The North Pole Experience takes families by heated trolley from Little America Hotel to Santa's workshop, with a gift for every child, cocoa and mini donuts. The 2026 season runs from November 20 to Christmas Eve, and tickets cost $50 to $82 depending on the date.
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See the datesFlagstaff, December 25, 2008 · Photo: Rod Ramsey / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Credits
The organizers sort the season into Value, Classic and Preferred dates. Weekends in December are mostly Preferred. The calendar shows the 2026 ticket dates.
Prices are per person; babies up to 18 months ride free on a lap. The price depends on the date and the time of day.
November, daytime (7:50 am–3:40 pm)
Per person$50–$64November, evening (3:50–9 pm)
Per person$60–$72December, daytime
Per person$66–$74December, evening
Per person$65–$82Value dates
Per person$50–$65Classic dates
Per person$56–$76Preferred dates
Per person$64–$82Christmas Eve
Per person$76Babies 0–18 months
Per personFree, on an adult's lap on the trolleyEverything starts and ends at Little America Hotel on the east side of Flagstaff. Large strollers stay in the car, it's cold between the trolley and the workshop, and a group that wants to ride together books the same time slot.
The experience leaves from Little America, so staying there means no driving on a December evening. Other East Flagstaff hotels are nearby.
Photo: ExpediaBest for road trips and RVsEast Flagstaff and Route 66 9.8/10 on Expedia
Free parkingPets: dogs and catsBreakfast extra
The North Pole Experience leaves from this hotel, so you walk to the trolley instead of driving on a December evening.
Hotel Elev8 Flagstaff, Trademark Collection by WyndhamEast Flagstaff and Route 66 9.0/10 on Expedia · 2,714 reviewsFree parkingPets: dogs only, up to 2Check prices
The Kendrick Hotel, an Ascend Collection HotelEast Flagstaff and Route 66 9.0/10 on Expedia · 1,899 reviewsFree parkingNo petsBreakfast extraCheck prices
Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff near NAU/DowntownEast Flagstaff and Route 66 9.4/10 on Expedia · 1,704 reviewsFree parkingPets: 1 dogBreakfast includedCheck pricesA Christmas outing for families. A heated trolley takes you from Little America Hotel to Santa's workshop, with a gift for every child, cocoa and mini donuts, and a family photo. It takes about 100 minutes.
About 100 minutes from Little America and back, depending on the weather.
Tickets are $50 to $82 per person in 2026, depending on the date and time. Babies up to 18 months ride free on a lap.
The 2026 season runs from November 20 to December 24, morning to evening.
For families with young children it's Flagstaff's big Christmas outing, and every child up to 17 gets a gift. The December weekends are Preferred dates, the most expensive of the season.
At least 45 minutes before your trolley leaves. Check-in is at Little America Hotel, and there's only one restroom at the workshop, so it's worth using the hotel's first.
Many come in pajamas or Christmas outfits. Add a jacket and boots or shoes: getting on and off the trolley means a few minutes outside in Flagstaff's December cold.
No. Breakfast with Santa is run by Little America Hotel and booked separately from the North Pole Experience ticket.
No. The North Pole Experience starts at Little America in Flagstaff. The Polar Express is a train ride from Williams, 34 miles west.
