Toronto 
Photo Credit: Algoma Central railway
Explore Ontario on rails–through rolling hills, ravines, forested valleys and the country side! Whether as a family trip or on a day trip with your loved one, these scenic tours will never disappoint! Enjoy fall colours or have a Halloween haunted experience, visit the pumpkin patch, or take a ride on the Santa Train.
Special Train Trip Events from our Calendar are listed at the end of the article.
Holiday Trains: Places to Go For Illuminated Christmas Train Rides or Santa Train Rides in Ontario
1. Agawa Canyon Tour Train
One of the most popular train tours in Canada, this one-day trip will take you through alongside pristine northern lakes and rivers and vast mixed forests of the Canadian Shield. At the end of the 114 mile journey, explore Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park that has a variety of trails that lead to the most scenic spots, including four waterfalls and the breathtaking Lookout. Or have a picnic and then enjoy another 114-mile journey back to where you started. Details
Daily ~ Mid June to ~ Mid October; Departs Sault Ste Marie: 8:00 am | Returns Sault: 6:00 pm
129 Bay Street, Sault Ste. Marie
~$67.50 (Youth) to ~ $135(adult)
2. Polar Bear Express
Photo Credit: Ontario Northland
Take a 5 hour trip on the Polar Bear Express train, a passenger train, which runs from Cochrane to Moosonee through Boreal Forests and along the Arctic Watershed, crossing historic highways of the once busy fur trade. See many hydroelectric dams as you head further north towards the James Bay Coast and Moosonee. This is the best way to see Northern Ontario. Details
Year Round
Cochrane and Moosonee
~ $24.58 to $49.15
3. Waterloo Central Railway
Photo Credit: Waterloo Central Railway
Take a ride through the Waterloo Region countryside on the historic railway branch between St. Jacob’s Market to St. Jacob’s Village and Elmira.
Explore the famous St Jacobs Market or enjoy a variety of themed tours that are offered including Maple Syrup Festival Trains, Easter Bunny Trains, Great Train Robbery, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Festival of Colours Trains, Pumpkin Patch Trains, Thanksgiving Trains, Santa Train and more! Details
Year-round ~ on select days and weekends and on St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market days
St. Jacobs Market station, 878 Weber St. N. Woolwich (There are Hop on Hop off options on select train rides.
$19.99 & up
4. Port Stanley Terminal Rail
Photo Credit: Port Stanley Terminal Rail
Experience a train ride through the scenic Kettle Creek Valley over a 7 km portion of the former London & Port Stanley Railway.
Themed tours include Easter Egg Hunt, Mothers Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Murder Mystery Train, Pumpkin Train, Halloween Train and Santa Train. Details
Select Days April to December
309 Bridge Street, Port Stanley
$9 to $20
5. South Simcoe Railway
Enjoy a 50-minute ride on steam and diesel-powered trains of Ontario’s first steam heritage railway through the 6.5 km of Beeton Creek Valley from the South Simcoe Railway station in downtown Tottenham. Details
Themed train tours include Easter Express, Fall Colour Tours, Haunted Hallowe’en Adventure and Santa Claus Express.
Victoria Day Weekend to Mid October and also during Easter, Halloween and Christmas Season.
Mill St W, Tottenham
$9 to $16
6. Other Heritage Train Rides
Portage Flyer Train: Visit Muskoka Heritage Place and take a trip along the Muskoka River onto Fairy Lake Station on a 1 km track (30 minutes). Details
Halton County Radial Railway: Visit Halton County Radial Railway in Milton and enjoy unlimited historic streetcar rides on two kilometres of scenic track. There are special events during Halloween and Christmas at the museum. Details
Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario: Visit Smith Falls to enjoy a tour of picturesque Canadian Northern station, grounds and train rides. You can take a approx. 2 km train trip which leave from the station along the West track and head north to Cornelia St., switch to the East track and travel along the east side of the property and then back again. Details
8. Upcoming Special Train Tours
Northfield ION, St Jacobs Farmers Market, and St. Jacobs village.
April 25, 2024 To August 31, 2024
$19.99 - $39.99
Join us and travel back in time for an authentic heritage train ride through Woolwich Township and Waterloo Regions’ famous Mennonite farm country on our historic rail ... »
Port Stanley Terminal Rail, Bridge Street, Port Stanley
May 4, 2024 To October 20, 2024
519-782-3730
Varies
Enjoy a scenic ride on the Port Stanley Terminal Railway. »
Northfield ION, St Jacobs Farmers Market, and St. Jacobs village.
May 11, 2024
Free ride for Mom
Treat Mom to a delightful scenic train ride this Mother’s Day, where she’ll enjoy a special sweet treat to indulge in along the journey. VIP ... »
Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, 90 William St W, Smiths Falls
May 12, 2024
$145.92 for two
This Mother’s Day, RMEO will be serving afternoon tea, a British tradition, in our 1899-era Dining Car. Take a trip back in time and enjoy this ... »
You may like:
Boat Tours and Cruises Ontario
My cousin is coming from Thailand and wants to do a train tour from Toronto for a day on a scenic route to see mountains and snow in comfort .
Please advise me via email below. Thanks
Im going to be in Ontario from September 20th to the 28th. What do you have for a great three day tour. It would be 4 people
When York Durham Heritage Railway will be running this year ?
Hi, I just wanted to know about number 1…”the Agawa canyon tour train”… is it within Toronto area?
Like if I’m in Scarborough, how will I take this train and about COVID, is it still happening? Please reply thanks.
Agawa Canyon is about 8 hours drive from Toronto. It will be running this Fall season.