Sullivan Express Christmas Train Ride to Meet Santa

Sullivan Hardware & Garden Santa Express Holiday Train Ride

We are thrilled to once again share this sponsored content with our readers. This is one of our favorite experiences for the season!

Find more Indianapolis holiday events and activities on Indy with Kids.

Sullivan Express Holiday Train Ride

Holiday train rides have become a huge hit with Indianapolis families. With so many Indy area Christmas train rides and Polar Express-type opportunities, you can find the perfect ride for your family. We’ve become big fans of the Sullivan Express Santa Train Ride because of the quality of the time we get to spend with Santa and the affordability for a large family. Tickets go on sale on November 1 at 4 pm, so don’t miss out!

Sullivan Express Santa Train Ride

The Sullivan Santa Express is a small train, a little larger than what you’d see at the mall and every ticket is a ticket for a whole train car. We generally fit 3 adults and 4 young kids just fine for the ride. If there are members of your family that don’t fit on the train (grandparents, etc.), they are welcome to walk to the North Pole and meet you there.

The train takes you and your family on a memorable trip to see Santa at the North Pole. You’ll pass by elaborately decorated and themed holiday displays with some fun characters. The train ride is narrated and my kids love looking out the windows to see all of the things along the way.

  • Every family has a non-rushed, semi-private time with Santa
  • Enjoy beautiful displays and vignettes on your journey.
  • Kids will love the activity centers and exploring the holiday decor.

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Sullivan's Santa Express Image

What to Expect at the Sullivan Santa Express Train Ride

Your magical journey begins at Central Station, located in Sullivan’s greenhouse at the 71st & N. Keystone location, where your family will check-in. When the Sullivan Express Train arrives, your family will be seated together in one train car. You and your family will travel along your holiday adventure to the North Pole where Santa awaits your visit. The ride is open-air so dress for the weather!

The Sullivan’s Santa experience is sure to become one of your favorite family traditions just like it is ours. The narrated train ride travels through bear country where you’ll encounter some friendly bears doing some rather unusual things. Then you’ll come across the Candy Cane Factory scene. As the Sullivan Express leaves the woods, you’ll enjoy the smell of fresh greens as the North Pole-bound train moves through the Sullivan Christmas tree lot.

As the train gets closer to the North Pole, there is a small problem that leads the train on a new course and some unexpected surprises… that you’ll have to see for yourself! I’m so excited to see the new additions made this year.

Santa at Sullivan Hardware

Upon your arrival at the North Pole, the kids color and start a craft in Santa’s workshop as your family takes turns with 2-3 other families visiting with Kris Kringle himself. Afterward, you will catch the same train back to Central Station.

My kids love playing with the train tables and coloring, but our very favorite time is when we see Santa and share our wishes. We’ve never felt rushed or hurried during our time with Santa, and this is PERFECT for any kiddos who have some anxiety about meeting with him.

You’ll take your own photos on your own cameras or ask one of the elves to help you out. No photo purchases are available or required.

New Santa’s Outpost Experience

New this year, Sullivan’s has added a non-stop trip to Santa’s Outpost. In this express train ride, passengers experience the same action-packed ride, but instead go to Santa’s Outpost where everyone remains in the train car while Santa greets you. Passengers also will get a cookie for the trip back from the Outpost to Central Station. The total time is about 17 minutes and costs $55 per train car.

Adults-Only Sullivan Express

Grown-ups love the Sullivan Express almost as much as the kids, so Sullivan’s has created some special opportunities just for adults! Check the calendar to book train rides and experiences like Santa’s Beer and Wine Flight, the Lunch Express, the North Pole Comedy Club, and more. These could be the perfect holiday date night or girls’ night out.

Sullivan Santa Train Tickets

Make your reservation for the Sullivan Santa Express at SullivanExpress.com. Seating is limited. The cost is $75 (Monday – Wednesday) or $85 (Thursday – Sunday) per train car. That’s right—the cost for the whole family, including parents, kids, and grandparents.

Know Before You Go

  •  A purchase quantity of 1 includes your entire family… parents, kids, and grandparents. Don’t purchase by the number of people in your family…that will cost a lot more!!
  • You are the photographer. You take all the photos you want with your camera or phone.
  • Once you leave the station, your total time including travel time is approximately 30 minutes, which includes 15 minutes at the North Pole.

13 thoughts on “Sullivan Express Christmas Train Ride to Meet Santa”

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  5. I would like to take my family. Sounds wonderful! So our family would be 4 parents, 1 grandparent and 3 children. Is this $70? From your description we cannot fit all in one car so I was unsure of the wording. It does say your whole family. Please advise.

    1. Yes. It is $70 per family. As mentioned, anyone who doesn’t fit in the car can walk to the North Pole and join their family when the train arrives. Have fun! It’s a great time!

      1. That is disappointing no one wants to walk along they want to be in the car or in another car with part of their family so they can see the faces of their grandchildren while they’re doing the process so it’s one car with your whole entire family like you said but your whole family doesn’t fit in there so initially you have to buy two cars at $70 each in order to make sure you can all be accommodated if you want to ride correct?

        1. Correct. If your party does not fit in the train car and no one wants to walk, you would have to purchase another ticket. Our family is 2 adults plus a 10, 8, 6 and 4 year old, plus we bring nana and while it’s tight, we all fit.

  6. WOW $70. Thats a lot and quite a bit more than in the past, We really enjoyed the train in the past but will really have to think about this price. Why so much more? This increase really limits this activity for most familys especially during the pandemic. Really wish you”d rethink your price.

    1. Hi Sandra,
      The $10 price increase is to cover the extra costs and limited attendance due to COVID. This price is not our price. We are just writing the article to tell you about it.

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