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The Durango Silverton train is a 45-mile narrow gauge steam excursion that runs May 2 to November 1 in 2026. It takes about 3.5 hours each way, with about two hours in Silverton, and a standard coach seat costs $118 for an adult. From November 20 a shorter winter train and The Polar Express take over.
I plan trips hour by hour, and years on Colorado rivers and Mountain West roads taught me one rule that fits this train. The high country is colder and the weather turns faster than the town you left. Book the early seat, dress in layers, and keep your jacket with you.
How long is the Durango Silverton train ride?
The ride is about 3.5 hours each way over 45 miles, and the train tops out at 18 mph. On the 9:00 a.m. departure you reach Silverton at 12:30 p.m., get about two hours and 15 minutes in town and are back in Durango at 6:15 p.m. Plan on most of a day.
| Stop | Time on the 9:00 a.m. train |
|---|---|
| Depart Durango Depot | 9:00 a.m. |
| Arrive Silverton | 12:30 p.m. |
| Depart Silverton | 2:45 p.m. |
| Arrive Durango Depot | 6:15 p.m. |
The railroad adds an 8:15 a.m. departure between May 19 and October 17. A 9:45 a.m. train runs June 8 to August 9 and September 7 to October 11, so check the calendar for your date. Passengers must be seated 30 minutes before departure, or the seats can go to people on the waiting list.
The train follows the Animas River through the gorge, past Horseshoe Curve, High Bridge and the High Line, a ledge cut into the canyon wall above the water. Two hours in Silverton is lunch and a walk, not a full visit. The Town of Silverton’s official site has a visitor information page and an events calendar worth a look before you go.
Durango Silverton train cost
Fares are per person and include the 8% Historic Preservation Fee, according to the railroad’s fare page. A one-way seat costs the same as a round trip. Children 4 to 11 pay the child fare, and children under 4 ride free if they do not take a seat.
| Class | Adult | Child (4 to 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard coach | $118 | $108 |
| Standard gondola (open air) | $129 | $119 |
| Deluxe San Juan coach | $161 | $161 |
| First Class: Prospector or Red Mountain | $226 | $226 |
| First Class: Silver Vista | $233 | $233 |
| First Class: Yankee Girl (21 and over) | $226 | Not sold |
| First Class: Alamosa parlor car (21 and over) | $259 | Not sold |
| Presidential: Cinco Animas (21 and over) | $313 | Not sold |
Prospector, Red Mountain, Yankee Girl, Alamosa and Presidential seats are sold in pairs. Cancelling costs $14 per adult and $7 per child, and there are no refunds inside five days of the trip or for no-shows.
Durango Silverton train classes
Standard class is the open-air gondola or a coach, and the coach seat is about as wide as an economy airline seat. Extra-space seating costs more. The gondola has a full roof and open sides, so keep a jacket handy. It costs $11 more than coach.
Deluxe class covers the Deluxe Legend, the Historic San Juan Coach and the Rio Grande Open Observation car. First Class and Presidential add an attendant, endless soft drinks, a sweet breakfast treat, a keepsake mug and one carry bag per couple or group. The Alamosa parlor car and the Presidential car both have outdoor viewing platforms, and the Silver Vista has overhead canyon views and extra legroom.
Most people do well in coach or the gondola. First class buys comfort and service. The canyon outside is the same one.
Durango Silverton train winter
From November 20, 2026 to April 30, 2027 the railroad runs a shorter winter train to Cascade Canyon, 26 miles each way, on select dates. It is a 5.25-hour round trip with one departure a day. The train leaves Durango at 9:15 a.m., stops at Cascade Canyon from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and is back at 2:30 p.m.
Most of November 20 to 29 is on the calendar, with Thanksgiving Day skipped. December runs the 18th to the 31st except Christmas Day, plus two early weekends, and every day from March 1 to 28 is listed. Heated vintage coaches are used, and the stop has a fireside area and a riverside walk. Pack as you would for what to pack for Colorado in winter.
| Car | Fare | Who can ride |
|---|---|---|
| Standard coach | $97 adult, $87 child | All ages |
| San Juan deluxe (Nov 20 to Jan 3) | $134 | All ages |
| Knight Sky enclosed First Class | $183 | All ages |
| Prospector or Red Mountain First Class | $172 | All ages, on set dates |
| Presidential Cinco Animas (Nov 20 to Jan 3) | $215 | Adults 21 and over |
The railroad says the ride gives views of the San Juan National Forest along the Animas River, and the forest’s headquarters is in Durango. Children under 4 ride free on a lap, and boxed lunches can be ordered at checkout. The winter train does not reach Silverton.
