All aboard for the 2025 Holiday Express!
2025 Health and Safety Notice
Holiday Express – November & December
Experience the magic as you take a one-hour round trip journey from Hill City all the way to the North Pole where Santa will board the train for the return journey, taking time to visit with each child on the way. Passengers enjoy hot cocoa, a sugar cookie, candy cane and Christmas fun on the way to the North Pole. All kids will receive a bell to ring for Santa and be able to talk with Mrs. Claus and Santa.
Holiday Express First Class Upgrade to our premium service! Ride in our smallest passenger cars HILYO and ROCHFORD and receive enhanced Holiday Express service. Your hot chocolate is served in a commemorative 1880 Train mug with unlimited refills and your choice of whipped cream, marshmallows, or both! Bonus feature is additional time with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Check schedule for dates and times available.
Holiday Express Spiked! passengers enjoy everything that come with the regular ride plus hot cocoa spiked with your choice of Peppermint or Butterscotch Schnapps in a keepsake mug! Adults only (21+) permitted. Spiked! passenger cars are featured on all 4:15 and 6:00 pm runs. This is a great office Christmas party outing or the perfect way to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. Call 605-574-2222 today or purchase online!
Winter Express runs are available this year offering regular and Spiked! options. Even though Santa has Gone Fishin’, this Winter train ride provides some after Christmas fun! They are a one-hour, round trip journey from Hill City to the North Pole. Passengers will receive hot chocolate, a sugar cookie, and candy cane, and kids will receive a small bell to ring in the New Year!
Download a map of the 1880 Train Station in Hill City
For more detailed ticket and cancellation policy information, please refer to the information at right (on desktop) or below (on mobile).
Please call our office at 605.574.2222 or email us at office@1880train.com with any questions regarding your group!
Photos with Santa
Enjoy a keepsake photo of your Holiday Express experience by getting a professional photo with Santa! Photos are $10 each or 3 for $25 and are taken at the South Dakota State Railroad Museum, right next door to the Hill City Depot. Santa photos will be taken from noon - 4:00 pm each day of the Holiday Express rides.
Stop by the South Dakota State Railroad Museum!
After your ride on the Holiday Express, continue your holiday adventure next door at the South Dakota State Railroad Museum. Receive $2 off your adult admission when you present your train ticket. Age 10 and under are FREE!
Tickets
Holiday Express
Holiday Express (with Santa)
Winter Express (no Santa after Christmas)
$46 Adult, $29 Child (2-12)
1 and under FREE on Lap
Group rates are not available for special event rides.
Holiday Express – Spiked!
$69 Adults only (21 and older only)
Holiday Express – First Class
$79 Adult, $56 Child (2-12), 1 and under $21
Winter Express
$46 Adult, $29 Child (2-12), 1 and under $21
Rates do not include a $4 Historic Preservation Fees or 8.7% Sales Tax
Group rates are not available for special event rides. Your credit card is charged at the time of purchase. Please pick up tickets 30 minutes in advance at the Hill City Depot.
Tickets Include
Holiday Express
- Assigned Seating
- Train Ride
- Hot Chocolate
- Sugar Cookie
- Candy Cane
- Small bell for each child
- Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Holiday Express – Spiked!
- Train Ride
- Spiked Hot Chocolate
- Sugar Cookie
- Candy Cane
- Keepsake thermal cup
- Assigned seating in adult only car
- Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Holiday Express First Class
- Train Ride
- Assigned Seating with drop down table
- Unlimited Hot Chocolate
- Keepsake Campfire Mug
- Sugar Cookie
- Candy Cane
- First Class bell for each child
- Visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus
Seating
Seating is assigned at the time of purchase. In order to sit together, all passengers must be under ONE reservation. Please ensure you have the final count of your party when making your reservation and selecting seat assignments. Call the reservation line 605-574-2222 to add additional tickets to your reservation. Guests who add on to a reservation at a later date are not guaranteed a seat with your party. Children 1 and under must be held on a lap. If you would like them to have their own seat, or would like to bring their car seat, a child’s ticket must be purchased. Note: A seat must be purchased for all Children 1 and under in First Class due to the use of a table. Infant tickets are reduced price.
Seating is the same in both directions during Holiday Express runs. The seat back will flip to face forward in both directions of travel.
Compact Seating Groups: Please select seats in a compact group and avoid selecting a single seat in multiple rows (e.g., do not select five window seats in five different rows). We reserve the right to adjust your seat selection if your reservation is unreasonably spread throughout the train.
Cancellation Policy
Credit card is charged at time of reservation. Like any ticketed event, all sales are final and no refunds or cancellations are offered unless ticketed train does not operate.
Bad Weather: Please prepare for winter road and traffic conditions! The 1880 Train is not liable for road closures or delays. This event will run no matter the weather.
If you need lodging, follow the links below for options available during the Holiday Express:
Mountain Peaks Inn
Campfire Cabins
Pine Rest Cabins
Double Diamond Cabins
Super 8
Palmer Gulch KOA
Cabins near Hill City