The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Spring, summer and winter rides typically depart at 10 AM, 11 AM or 3 PM; fall and holiday trains add departures. Check the railway for the day you want.

The train follows the old Marietta and North Georgia Railroad line north along the Toccoa River to the twin towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. The railroad first reached Blue Ridge in 1886. The 4-hour trip has about an hour each way on the train and a 2-hour layover in McCaysville and Copperhill, where you can walk to the Blue Line that marks the state border and stand in both states. The 2-hour express skips the layover and returns right away.

Seating is first come, first served within your assigned car. Choose from open-air and closed coaches, or Premier Class, which the railway describes as reclining seats with unlimited non-alcoholic drinks and a catered snack. Open-air cars are the favorite for photos in fall; dress in layers. No pets are allowed aboard except certified service animals. Car 405 is wheelchair accessible with a lift and an accessible restroom.

From Helen the drive is about 80 minutes, so most people make a full day of it. There is free street parking around the depot, plus a paid lot at 204 West Main Street ($5 Monday to Wednesday, $10 Thursday to Sunday, per the railway). On weekends allow extra time to find a spot. For a full day in town, see our Blue Ridge day-trip guide and Blue Ridge overview.

From Helen it's 80 minutes each way, so the 4-hour ride plus the drive fills most of a day. Spring, summer and winter trains typically leave at 10 AM, 11 AM or 3 PM, so the 10 AM departure means leaving Helen by about 8 AM to leave a cushion for parking. Round it out with lunch or an apple stop; the Blue Ridge day-trip guide lays out restaurants and Mercier Orchards.