Stanley Park Easter Train

Vancouver’s miniature train at Stanley Park is a popular attraction that runs all summer long as well as during the Easter, Halloween and Christmas seasons.

After not operating for a few years, first due to COVID-19 and then because of maintenance issues, the train is running seasonally once again!

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Miniature Railway at Stanley Park

Carrying over 200,000 passengers each year, the 15-minute Stanley Park railway ride features trestles, tunnels, forest, 2 km of track and seasonal themes. Children and young families love the train!

Stanley Park Train Location

The Stanley Park miniature train is located on Pipeline Road in the middle of Stanley Park. Coming from West Georgia Street via the park entrance, take the second exit at the roundabout and the venue is just a little ways up on your right.

If using GPS to get there, type in 690 Pipeline Road and it’ll get you close enough to see signs directing you where to go.

Stanley Park Train Schedule

The Stanley Park miniature train runs daily in the spring for just a few days before Easter, from mid-April to late June on weekends (weather-permitting) and close to daily for the summer season from July until early September.

The railway typically starts up again in October in the lead-up to Halloween, and then again from the end of November until the first few days of January for the holidays. In other words, with just a few exceptions, it’s closed nearly all of January, February March, September and November most years.

Miniature Train Summer Schedule

In the summer the train at Stanley Park typically runs from late June until the first few days of September. In 2024, the train runs on weekends only from April 13th to July 1st. It opens for the day at 10:00 am and closes at 4:00 pm.

Then from July 3rd to September 2nd the train is open Wednesday to Sunday. On Wednesday and Thursday it runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm the other three days.

Below is the pricing for the 2024 season.

Adults (ages 19 to 64 years) – $8.25
Seniors (ages 65+) – $5.75
Youth (ages 13 to 18 years) – $5.75
Children (ages 3 to 12 years) – $4.25
Infants (ages 2 and under) – Free

Tickets are sold on-site only. Books of 10 tickets are also available for serious miniature railway enthusiasts at the following prices.

Adults (ages 19 to 64 years) – $74.25
Seniors (ages 65+) – $52
Youth (ages 13 to 18 years) – $52
Children (ages 3 to 12 years) – $38.25

Note: Prices, times and other details are subject to change.

In addition to the main summer train schedule, special seasonal train themes also take place at other times of the year. They include Easter trains in the spring, Halloween trains in October and Christmas trains in December.

For more information, visit the City of Vancouver website.

Prices and other details for seasonal train trips are below.

Stanley Park Easter Train

The Stanley Park Easter Train usually runs during the daytime for just a week or so before Easter in the spring and includes the Easter Bunny, an Easter egg hunt, crafts, games and face painting.

In 2024 the Easter Train ran from March 29th to April 1st, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm daily. Kids are able to meet the Easter Bunny, check out displays and enjoy some food truck food. In some years there’s also an Easter egg hunt, but this wasn’t the case in 2024.

Tickets for the Easter Train rides cost around $9 per person, but free for children ages 2 and under. This year, tickets were only available online.

Click Stanley Park Easter Train for more details.

Stanley Park Train and Easter Chick Mascot — Stanley Park Easter Train

Halloween Ghost Train

The Stanley Park Ghost Train is a family-friendly Halloween favourite for children, families, youth and even adults in Vancouver. The layout and theme change every year, but the ride through the forest predictably includes scenes with skeletons, monsters, gravestones and other typical Halloween paraphernalia. In 2019 the theme was “Alice in Nightmareland.”

Unfortunately, the Ghost Train has not happened since then. It was going to return in 2022 but was cancelled due to mechanical issues. It didn’t happen last year either. Hopefully it returns soon!

In years when the Ghost Train operates, there is a less expensive matinee train ride on Saturdays and Sundays during the day which is during the daylight and, therefore, much less scary for little people, although still not for the ultra timid.

At night time, between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm, the more hardcore Ghost Train is usually in operation and includes live performers and spooky lighting. Although still very family-friendly and lots of fun for most folks, it’s not for everyone.

When the Ghost Train returns, expect the matinee train rides to cost about $7 per person and the evening trips to be around $14 for adults and $11 for folks ages 65+ and between 3 and 17.

For more information on the Ghost Train, click Stanley Park Halloween Train.

Stanley Park Train at Halloween — Stanley Park Ghost Train at Halloween

Christmas Bright Nights Train

Bright Nights at Stanley Park takes place between the end of November and the first few days in January each year and features millions of festive lights and Christmas decorations.

The event was cancelled for the 2020/2021 season due to COVID-19. However, it returned from November 26th in 2021 until January 2nd in 2022. After not happening in December of 2022, the train was back again for the 2023/2024 season.

Rides were available last season between November 30th, 2023, and January 1st, 2024. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $13 for teenagers and seniors, and $11 for children ages 3 to 12. Little kids under the age of 3 got on for free.

Click Bright Nights for more information.

Stanley Park Train Video

To get an idea of what to expect on the Stanley Park train during the Christmas season, watch the following video. It begins and ends at the train station.

Tips & Advice

Want recommendations on how to make your Stanley Park Train experience as good as possible? Then check out the following tips:

TIP #1: Buy your tickets in advance just in case the day you want to go gets sold out, resulting in disappointed children. Also, to avoid the biggest crowds, go on a weekday in the earlier part of each season.

TIP #2: Sometimes, but not always, parking is free in the parking lot right outside the Stanley Park Train venue just off Pipeline Road. It’s not free in the summer, but sometimes during the Christmas season and at Halloween during the train operating times.

TIP #3: If you’re going to Stanley Park, don’t just go for the train. There is so much to see and do at the park, so combine your trip with other activities. Just outside the train venue grounds is a great children’s playground. The Vancouver Aquarium is also just a short walk away, the seawall is amazing for bike rides, in the summer there is the outdoor pool at Second Beach and there is great swimming also at Third Beach.