A Family-Friendly Blue Ridge Train Adventure
One of the highlights of vacationing and visiting attractions in Blue Ridge, GA is the chance to take a step back in time and ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway along the Toccoa River to Copperhill, TN/McCaysville, GA - sister towns split by the Georgia-Tennessee border.
Begin your adventure at the historic Depot, built in 1905, in Downtown Blue Ridge Georgia, and choose to ride in climate-controlled or open-air railcars. Most enjoy the train ride in the open cars during the seasonal months as it allows for awesome photographic moments!
As you traverse along the picturesque Toccoa River and North Georgia Mountains you will enjoy being immersed in the beauty all around you. You'll even pass by some of our spectacular luxury Georgia cabins near the Cherokee Indian Fish Trap!
Upon arriving in the towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, enjoy a 2-hour layover that provides opportunities for picnicking, antique shopping, or dining in the surrounding restaurants along the quaint streets. Neat restaurants and boutiques are on the Toccoa River, which turns into the Ocoee River on the Tennessee side.
Things To Know Before Your Trip
Hours of Operation
Please note that the railway does not operate from January-mid March. Other than that, they operate every day from 9am to 4pm. Check their website for official schedules.
Concessions
Do you want something to eat on the way? To buy popcorn, a soda, or some candy for your ride, stop by our concession car on board.
They have two gift shops, one in Blue Ridge and one in McCaysville, all of which are conveniently placed. T-shirts, Christmas ornaments, conductor hats, and more are available to take home the memories.
Season Passes & Gift Certificates
Certificates of Appreciation
Do you want to give someone a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway as a gift?
To learn more about our gift certificates and to purchase them, call the ticket office at (877) 413-8724.
Charter trains are not eligible for gift certificates.
Passes for the entire season
Looking for a cost-effective method to travel your favorite train all season?
With a Blue Ridge Scenic Railway season pass, you may enjoy the pleasures of riding their train all year long.
For further information or to purchase season passes, call the ticket office at (877) 413-8724.
Season passes are good for any regularly scheduled train throughout our operating season, which runs from mid-March to the end of December. All special events and chartered trips, such as the Holiday Express and the New Year's Eve Train, are not included in the pass.
Dining
We're a small southern town with a strong appetite for good food. There is something for everyone at our area restaurants, breweries, and vineyards. What's our recommendation? South of North, Bin 322, Masseria, and Harvest on Main.
Lodging
When planning your trip, consider our luxurious Blue Ridge cabin rentals.
Seating & Timetable
Train Timetable
45 minutes prior to departure, boarding begins. Every train leaves on time. Unfortunately, they are unable to hold the train for latecomers. Please arrive one hour before your scheduled departure.
During their respective seasons, the most popular Fall Foliage and Holiday Express trains depart at various times throughout the day. The Fall Foliage train departs at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET on select days, and Holiday Express train departs at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., or 4 p.m. ET on select days. When purchasing your tickets, please double-check the available timings.
Seating
Cars, not seats, are assigned. Late arrivals are not guaranteed to be seated together. Please contact the ticket office if your group would like to be seated in the same car with another group. For the return trip, they require all passengers to switch sides of the train, as this offers views of the beautiful Toccoa River.
Rules
No pets allowed. Although they are an animal-loving crew and community, they are unable to let dogs aboard the train unless they are registered assistance animals.
Smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages
On the train, they do not allow smoking, vaping, or the use of alcoholic beverages.
Attire
Our passengers are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear. Shoes with high heels, open toes, or flip-flops are not suggested.
Accessibility
Wheelchair access is offered on the corner of East Main Street in front of the railway depot for our guests with specific requirements or physical limitations.
Our train has a lift that can accommodate a variety of wheelchairs weighing up to 750 pounds, including the chair. Our courteous team is available to assist riders who may require additional assistance boarding. Because our train uses original and vintage cars, the number of wheelchairs they can accommodate on each trip is limited. When arranging your vacation, please contact our ticket office to guarantee availability.
Directions
Using a GPS device?
If you're using a GPS, put 241 Depot St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513 in the address box to get instructions to the depot.
Are you using a map?
For traditional mapping, look for the train in the downtown Blue Ridge, GA area. It's impossible to miss!
Parking
Parking spaces are available on the streets surrounding the depot for $5.00 per day. On the corner of East Main Street in front of the depot, handicap parking with close wheelchair-accessible entrances is available. Weekends are our busiest days, so parking may be restricted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary for me to make reservations?
They strongly advise making reservations in advance because they frequently sell out, especially during Fall Foliage.
Is it possible to make changes to my reservation?
Yes, but please keep in mind that there is a $5.35 change fee (non-refundable). Please contact their ticket office at 877-413-8724 if you need to make any changes.
What types of credit cards do you accept?
Visa, Mastercard, or Discover are all accepted.
Do you provide any discounts?
Seniors (65+), Military Members (active or retired), First Responders (active or retired), and Teachers (current or retired) with valid ID are eligible for discounts. They also offer group discounts to groups of 15 or more people.
*Please keep in mind that each ticket purchased at a reduced price must be used by an eligible member of one of the above-mentioned groups. A valid photo ID is required.
Can I walk in and buy tickets on the day of the event?
Yes, but they cannot guarantee that tickets will be available. Please book ahead of time to ensure availability.
Where can I get my tickets?
Pre-paid tickets can be picked up at their pre-paid ticket window, located on the back side of the depot, facing the train, on the morning of your ride.
Where can I find Blue Ridge Scenic Railway’s physical mailing address?
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513, 241 Depot St.
