Every Santa's Elf Express leaves from Aviemore and only from Aviemore, steaming out into the Cairngorms National Park for a return trip of about an hour and three quarters with Santa and his elves on board. It is the most northerly train in our guide, running on selected dates from 28 November to Christmas Eve 2026. For rides further south, see our guide to Christmas trains across Britain and Northern Ireland.
The short version
- Dates: selected dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026, shown in the booking calendar
- Departure: Aviemore only, about 1 hour 45 minutes return
- Prices: toddler tickets £5 (Experience) or £10 (Festive Steam Tea); table prices are in the booking system
- Booking: tables for 2 or 4, no fifth passenger at a standard table, no concessions
- Tip: the railway's FAQ gives two different rules for under-threes, so ask on 01479 810725 before booking
Santa's Elf Express at a glance
- Railway
- Strathspey Railway
- Departs from
- Strathspey Railway, Aviemore station, Aviemore
- 2026 dates
- Selected dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026 (individual dates in the booking calendar)
- Duration
- About 1 hour 45 minutes return
- Fares
- Toddler ticket (Experience) £5; toddler ticket (Festive Steam Tea) £10. Adult and table prices are not shown on the homepage; see the booking system. Adults-only carriage (16+, no Santa) £26.
- Booking
- Online through the railway's DigiTickets booking system, or phone 01479 810725. Experience tables seat 2 or 4; standard tables cannot take a fifth passenger. No concessions. The 10% early-bird offer ended on 30 September.
- Checked
2027 ticket alert
Santa trains sell out fast
The best dates are often gone weeks before December. Leave your email and we will write once, the moment 2027 bookings open in Scottish Highlands.
The train story to read before you boardRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a little corgi’s first train ride to see his grandparents, hand-painted in real watercolour. For ages 0 to 5.
Aviemore platform to the Cairngorms and back: the Elf Express journey
Boarding at Aviemore
The Strathspey Railway is clear that Santa's Elf Express departs only from Aviemore, so do not head to Boat of Garten or Broomhill for this train. The heritage trains use a platform at Aviemore's main station, which makes the start easy to find in the middle of the village.
Departure times are not listed on the railway's homepage, so take them from the booking calendar and your confirmation. Allow time to park and walk to the platform; the railway does not publish parking advice for the Santa trains, so ask when you book if you are unsure.
If you are staying in Aviemore, you may be able to walk to the station rather than drive, which saves the parking question entirely. Families arriving by rail from Inverness or Perth also step off the main-line train at the same station, which makes a car-free Santa trip possible for anyone travelling light.
A table of your own for two or four
The Experience tickets are sold by table, either for two or for four people. This gives each family a fixed place for the whole journey and keeps toddlers in one spot. The railway notes that a standard table cannot take a fifth passenger, so a family of five will need to book two tables or speak to the railway about options.
There is also a Festive Steam Tea option, which adds a festive tea to the trip. The toddler ticket costs £5 on the Experience and £10 with the Festive Steam Tea, so read the booking description to see exactly what a toddler receives with each option.
Santa, the elves and the gift
During the trip you meet Santa and his elves, and there is festive entertainment along the way. Every child aged ten months and over receives a gift from Santa and an activity book, which the railway mentions specifically on its homepage.
At about an hour and three quarters in total, the journey is long enough for a proper visit without rushing, and gives children time to settle, watch the scenery and then get excited all over again when Santa appears. Bring something quiet for the stretch after he has moved on.
Because each family has its own table, Santa's visit can feel personal even on a busy train. Tell the children beforehand that he will come to them, so they stay put rather than wandering the aisle looking for him, and keep the activity book on the table as something to show him.
An adults-only carriage
Unusually, the Strathspey Railway also sells places in an adults-only carriage for those aged 16 and over, at £26, with no Santa visit. It is designed for grown-ups who want the festive steam ride without children around. If you are travelling with older teenagers who have outgrown Santa, or grandparents who would prefer a quieter trip on the same train, it is worth knowing about, but it is not the carriage for families with young children.
Elf Express Experience or Festive Steam Tea: which suits your family
With selected dates across most of Advent and two ticket styles, the main decisions are the package, the table size and the date.
Babies. This is where the railway's own information is confusing. One answer in its FAQ says a toddler ticket is needed from ten months to two years, while another says under-threes on a lap travel free. The gift and activity book are for children from ten months. Ring 01479 810725 and ask which rule applies before you book, so you know whether to add a toddler ticket.
