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Everything You NEED to Know About the St. Augustine Trolley Tours

If youโ€™ve been planning a trip to St. Augustine, Florida, youโ€™ve probably heard a thing or two (or three) about the St. Augustine trolley tours. These sightseeing tours are one of the most popular tourist attractions in St. Augustineโ€”and for good reason. They offer a convenient, informative, and fun way to navigate Old Town without having to walk everywhere yourself.

But with several companies and options available, choosing the right trolley tour can be a bit confusing. In this article, we’ll break down the different trolley tours, compare their prices and perks, share our personal preferences, and suggest the best seasons to visit St. Augustine to boot.

Note: We use affiliate links which provide us a little kickback each time you use one of our links and make a purchase, without any additional cost to you. We do not recommend products that we donโ€™t already love or have heard great things about, so you can trust weโ€™re only suggesting great products to you.

Table of Contents

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  • Which trolley is best in St. Augustine?
  • How much does it cost to ride the trolley?
  • The different types of trolley tours in St Augustine
    • Old Town Trolley Tours
    • Ripleyโ€™s Red Train Tours
  • How to book a trolley tour
  • Best time of year to visit St. Augustine
  • Other Guided Tours in St Augustine
  • Related Articles on What to Do in St Augustine
  • Ready for your St Augustine Trolley Tour?

Which trolley is best in St. Augustine?

When deciding which trolley tour is best for your St. Augustine adventure, it ultimately depends on your preferences. Two main companies offer trolley toursโ€”Old Town Trolley Tours and Ripley’s Red Train Tours.

Old Town Trolley Tours
Ripley’s Red Train Tours

Both of these companies offer professional experiences with well-informed, personable guides. In the aspect of quality, both companies are solid options, and we donโ€™t have anything negative to say about either.

But, some key factors still set them apart:

Old Town Trolley Tours

Iconic Appearance: Easily recognizable by their vibrant orange and green trolleys.
Diverse Routes: Offer a variety of tours, including hop-on hop-off options, 1-day and 2-day passes, and night tours.
Larger Fleet: Provides more flexibility and frequent departures.

Ripleyโ€™s Red Train Tours

Distinct Color: Known for their bright red trains.
Budget-Friendly: Often offer more affordable ticket prices, but no hop-on hop-off option.
Special offers with their museum: Ripleys offers special bundles that include entrance to their museum as well as a Red Train ride.

We typically opt for Old Town Trolley Tours because they have a larger fleet of trolleys and offer a hop-on, hop-off tour option, which is handy. But Ripleyโ€™s Red Train Tours do come at a lower price point, and if you donโ€™t quite care to hop on and hop off all day, they take visitors around more than 100 points of historical interest in just one hour.

We also love that Old Town Trolley Tours stop at the St. Augustine Marina (stop 16), making it a great option for any boater staying at the marina.

St. Augustine Old Town Trolley Tour

How much does it cost to ride the trolley?

Ticket prices for St. Augustine trolley tours not only vary depending on the company but also the type of tour. Prices may be higher during peak tourist seasons, thus the prices listed below are just starting prices. Here’s a general overview:

Old Town Trolley Tours

One-day trolley pass: Starting at $36.55 for adults and $17.77 for ages 4-12
Two-day trolley pass: Starting at $60.32 for adults and $37.42 for ages 4-12
Ghosts & Gravestones tour: Starting at $34.59 for adults and children above 4 alike
Nights of Lights (November – January): Starting at $72.99 per row (fits 4 people)

Ripley’s Red Train Tours

1-hour Red Train tour: Starting at $23.99 for adults and $12.99 for kids ages 4-11
Nights of Lights (November – January): $69.99 per row (fits 4 people)

The different types of trolley tours in St Augustine

As youโ€™ve seen, both Old Town Trolley Tours and Ripley’s Red Train Tours offer a few different experiences. Letโ€™s take a closer look at the unique perks of each ride to help match your needs and preferences with the ideal tour.

Old Town Trolley Tours

1-Day Trolley Pass

  • Price: Starting at $36.55 for adults and $17.77 for ages 4-12
  • Dates: Year-round from 9 am – 4:30 pm
  • Duration: 90 minutes from beginning to end, but comes with unlimited hop-on hop-off service within the above time frame for 1 day
  • About: With trolleys departing every 15 minutes, this open-air trolley tour takes you through the city while a guide narrates the cityโ€™s history. In total, there are 22 marked Old Town trolley stops throughout St. Augustine where you can hop on and off as you like.
  • Perks: Free Parking for the day, free admission to St. Augustine History Museum, free beach shuttle to alligator farm and the beach, and complimentary hotel shuttle service included with ticket.

Take advantage of the free parking included with your ticket!

