Rhaetian Railway Samiklaus-Express 2026: steam loco «Albula», two fairies — and fully booked 58 days ahead
✓ Checked at the source · as of 9 October 2026
On 9 October 2026 the Rhaetian Railway's Samiklaus-Express already said «fully booked», 58 days before departure. That says more about this ride than any description: behind a steam locomotive with its own name, two fairies lead the children to the Samiklaus, as St Nicholas is called in Graubünden, and then there is soup for everyone.
📅 Ride days 2026 — date and status
A single Sunday – miss it and you wait a year.
Samiklaus-Express (Rhätische Bahn)
✓Sunday, 6 December 2026 · 1 day
- Organiser
- Rhätische Bahn
Behind the steam locomotive G 4/5 107 «Albula», two fairies lead the way to the Samiklaus; afterwards soup for everyone and a bag for every child.
Source: rhb.ch · checked on 9 October 2026
🗓️ Running today?
📅 Visit-day check
Pick the day you are free — the answer comes from the verified ConvivaPlus dataset, not from a run you have to work out in your head.
| Session | Run | Opening hours | Date set? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samiklaus-Express (Rhätische Bahn) | Sun 6 Dec | — | confirmed |
Calculated from the ConvivaPlus dataset — every row with its own source above.
🚉 Boarding & transport — where it starts
- Meeting point
- Bahnhof Landquart
🎟️ Tickets & prices from the operator
- On 9 October 2026 the RhB already listed the date as fully booked.
- Children's day passes and children's travelcards are not valid; companions with a Half Fare or GA get a discount. The vintage carriages are not step-free; dogs up to 30 cm at the shoulder travel free in a carrier, larger dogs need a dog ticket.
✨ On-board programme
The ride is built like a fairy tale: two fairies lead the children through the afternoon to the Samiklaus, who has a bag for every child. Then there is soup for all. The train is pulled by a locomotive with a name, like a member of the family.
Nostalgia comes at the cost of comfort. The historic carriages are not step-free, and the usual children's tickets don't help here. On the other hand, a small dog rides free in a carrier, and accompanying adults with a Half Fare travelcard or GA get a discount.
What draws you to the Samiklaus-Express?
One click – anonymous, no sign-up required.
🎯 Tips for families
What to know, whether you're still looking for a seat or already have one.
- 1A date for late deciders: 4 of the season's 9 events have already started before.
- 2Children's passes not validChildren's day passes and travelcards are excluded.
- 3Not step-freeThe ride uses vintage carriages and so, says the Rhaetian Railway, is not step-free. With a wheelchair or heavy pram, ask beforehand.
- 4Small dogs ride freeDogs up to 30 cm at the shoulder travel free in a carrier; larger dogs need a dog ticket.
📊 Ride days compared with nearby rides
Where this ride falls between November and February.
Each bar is a ride, dark this one, light the nearest.
🗺️ Nearby — more festive rides
On the same Sunday, Bern runs its vintage tram to St Nicholas, Lake Zurich has the St Nicholas boat, and Lake Murten the Advent cruise for adults.
All 12 verified rides in Switzerland in the overview, plus the St Nicholas calendar.
Festive rides nearby
❓ FAQ — answered
Answers from the verified dataset — no operating day carried over from last year.
People also ask
Related questions from our magazine
Yes, in Bauma and from Zurich-Wiedikon to the Sihlwald.
Arrivals and parades in the verified calendar.
Tram, train and boat in Advent.
The ConvivaPlus verdict
In 2026 the first day falls on a Sunday. Can't make the date? The nearest place with this event is Bauma, 70 km away.
Freshness note: Date, programme and booking status read on the Rhaetian Railway's site on 9 October 2026. The status may change.
Check the latest: ConvivaPlus festive rides dataset 2026 – Landquart →
- ◆Soup for all: after St Nicholas there are bags for the children and soup for every passenger.
How we check
Every date comes from the organiser's, the municipality's or the canton's own site — never from an aggregator, never copied over from last year. Next to each source is the date we last read it.
Something missing or changed? A note below is enough; we check it at the source.
ConvivaPlus Editor · Family & Day Trips
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On the Samiklaus-Express there is soup for everyone after St Nicholas, not just bags for the children.
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🚂 Festive rides · 9 October 2026