Toddler plus preschooler. A table of four with a toddler and a pre-schooler works well: everyone has a seat and the table gives a base for the activity book. The journey of about an hour and three quarters is longer than many Santa trains, so choose a departure that fits around naps and lunch.
Older children. Children of seven or eight upwards will enjoy the scenery of the Cairngorms and the steam engine as much as Santa. The Festive Steam Tea makes the trip feel like a special occasion and suits a family with older children who will happily sit through a longer meal.
Which date. The railway lists selected dates rather than every day, and the booking calendar was not reachable when we checked, so we cannot say which ones are busiest. As a rule of thumb for any Santa train, weekends go first and the last few days before Christmas are in highest demand, so if you have flexibility, look at a weekday or an early date.
Budget. Only the toddler prices are on the homepage, so compare the Experience and Festive Steam Tea table prices in the booking system. The railway offers no concessions, and the 10% early-bird discount ended on 30 September, so expect to pay the full fare.
Families of five or more. Because a standard table takes no fifth passenger, larger families should book two tables side by side if the system allows, or phone the railway to ask how best to seat everyone together.
Weather. Aviemore in December can be properly wintry, with snow and hard frost. Earlier dates give you slightly more daylight for driving on the A9, and if you are coming from the Central Belt, consider staying the night rather than doing it all in one day.
From the Highland main line to a volunteers' railway through Strathspey
The track your Santa train uses was once part of the main railway between Perth and Inverness. According to the Rails to Grantown history, that route was completed in 1863 and ran from Aviemore through Grantown and over Dava Moor to Forres. In 1898 a more direct line from Aviemore to Inverness via Carrbridge opened, and the Strathspey route became a secondary line, although trains still served Grantown.
The line did not survive the closures of the 1960s. Train services to Grantown ceased in October 1965, and one summary gives 1966 for the closure of the section between Aviemore and Boat of Garten, so the dates for individual sections vary between sources.
Enthusiasts acted quickly. A group came together in 1971 to buy, restore and run the line, and volunteer restoration work between Aviemore and Boat of Garten ran from April 1972 until July 1978, when the railway opened to the public. In 1998 the heritage trains moved into Aviemore's main station, using its most easterly platform, which is where your Elf Express starts.
The railway then turned north-east towards Grantown. Its supporters formally committed to extending there in stages in 1988, cleared the trackbed and rebuilt Broomhill station in replica form, and trains began running to Broomhill in May 2002. Broomhill later found fame on television as Glenbogle station in Monarch of the Glen. Planning permission for the next phase to Grantown was granted in 2003 but lapsed, and in 2008 the Strathspey Railway Charitable Trust was set up to take the extension forward.
The railway is now about ten miles long according to one summary, with its main stations at Aviemore, Boat of Garten and Broomhill. Part of its route is shared with the walkers of the Speyside Way, whose southernmost stretch has followed the line since 2000.
- 1863The original Perth to Inverness line opens through Aviemore and Grantown
- 1898A shorter Aviemore to Inverness route via Carrbridge opens
- 1965Train services to Grantown end in October
- 1971A group forms to buy, restore and run the line
- 1978The railway opens between Aviemore and Boat of Garten in July
- 1998Heritage trains move into Aviemore's main station
- 2002Services reach the rebuilt Broomhill station in May
- 2008A charitable trust is set up to take the line on to Grantown
For a six-year-old: this railway used to be part of the big line to Inverness, and when the trains stopped, a team of volunteers spent six years putting it back together so steam engines could run along it again.
Aviemore and the Cairngorms in December with children
In December the Cairngorms National Park around Aviemore is the main attraction, with snowy hills when the weather obliges and plenty of low-level walks for small legs. We have not confirmed any 2026 Christmas markets in Aviemore itself, so check VisitScotland or local listings for festive events on your dates.
Boat of Garten, the railway's next station along the line, is a small village a short drive from Aviemore, and on a bright December day it makes a pleasant place for a walk. Remember that the Santa trains themselves only depart from Aviemore, so any visit to Boat of Garten or Broomhill is by car or on foot rather than as part of the Santa trip.
