The Magical Polar Express Train Ride In Hawaii Everyone Should Experience At Least Once

The Hawaiian Islands may not be the winter wonderland you were dreaming of this holiday season – except at the summit of Hawaii Island’s Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa – but that doesn’t mean you won’t find all of the Christmas cheer you need to get into the holiday spirit across the Hawaiian Islands. Oahu’s got the beautiful Honolulu City Lights, Kauai has a magnificent Festival of Lights, and Maui is home to the one and only Sugar Cane Train’s Holiday Express.

Sugar Cane Train/Facebook

Most well known as the Sugar Cane Train, the Lahaina Kaanapali Railroad has been transformed into a magical polar express train ride that - instead of taking you on a journey to the North Pole - will hope to fill you with holiday cheer in a location that otherwise doesn’t feel very Christmas-y.

Smart Destinations/Flickr

The small tourist railroad has been in operation since 1969 when it was started as the Lahaina, Kaanapali & Pacific Railroad, and operates over six miles of narrow-gauge track connecting Lahaina to Puukolii. The railroad has since been reported as closed, but has opened back up for the 2016 holiday season.

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Sugar Cane Train/Facebook

The train is decked out in Christmas decor - from reindeer antlers and a rudolph nose made out of lights at the front of the train to garland, lights and Christmas bows adorning every surface of both the train and the main station. There is even some fake snow for everyone dreaming of a white Christmas.

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Sugar Cane Train/Facebook

The Holiday Express opened on November 25 and will run on selected Thursdays through Sundays through Christmas. There are two rides each night the train is in operation: at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Guests must check in 30 minutes prior to departure, and the ride aboard the steam-powered locomotive lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Sugar Cane Train/Facebook

Tickets are $30, and include the train ride, complimentary milk and cookies, and a visit from Santa. Oh, and all keiki will receive a special toy from Santa.

For a better idea of how the Sugar Cane Trail gets into the holiday spirit, be sure to check out this video uploaded by YouTube user Don Mccuaig.

To buy tickets for the Sugar Cane Train’s Holiday Express, check out their website. If you don’t live near Maui, be sure to check out these 8 holiday light displays, as well as these 10 Hawaiian Christmas towns sure to fill you with holiday spirit. Mele Kalikimaka, everybody!