2-Day Trolley Pass

  • Price: Starting at $60.32 for adults and $37.42 for ages 4-12
  • Dates: Year-round from 9 am – 4:30 pm
  • Duration: 90 minutes from beginning to end, but comes with unlimited hop-on hop-off service within the above time frame for 2 days
  • About: 2 consecutive days of free unlimited boarding. Same perks as above, but to be enjoyed for 2 days!
  • Perks: Free admission to St. Augustine History Museum, free beach shuttle to alligator farm and the beach, and complimentary hotel shuttle service included with ticket.

Ghosts & Gravestones

  • Price: Starting at $34.59 for adults and children above 4 (no discount for children)
  • Dates: Year-round in the evenings
  • Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • About: In this tour you get to explore the darker side of St. Augustineโ€™s history at night. Walk through the Old Jail, the townโ€™s most haunted building, go through the Tolomato Cemetary and enter the Potterโ€™s Wax Museumโ€™s Chamber of Horrors.

Nights of Lights Tour

  • Price: Starting at $72.99 per row (fits 4 people)
  • Dates: November 24th – January 26th
  • Duration: 30-45 minutes starting at 6 pm
  • About: Experience over 3 million lights adorning the quaint historic district of St. Augustine. Youโ€™ll be provided with complimentary โ€œmagical viewing glassesโ€ that allow for an immersive experience. Enjoy caroling as well as sugar cookies and warm apple cider.
  • Special notes: Can only reserve by row (fits four)

Ripleyโ€™s Red Train Tours

1-Hour Red Train Tour

  • Price: Starting at $23.99 for adults and $12.99 for kids ages 4-11
  • Dates: Year-round
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • About: Explore St. Augustine’s past and present aboard the Red Express. Their narrated tour winds through over 7 miles of the city’s streets, showcasing over 100 historical landmarks. Uncover the stories behind these iconic sites and gain a deeper appreciation for St. Augustine’s rich heritage.
  • Special notes: Ripleyโ€™s offers a bundle promo that includes entrance to their Odditorium with this Red Train ride. The price comes in at $37.98 for adults and $18.98 for kids 4-11. Normally, the cost for entrance to just the Odditorium is $23.99 for adults and $12.99 for kids, so this is quite a good deal if you were planning on going to Ripleyโ€™s in St. Augustine anyways!
Ripley’s Red Trolly Tour

Nights of Lights Ripleyโ€™s Tour

  • Price: $69.99 per row (fits 4 people)
  • Dates: November 24th to January 25th
  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • About: Enjoy the dazzling Nights of Lights display on a 30-minute Ripley’s Red Train tour. Marvel at over two million twinkling lights and festive decorations as you wind through St. Augustine’s historic district. Tours begin and end at Ripleyโ€™s Believe It or Not! St. Augustine, located at 19 San Marco Ave. Ripleyโ€™s also provides you with their โ€œRed Train magic glasses.โ€
  • Perks: Free holiday movies for Ripleyโ€™s Nights of Lights guests at 6 pm throughout all of December.

How to book a trolley tour

Both companies allow you to book tours online as well as in person at their physical locations. We strongly recommend booking online and in advance, especially when visiting on weekends or in high tourist seasons.

Elliot at the Old Town Trolley Tours office

Here are some quick links to book your trolley tours online:

Old Town Trolley Tours

1-Day Trolley Pass – Book Here!
2-Day Trolley Pass – Book Here!
Ghosts & Gravestones – Book Here!
Old Townโ€™s Nights of Lights – Book Here!

Ripleyโ€™s Red Train Tours

1-Hour Red Train Tour – Book Here!
1-Hour Red Train Tour + Ripley’s Odditorium Bundle – Book Here!
Ripleyโ€™s Nights of Lights – Book Here!

Once you’ve completed your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email or ticket. Print the confirmation or save it to your mobile device for easy access on your trip!

Best time of year to visit St. Augustine

Trolley tours in St Augustine run year-round and almost daily, but we prefer visiting in the cooler months (we avoid St. Augustine as much as we can from June to August). Our favorite seasons for visiting St. Augustine are the spring and fall, where you can enjoy pleasant weather even in the middle of the day.

Enjoying the fall weather in St. Augustine by foot

If you do happen to visit in the summer, consider taking early morning or late afternoon trolley tours to avoid the peak heat. Leave indoor activities like museums and restaurants for the middle of the day.

Second to spring and fall, we also really enjoy the holiday season in St. Augustine when the historic downtown lights up for the Nights of Lights. Although it can get quite touristy, we canโ€™t deny that itโ€™s a fool-proof holiday plan. Our favorite spot to take photos in front of during the holidays is in front of the Lightner Museum.

