All aboard the Santa Steam Specials! This enchanting journey is the ultimate festive treat for children, offering a magical steam train ride from Princes Risborough to Santa’s Grotto at his North Pole station. Here, little ones can share their Christmas wishes with Santa himself!
On selected dates in November and December, all trains will depart from Princes Risborough Station Platform 4 (SatNav HP27 9DN), where Santa's stewards will warmly welcome you onboard. During the journey, the Elves will entertain the children with activity packs, puzzles, handouts, childrens games and 'Letters-to-Santa'.
The steam train will take you to Santa's Enchanted Workshop and Grotto at the North Pole station. Here, you can enjoy refreshments, chat with Santa, take memorable photos, and receive a Christmas present for every child.
An added attraction this year will be face painting for the 3 – 11 year olds while the trains are in the platform at Chinnor.
This will make a lovely photo and a wonderful memory of your trip to see Santa.
On the return journey, volunteers will ensure all children are delighted with their gifts and their painted faces!
Travel in comfort in our 1950s carriages, named after Santa's reindeers – Rudolph, Blitzen, Dasher, and Prancer. Seats are booked at tables to keep families together. Enjoy the traditional elements of our Santa experience: the steam train ride, hot and cold beverages, mince pies or biscuits, and a magical visit with Santa.
Additional treats like sandwiches, hot sausage rolls, crisps, snacks, and mulled wine can be purchased at the station café, and you might find some last-minute presents in our station shop.
Take advantage of our early season special with £5 off per person on the first two days. Christmas comes but once a year, and we aim to make it truly memorable. Santa and our volunteers look forward to welcoming you and your family onboard for a festive experience filled with joy and magic!
Important Details
Early Season dates: 29, 30 November 2025 - Adult/Senior or Child 1-12 years £24.50 per person
Peak Season dates: 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22 December 2025 - Adult/Senior or Child 1-12 years £29.50 per person
Train departure times and duration: Princes Risborough departures at 10.30, 12.30, 14.30, duration approximately 1 hour 35 minutes
Departure location: Santa Steam Specials depart from and return to Platform 4, Princes Risborough Station HP27 9DN
Please be aware that both lifts at Princes Risborough are out of action and it is not known when they will be repaired. Access to Platform 4 invloves taking several stairs up to a walkway that crosses three lines of track and then more stairs down the other side. Do bear this in mind when booking your tickets
Car Parking: Chiltern Railways Pay-and-Display at the station (SatNav HP27 9DN) - currently charging Saturday and Sunday £6.50, Friday and Monday £9.30
Accessibility: a wheelchair space is only available in a separate area of the train and is limited to one disabled person and one accompanying carer at the individual seat price shown above
Buggies and Strollers: must be left on Platform 4 at Princes Risborough, or you may prefer to leave them in your car for added security. Sorry, they cannot be carried on the train
Presents: each Child ticket 1-12 years includes a thoughtful present. ‘Babes in arms’ (under 1 year) do not need a ticket but they will still receive a small gift
Complimentary refreshments: Mince pie or biscuits and a drink of tea/ coffee/ chocolate or a fruit shoot is included in the ticket price and will be served at Chinnor station. Limited dietary needs are catered for
Station Cafe at Chinnor: on sale hot mulled wine, hot sausage rolls, vegetarian/ vegan sausage rolls, sandwiches in wholemeal bread (chicken & stuffing, brie & cranberry, tuna mayo & sweetcorn, cheese & pickle), chocolate bars, cans, water, fruit shoot, crisps and snacks
Booking size: passengers in one booking will be seated together where possible. Tables in our carriages seat 4 people and if your booking is for individual seats in multiples other than 4 people, you may be sharing a table with another family
Groups: we welcome groups and will always try to ensure you are sat together, but please note there are generally no discounted fares. For bona-fide groups of Brownies, Cubs and similar organisations, we may be able to offer concessions for a limited number of accompanying adults - please enquire via email HERE
Dogs: unlike some Santa experiences small dogs are welcome to travel on our Santa Special trains, but they must be kept on a short lead and are not allowed on the seats. Due to hygiene and other considerations, dogs (except assistance/ guide dogs) cannot be taken into Santa's Grotto.
Booking information
Although we will make every effort to provide the services shown and ensure that steam locomotives are available, we cannot guarantee this.
The company therefore reserves the right to substitute with a diesel locomotive and to alter or cancel the timetable without prior notice and accept no liabilities for any loss or inconvenience caused.
Seats on our Santa trains are allocated seats, and our back-office team are volunteers, so please allow 48 hours for them to be with you.
For further information please call 07979 055366 between 10.00 and 16.00 hours or email bookings@chinnorrailway.co.uk