Excursions
When is the best time to plan your Durango train adventure? Anytime of the year! We’re proud to offer regular scenic excursions throughout the entire year allowing our riders to enjoy the best of each of Colorado’s vivid seasons. We also offer exciting events throughout the year, with themed train rides featuring music, craft beer, wine and holiday rides such as our most popular family excursion, THE POLAR EXPRESS™.
However you decide to experience the train and our unique connection to its vibrant past, we hope you have an inspiring journey where you create wonderful life-long memories. Our welcoming mountain community in Durango, CO is excited to host your next adventure.
Scenic Round Trip Silverton Train
We’re excited to announce the return of this highly anticipated train excursion for the 2026 summer season, departing from the Durango Depot! Step back in time and enjoy a leisurely round trip excursion to yesteryear on board a historic train bound for Silverton, Colorado, a National Historic Landmark steeped in western history. On this train excursion, passengers can look forward to experiencing all of the most remarkable sights our railroad features, such as the Horseshoe Curve, High Bridge, and all of the Animas River Gorge including the spectacular views from the High Line
Duration: 9.25-hour roundtrip journey (includes 2 hour Silverton layover)
Highline Express
Gather your family and friends for a relaxing and peaceful 3.5 hour early escape on a historic steam train. Spend quality time with loved ones making lifelong memories while taking in Animas Valley and Highline views. This excursion is perfect for families with children, nature lovers, photographers, history buffs, train fans, and anyone seeking a laid-back train journey.
$92.88 – $101.52
Durango Departure: 9AM
Durango Return: 12:45PM
The Silverton Express
Experience the majesty of the San Juan Mountains without the nine-hour commitment on the Silverton Express, the perfect 5.5-hour excursion for “time-crunched” travelers and families with young children. Your adventure begins at 12:00 PM with a scenic motorcoach ascent via the Million Dollar Highway for just a $10 bus fare, arriving in Silverton just in time for a historic stroll before boarding the 2:00 PM steam train. This adventure does not leave much time for exploring Silverton. You’ll experience the legendary “Highline” cliffs and the Animas River as you descend into Durango, enjoying the full magic of our historic rail line while returning by 5:30 PM—leaving your morning free and your evening open for dinner.
Duration: 5.5 hours
Departing Location: Durango Depot at 479 Main Avenue
Guests must arrange their own
return transportation.
Available Excursions
These are our available excursions that you can book today! Keep up with this page for new rides and schedule updates, we are always adding new excursions. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for regular train updates!
For passengers with special needs (ADA) and boarding requirements, please call our reservation desk at (877) 872-4607 to book your tickets.
More Ways to Enjoy Durango Train
Each season, we’re proud to offer a handful of exciting packages to provide our visitors with different ways to experience both our train and the many other activities and destinations that our Durango community has to offer. Our offering of packages is always evolving so be sure to check back in soon!
- We are offering select adventure and tour packages. We recommend signing up for our email newsletter here to be notified of news regarding event programming, excursions, and more.
- Feel free to learn more about our currently available adventure packages here.
Classes of Service
Once you’ve decided when you’ll be in Durango, the next step in booking your rail adventure is choosing your car.
With four classes of service, you are sure to find a car you’ll love.
Presidential Class (Age 21 and over)
The Victorian splendor of a bygone era awaits you onboard one of the most legendary and historic private cars to ever grace the narrow gauge rails. The Cinco Animas offers two distinctively appointed seating areas and a large outdoor viewing platform is exclusively available to those who choose this car.
Cinco Animas
The Cinco Animas offers two elegantly appointed seating areas. You may choose to relax in built-in Pullman berth seating, or enjoy the views out the rear from the Observation Parlor Room. Amenities for the Cinco Animas include an onboard attendant, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, morning pastry, and one tote bag per couple/group. A large outdoor viewing platform is exclusively available to those who choose this car. This car is for ages 21+.
First Class
Our First-Class cars take you back to early 20th Century luxury. All first class and presidential class cars are provided the same amenities: onboard attendant, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, morning pastry, souvenir mug, and one tote bag per couple/group.
