FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Ticket Information

How much do tickets cost?

Tickets for the National Park Scenic train ride start at $18 for adults and $13 for children (ages 3-12) plus fees. Other seating options may be available for an additional charge. Prices for special event excursions vary.

Are there any group rates?

Group Rates are applicable during the months of January through September only. Groups containing 20-70 passengers are eligible to receive a 10% discount on regularly priced coach tickets.

Do I need to have my ticket printed before my departure?

Print-at-home tickets can be presented on paper or on a mobile device via the link within your confirmation email. Will Call tickets are to be retrieved at the ticket booth in the hour prior to departure.

What are the ages for children and adults?

You must purchase tickets for children if they are between the ages of 3 and 12 years. Children two and under do not need a ticket; however, they will not have a seat held for them and must sit on the parent or guardian’s lap.

*Any special excursion listed as 21 and over only is an adult-only event where alcohol is served. Due to our liquor license, no persons under the age of 21 will be permitted to board these events. Children and infants are not permitted on these excursions.

Are you running the Fall Flyer this year?

The National Park Service (NPS) has closed portions of the tracks used by Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) due to significant erosion from the Cuyahoga River. For 2023, we will only be offering the 2-hour National Park Scenic instead of the Fall Flyer.

Does my guest need to purchase a ticket for Grape Escape, Ales on Rails™, or Cocktails on Rails if they do not drink?

A Designated Driver (DD) ticket can be purchased by selecting “designated driver” tickets at checkout. This ticket is $15-$20 off the price of one Grape Escape, Ales on Rails™, or Cocktails on Rails ticket. Passengers with a DD ticket may present it in the concession car for two non-alcoholic beverages.

Do you charge fees on ticket purchases?

A Preservation Fee is charged on each individual train ticket. This fee provides additional funding toward the preservation and routine maintenance of our historic fleet of railcars and vintage equipment.

Additional per-ticket processing fees (predetermined by our ticketing software system) will be charged based on your purchasing method:

Box Office Fee: $0.20 per ticket, charged when buying tickets through our CVSR office by phone or at stations in person.

Online Fee: $1.50 – $2.50 per ticket (depending on the price of the ticket), charged for all online  ticket orders.

Call Center Fee: $2.50 per ticket, charged when purchasing tickets through an Etix call center representative.

Does CVSR offer any discounts on tickets?

Military, Veteran and First Responder Discount
Active military, veterans, first responders, and correctional officers receive one (1) complimentary coach ticket on any regularly-scheduled National Park Scenic train on Thursdays between June and September.  Up to three guests may receive 1/2 price tickets as well. Discount only applies to coach tickets.

Northeastern Ohio Inter-Museum Council Discount
Fellow members of the Inter-Museum Council (IMC) receive up to four (4) scenic coach tickets on any regularly scheduled National Park Scenic train. Members must show their employee badge or membership card to receive the discount. Discount only applies to coach tickets.

Discounts are redeemable for walk-up sales only at CVSR’s ticket stations (Rockside Station, Peninsula Depot, Akron Northside Station). Discounts are not applicable toward seating upgrades, special events, or in combination with other existing discounts and promotions.

Do you sell gift cards?

Yes! Gift cards can be used to purchase tickets to any round-trip excursions! Gift cards are valid for five years from the date of purchase. Gift cards are only available for purchase through our website or by contacting CVSR at 330-439-5708. A physical card will be mailed out within approximately 3-5 business days after sale to the shipping address listed on the order at check out.

Exchange and Refund Policies

What if I miss the train?

Please ensure that you arrive to your departing station at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Our conductors must ensure that the train leaves on time and cannot wait for late passengers. All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges will be offered for missed trains. Refunds are only available when an event has been canceled.

All Day Pass Coach tickets: If you miss your scheduled departure on the National Park Scenic with All Day Pass tickets, you may use the same tickets to board at a later departure time or from another station on the same day.

What if my train ride gets cancelled?

In the unfortunate and rare case that CVSR must cancel a train ride, guests will receive email notification informing you of the cancellation. Options for a refund, exchange, or donation will be detailed in the email.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad operates historic diesel locomotives and reserves the right to substitute equipment as needed. Schedules are adhered to as closely as possible. The railroad is not responsible for delays caused by mechanical problems with vintage equipment.

May I donate my tickets back to CVSR?

Yes! If you are unable to attend your scheduled train ride, please consider donating your tickets back to CVSR by contacting customer service at . Tickets must be donated at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled train ride. By donating your unused tickets you will receive a tax credit and assist our nonprofit railroad in providing vital funding for the preservation of our equipment and ensuring that we can continue our year-round rail excursions for many years to come.

