Blue Ridge Scenic Railway With Kids: Strollers, Snacks & Santa

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway's regular coaches are open to all ages. Before you book, though, parents have practical questions: strollers, diapers, snacks, and how long is too long. Here's what the railway's own pages say, so you can plan the day around your kids.

#The train with kids at a glance

#Can toddlers and babies ride the Blue Ridge train?

Yes. The railway's tickets page labels the Open Air Coach "Suitable for All Ages," and the Closed Coach and Handicap Accessible Coach "All Ages." The one car to skip with kids is the Premier Car, which is "Ages 18+." The FAQ, which calls it Premier Class, describes it as "a more quiet ride because everyone in the car is over 18 years of age."

The railway's website doesn't list child or infant fares. You'll see the ticket types for your date when you book, or you can ask the ticket office at (877) 413-8724, open "9 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET" "seven days a week" (plan your trip).

#Should you book the 2-hour or the 4-hour train with kids?

The railway describes both as a "26-mile roundtrip journey" along the Toccoa River to McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee (railway):

• 2-Hour Express: a "Roundtrip ride along the Toccoa River" with "No layover." It's "Only available on select dates."
• 4-Hour Extended: a "Scenic roundtrip ride + 2-hour layover" in McCaysville and Copperhill.

If two hours in a seat is your kids' limit, look for an Express date first. The 4-hour trip breaks the ride up with time off the train, but the FAQ warns, "Please come prepared and know that there is a lot of walking required at the layover." The railway has a McCaysville/Copperhill walking map (PDF), and our McCaysville and Copperhill day trip guide covers the painted state line, where kids can stand in Georgia and Tennessee at once.

#Open Air or Closed Coach for kids?

From the railway's tickets page:

• Open Air Coach: "Large open windows," "Long bench-style seating facing out to open air," and restrooms on board. "Vinyl Windows are installed in winter months for heat retention."
• Closed Coach: "Air Conditioning," and you "Sit in groups of 4 (two seats facing each other)," also with restrooms.

Either way, the railway says "We assign cars, not seats," "Parties that arrive late are not guaranteed to sit together," and "We require all passengers to change sides of the train for the return ride" (plan your trip). If you're traveling with another family, the railway says, "If your party would like to be seated with another in the same car, please notify the ticket office to be accommodated."

#Strollers, diapers, and bathrooms

• Strollers: "Strollers are allowed on the train, but you will be asked to fold it when boarding," and "We will return it to you at the layover" (FAQ).
• Changing stations: "There are 12 bathrooms throughout the train and two baby changing stations located at Car 332 and Car 405" (FAQ). The tickets page lists Car 332 as a Closed Coach and Car 405 as the accessible coach, which is booked by phone.
• Shoes: "High-heeled, open toe and flip-flop style shoes are not recommended" (plan your trip).

#Can you bring snacks on the Blue Ridge train?

Yes. The FAQ says, "We do allow our passengers to bring snacks and drinks aboard if they wish to do so. Our only exception is NO ALCOHOL." The railway's plan your trip page allows "a small cooler that fits completely under your seat," says "our concession car offers beverages, snacks, candy and other refreshments for purchase," and notes that guests can add a boxed lunch to their excursion.

#Getting to the depot with kids

Trains leave the depot at 241 Depot Street in downtown Blue Ridge. The railway's advice on timing varies by page. The plan your trip page and one FAQ answer say to arrive 45 minutes early, with boarding 30 minutes before departure. Another answer on the FAQ says, "We highly recommend arriving one hour before departure," with boarding 45 minutes ahead for regular rides and 30 minutes for the Holiday Express. With kids, giving yourself the full hour covers both. Parking is downtown, and "Weekends are our busiest days, which may result in limited parking" (plan your trip).

Pets stay home: "no pets other than certified service animals are allowed aboard the train" (FAQ).

#What about the Holiday Express?

Starting Nov. 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving, the railway runs a shorter holiday ride with extras for kids. Its holiday rides page describes "a festive 1 hour train ride" with holiday music and a reading of The Night Before Christmas, and says "Children will receive a Blue Ridge Scenic Railway jingle bell, candy cane, and a chance to see Santa Claus!" Hot chocolate and snacks are sold in the concession car.

The holiday page lists Nov. 27 to Dec. 24, 2026, though the railway's homepage says "Nov. 27 - Dec. 23"; the 2026 schedule marks Dec. 24 as a holiday ride day. Rides run on select days only. Check the 2026 operating schedule (PDF) for your date, and book early: "Tickets sell out FAST for these rides." See Christmas in Blue Ridge and our events calendar for the rest of the season.

Another chance to see Santa: Mercier Orchards hosts Santa at the Farm on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, from 10 AM to 3 PM, with photos with Santa, a cookie decorating station, holiday tractor tours, and a petting zoo (Mercier). Our Mercier Orchards guide has the farm's hours.

#Can young kids do the rail bikes instead?

Not little ones. The rail bikes page bars "children under 4 years old" and "individuals under 48 inches in height," and "At least 1 person must be 18 years of age in each rail bike." The ride is 90 minutes on an "11-mile round-trip adventure." For families with older kids, our rail bikes vs. the scenic train guide compares the two, and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway guide covers the route and seasons. The winter season runs Nov. 5, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2027 (railway); see things to do in Blue Ridge in winter for more cold-weather ideas.

#Where to stay near the Blue Ridge train

The Black Ember is a modern A-frame about 10 minutes from downtown Blue Ridge, where the train departs. It sleeps up to 5: Bedroom 1 on the main level has a queen and a single bed, and Bedroom 2 has a queen, an open loft, and its own full bath. There's a hideaway reading library up a built-in ladder, a three-hole putting green off the front patio with putters and balls ready to go, and a hot tub, cedar barrel sauna, and fire pit. The sauna and hot tub get hot, so plan to supervise little ones around them and the library ladder. The house is pet-free, smoke-free, and no parties. See the mountain cabin near Atlanta page for more.