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Santa Train Rides in Mid Wales

Santa trains are one of the best family days out in Mid Wales at Christmas. Five narrow-gauge steam railways across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia) run festive trains in December 2026, where children meet Father Christmas, get a present and ride behind a real steam engine. Most sell out well before December, so book as soon as you know your dates.

Which railways run Santa trains in 2026?

Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, Powys. Santa Specials run from 12 to 22 December 2026 from Llanfair Caereinion, with a longer return journey to Castle Caereinion, Santa and his elves on board, a gift for each child and a hot drink for the grown-ups. On 16 December the trains are SEN friendly, with fewer passengers and a quieter atmosphere. You must book ahead.

Talyllyn Railway, Southern Eryri. Santa Specials run from Tywyn Wharf on 19, 20 and 23 December 2026 to meet Father Christmas. The railway also runs Tinsel and Turkey trains with a Christmas lunch on 5 and 12 December, a Carol Train on the evening of 19 December, and a Welsh-language Victorian Christmas train, Y Trên Nadolig Fictoraidd, on 8, 15 and 22 December.

Bala Lake Railway, Southern Eryri. Santa visits Llanuwchllyn on 12 and 13 December 2026, with trains along the shore of Llyn Tegid to his grotto.

Corris Railway, near Machynlleth. Santa Specials run on 12 and 13 December 2026 in the Dulas valley.

Vale of Rheidol Railway, Ceredigion. Ticket to Christmas runs from 16 to 23 December 2026 from Aberystwyth, with details to be announced by the railway.

Brecon Mountain Railway. On the southern edge of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), the railway runs Santa trains from Pant to Pontsticill each December. Its 2026 dates hadn't been published when we wrote this page.

What to expect on a Santa train

Most trips last between an hour and two hours, including time with Father Christmas. Children usually get a present, and there are often mince pies, mulled wine or hot drinks for adults. Carriages can be cool, so bring hats and gloves, and arrive early to park and collect tickets. Check each railway for accessibility and pushchair space before you book.

How do I book a Santa train in Mid Wales?

Book directly with each railway online. Weekend trains go first, so if you can travel midweek you'll have more choice. See our heritage railways for the full list.

Make a weekend of it

Pair a Santa train with a stay in a cottage with a fire. See cosy Christmas cottages and family-friendly places to stay, and our Christmas in Mid Wales guide for more to do.

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More for a family Christmas

Inspiration

Hay Festival Winter Weekend

Four days of talks and readings at Hay Castle, then bookshops, winter walks in the Black Mountains and a pub by the fire. Hay in late November is hard to beat.
Winter Walks in Mid Wales

Frost on Cadair Idris, low sun on the Elan Valley reservoirs and a sheltered forest trail when the wind blows. Winter walking in Mid Wales, with a fire at the end.
Christmas with Dogs in Mid Wales

Winter beaches with room to run, pubs that welcome muddy paws and a cottage fire to dry off by. Christmas with the dog is easy in Mid Wales.
Christmas Markets and Festive Fairs in Mid Wales

Food halls, craft stalls, Christmas lights and bookshops open late. The festive fairs of Mid Wales run from late November to just before Christmas.
Cosy Christmas Cottages in Mid Wales

A wood burner, a tree in the corner and a walk from the door. Christmas cottages in Mid Wales sell out early, so it pays to book ahead.
Christmas in Mid Wales

Santa steam trains, candlelit country houses, market town shopping and a cottage with the fire lit. Christmas in Mid Wales is festive without the crowds.

Number of results: 13

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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

Address

Porthmadog Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF

Telephone
01766 516000

enquiries@ffwhr.com

Porthmadog

The Ffestiniog Railway in the heart of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park is the oldest independent railway company in the world, established in 1832.