Durango Silverton train Polar Express
The Polar Express Train Ride runs from the Durango Depot between November 20, 2026 and January 2, 2027. The ride takes about 65 minutes, and the railroad suggests allowing two hours for the whole outing. Pajamas are recommended and not required.
Hot chocolate and a sweet treat are served while the book is read aloud. On the way back Santa walks through each coach with the first gift of Christmas. Every coach is heated, so dressing in layers is enough.
Standard class is a vintage enclosed coach with padded forward-facing seats. Deluxe adds roomier seating and cocoa in a souvenir mug, First Class has tables, and both come with one souvenir tote per reservation. The booking page lists fares from $39 to $93, and the event page says fares are subject to an 8% Historic Preservation Fee, so confirm the total at checkout.
Certain dates and cars sell out quickly. You can cancel for a refund up to 60 days before departure, less $14 per adult and $7 per child, and rescheduling to a date in the same year costs $7 per ticket. Inside 60 days tickets are nonrefundable, with no weather or illness exceptions. The cocoa mix contains milk and soy.
Durango Silverton train tips
Buy a parking ticket with your train tickets, online or by phone, or pay by card at the lot the morning of your ride. The railroad’s information page gives no parking price, so check at booking. The depot is at 479 Main Avenue in Durango.
Wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes for safe boarding and the walk around Silverton. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the elevation, and layers, because Silverton runs about 10 degrees cooler than Durango. For any mountain day I book the earliest slot I can, since afternoon weather tends to shorten the plans.
The concession car near the middle of the train sells snacks, hot and cold drinks and a bar with five local beers. A souvenir mug bought on board gets free non-alcoholic refills all day. The Caboose Coffee Shop at the south end of the depot covers coffee before you board.
One car has a wheelchair lift and an accessible restroom, and you should request it when you book. If you would rather see Silverton by road, US 550 north of town is the Million Dollar Highway. Colorado’s other famous mountain rail ride, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, is a separate trip across the state.
Durango Silverton train FAQ
How far does the train go in winter?
The winter train goes 26 miles from Durango to Cascade Canyon and back, not the full 45 miles to Silverton. The round trip takes 5.25 hours on select dates from November 20 to April 30.
Can you ride one way and take a bus back?
Yes. You can ride the train one way and return by bus over the San Juan Skyway, and the reserved seat fare is the same as a round trip. The Skyway bus runs May 19 to October 11 in 2026 and is not included in a one-way fare. The railroad’s page shows $10 a seat in its table but $32 for the afternoon bus in its text, so confirm the price when you book.
Do children need a ticket on the train?
Children 4 to 11 pay a child fare in coach and the gondola, and children under 4 ride free if they do not take a seat. Yankee Girl, Alamosa and Presidential seats are for adults 21 and over.
Are pets allowed on the train?
No. Only service animals are allowed on board, and pets and emotional support animals without specific task training are not permitted. Call the railroad to reserve a place for a service animal.
What food and drinks are available on the train?
Personal alcohol is not allowed on board. The concession car sells snacks, drinks and a full bar, and the Caboose Coffee Shop at the depot sells coffee and snacks. Boxed lunches can be ordered at checkout for the winter train.
Prices are approximate, current as of publication, and change frequently — confirm the latest price with the retailer before buying.
Published October 24, 2026.
Photo credits: (1) featured, Narrow gauge train on the High Line ledge… — Milan Suvajac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; (2) Steam locomotive 486 getting ready to… — Milan Suvajac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; (3) Train running beside the Animas River on… — Milan Suvajac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; (4) Train approaching Silverton, Colorado, with… — Milan Suvajac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; (5) The town of Silverton, Colorado, in its… — Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.