Texas Hill Country’s Favorite Holiday Tradition

All aboard the North Pole Flyer! Step into a magical winter wonderland as you travel through the countryside on a vintage train filled with holiday cheer. 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.

What's Included:

• A two and a half hour excursion on a real, vintage train.

• A visit and photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

• All-you-can-drink hot cocoa.

• A locally baked holiday cookie.

• A custom balloon creation from a live balloon twister for each child under 13.

• On-board caroling and sing-a-long.

• A wooden train whistle for each child under 13 (sponsored by CapMetro).

• Christmas coloring sheets for each child under 13.

• A special reading of a Christmas story.

Schedule:

• Dates: The North Pole Flyer runs on Saturdays and Sundays with four departures per day on the following dates
  • November 29 & 30
  • December 5 & 6
  • December 13 & 14
• Doors Open: Please arrive 30-minutes before departure
• Boarding: Doors close 10 minutes prior to departure (train cannot wait for late arrivals)
• Train Rides: Select one of four departures per day
  • 8:30 AM — 11:00 AM
  • 12:00 PM — 2:30 PM
  • 3:30 PM — 6:00 PM
  • 7:00 PM — 9:30 PM

Train Ride Info:

• Departure Location: The Bertram Depot is located at 170 S. Gabriel St., Bertram, TX 78605. 
• Duration: 2.5-hour round-trip from Bertram Depot to Burnet Depot and back
• Moving Museum: Ride in vintage railcars from the 1930s–1950s all pulled by a historic diesel locomotive and experience the nostalgic charm and rhythmic sounds of classic rail travel
• Ways to Ride: Choose from Coach, Lounge, or Private Compartment seating! Click here to get familiar with our train before you book. All classes are available for all-ages and offer a cozy ride with holiday cheer. Wheelchair accessibility limited — call ahead to reserve.
• Get the Most Out of Your Journey: Full details for this event are available at https://www.austinsteamtrain.org/north-pole-flyer
• Policies: Due to the unique nature of our nonprofit railroad operations, tickets are non-refundable, and no discounts are available for this special event. 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.

Ticket Prices:

• Lap Children: Kids under 3 can ride in a lap for just $10!
• Standard Tickets: Coach tickets start at $55 and lounge tickets start at $65.
• Group Discounts: Planning a festive outing for 20 people or more? Enjoy group rates at $59.50 for Lounge and $49.50 for Coach tickets. Discount does not apply to lap children.
• Charter Discounts: Make your ride extra special by reserving an entire train car just for your group! Charter rates are $58.50 for Lounge or $44 for Coach tickets. Discount does not apply to lap children.

Voted a 2025 Best of Austin Winner by Austin Chronicle readers for our family-friendly train rides!