North Yorkshire Moors Railway
NYMR Santa Express 2026
By Jon Cosson · Updated 7 November 2026 · Checked
Checked 7 November 2026
NYMR Santa Express runs an approximately one-hour Pickering to Levisham return on selected dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026. It does not travel to Whitby. Check the official Santa Express page and reserve the chosen departure with NYMR.
This is an independent guide. Check availability and book directly with NYMR.
Check availability and book Santa Express with NYMR.
Dates and departures
Checked 7 November 2026: dates are 28 and 29 November; 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24 December. The page lists 10.30am, noon, 1.30pm and 3pm departures. Confirm the service and available seats directly.
The journey and station activities
Santa and elves visit passengers aboard the train, with a gift for each child under the published event arrangements. Pickering also lists festive games, performances, shops and tea-room activities. Allow time before and after the train; the one-hour duration is the return journey, not the whole visit.
Relaxed Santa Express
The 3pm departure on 28 November is the relaxed service, with fewer guests, softer sound and lighting, allocated seats and a quiet waiting area. The operator asks passengers to be on the platform by 2.50pm and sends pre-visit information.
Tickets, access and arrival
Book through the official Santa Express page, not a third-party ticket seller. Santa ticket, child and carer arrangements are event-specific; do not apply standard Day Rover concessions automatically. Contact Customer Services about wheelchair spaces and assistance before booking.
Pickering station is YO18 7AJ. Check NYMR parking and allow time to exchange or validate the booking as instructed. Coaches use the Ropery lay-by for drop-off and Eastgate for parking, not Park Street.
Frequently asked questions
Does Santa Express go to Whitby?
No. The 2026 event is an approximately one-hour Pickering to Levisham return.
When is the relaxed Santa Express?
The relaxed service is the 3pm departure on 28 November 2026; check availability directly with NYMR.
Sources
- santa (North Yorkshire Moors Railway): https://www.nymr.co.uk/tickets-experiences/whats-on/santa-express/
- parking (North Yorkshire Moors Railway): https://www.nymr.co.uk/plan-your-visit/parking/
- access (North Yorkshire Moors Railway): https://www.nymr.co.uk/plan-your-visit/accessibility/
- faqs (North Yorkshire Moors Railway): https://www.nymr.co.uk/plan-your-visit/faqs/
Where to stay in the North York Moors
Self-catering cottages, village inns and farmhouse boltholes right across the moors, from the southern villages to the coast.
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