Home Train Rides The Polar Express Train Ride Travel Directions and Helpful Hints
Travel Directions and Helpful Hints

Getting to Old Sacramento

By Auto: Exit Interstate 5 in Downtown Sacramento at “J” Street, and follow the overhead signs to Old Sacramento (J Street to 5th, left onto 5th, left onto “I”, straight ahead to Old Sacramento). Remember: If you have reserved a Friday departure of The Polar Express, please allow sufficient time to reach Old Sacramento regardless of rush hour travel conditions.
By Amtrak: the Sacramento train depot is just two blocks from Old Sacramento and the Museum. Amtrak’s Capitols offer frequent service from the Bay Area; San Joaquins from Bakersfield/Fresno/Modesto. For routes, fares, and reservations, call 1-800-USA-RAIL or visitwww.amtrak.com.

Old Sacramento Parking
On-street metered parking throughout Old Sacramento is time-limited and strictly enforced to 90 minutes or less. Therefore, we recommend parking in one of the City of Sacramento’s Downtown/Old Sacramento public parking lots. The nearest and most reasonably priced one is located on “I” Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets, underneath Interstate 5 in Old Sacramento. An online map of City Parking Garages in the Downtown/Old Sacramento area may be accessed atwww.downtownsac.org by clicking on “Map.”

Local Public Transportation
Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum, and all of the City of Sacramento are served by Sacramento Regional Transit busses and Light Rail lines. Light Rail trains travel to and from the Sacramento train depot, just two blocks from Old Sacramento and the Railroad Museum. For details, call Regional Transit at (916) 321-2877 or visitwww.sacrt.com.

Don’t Miss Your Train!
Check-in for The Polar Express Train Ride takes place at the Central Pacific Railroad Passenger Station in Old Sacramento, located near the main entrance of the California State Railroad Museum. Departure times for your ride on the Polar Express are exact—missed train rides cannot be taken later. YOU WILL NEED A BOARDING PASS—these are given out starting approximately 45 minutes prior to your train’s departure time, at the Boarding Pass Kiosk in the Passenger Station. Each ticket stub will be exchanged for a boarding pass. (You’ll keep the actual ticket, which will be punched by the Conductor during your trip.)

You must have your Boarding Pass no less than five minutes prior to departure time or you may be denied seating. Boarding passes are for a specific coach on the train. Want to ride in the same coach with your family and friends? Designate a member of your group to present ALL your tickets together at the Boarding Pass Kiosk, and our friendly crews will do their best to seat you together. (Subject to seating availability; those in line early get the best seats!)