Welsh Highland Railway Santa Trains

The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways run Santa Trains on the Welsh Highland Railway, which the operator calls the highlight of its festive calendar. The journey begins at Caernarfon Station and runs through Snowdonia National Park to Rhyd Ddu; Santa and his Elves pass through the train with gifts for the well-behaved children. A short interval at Rhyd Ddu gives time for photographs with Santa and his Elves before the return to Caernarfon.

The railway offers Gold Class and Standard Class seats. Adults receive mulled wine, a mince pie and a Christmas cracker; children receive a present from Santa, a carton of drink, a biscuit and a Christmas cracker; babies receive a present, a drink carton, a biscuit and a cracker.

Santa also visits a Magical Christmas Carriage Grotto at Porthmadog Harbour Station, where visitors pre-book a slot. Elf Express Shuttle Trains run between Porthmadog and Minffordd on the grotto days, and free footplate rides on a small steam engine take place at Porthmadog Station without booking.

A scenic return journey from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu with Santa and his Elves passing through the train and a photo stop at Rhyd Ddu. At Porthmadog, visitors pre-book a slot to meet Santa in his carriage grotto, and each child receives a gift.

Santa Trains leave from Caernarfon Station and can be booked online or through the railway's Santa hotline (01766 516070). The grotto and Elf Express Shuttle Trains operate from Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd LL49 9NF; the grotto asks visitors to pre-book a slot and recommends the earlier part of the hourly slot. Tickets for the Santa Trains come in Gold Class and Standard Class, with separate baby fares. The railway notes its Winter Wanderer and Christmas Aberglaslyn services between Christmas and New Year are not Santa Trains.