Kauai Plantation Railway in Lihue, Hawaii

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Lihue, Hawaii · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesTrain tours daily

The Kauai Plantation Railway carries visitors on conductor-narrated rides around historic Kilohana Plantation, once home to Gaylord Wilcox of Grove Farm, on 2.5 miles of track past sugarcane, taro and tropical orchards.

  • Opened January 2007
  • 2.5 miles of plantation track
  • 40-minute conductor-narrated ride
  • Feed pigs, goats, sheep and a donkey
  • Mahogany-paneled train cars
  • Departures every day

Kauai Plantation Railway at a glance

Hours
Signature tours daily at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm, plus 4:30 and 5:30 pm Tuesday and Friday; Train & Lunch Tour weekdays at 10 am
Admission
Adult $23.50, child 3 to 12 $16.50, senior 62+ $20, under 3 free; kamaaina discounts
Train rides
40-minute narrated Signature Train Tour daily; Train & Lunch Tour Monday to Friday
Plan for
About 1 hour for the Signature tour; longer for Train & Lunch
Best for
Families with young kids and first-time Kauai visitors
Best ages
Toddlers to age 10
Parking
Main parking lot at Kilohana; the Train Depot is at the end of the lot

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Kauai Plantation Railway? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Lihue.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A plantation railway on Gaylord Wilcox's homestead

Kilohana is an original working plantation homestead. It was home to Gaylord Wilcox, who operated Grove Farm Plantation, a sugar operation of some 23,000 acres. The main house still stands at the center of the property, and its original courtyard now holds The Plantation House restaurant, surrounded by shops, galleries and gardens.

The railway is a newer chapter. Track was laid in 2006 and the Kauai Plantation Railway opened in January 2007, looping 2.5 miles around the 105-acre plantation behind a 1940s diesel locomotive. Rather than hauling cane to a mill, it carries visitors through the crops and orchards that tell the agricultural story of Kauai, from sugarcane and taro, the staple of ancient Hawaiians, to mango, banana, papaya and pineapple, and on to experimental plantings of longan, cashew, hybrid mango, noni and atemoya.

Conductors narrate each trip, mixing plantation history with what is growing outside the window, and partway around the loop the train stops so passengers can step off and meet the farm animals. Kilohana pitches the ride as one for the whole family, and the mix of plantation history, working farm and friendly animals is built for all ages.

Cane, taro, orchards and a friendly donkey

The Signature Train Tour is a 40-minute narrated ride in floor-to-ceiling mahogany cars. The train passes stands of sugarcane and taro, then groves of tropical fruit, and deep in the plantation everyone gets off to feed the pigs, goats, sheep and Stiney, the resident donkey, before heading back. Riders get a sense of what a working Hawaii farm looks like.

For a longer visit, the Train & Lunch Tour adds a 2.5-mile plantation and orchard walk, a picnic lunch from The Plantation House, an international hardwood forest, an alpaca encounter and tropical fruit you can pick straight from the tree. Back at the station, the Train Depot gift shop sits at the end of the main parking lot, and the rest of Kilohana has dining, rum tasting and local shops.

Don’t miss

  1. The animal stopHalfway around the loop you step off to feed pigs, goats, sheep and Stiney the donkey.
  2. Mahogany train carsFloor-to-ceiling mahogany cars give the ride a polished, old-plantation feel.
  3. The 1940s dieselThe vintage locomotive that pulls every tour around the 2.5-mile line.
  4. Sugarcane and taro standsLiving reminders of the crops that built Kauai's plantations and fed ancient Hawaiians.
  5. Train & Lunch Tour fruit pickingOn the lunch tour, dessert is tropical fruit picked right off the tree.

Short ride, big payoff for little ones

At 40 minutes, the Signature Train Tour is a good length for toddlers and preschoolers, and the animal feeding stop is usually the highlight. Infants under 3 ride free, and children 3 to 12 get a reduced fare. A children's menu is available at the restaurant for the lunch tour.

The Train & Lunch Tour is longer and includes a walk, so it suits kids who can handle a couple of hours on their feet.

Plan your visit: tips for Kauai Plantation Railway

  • Check in at the Train Depot, past Koloa Rum at the end of the main parking lot.
  • Kamaaina get reduced fares, with lower prices again on Sundays.
  • For the Train & Lunch Tour, check-in starts at 9:30 am.
  • Saturday lunch tours are offered during peak summer and winter seasons.
  • Book online to lock in your departure time.

Part of the Kilohana family

The railway is one of several businesses at Kilohana Plantation, alongside The Plantation House restaurant, the luau, Koloa Rum and local shops. Buying a ticket, picking up something at the Train Depot gift shop or booking a private event at Kilohana all help keep the trains rolling.

Pair it with plantation steam

Just 3 miles away, Grove Farm Museum keeps the Wilcox family homestead and four restored plantation steam engines. On Oahu, about 95 miles away, the Hawaiian Railway Society runs historic train rides. See all the train museums in Hawaii.

Every train museum in Hawaii

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The stop where everyone climbs down to feed the goats made me think of Rally. In our book, his short corgi legs cannot manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. I can picture a lot of little ones getting that same lift back aboard after saying goodbye to Stiney the donkey. Our coloring pages make a fun follow-up at home.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Kauai Plantation Railway?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Kauai Plantation Railway: 20 questions before you board

How much are Kauai Plantation Railway tickets?

As of October 2026, Signature Train Tour tickets are $23.50 for adults, $16.50 for children 3 to 12, $20 for seniors 62 and up, and free for infants under 3. Kamaaina pay $17 for adults and $12 for children, or $14 and $10 on Sundays. The Train & Lunch Tour is priced separately.