Event and Facility Information

Where are your boarding stations? What are the hours?

The Rockside Station and Akron Northside Station will only be open for one hour prior to departure times. The Peninsula Depot will be open 9:00 a.m. – 1:40 p.m. and Akron will be open 9:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. on days the National Park Scenic train ride is running.

How long is the trip?

The National Park Scenic is approximately 2 hours round trip. Events on the Cleveland Dinner and Event Train are approximately 2 hours round trip.

Is there parking at the stations?

Parking is free at all of our boarding stations. We recommend you arrive to the train station 45 minutes before the train departs to ensure time for parking, traffic and other unforeseen weather conditions. Please note: parking for the Peninsula Depot is available at the Lock 29 Trailhead.

Are there restrooms available on the train?

There are restrooms located throughout the train cars and at our main boarding stations.

How do I find my seat once I am on the train?

The trainmen at the station platform will direct you to your car; once on board, please refer to the seat number on your ticket. Trainmen will assist you in finding your seat and walk through the car to check tickets once the train starts moving.

Is the train wheelchair and walker accessible?

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has a handicap-accessible car with a wheelchair lift and ADA-compliant restroom. Please note: availability may be limited. If this car is available, it will appear as ADA Coach during seat selection.

Due to the limitations of some cars where programs are offered, the ADA car may not be available for certain special excursions.

Are strollers allowed on the train?

Strollers are allowed on the train, but you will be asked to fold it up when boarding so it can be stowed away safely between or above the seats during the trip.

Are pets allowed on the train?

No, pets are not permitted on the train.

Are service animals permitted on the train?

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad does accommodate service animals on the train. While we do not discourage passengers with service animals from coming on the train, passengers must be aware that there are several factors to consider before deciding to ride with their service animal:

  1. The motion of the train, and the unnatural, high-pitched metallic sounds that the train makes as it goes over joints in the tracks may make some animals very uncomfortable.
  2. The train is narrow, and a walkway runs through it. Animals that are not accustomed to heavy and frequent foot traffic may be very uncomfortable. Service animals must not sit or lay down in a walkway as this presents a hazard to other guests and the animal. The service animal will not be permitted to sit on any of the seats but will be required to sit under the passenger’s seat or at his or her feet.
  3. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad staff have been directed not to touch the service animal, but other customers may not understand the role of a service animal and may want to touch the service animal.
  4. Any food or water which the animal requires, and appropriate containers for serving food and water to the animal, should be provided by the owner. Sanitary toilet arrangements must also be made by the owner of the animal, and, in the interest of the health and safety of our guests, the staff of the train will not handle or dispose of animal droppings or urine for the owner.

Please carefully review our Service Animal Policy.

Can I bring my own food or beverage on the train?

No, food and beverages are not allowed to be brought onto the train.

Is there food on the train?

Our fully stocked café car offers a variety of snacks and beverages. The café car is accessible during the duration of your train ride.

Do you have a gift shop?

Yes. Gifts and souvenirs are available for purchase from our café car.

What forms of payment are accepted in the café car?

We accept cash and all major credit cards except for American Express. We cannot accept personal checks.

(For excursions with served food) If I have an allergy, can I make special accommodations?

We understand the importance of dietary restrictions. Due to the nature of our events, we can only offer vegetarian/vegan meal options at this time. Guests must contact customer service at no later than a week prior to their Dinner on the Train event. Any requests received after this time, will not be accommodated. Please note due to the unique nature of our dinners, guests who request a vegetarian/vegan option will not know the meal they receive in advance.

We are unable to make any accommodations for Murder Mystery, Cocktails on Rails and any other event that has a meal or appetizer included in the ticket price.

Other Information

Can you send me something about your railroad?

To receive a brochure which contains information such as ticket prices and schedules, please email us at and include full name and mailing address.

How can I support the railroad?

As the region’s only nonprofit excursion railroad, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad relies on the philanthropic support of individuals, foundations, corporations and volunteers.

Get more information on ways to support CVSR’s nonprofit mission.

What volunteer opportunities do you offer?

CVSR has a variety of volunteer positions offered year-round with flexible shifts and volunteer perks.

Get more information on volunteering with CVSR.

Please Note

  • Use of tobacco on or around the trains and train stations or depots is prohibited. Tobacco products include, but are not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, smoking tobacco or any article/product that is made up of tobacco or a tobacco substitute that is not a cigarette (including electronic cigarettes and vaping devices).
  • No firearms are permitted on the train.
  • There is no outside alcohol allowed on the train.

For any other questions, please contact customer service.