Blue Ridge Scenic Railway's Fall Foliage Rides Open Sept. 19, and Seats Are Already Going Fast

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway opens its 2026 Fall Rides season on September 19, and the railway is telling would-be riders not to wait: tickets for the fall run, which continues through November 3, sell out fast.

The excursions depart from the depot at 241 Depot Street in downtown Blue Ridge and cover 26 miles round trip along the Toccoa River to the twin towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. Riders can choose a 2-hour Express Tour with no layover, or a 4-hour Extended Tour that includes a 2-hour stop to walk around McCaysville and Copperhill before the train heads back.

For families weighing a fall outing anywhere in Fannin County, the timing matters. September 19 is also the date of the Blues & BBQ festival in Blue Ridge, and locals already know what comes next: the crowds that start building that weekend only get thicker through mid-October, when leaf season peaks in the mountains. A ticket bought this week has a much better shot at landing than one bought after the color starts turning.

What's different about the fall cars

The railway runs several types of coaches, and the amenities change depending on which one you book. Open-air coaches with bench seating are open to all ages and give the widest views of the river and hills. Closed, air-conditioned coaches seat riders in facing groups of four. A handicap-accessible coach with lift access is available but must be booked by phone through a ticket agent, not online.

The Premier Car is reserved for riders 18 and older and comes with reclining seats, air conditioning, a complimentary group photo, and a tote bag. Its catered snack and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, though, are only offered on the 4-hour Extended Tours. Riders who book the 2-hour Express in a Premier seat get the reclining seats and air conditioning but not the food or drinks.

The railway has not published fall departure dates for every week of the season on its site beyond confirming the September 19 through November 3 window, so riders planning around a specific weekend should check availability directly before making other plans around it.

Anyone who has ridden the Blue Ridge line before knows the drill: October weekends go first, and by the time the leaves are actually at peak color, the calendar is often thin. Booking in September, before the crowds from Blues & BBQ and the first cool weekend arrive, is the surest way to get the date and car type a family actually wants.

Stay with Blue Ridge Georgia Community Website for more on what's opening around town this fall, and join the conversation in our Community Forum if you've got tips on booking or riding the rails this season. For more on what's happening around town, check out our events coverage and lifestyle stories.

Header photo: Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)