Step aboard a Halloween train, where the ordinary world is left behind, and a realm of eerie enchantment awaits. As the nights grow darker and the air fills with an aura of mystery, the UK transforms its railways into spine-tingling journeys through the supernatural.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the most thrilling and chilling Halloween train experiences the UK has to offer and we’ll provide you with a Halloween train map to find rides near you. From ghostly tales that will send shivers down your spine to pumpkin-lit parades that capture the spirit of the season, these rides promise a hauntingly good time. So, gather your courage, don your spookiest attire, and embark on a journey you won’t soon forget.
Don’t forget to check out all our other spooky Halloween posts, such as scary events in London, Halloween costumes, pumpkin-picking farms and DIY Halloween bunting ideas.
Halloween Trains Ride Map
Use our interactive map to find a Polar Express experience close to you:
1. Audley End Miniature Railway
Halloween Special
Meet a coven of witches on your Halloween train journey into the enchanted woods and watch them dance and chant spells. When: 21st to 31st October 2023. Where: Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JB. Tickets: Adults and children over 92cm – £17.00. Children under 92cm – £8.50. Under 1 – free.
2. Avon Valley Railway
It’s a Hoot!
Children in fancy dress go free!
When: 28th & 29th October 2023. Where: Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol, BS30 6HD. Tickets: Adult – £11.00. Child (4 – 15) – £7.00 (or free if in fancy dress).
3. Bala Lake Railway
Halloween Trains
Take a spooky train ride down the train line as far as the train is able to go before some disaster strikes, and the crew is forced to turn back. Along the way back, the train will stop at the little-used and haunted Flag Halt where you will find the witches’ coven before returning to the safety of Llanuwchllyn. When: 29th and 31st October 2023. Where: Bala Lake Railway, Station Rd, Llanuwchllyn, Bala, LL23 7DD. Tickets: £10.00 per adult. £4.00 per child.
4. Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway
Halloween Ghost Trains
Take this 10 – 15-minute Halloween train ride at your peril! Ghosts and ghouls will scare you along the way. When: 28th to 31st October 2023. Where: The Railway Station, Furnace Sidings, Garn Yr Erw, Blaenavon, NP4 9SF. Tickets: TBC – check site for details.
5. Bo’Ness & Kinneil Railway
Steam n’ Scream
Take a journey on a historic steam train between Bo’ness & Birkhill. At Birkhill, be prepared to be scared! Included in the price of your ticket is the chance to complete their Halloween Trail in the Museum of Scottish Railways and a goodie bag for all children (5-15). When: 27th & 28th October 2023. Where: Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, Bo’ness Station, Union Street, Bo’ness, West Lothian, EH51 9AQ. Tickets: £13.00 per adult or £7 per child.
6. Bure Valley Railway
Halloween Trains
Kids go free during half-term week (with a paying adult). Lots of Halloween-themed activities to enjoy. When: 21st to 29th October 2023. Where: Bure Valley Railway (1991) Ltd, Aylsham Station, Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6BW. Tickets: Adult – £19.00.
7. Downpatrick and County Down Railway
Halloween Scream Trains
When: 28th & 29th October 2023. Where: Downpatrick & County Down Railway, Market Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ. Tickets: £TBC.
8. East Lancashire Railway
Halloween Ghost Trains
Are you brave enough to join the scream train?? Help the Monster Squad to keep order and vanquish the ghouliees during the 80-minute steam train ride from Bury to Rawtenstall and back.
When: 26th to 28th October 2023. Where: The East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street Station, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EY. Tickets: Adults – £22.00. Children (3 – 17) – £15.50.
9. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
The Ghost Train through the countryside
When: TBC. Where: Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Wirksworth Station, Station Road, Coldwell Street, Wirksworth, DE4 4FB. Tickets: TBC.
10. Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
The Wizard Express
Take a terrifying trip on a spooky scare train (suggested age 10+)…or for those who don’t want a slightly less frightening experience, there are spooky dress-up competitions and games! When: 28th to 30th October 2023. Where: Bolton Abbey Station, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6AF. Tickets: From £13.50 per adult or £40.00 for a family of 4.
11. Epping Ongar Railway
Fright Week
More details to follow, but if you are based in London, this is the closest Halloween train to London. When: 25th to 28th October 2023. Where: Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar Station, Station Approach, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN. Tickets: TBC.
12. Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
Halloween Ghost Train
Note that as well as the ghost train, there is also Halloween face painting, pumpkin carving, and a spooky trail to enjoy. When: 23rd to 29th October 2023. Where: Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, Exbury, Southampton, SO45 1AZ. Tickets: TBC.
13. Gwili Railway
Halloween Lights of the Valley Train
When: October half term. Where: Gwili Railway, Abergwili Junction Station, Abergwili, Carmarthen, SA31 2DG. Tickets: £15.00 per person. Under 3 – free.
14. Isle of Wight Steam Railway
A Magical week of spooky events for all the family.
Wizard Week
When: 23rd to 27th October 2023. Where: Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet Station, Isle of Wight Steam, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde, PO33 4DS. Tickets: Adult – from £19.50. Children (5 – 17) – from £8.25.
15. Keith and Dufftown Railway
Ghost Train
When: 27th & 28th October 2023. Where: Keith and Dufftown Railway, Dufftown Station, Keith & Dufftown Railway, Dufftown, Keith, AB55 4BA. Tickets: £12.50 per person.
16. Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
Halloween Spooktacular
When: TBC. Where: Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, Ludborough Station, Station Road, Ludborough, Lincolnshire, DN36 5SQ. Tickets: TBC.
17. Llanberis Lake Railway
Halloween Hunt
When: 26th October to 1st November 2023. Where: Llanberis Lake Railway, Gilfach Ddu, Padarn Park, Llanberis, Caernarfon, LL55 4TY. Tickets: £10.00 per adult. £5.00 per child.
18. Nene Valley Railway
Thomas’s Trick or Treat Party
Alternatively, there is a Wizard Express.
When: 25th October 2023 at 10 am. Where: Nene Valley Railway Ltd, Wansford Station, Stibbington, Peterborough, PE8 6LR. Tickets: Adult – £22.00. Children (3 – 15) – £16.00.
19. North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Not so much a Halloween train ride but more of a Halloween light show train ride!
When: 27th October to 5th November (& 10th – 12th November) 2023. Where: North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering Station, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AJ. Tickets: £25.00 per person.
20. Ribble Steam Railway and Museum
Spooky Trains
Entry includes unlimited rides on the spooky train and entry to the museum. On the Saturday, there will also be Halloween activities for kids and dressing up.
When: 29th & 30th October 2023. Where: Ribble Steam Railway, Chain Caul Rd, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 2PD. Tickets: £TBC.
22. Talyllyn Railway Company
Steam and Scream
Enjoy a ghoulish evening train ride to Dolgoch Woods.
When: 30th & 31st October 2023. Where: TBC. Tickets: £10.00 per adult. £5.00 per child.
23. Thorpe Park
Ghost Train
Not your traditional Halloween train experience but if you’re visiting Thorpe Park at Halloween, you might want to try out their Ghost Train! Passengers need to be 1.3m and over to ride, and it is recommended that children are over 13.
When: Where: THORPE PARK Resort, Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8PN. Tickets: Standard park tickets are from £32.00 if bought in advance.
24. Severn Valley Railway
Ghost Trains
When: 28th, 30th, and 31st October 2023. Where: Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster Station, Station Drive, Kidderminster, DY10 1QX. Tickets: from £91.00 for a table of 4.
25. Watercress Line
Wizard Week
Travel on the thrilling Wizard Express and take part in lots of family-friendly Halloween activities.
When: 21st to 29th October 2023. Where: The Watercress Line, The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JG. Tickets: Adult – from £27.00. Children (5 – 16) – from £14.00.