Inverness, about 40 minutes north by car, is the nearest city. Its tourism body has published a festive guide for the area, but we did not find confirmed 2026 dates for a Christmas market there when we checked, so look again closer to the time before planning around one.
Between Christmas and New Year, the railway runs Mince Pie Specials from 27 December 2026 to 5 January 2027, according to its homepage. They are not Santa trains, but they suit families with visiting relatives and anyone who missed out on a Santa date.
If you are travelling north from England for a Highland Christmas break, the nearest other Christmas trains in our guide are a long way south. The Weardale Railway's Santa Express in County Durham and the narrow-gauge Santa Express at Ravenglass in Cumbria can be fitted into a journey up or down the country.
For city plans on the way, our guide to Christmas with kids in Edinburgh covers family events we have checked for 2026, a natural stop for families driving up the A9 from the south.
Strathspey Railway rules to know before booking: tables, toddlers and dogs
Under-threes and the conflicting FAQ
The railway's FAQ contradicts itself: one answer says a toddler ticket is required from ten months to two years, another says under-threes on a lap travel free. The posted toddler tickets cost £5 or £10. Phone 01479 810725 and ask which rule applies to your booking, and whether a toddler ticket guarantees the gift and activity book.
Arriving from further away
Perth is about an hour and three quarters away by car, and Inverness about 40 minutes. If you are coming from Perth or further south for a morning train, an overnight stay in Aviemore takes the stress out of winter driving and lets children arrive rested, which tends to make the meeting with Santa go far better.
Table sizes
Experience tables are for two or four people, and standard tables cannot take a fifth passenger. Count everyone, including babies on laps, when deciding how many tables to book.
The adults-only carriage
The £26 adults-only carriage is for passengers aged 16 and over and has no Santa visit. Make sure you book the right product: a family that picks it by mistake will not meet Santa, and a child cannot travel in it. If grandparents want to come along but sit apart, it is an option, but most families will want everyone at the same table.
Pushchairs and accessibility at Aviemore
The homepage does not describe pushchair storage or wheelchair access on the Santa trains. Ask the railway whether pushchairs can be folded and stored on board and what access is like at Aviemore's heritage platform.
Toilets and heating on the Elf Express
On-board toilets and heating are not mentioned in the information we found. With a journey of about an hour and three quarters, toilets matter, so ask the railway before you travel, and use the facilities at Aviemore before boarding.
Dogs and bikes
Dogs and bikes are not permitted on Santa's Elf Express. If you are on a holiday with your dog in the Cairngorms, arrange for someone to look after it while you ride.
Tickets and concessions
There are no concessions on the Santa trains, and the early-bird discount ended on 30 September. The railway's booking calendar was not reachable when we checked, so we cannot say which dates still have seats. Book as early as you can, especially for weekends.
Highland winter weather
Snow and ice are real possibilities on the A9 and around Aviemore in December. Check the forecast and road conditions before setting off, and keep warm clothes, food and water in the car on a long drive.
Contact
For anything not covered here, including the toddler rule, pushchairs, toilets, access and parking, the railway's phone number is 01479 810725. Ask all your questions in one call and note the answers with your booking reference.
Packing for a Highland Santa steam trip
A longer journey in the Highlands in December calls for warm layers and a few table-friendly distractions for the children.
- Your booking confirmation, with table number if given
- Thermal layers, hats and gloves for the Aviemore platform
- Crayons for the activity book at your table
- A quiet toy or book for the second half of the journey
- Snacks for under-tens if you are not on the Festive Steam Tea
- Nappies and spare clothes, as on-board toilets are not confirmed
- A bag for Santa's gift on the way back to Aviemore
- A flask and blanket in the car for the A9
- Sunglasses for the drive if there is low winter sun on snow
The Strathspey Railway and its Elf Express in numbers
- 1863: year the original line through Aviemore and Grantown opened
- 1978: year the heritage railway opened, in July
- About 10 miles: length of the line today, Aviemore to Broomhill
- 2002: year trains reached Broomhill
- About 1 hour 45 minutes: the Santa's Elf Express return trip
- 10 months: age from which children receive Santa's gift
- £5: the toddler ticket on the Experience
- 4: the largest standard table size
- £26: a place in the adults-only carriage, with no Santa
- 3: main stations on the line: Aviemore, Boat of Garten and Broomhill
Getting to Aviemore from Inverness and Perth
Aviemore lies just off the A9 in the Cairngorms National Park and also has a main-line railway station; times below are approximate and assume clear roads.
| From | Drive time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Inverness | about 40 minutes |
| Perth | about 1 hour 45 minutes |
Other Santa trains for a journey north or south
There are no other Scottish Santa trains in our guide yet, so these are the closest rides we have checked, all in the north of England.
