Type of place
Railway
Area
Base Camp
Status
Open
The Great Whipsnade Railway
Take a ride on one of our two impressive steam engines, Excelsior and Superior, as they weave their way through the territories of some of the world's most inspiring animals. Enjoy the magic of a steam-hauled railway - very few zoos have them so it's a great treat to make your day at Whipsnade even more special.
Elephants, rhinos, camels and deer are just some of the mammals you can expect to see on your journey on The Great Whipsnade Railway. We will take you on a safari adventure you will never forget.
When is the train at Whipsnade Zoo running?
The Great Whipsnade Railway runs on weekends and school holidays. Below is the trains running schedule:
- Weekends - trains run every half-hour
- Half term (17 February - 21 February 2025) - trains run every-half hour
From 23 April 2025 - 28 September 2025, the train schedule is:
- Weekends - trains run every half-hour
- School holidays - trains run every-half hour
Our trains cease running from 4 November 2025 until the following spring. Grab a seat on your next visit for a view of our conservation Zoo like no other.
Please note: If for any reason our steam trains are unavailable we will run our service with our diesel locomotive.
How much does it cost to ride on the steam train?
When the train reopens on 15 February 2025, the Station Store will open at 11:45am each day where tokens can be purchased. Please find fares below:
| Adult (Inc. Seniors.) | £5.00 |
| Essential Carer | FREE |
| Child (Under 3) | FREE |
| Child (Aged 3-15) | £2.50 |
| Child School Group | £1.00 |
| Adult School Group | £5.00 |
| Teacher (when accompanying a school group) | FREE |
| Adult (Inc. Seniors) Gold Member / Fellow | £4.50 |
| Child Gold Member | £2.00 |
Footplate Experience
Ever wanted to find out what it really takes to be one of our steam engine drivers? With our unique Footplate Experience you can get an insight into what goes on, on the footplate while steaming past some of your favourite animals.
Behind the Scenes Tours: The Great Whipsnade Railway
Embark on an enchanting journey through Whipsnade Zoo's past and hear the story of our unique railway. All aboard an adventure that bridges the gap between heritage and nature!