Ghost Train South Elgin: Tickets, Dates & Tips
The Fox River Trolley Museum's Ghost Story Train sold out its first 2026 night — two Saturdays remain, with campfire ghost stories, s'mores, and hot chocolate just west of Bartlett.
By Bartlett Guide · Published October 12, 2026
If your kids have hit the age where the neighborhood haunted house is too much but sitting on the porch watching others trick-or-treat is too little, the Ghost Story Train is the sweet spot. The Fox River Trolley Museum runs a spooky-but-family-friendly trolley ride down to a haunted forest preserve, where the evening is all about campfire ghost stories, s'mores, hot chocolate, and singing along around the fire. Costumes are welcome, and it's rated all ages.
The first 2026 run on Saturday, October 10 is already sold out, per the museum's own homepage. That leaves two chances: Saturday, October 17 and Saturday, October 24. If this one is on your family's list, buy now — last weekend's sellout is a preview of what happens to the other two.
Ghost Story Train — Fox River Trolley Museum
A spooky trolley ride to the haunted forest preserve, with family-friendly ghost stories around a campfire, s'more making, hot chocolate, and campfire songs. Costumes welcome; all ages.
Ghost Train South Elgin dates and times
Evening departures run at 5:00 p.m., 6:15 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. on each Ghost Story Train night (October 10, 17, and 24, 2026), according to The Voice's Fox Valley event coverage. The Kidlist listing pegs the event window at 5:00–8:30 p.m. Plan on about three and a half hours for the full experience: the trolley ride out, the campfire session, and the ride back.
The museum asks riders to arrive at least 15 minutes early to keep departures on time. Tickets are held at will call for pickup on the day — they are not mailed, so there's nothing to lose in the mailbox. One more nice detail from the museum: a Ghost Story Train ticket also includes same-day admission to the museum itself, so arriving a little earlier can double as your daytime visit.
How much are Ghost Story Train tickets?
The 2026 listings put Ghost Story Train tickets at $20, and the haunts directory illinoishauntedhouses.com lists the same figure. Prices and capacity limits can move around, so treat $20 as the working number and confirm at checkout on the museum's official ticket page (foxtrolley.org/visit/special-events/ghost-story-train). Given the October 10 sellout, don't bank on day-of availability.
The museum is a small nonprofit outfit — only so many tickets sell per run — which is exactly why the first night went. Registration in advance is the whole game here.
Getting there from Bartlett
The museum sits at 365 S La Fox St, South Elgin, IL 60177 — a straight shot west from Bartlett down the La Fox corridor, about a 15-minute drive in normal traffic. Free parking is listed on-site. If you'd rather not drive, the rest of the area's happenings are on our South Elgin events calendar, and the broader October lineup is on the Bartlett events page.
Pair it with the rest of the season: our Halloween 2026 guide has trick-or-treat hours, the October 24 Halloween Fun Fest downtown, and pumpkin patches worth the drive. And the museum's own winter ride, Santa's Trolley Express (November 28), is the natural follow-up for families who fall for the trolley.
FAQ
Is the Ghost Train scary for kids?
It's built for them. The museum markets it as family-friendly and "great for all ages," and the haunts directory rates its scare factor as "not scary at all" — think campfire stories and s'mores, not jump scares.
How much are Ghost Story Train tickets?
The 2026 event listings show $20 per ticket. Confirm the current price when you buy, since pricing can change at the museum's ticket page.
What time are the Ghost Train rides?
Evening departures at 5:00, 6:15, and 7:30 p.m. on October 17 and October 24, 2026, per The Voice's coverage. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your run.
Where is the Fox River Trolley Museum?
365 S La Fox St, South Elgin, IL 60177 — a short drive west of Bartlett, with free parking listed on-site. Tickets are picked up at will call, not mailed.
Do I need Ghost Train tickets in advance?
Strongly yes. The October 10 run sold out, and only two nights remain (October 17 and 24). Buy through foxtrolley.org's Ghost Story Train page rather than hoping for walk-up spots.
Sources & verification. Details verified October 12, 2026 against organizer listings; hours and prices change — confirm before heading out.