What are the Kauai Plantation Railway hours?

As of October 2026, Signature Train Tours depart every day at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm, with extra departures at 4:30 and 5:30 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Train Depot gift shop is open 9:30 am to 3 pm. Check the booking page for any schedule changes.

Where is the Kauai Plantation Railway at Kilohana?

The railway is at Kilohana Plantation, 3-2087 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, Hawaii 96766. Park in Kilohana's main lot; the Train Depot is just past Koloa Rum at the end of the main parking lot. Call Kilohana at (808) 245-5608 if you need directions.

What is the Kauai Plantation Railway train ride like?

It is a 40-minute, conductor-narrated ride in mahogany-paneled cars on 2.5 miles of track around the 105-acre Kilohana Plantation. You pass sugarcane, taro and groves of mango, banana, papaya and pineapple, then stop to feed pigs, goats, sheep and Stiney the donkey before returning to the depot.

What is the Kauai Plantation Railway Train & Lunch Tour?

The Train & Lunch Tour combines the train ride with a 2.5-mile plantation and orchard walk, a picnic lunch from The Plantation House, an international hardwood forest, an alpaca encounter and tropical fruit picked from the trees. It runs Monday to Friday at 10 am, with check-in from 9:30, and on Saturdays in peak seasons.

Is there a luau at the Kauai Plantation Railway?

The luau at Kilohana, Luau Kalamaku, is booked separately from the train through Kilohana's website. Since both are on the same property, some families ride the train earlier in the day and return for the luau in the evening. Check Kilohana's site for luau dates and prices.

Can you visit the plantation manor house with the train ride?

Yes. The train departs from Kilohana, an original plantation homestead once home to Gaylord Wilcox of Grove Farm Plantation. The main house holds The Plantation House restaurant in its original courtyard, plus galleries and shops on the lower level, so you can explore it before or after your ride.

Are there Kauai Plantation Railway promo codes or discounts?

The railway's posted discounts are for kamaaina, seniors and children: kamaaina adults pay $17, with $14 on Sundays, seniors 62 and up pay $20, and infants under 3 ride free. Other promo codes or coupon deals are not listed on Kilohana's website, so book directly or call (808) 245-5608 to ask.

Is the Kauai Plantation Railway good for toddlers?

Yes. The ride lasts about 40 minutes, which suits short attention spans, and the stop to feed the animals is a favorite for little ones. Children under 3 ride free. The Train & Lunch Tour is longer and includes walking, so it is better for older kids.

When did the Kauai Plantation Railway open?

The railway was built in 2006 and opened in January 2007, running on 2.5 miles of track within Kilohana Plantation behind a 1940s diesel locomotive. Kilohana itself is much older, an original plantation homestead tied to the Wilcox family and Grove Farm.

What animals can you feed on the Kauai Plantation Railway?

Partway through the ride the train stops deep in the plantation so passengers can step off and feed pigs, goats and sheep, plus Stiney, the railway's friendly donkey. The Train & Lunch Tour adds an alpaca encounter.

What crops do you see on the Kauai Plantation Railway tour?

The line passes sugarcane and taro, then groves of mango, banana, papaya and pineapple, and on to experimental plantings of longan, cashew, hybrid mango, noni and atemoya. The conductor explains how each crop fits into Kauai's farming history.

What do Kauai Plantation Railway reviews say?

Families often mention the animal feeding stop, the narrated history and the relaxed pace, and many pair the ride with lunch or the luau at Kilohana. The railway has a TripAdvisor listing, and Kilohana's Facebook and Instagram pages share recent photos and updates.

Where can I see Kauai Plantation Railway photos?

Kilohana posts photos of the train, the orchards and the animals on its Facebook and Instagram accounts, and its website has a railway history page and a plantation map. On your ride, the mahogany cars and the animal stop make good photo spots.

How long should I plan for the Kauai Plantation Railway?

Allow about an hour for the 40-minute Signature Train Tour plus check-in. The Train & Lunch Tour takes longer, since it includes a walk, lunch and fruit picking. Many visitors add time for shops, rum tasting or a meal at Kilohana.

Is the Kauai Plantation Railway the same as Kauai Coffee?

No. The Kauai Plantation Railway is a train tour at Kilohana Plantation in Lihue. Kauai Coffee is a separate business, and its hours are not set by the railway. If you want a coffee farm visit too, check that company's own website for its schedule.

Is there food at the Kauai Plantation Railway?

Yes. The Plantation House by Gaylord's, in Kilohana's original courtyard, serves lunch from 11 am to 2:15 pm and dinner, with a children's menu. The Train & Lunch Tour includes a picnic lunch from the restaurant, and Kilohana also has a sweet shop and other shops.

Can I book a private event at Kilohana with the train?

Kilohana hosts private events for groups of 2 to 800, from birthday parties to weddings and corporate events, in its courtyard, lanai and lawn spaces. Email kilohana@kilohanakauai.com or call (808) 245-5608 to ask about adding a train ride to your event.

Does the Kauai Plantation Railway have a gift shop?

Yes. The Train Depot gift shop sits just past Koloa Rum at the end of the main parking lot and is open 9:30 am to 3 pm. You can reach it at (808) 245-7245. Kilohana also has clothing, baby, art and Hawaiian gift shops.

What other train attractions are near Lihue?

Grove Farm Museum is about 3 miles away and keeps four restored plantation steam locomotives that run on Train Days and special programs, along with the Wilcox homestead. On Oahu, the Hawaiian Railway Society in Ewa Beach, about 95 miles away, runs historic train rides.

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Kelsey Cecil
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