- Weardale Railway Santa Express in upper Weardale Stanhope, North East England
- Santa Express on the La'al Ratty at Ravenglass Ravenglass, North West England
- Lakeside & Haverthwaite Tinsel Train in Cumbria Haverthwaite, North West England
More for Christmas train families
Santa's Elf Express from Aviemore: questions families ask
When does Santa's Elf Express run at the Strathspey Railway in 2026?
On selected dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026. The individual dates are shown in the railway's booking calendar.
How much is Santa's Elf Express from Aviemore?
Toddler tickets are £5 on the Experience or £10 with the Festive Steam Tea. Table prices for adults and children are shown in the booking system.
How do I book the Strathspey Railway Santa train?
Book online through the railway's DigiTickets booking system or phone 01479 810725. Tables are for two or four people.
Do babies go free on Santa's Elf Express?
The railway's FAQ gives two answers: one requires a toddler ticket from ten months to two years, another says under-threes on a lap are free. Phone the railway to check.
How long is Santa's Elf Express at Aviemore?
The return trip takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Where does Santa's Elf Express leave from?
From Aviemore only. The Strathspey Railway's trains use a platform at Aviemore's main station.
Can I take a pushchair on the Strathspey Railway Santa train?
The homepage does not say. Ask the railway on 01479 810725 how pushchairs are handled on board.
Are there toilets on Santa's Elf Express?
Toilets are not mentioned in the information we found. Ask the railway before you travel, as the trip lasts about an hour and three quarters.
Is the Strathspey Railway Santa train heated?
Heating is not described on the homepage. Dress children warmly, as Aviemore can be very cold in December.
Does Santa come on the train at Aviemore?
Yes. Families meet Santa and his elves on Santa's Elf Express, with festive entertainment along the way.
What do children get on the Strathspey Railway Santa train?
Every child aged ten months and over gets a gift from Santa and an activity book.
What is the Festive Steam Tea on Santa's Elf Express?
It is a ticket option that adds a festive tea to the trip. The toddler ticket for it costs £10, compared with £5 on the Experience.
What is the best Elf Express ticket with a baby?
A table for four gives more room. Check the under-three rule with the railway first, then choose a departure around nap times.
Can a family of five sit at one table on Santa's Elf Express?
No. The railway says standard tables cannot take a fifth passenger, so larger families need two tables.
When did the Strathspey Railway open?
The heritage railway opened between Aviemore and Boat of Garten in July 1978, after volunteer restoration that began in 1972.
Was the Strathspey Railway in Monarch of the Glen?
Yes. Broomhill station on the line appeared as Glenbogle station in the TV series Monarch of the Glen.
What else is on near Aviemore at Christmas 2026?
The railway runs Mince Pie Specials from 27 December 2026 to 5 January 2027. We have not confirmed any 2026 Christmas market in Aviemore.
Are there other Santa trains near Inverness besides the Strathspey Railway?
There are none in our guide yet. The nearest we list are in northern England, such as the Weardale Railway, and our UK Santa trains guide has them all.
Is Santa's Elf Express wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility is not described on the homepage. Phone the Strathspey Railway on 01479 810725 to ask.
Can dogs come on Santa's Elf Express at Aviemore?
No. Dogs and bikes are not permitted on the Strathspey Railway's Santa trains.
2027 ticket alert
Santa trains sell out fast
The best dates are often gone weeks before December. Leave your email and we will write once, the moment 2027 bookings open in Scottish Highlands.
Sources
- Strathspey Railway: official page (strathspeyrailway.co.uk) (opens in a new tab)
- History of the line (Rails to Grantown) (opens in a new tab)
- Strathspey Railway (Undiscovered Scotland) (opens in a new tab)
- Strathspey Railway (steamlocomotives.org) (opens in a new tab)
Checked on the railway’s official pages on 4 November 2026. This train is run by Strathspey Railway. Rally Takes the Train is a children’s picture book; we are not partners with or affiliated to the railway. Book only on the official site and check dates and fares before you travel.
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