Other Guided Tours in St Augustine

While trolley tours are a popular choice in St. Augustine, they’re not the only way to have fun in this city. We’ve written about 15 of our favorite free experiences in St. Augustine that you can do whether or not you book a trolley ride. And if you’re still interested in a tour, but are looking for a more intimate experience, consider these alternative tours and experiences:

  • Golf Cart Tours: Golf cart tours offer a unique and flexible way to explore St. Augustine. Navigate the city’s narrow streets at your own pace and enjoy the freedom to stop wherever you like. Golf cart tours are ideal for smaller groups and provide a more personalized experience.
  • Walking Tours: For those who prefer to explore on foot, guided walking tours in St. Augustine offer the possibility to explore at a slower pace. With themes such as Haunted Pub Crawls and Ghost Walking Tours, St. Augustine has plenty of unique walking tours that physically take you into really unique spots throughout the city.
  • Boat Tours: Consider hitting the waters surrounding St. Augustine with a Sunset Cruise on the Matanzas River or even a Treasure Hunt Cruise. Ditch the land to see the city from a different perspective and admire the waterfront views!

Taking a boat tour in St. Augustine is a great way to explore the area by water.

Related Articles on What to Do in St Augustine

  • 7 Fun Date Ideas in St. Augustine for Couples
  • Our 15 Favorite Free Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida
  • The Perfect Weekend in St Augustine: A Complete Guide
  • Our 13 Favorite Spots for Breakfast in St. Augustine Florida
  • 19 Must-Try St Augustine Restaurants
  • A Localโ€™s Guide to Historic St Augustine, Florida

Ready for your St Augustine Trolley Tour?

Pin this guide with the best trolley tours in St Augustine, Florida!

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September 21, 2024

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About Us

We’re Jen and Elliot, aka Scho & Jo, a couple of high school sweethearts who fell in love with travel and decided to live life now. From international travel to boating around America’s Great Loop to converting a Sprinter Van into a campervan and now traveling to all 50 States and US National Parks, we’re here to help you plan for your dream trip! We share detailed guides and expense reports to help turn your dream trip into a reality! Read more about us here.

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  • How to Spend One Day in Zion National Park
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  • Zion Packing List: What to Bring and What to Rent

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What part of Zion are you most interested in? Zi What part of Zion are you most interested in? 

Zion National Park is part of Utahโ€™s Mighty Five and is the western most park. Zion is a sanctuary in the desert as its towering red rock cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and lush valleys amaze first time and long time visitors alike. 

The park was the second most visited National Park in the US in 2024. From short hikes, to best hikes, and things to to that arenโ€™t hiking, we have guides on our website for it all.

๐Ÿ‘‹ Hi, weโ€™re Jen, Elliot, and Ollie - living in our self converted van as we travel to all 50 states and 63 National Parks. We share travel inspiration, actually helpful tips, and detailed itineraries, all to help get you outside! Follow @schoandjo for more ๐ŸŒž

#zion #zionnationalpark #zionnps #utah #utahgram #utahrocks #roadtrip #roadtrippin #roadtripping #usa #roadtripusa #visitutah #ForeverMighty
This hike looks down on Angleโ€™s Landing ๐Ÿคฏ

๐Ÿ‘‹ Hi, weโ€™re Jen, Elliot, and Ollie ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿถ living in our self converted van as we travel to all 50 states and 63 National Parks. We share travel inspiration, actually helpful tips, and detailed itineraries, all to help get you outside! Follow @schoandjo for more ๐ŸŒž

โ›”๏ธ No permit to Angleโ€™s Landing? No problem. 

โ›”๏ธ Not interested in hiking Angleโ€™s Landing? No problem.

โœ… THIS hike is the perfect hike for anyone who wants incredible views of Zion National Park. 

Hereโ€™s how to access this Observation Point:

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ This route is now accessible by driving to the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort (a rockfall closed the original trail). The trail offers sweeping views over Zion Canyon, including a direct view of Angels Landing from above. Overall, itโ€™s relatively flat, shaded in parts, and much less crowded than many others in the park. 

๐Ÿš˜ Park at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. You can walk about a half mile from Zion Ponderosa or take their $7.50 shuttle (which we did, since the dirt road was muddy after recent rain). 

โŒš๏ธThe hike is 7 miles round trip and is ranked as a moderate hike taking about 3-4 hours.

๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ With its minimal elevation gain and maximum reward, this is one of the best value hikes in the park.

