Strathspey Railway Ticket Portal

A Festive Steam Train Experience

Looking for a magical family day out this Christmas? Hop aboard Santa's Elf Express, a festive steam train experience packed with Christmas cheer!

Step aboard our beautifully decorated heritage train and enjoy an approximately 1 hour 45 minute return journey through the stunning winter scenery of the Scottish Highlands. While children enjoy their festive activity books, grown-ups can sit back, relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Keep an eye out for our mischievous elves as they roam through the train, spreading festive fun with singalongs, jokes and plenty of Christmas mischief along the way.

And of course, Santa will be joining us too! During the journey, he'll visit every table, spending a few minutes with each family, chatting with children, posing for photos and presenting a souvenir gift to every child aged 10 months and over.

Ticket Information

Elf Express Experience & First-Class Compartments

Elf Express Experience tickets are sold as fixed-price tables:

• Table for up to 2 passengers
• Table for up to 4 passengers

First Class tickets are sold as fixed-price tables for:

• Up to 4 passengers
• 5 passengers
• 6 passengers

There are no concessionary fares available.

Maximum capacities:

The price is per table, not per person. If fewer passengers travel than the table's capacity, the price remains the same.

Standard Elf Express tables have a maximum capacity of 4 passengers and we cannot accommodate a fifth passenger at these tables. We are unable to make exceptions to this policy. We also have a limited number of tables which seat up to 2.

Children aged 3 and over require their own seat and count towards the maximum capacity of the table.

Children aged 10 months to 2 years may sit on a lap and do not count towards the table capacity. A Toddler Ticket must be purchased for these children.

Babies under 10 months travelling in arms or a sling travel free and do not require a ticket.

Observation Carriage

Individual tickets are available in the Observation Carriage. Priced per person regardless of age. There are no concessionary fares available. Children under 3 may sit on a parent's lap (age 10months-2 require a toddler ticket).

Adults-Only Carriage (16+)

Individual tickets are also available in our Adults-Only Carriage.

Please note:

·       The carriage will be festively decorated.

·       Santa and the elves will NOT visit this carriage.

·       This carriage is exclusively for passengers aged 16 and over.

·       Please note that passengers in the Adults' Only Carriage may be seated at a shared table with other passengers.

Seating Arrangements

Elf Express Experience

You will be allocated a carriage, but seating within that carriage is unreserved.

Where possible, all passengers within the same booking will be placed in the same carriage.

If friends or family book separately and would like to travel together, please contact us with all booking reference numbers and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Babies & Toddlers

Babies Under 10 Months

Babies under 10 months travelling in arms or a sling travel free and do not require a ticket.

Please note:

·       Prams and baby seats cannot be carried on board.

·       No Santa gift is provided due to age restrictions on the available toys.

Toddlers Aged 10 Months to 2 Years

Children aged 10 months to 2 years require a Toddler Ticket.

Elf Express Experience Toddler Ticket (£5) includes:

• Santa gift
• Activity book

Festive 'Steam' Tea Toddler Ticket (£10) includes:

• Food and drink
• Santa gift
• Activity book

Toddlers may sit on a parent's lap and do not count towards the maximum capacity of the table.

Children Aged 3-15 Years

Children aged 3 and over count as one of the passengers in your booking and must occupy a seat.

All children aged 3-15 receive:

·       A Santa gift

·       A festive activity book

Dogs

For the comfort and safety of all passengers, dogs are NOT permitted on any Christmas train service.

Assistance dogs are welcome. To help our staff identify assistance dogs, please carry an Assistance Dog ID card or ensure your dog wears an appropriate assistance dog harness.

Food & Drink

A trolley service will operate throughout the journey, offering a selection of snacks and drinks for purchase.

Passengers are also welcome to bring their own food – please remove any waste at the end of your journey.

A selection of drinks will be available from our on-board bar.

Wrap Up Warm!

Our heritage carriages feature traditional single-glazed windows and can feel chilly during the Highland winter months.

We recommend bringing warm clothing, and perhaps even a cosy blanket, to make your journey extra comfortable.

Steam Locomotives

*We always aim to operate Santa's Elf Express with a steam locomotive. However, on occasion, operational circumstances may require us to substitute a heritage diesel locomotive.

Refunds or cancellations are not available in these circumstances.

2026 Santa's Elf Express Dates

November:

·       Sat28th/Sun 29th

December

·       Sat5th/Sun 6th

·       Fri11th/Sat 12th /Sun13th

·       Thurs17th/Fri18th/Sat19th/Sun20th

·       Mon21st/Tues22nd/Wed23rd/Thurs24th