Prospector
Enjoy the comfort and atmosphere of an upscale coach onboard the Prospector. This car features comfortable table and chair style seating and is staffed with an attendant to assist with passenger needs and questions. Passengers receive a souvenir mug, pastry, tote bag, and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages throughout the trip. The ceiling of the car is an enlarged route map, making it easy for passengers to follow the train’s progress along the route.
Red Mountain
Enjoy the comfort and atmosphere of an upscale coach onboard the Red Mountain. This car features comfortable table and chair style seating and is staffed with an attendant to assist with passenger needs and questions. Passengers receive a souvenir mug, tote bag, pastry and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages throughout the trip.
Yankee Girl
Originally built in 1880 and having undergone several rebuilds over the next 134 years, this car debuted in 2014 as the “Yankee Girl”, named after the largest mine in the Red Mountain Mining District north of Silverton, Colorado. It has undergone a complete remodel focused on maintaining the old-fashioned flair of the 1880s while providing the comfort and conveniences of the 21st century. Luxurious Victorian-Era touches include woodwork created from Mahogany, Oak and African Bird’s-eye Maple, custom wrought-iron scrollwork, and stamped-tin ceiling panels. All first class and presidential class cars are provided the same amenities: onboard attendant, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, morning pastry, souvenir mug, and one tote bag per couple/group.
Alamosa Parlor Car
Built in 1881, the renowned Alamosa Parlor Car features table and chair lounge-style seating. An exclusive outdoor viewing platform is available to this car’s 24 passengers. All first class and presidential class cars are provided the same amenities: onboard attendant, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, morning pastry, souvenir mug, and one tote bag per couple/group.
Knight Sky
The Knight Sky was built in Durango and put into service in May 2012. Styled after the popular glass-domed Silver Vista, additional extravagances include leather-trimmed first-class seats and a closed vestibule which boasts the largest viewing platform on the railroad! Of course the main selling point is the endless overhead panorama of the San Juan Mountains viewed through the UV-protected glass-paneled roof. All ages are welcome on the Knight Sky.
Besides the great view, amenities include a souvenir mug refillable with non-alcoholic beverages all day, a pastry, a tote bag and an attendant!
Silver Vista
The Silver Vista offers unparalleled overhead views of the soaring canyon walls. Passengers will enjoy oversized seats that offer the most legroom of any car on the line. A private outdoor viewing platform is also exclusive to this class. All first class and presidential class cars are provided the same amenities: onboard attendant, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, morning pastry, souvenir mug, and one tote bag per couple/group. Please note, this is an open-air car, so please dress for unpredictable mountain weather.
Deluxe Class
Treat yourself and travel in comfort and style on our Deluxe Class. The San Juan Coach will be available for Cascade Canyon winter and Summer Silverton excursions.
Deluxe Legend
Relax and enjoy traveling in comfort onboard the Deluxe Class Legend enclosed coach. Featuring large windows and face to face plush generously sized overstuffed seating, the Legend lets you travel in true luxury!
Historic San Juan Coach
Travel in comfort aboard a reconfigured version of the famous “San Juan.” This distinctive enclosed coach built in 1887 features roomy, reversible, overstuffed seating in a wide three-across arrangement.
Rio Grande Open Observation
Relax in a roomier, family-friendly atmosphere aboard this open-air observation gondola. This class features comfortable and larger overstuffed seats with more expansive viewing windows.
Standard Class
Choose between vintage coach seating or open-air gondolas. Seat width in Standard-class is equal to the industry standard of an economy-class plane seat. Extra-space seating is available for an additional charge.
Open-Air Gondola
Experience unforgettable wilderness views on the open-air standard class gondola which features outward facing padded style row seating, side walls that are enclosed from floor to waist and open from waist to ceiling. Additionally, all open-air gondolas feature a full roof to protect you from the elements. Photographers often prefer the open-air gondola seating as it gives them that extra close-to-nature experience that allows them to capture the incredible Rocky Mountain landscape. All trains are equipped with restrooms.
Coach Seating
Your journey in an authentic vintage enclosed standard class coach features forward-facing padded style seating with fully operational windows that can be opened a little or a lot to let in the fresh mountain breezes perfect for taking photos as you travel through the Animas River Canyon and aspen-laden wilderness area. Coaches are heated in the winter and all trains are equipped with restrooms. Extra space seating is available for an additional charge.