๐Ÿ’ฌย Do you think these views rival those at Angleโ€™s Landing? Let us know in the comments below ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿผ 

#angleslanding #zionnationalpark #zionnp #nationalparkadventures #bestutahhikes #hikeutah #visitutah #ForeverMighty
Hereโ€™s the deal and how to go on the best hike/t Hereโ€™s the deal and how to go on the best hike/tour in the park ๐Ÿ‘‡

New here? ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿถย Weโ€™re Jen, Elliot, and Ollie on a journey to visit all 50 states and 63 National Parks. Follow @schoandjo for more inspiration, actually helpful tips, and detailed travel guides ๐Ÿš๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ๐Ÿงญ

The best hike in Carlsbad Caverns is the Kingโ€™s Palace Ranger-led tour! Hereโ€™s how to score itโ€ฆ

๐Ÿ•—ย Arrive to the park early! We recommend getting to the Visitor Center by 8 am so you can ensure you get some of the limited tickets to the Kingโ€™s Palace Ranger-led tour. There are limited amount of spots (usually 24) and they go quickly! 

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธย When the Visitor Center opens at 9 am, head to the counter to pay your $15 park entrance fee (or show your America the Beautiful Pass) and purchase your ranger tour ticket. 

โ„น๏ธย Explore the Visitor Center while you wait for the tour to start. We recommend watching the park films and reading several of the information placards to learn about the park. 

๐Ÿงฅย Take the elevator down 750 feet into the cave system and head to the starting point of the Kingโ€™s Palace tour. That being said, youโ€™ll want to bring a jacket for the caves, even in summer, as they stay at a coolย 56ยฐF year-round.ย 

๐Ÿ“ฌย Pro Tip: If you like sending postcards from the NPโ€™s, thereโ€™s a mailbox in the cave. 

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธย Attend the Kingโ€™s Palace Ranger-led tour, which lasts about an hour and a half.

๐Ÿฅชย Head back up to the surface for lunch. We had a picnic style lunch outside but thereโ€™s also a food court in the Gift Shop.

๐Ÿ“ธย After lunch, go back into the cave through the Natural Entrance. Make sure to visit the Big Room! It doesnโ€™t disappoint. 

โœŒ๏ธย Plan toย exit the caves by 4:30 PMย as elevators stop running at 4:45 PM.

๐Ÿดย Enjoy dinner in Carlsbad, NM - we recommend stopping at Guadalupe Mountain Brewing Co. for pizza and beer with live music on the weekends.

๐Ÿ’ฌย Comment CAVE and Iโ€™ll send you our FREE detailed travel itinerary complete with an estimated budget breakdown, packing list, and more! 

Disclaimer: The tours change daily based on Ranger staffing, so nothing is guaranteed. 

#carlsbadcaverns #carlsbadcavernsnp #nationalparkadventures #gocaving #cavetour #parkrangersrock
Come prepared with our White Sands NP Itinerary! Come prepared with our White Sands NP Itinerary!

๐Ÿ“Save this for later & tag your adventure buddy! ๐Ÿซถ

If weโ€™re traveling to White Sands National Park for the first time and only have one day to spend exploring the park, the is how we would spend our time: 

1๏ธโƒฃ Dive the Dunes Scenic Drive to the back of the park and enjoy the views along the way!

2๏ธโƒฃ Hike the Alkali Flat Trail in the morning during the coolest part of the day. This is the longest in the park at 4.5 miles, so be sure to bring a lot of water and wear sun protective clothing. The only place water is available is at the visitors center, so be sure to fill up before driving out to this trailhead. 

3๏ธโƒฃ Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic areas under some shade. 

4๏ธโƒฃ After lunch, head to the visitor center to get out of the sun and heat, watch the park film, and learn about the park. Head to the Gift Shop to rent a sled for $15-20 depending on the style. 

5๏ธโƒฃ Go sledding on the Sand Dunes! The smooth gypsum sand makes for a surprisingly nice sledding surface, especially if youโ€™ve applied wax to the bottom of your board. Make sure to return the sled by 4pm. 

6๏ธโƒฃ Hike the Dune Life Nature Trail which is a marked short 1-miles loop that offers some of the best chances to spot wildlife in the park. Alternatively, you can hike the Playa Trail which is a short 15 minute hike.

7๏ธโƒฃ Lastly, watching the sunset at Sand Dunes is a must! If youโ€™re interested, check out the ranger-led sunset stroll. We love Ranger tours as they never disappoint. Check the visitor center for meet-up time and location. 

โ€ผ๏ธ A few things to note โ€ผ๏ธ

โ›”๏ธ The Dunes Scenic Drive can often be closed from 7-9am as they clear the road from any sand that was blown onto the road from the night before. 

โ›”๏ธ Certain areas of the park close temporarily for missile tests from the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. Check the parks website or call ahead for more info. 

โ›”๏ธ The park is super dog friendly! ๐Ÿฆฎ

Comment SEND and Iโ€™ll send you our FREE detailed travel itinerary with an estimated budget breakdown, packing list and more!

Follow @schoandjo for more NP itineraries!

#whitesands #nationalparkadventures  #travelguide
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