How does Blue Ridge Scenic Railway handle cancellations?
They have a cancellation policy of 48 hours. If you need to cancel, please do so at least 48 hours before your trip to receive a full refund. If you cancel within 48 hours, they will issue you a Missed Trip Pass, which is valid for an entire calendar year, allowing you to reschedule your trip.
Are there any reserved seats?
No. You are assigned a car, and seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis within that car.
Is it possible for my group to sit together?
There should be no issues if everyone in your party arrives early and waits to board at the appropriate time. If you arrive late, your group may be split up inside your car because others have already selected their seats.
Is it worthwhile to pay the extra money for Premier Class?
The Premier Class includes reclining seats, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, a substantial catered snack (small meal) made fresh and delivered each morning, some sweet treats for dessert on the return trip, a complimentary group photo (1 per sales transaction), and a canvas tote bag (1 per sales transaction). It is also a more peaceful ride because everyone in the car is over the age of 18.
Does Blue Ridge Scenic Railway have a set of season tickets?
Yes. For this purchase, please call the ticket office at 877-413-8724.
Does Blue Ridge Scenic Railway have any gift certificates available?
Yes. For this purchase, please call the ticket office at 877-413-8724.
What are the numbers on the coaches supposed to mean? Are there any distinctions?
The numbers you see on the coaches are the original numbers assigned to them when they were first used as passenger cars. These numbers assist them in differentiating between the coaches. Except for their Premier Class Coach, all of their outdoor coaches are nearly identical, as are the closed coaches.
What time do I need to arrive?
One hour before departure to allow for parking, ticket pick-up, and boarding.
When do they board?
Boarding begins 45 minutes before your departure. Trips on the Holiday Express will board 30 minutes before departure.
What time does the train leave?
Rides begin at 11 a.m. in the spring, summer, and winter.
Fall Foliage rides leave at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 3 p.m.
Holiday Express rides leave at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
What if I miss the train?
If you miss the train, they will give you a Missed Trip pass that you can use to reschedule your ride within a year. If you choose a trip that is more expensive than the one you originally booked, you must pay the difference.
Where should I park?
Parking spaces are available on the streets surrounding the depot for free unless otherwise advertised. Aside from free parking, there is one paid parking lot at 204 West Main St. (Blue Ridge Parking). The cost is $5 Monday-Wednesday and $10 Thursday-Sunday, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Toccoa River Fish Hatchery. Handicap parking is available on the corner of East Main Street in front of the depot, with nearby wheelchair-accessible entrances. Weekends are the busiest days, so parking may be limited.
Do you run in bad weather?
Yes. There isn't much that will affect the train's performance, but in the past, they've had to cancel trips because it was too dangerous for their employees or passengers to travel here. If your trip is canceled, you will have the option of receiving a full refund or a Missed Trip pass to reschedule your trip.
Do you offer a group discount?
Yes. The group rate will be applied to groups of 15 or more paying passengers. Please call 877-413-8724 to speak with a ticket agent about booking, pricing, and their group policy.
Is it possible to reserve an entire car for my group, party, or event?
You certainly can. Please call their ticket office at 877-413-8724 for rates and contract details.
Is it possible to rent the entire train?
Yes, you can rent the entire train if your trip does not conflict with one of their regular excursions. For more information, please call the ticket office at 877-413-8724.
Is there a restroom or a baby changing station on board?
There are 12 restrooms located throughout the train, as well as two baby changing stations located in Cars 332 and 405.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
Car 405 is their wheelchair-accessible coach. This vehicle has stair and lift access, as well as a handicap bathroom. Please contact a ticket agent at 877-413-8724 to make reservations for this car. Because these tickets are not available online, they are not purchased by passengers who do not require assistance.
Does Blue Ridge Scenic Railway rent or own wheelchairs?
Only two wheelchairs are available to assist with boarding and de-boarding. These chairs may not be used outside of their property. There is a company in Blue Ridge that can assist you if you need to rent a scooter or manual wheelchair (Scooters & More 1-800-498-8935). Please come prepared and be aware that there will be a lot of walking involved during the layover.
Is it okay to bring a stroller on the train?
Strollers are permitted on the train, but you will be asked to fold it before boarding so that it can be safely stowed in your car during the trip. We'll return it to you during the layover, and the process will be the same on the way back to Blue Ridge.
Are pets permitted on the train?
No. Despite the fact that they are an animal-loving crew and community, pets other than certified service animals are not permitted aboard the train.
Is there a dress code in place?
They recommend that you dress comfortably and wear appropriate footwear. They do not advise wearing flip-flops, sandals, or heels.
Is it okay if I bring a cooler on the train?
Coolers are permitted on the train, but they must be small enough to fit beneath your seat (i.e., hard-sided six-pack cooler).
Is there food and drink on the train?
There is a concession car in the middle of the train. You can buy cold/hot beverages, snacks, candy, and other items there.
Does the concession car accept debit/credit cards?
Their concession truck accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards.
Can they bring their own food and drinks on the train?
They do allow passengers to bring snacks and drinks on board if they so desire. Their only exception is that NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED.
Is it permissible to bring alcoholic beverages on the train?
Except for special events when they provide drinks, their train is alcohol-free. However, alcoholic beverages can be purchased in McCaysville/Copperhill during the trip's layover. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Where can you find designated smoking areas?
They ask that you smoke only on the blacktop pavement about 40 feet from the train in Blue Ridge, both before and after departure. Please wait until you are on the city sidewalks in McCaysville/Copperhill.
Enjoy the ride through the North GA mountains and along the Toccoa River!