Price
Price £37.00 to £66.00 per adult
Corris Steam Railway & Museum

Address

Station Yard, Corris, Gwynedd, SY20 9SH

Telephone
01654 761303

enquiries@corris.co.uk

Corris

Ride in an old fashioned steam train on a journey that is enjoyable for everybody and just right for families. Take a gentle trip down the beautiful Dulas Valley in one of the observation carriages on this family-friendly steam railway. The Corris…

Price
Price £4.00 per child to £8.00 per adult
Llyn Tegid | Bala Lake Railway

Address

Llanuwchlyn Station, Llanuwchlyn, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7DD

Telephone
01678 540666

enquiries@bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Bala

A scenic heritage train ride through the glorious scenery of the Snowdonia National Park along the shoreline of Bala Lake, Wales' largest natural lake.

Price
Price £5.50 per child to £37.00 per family
Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway

Address

Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

Telephone
01654 710472

enquiries@talyllyn.co.uk

Tywyn

Historic narrow-gauge steam railway set in beautiful, unspoilt southern Snowdonia. Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol.

Price
Price £11.00 per child to £150.00 Per Group
Aberystwyth Cliff Top Attractions | Constitution Hill

Address

Cliff Terrace, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2DN

Telephone
01970 617642

manager@aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk

Aberystwyth

At the northern end of Aberystwyth promenade, Constitution Hill rises dramatically from the sea, providing spectacular and uninterrupted views of the town, Cardigan Bay, and on a clear day 26 mountain peaks spanning much of the length of Wales. The…

Price
Price £6.00 per child to £18.00 per family
Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

Address

Cliff Terrace, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2DN

Telephone
01970 617642

manager@aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk

Aberystwyth

The Aberystwyth Electric Cliff Railway is the longest in Britain and the only one in Wales.

Price
Price £6.00 per child to £18.00 per family
Vale of Rheidol Railway

Address

Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1PG

Telephone
01970 625819

info@vor.wales

Aberystwyth

All aboard for an unforgettable 12 mile journey from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge travelling up 680ft through some of Wales’ most spectacular scenery on a historic narrow-gauge steam railway.
Fairbourne Railway

Address

Beach Road, Fairbourne, Gwynedd, LL38 2EX

Telephone
01341 250362

office@fairbournerailway.com

Fairbourne

Narrow Gauge Steam Train journey offers superb views of Cadair Idris mountain range and Mawddach Estuary. G-Scale Railway and museum at Fairbourne. Can be accessed from Barmouth by means of the pedestrian ferry.

Price
Price £8.25 to £12.50 per adult
Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway

Address

The Station, Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 0SF

Telephone
01938 810441

info@wllr.org.uk

Welshpool

Dates

A narrow gauge train trip in up the steepest gradients in Britain. Steam locos and coaches from around the world. Shops and picnic areas at both termini.

Price
Price £21.00 per adult to £170.00 Per Group
Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

Address

The Station Building, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9DY

Telephone
01766 513402

info@whr.co.uk

Porthmadog

The WHHR is a small, friendly railway where the train ride is just part of the experience. Free guided tours at the heritage centre. Vintage train.
Brecon Mountain Railway

Address

Pant Station, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 2DD

Telephone
01685 722988

enquiries@bmr.wales

Merthyr Tydfil

Travel behind a vintage steam locomotive through the spectacular landscapes of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons). Departing from Pant near Merthyr Tydfil, the Brecon Mountain Railway climbs through the beautiful Taf Fechan Valley…
Great Little Trains of Wales | Discount Card

Address

Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

gr8littletrains@gmail.com

Tywyn

Discover Great Little Trains of Wales: Buy a 20% off Discount Card and get 20% off one adult full round-trip fare on twelve steam railways located in stunning scenery across Wales.
Teifi Valley Railway

Address

Henllan Station, Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 5TD

Telephone
01559 371077

info@teifivalleyrailway.wales

Llandysul

The Teifi Valley Railway was created from a branch line of the Great Western Railway which served the West Wales rural area.