (note that 2pm “matinée” trips are offered on select dates and 6pm trips are on select Thursday’s)

These daylight trips offer an opportunity for those with small children to enjoy an earlier departure. Pricing reflects a slight discount to account for the fact that “The North Pole” will be visible in daylight without the added magic of evening illumination. This departure is a great choice for families with young children who wish to experience THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride and then have time for an early dinner and bedtime. Aside from the daylight factor, all other aspects of this magical adventure remain the same. 

Parking Area, Ticket Office, Gift Shop, Restrooms, Boarding Area

Delicious hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies will be provided for each passenger. A decision as to whether these treats are provided onboard or after the ride will be determined in November.

Yes, there is a gift shop with souvenirs and keepsakes at the train station.

Characters from THE POLAR EXPRESS™ are magically brought to life to welcome and accompany passengers on an entertaining trip to “The North Pole”. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ storybook is read aloud for all to enjoy. Upon arrival at “The North Pole”, Santa Claus and his Elves will be waiting to board the train. During the return trip, Santa Claus will greet each child and present them with a special Christmas keepsake. For the remainder of the journey, passengers will enjoy traditional Christmas songs and interactions with the characters. Delicious hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies, which are individually wrapped in sealed packages, are provided for each passenger after the ride.

The train ride lasts approximately 60 – 90 minutes from the time the train departs the depot until it returns. Please allow extra time for parking, picking up your tickets at Will Call, and visiting the gift shop.

The train departs from the depot and travels north to “The North Pole” on a round-trip journey. Passengers remain inside the train cars for the entire activity.

To maintain the holiday magic, the location of “The North Pole” is not disclosed.

Yes, as long as your group is all booked in one reservation, you will be assigned seats together. Depending on the size of your group, your reservation may require more than one section, in which case you will have adjacent seats assigned either across the aisle, directly behind, or forward of your main location. If you have special requests to sit with friends or other family members on separate reservations, please be sure to notate all reservations accordingly and our staff will do their best to accommodate your request(s). Please note: Seats are assigned several days prior to departure. We cannot change seats at the depot, therefore all requests to sit with friends or family must be made in advance. 

A wheelchair lift is available and limited wheelchair seating is offered in one of our First-Class cars. Please call a representative for booking at 888-797-7245.

Our cookies are nut free. However, we cannot ensure that our special hot chocolate and cookies do not contain ingredients that your family member may be allergic to. Guests are welcome to bring their own snack option for a family member with allergies.

You can purchase tickets online or speak to a reservation’s agent on our toll-free number at 888-797-7245. Any unsold tickets will be available at the depot on the day of departure on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone attending must have a ticket, including children sitting on your lap under the age of three. A ‘Babe-in-Arms’ ticket can be obtained from our reservation agent or online.

We do not mail out tickets. All tickets may be picked up at Will Call at the depot on the same day of your departure. Will Call opens two hours prior to the first departure of the day.

Pricing ranges from $34 to $104 depending on age, class of service, date, and time of departure

“Babe-in-Arms” tickets (for children 2 and under) are $5 with the purchase of an adult fare. As such, the baby will receive a keepsake from Santa, a cookie, and hot chocolate if the parent / guardian would like them to have one. However, the Babe-in-Arms tickets do not receive a First-Class tumbler or Premium Class mug which are included with full-fare child and adult tickets. 

Child: age 3 – 12; Adult: age 13 and up; Babe-in-Arms: 2 and under, held on adult lap

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride departs from Buzzards Bay Depot: 70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

Directions from the North & Boston: Follow Rte. 3 South, to Exit 1A to the right (before the Sagamore Bridge) and take right at the bottom of the ramp. Follow Rte. 6 West to Buzzards Bay. Go three quarters around the rotary and follow the signs to Main Street Buzzards Bay. Buzzards Bay railroad depot will be on the left, one mile down at 70 Main Street.

Directions from The West (CT & RI): Take Route I-195 or I-495 to Route 25. Continue onto Rte. 25 towards Cape Cod. Take Exit 3 (formerly Exit 2) (Bourne/Sagamore) off Route 25 just before the Bourne Bridge. Go less than half way around the rotary, and follow the signs to Main Street Buzzards Bay. Buzzards Bay railroad depot will be on the left, one mile down at 70 Main Street.

Directions from Falmouth: Take Route 28 west until you cross the Cape Cod Canal. Take Exit 3 (formerly Exit 2) (Bourne/Sagamore). Go less than half way around the rotary, and follow the signs to Main Street Buzzards Bay. Buzzards Bay railroad depot will be on the left, one mile down at 70 Main Street.

Sturdy shoes with closed toes are best for train safety (no slippers, open-toed shoes, sandals, or flip flops). We encourage passengers to wear pajamas just like in the book. It’s quite common for all members of the family to enjoy THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in pajamas; you’ll be amazed at how much fun it is to get Dad and Grandpa to join in! CHECK THE WEATHER and bundle up accordingly.

This is a memory you’ll want to save, so due to lighting conditions, we suggest bringing a camera with a flash if you are riding an evening train. During boarding guests will be outdoors so dress for the weather. Have your reservation number or confirmation email to present to the Will Call clerk. Your ticket includes the ride, hot chocolate and a cookie, as well as a silver bell for each child. Additional gift shop items are available for purchase including THE POLAR EXPRESS™ book.

Parking is available at the train station at 70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, MA. There is no fee for parking

Please arrive at least one hour prior to your trip. This will ensure proper time to find parking, pick up your tickets, and visit the gift shop.

Unfortunately, due to the popularity of this train event, there are no refunds or cancellations. Please be sure that when you make your reservation, you know exactly which date and which departure time you wish to secure. If you need to reschedule, please contact the reservations office no less than four (4) days before your trip. A modest rebooking fee will apply. Also note that the train will depart in rain or snow. In the unlikely event the train is unable to operate, you will be notified immediately and given a complete refund or the opportunity to reschedule.

We offer a Military discount 10% . Please bring Military ID at check in.

Plan ahead and be prepared. Please prepare for winter or holiday road and traffic conditions. The Cape Cod Central Railroad’s THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is not liable for road closures or delays. This train will run no matter the weather. In the unlikely event that the train is unable to operate, you will be notified immediately and given a complete refund or the opportunity to reschedule.

We offer 10% group discounts for standard class only for groups with a minimum of 25 passengers paying with a single method of payment.

There must be 25 or more people to be considered a group and to receive a special discount.

Yes, as long as your group is all booked in one reservation, you will be assigned seats together. Depending on the size of your group, your reservation may require more than one section, in which case you will have seats assigned across the aisle or directly behind or forward of your main location.

Please call 508-771-0004 for group bookings.

We do not mail out tickets. All tickets should be picked up at the Will Call counter at the train station the same day of departure. Group tickets will be bundled together for the group leader to pass out to group members. Will Call opens two hours prior to the first departure of each day.

You can reach our Customer Service Representatives by calling 888-797-7245. Alternatively, you can reach us by email at [email protected]