Are you a Doubter? Have you been bamboozled, railroaded? Is your belief in the Big Man himself fading away? You need to book tickets for Polar Express Kent! The magical journey of a lifetime, all you Doubters will be transformed into Believers before the train ride is through. From the first steam whistle to the final ring of the bell, each moment of the trip will be filled with wonder. Whether you are bringing the children, grandchildren or just yourselves to experience the wonder of THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, there’s a little taste of Christmas magic for everyone.
How do I get tickets for Polar Express Kent?
Tickets can be found at our website, https://spavalleythepolarexpressride.com. Prices and availability can be found at https://spavalleythepolarexpressride.com/availability. We offer Premium and Standard tickets, located in their own carriages. The experience is broadly the same across both Premium and Standard carriages, the primary difference being the centrally located boarding for Premium as well as a free exclusive mug for each member of your party (aged 2+ or with their own seat).
Is Polar Express Kent accessible?
We are pleased to accommodate one wheelchair user per train. The maximum wheelchair size we can support is 27” (68cm) wide and 20” (51cm) high.Wheelchair spaces must be booked in advance, so please contact us before making your booking.
For guests with limited mobility, we will do our best to accommodate your needs within the constraints of a heritage railway. Wheelchair spaces are available on board and are located at Door D.Please note that there are flashing festive lights on board the train and around the site. These are not strobe lights and are designed to be gentle throughout the experience.
Guests in receipt of the highest rate of DLA, ADP, CDP, enhanced PIP, or those with an Access Card showing +1, are eligible for a 50% carer ticket discount. Please contact our Customer Service team with your booking number and proof of entitlement to arrange a refund (minus the compulsory £3 booking fee). We do not offer Blue Light, military, or other discounts.
What to expect from Polar Express
Please arrive 30–45 minutes before your scheduled departure time to allow plenty of time to explore the site. Kindly note that arriving earlier than this may mean you are unable to access the site. Before boarding, there will be opportunities to purchase Polar Express merchandise, as well as food and drink to enjoy on site. Please be aware that food and drink (including external items) are not permitted on the train, unless required due to allergies or specific dietary requirements, in which case an exception will be made. When it’s time to depart, our friendly Chefs will welcome you aboard and help you find your seats. The Conductor will introduce himself, and then your magical journey to the North Pole begins. Along the way, you’ll be entertained with singing, dancing and festive shenanigans, before meeting a very special visitor – Mr C himself – on board the Polar Express. After meeting Santa, the train will return home, with families full of Christmas magic. You can then extend your experience by visiting Santa’s Workshop, where you’ll find the gift shop and enjoy some festive fun to really let the Christmas spirit shine.
Do I have to wear pyjamas to the Polar Express?
Pyjamas of course! We encourage our guests to wear pyjamas and robes just as the characters did in the film! However, because it is winter and partially an outdoor event we ask guests to bring a warm coat, a brolly and wear sensible sturdy shoes. No slippers please! We are a working railway with some uneven floors and it can get a little muddy, we would hate for you to ruin your bunny rabbit slippers!
Where to stay for the Polar Express Kent
The address of the experience is West Station, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5QY. There is no hotel attached to the event, but particularly if you are on a later train you may well wish to make a weekend out of your wondrous train ride. We recommend booking in advance, as we anticipate that at peak times it will be difficult to find local accomodation. Your family may well be worn out by all the excitement! Make sure you have a pair of offical Polar Express Pyjamas to really make the most of your night’s holiday.
Do I need to watch the film?
The Polar Express film (2004) is the basis for most of the Polar Magic on board the train. However, as the train ride takes you through the major events of the film you do not have to have watched the film to fully experience the train ride. For those of you who are major film fans, though, you’ll notice some special easter eggs put in just for you – have a look in the vents above the seating to see if you can spot Hero Girl’s missing tickets. Plus, if the carriage suddenly gets cold, and you start seeing things the chef can’t – a familiar face might be nearby, checking whether you’re a Doubter or a True Believer!
If you’re more of a book fan than a film fan, why not get your copy of POLAR EXPRESS with your tickets? An absolutely stunning picture book, it will take you through the adventures you’ll have on board the train over and over again. If you have your own copy, make sure to bring it along with you for the train ride – for a section of the journey, you’ll be treated to a narrated look through the book itself, where you can follow along with your own copy. Plus, when meeting Father Christmas, if you ask he might even autograph the book for you as a lasting memento of your trip.
The Polar Express Kent is a brand new immersive theatrical experience on board a heritage steam train, launching for the very first time in 2021. Don’t miss out – book your tickets today!
