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 during weekends and school holidays. Below is the trains running schedule:
- Weekends only in March 2025
- Daily from April 5th to September 28th 2025
- Weekends only in October 2025
- Daily from October 25th until November 2nd 2025.
Our trains cease running from 3 November 2025 until the following spring. Grab a seat on your next visit for a view of our conservation Zoo like no other.
Trains start running at 12pm, for the last train of the day please check running times at the station.
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?
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!