Napa Valley Wine Train

The basics

Choose between 3-hour rides through the Napa countryside with onboard wining and dining or 5-hour excursions that also include stops at winery tasting rooms on the Napa Valley Wine Train. For a luxurious experience, book Napa Valley Wine Train tickets for the Vista Dome upper deck or the Gourmet Express dining train.

Vineyard options include the Castle Winery tour, which stops at the Castello di Amorosa vineyard; the Raymond Vineyards tour; and the Grgich Hills Winery tour, which offers an evening option. The Ambassador Winery tour includes tastings at two wineries, while the Quattro Vino tour includes tastings at four.

Things to know before you go

• The wine train ride is a perfect romantic excursion for travelers 21 and up.

• Dress for heat or wind (depending on the time of year) if you plan to sit on the deck.

• Bring proper photo identification for wine tastings.

• Dressing up is recommended, but many opt for more casual attire.

• All Napa Valley Wine Train tours depart from downtown Napa, but some tour packages include round-trip transfers from San Francisco or Vallejo.

• Look out for special tasting room events such as the Murder Mystery dinner tour.

How to get there

Reaching historic Napa by car is relatively easy from anywhere in the Bay Area and the drive from San Francisco to Napa is roughly 52 miles (84 kilometers). As with most major metropolitan areas, leave plenty of time to account for traffic. Those without access to a car may prefer to rent one or opt for a tour that includes round-trip transportation from San Francisco or Vallejo, as public transportation options to Napa are severely limited.

When to get there

Wildflowers are in full bloom from the end of February through April, adding delightful splashes of color to the landscape. November is the best time to see blond hills and flame-tipped leaves in the height of fall. Visit in summer for the warmest weather and most winery options.

Best vineyards in Napa Valley

Napa Valley is dotted with vineyards but some stand out over the rest. The Chateau Montelena Winery is revered for its beautiful grounds, including ivy-covered facades, while Pine Ridge is beloved for its peace and quiet. Round Pond Estate, meanwhile, has a gorgeous terrace, perfect for long, wine-filled lunches.

Is the Napa Valley Wine Train worth it?

Yes, the Napa Valley Wine Train is worth the experience. If you’ve never done it before, it is something to try at least once. The Napa Wine Train runs through one of the most impressive wine regions in the world offering stunning views of the agricultural beauty that is wine country.

Does the Napa Wine Train stop at wineries?

Yes, the Napa Wine Train stops at wineries; however, the stops depend on which tour you book. Some tours may include stops at some of the following wineries: Beringer, Castello di Amorosa, Charles Krug Winery, Domaine Chandon, Grgich Hills Estate, Inglenook, Raymond Vineyards, St. Supéry Estate, Robert Mondavi Winery, and V. Sattui.

Where does the Napa Valley Wine Train go?

The Napa Valley Wine Train is a 36-mile (58-kilometer), round-trip route from Downtown Napa to St. Helena and then back again. Along the ride, pass the old industrial area of Napa, the Rural Urban Limit (RUL) Line, and the small towns of Oak Knoll, Yountville, Oakville, and Rutherford.

What should I wear to Napa wine train?

Although dressing up is encouraged, it isn’t a requirement to ride the Napa Valley Wine Train. If you’re planning to have dinner aboard the wine train, it can be dressier than a lunchtime tour which will be more casual. You’ll also want to prepare for heat or wind accordingly.

Ways to explore

Choose between daytime journeys, evening experiences, and full-day adventures on the Napa Valley Wine Train. For a luxurious experience, select one of the packages that includes a 3- or 4-course gourmet meal on rails. It’s also worth springing for an experience hosted in the Vista Dome: The restored 1952 Pullman car offers wraparound windows that show off the best Napa Valley views.

You can also book a tour that disembarks at the Grgich Hills Winery to immerse yourself in the vineyards and scenery of Wine Country, and choose from special events ranging from afternoon tea to a murder-mystery dinner. The shortest Napa Valley Wine Train packages include 2.5-hour meals or tastings, but events can be as long as 6 hours. Leave extra time for transit on either side of the journey.

Accessibility

The Napa Valley Wine Train has limited accessibility. The Vista Dome is only accessible by stairs, and aisles of the vintage train cars may be too narrow for some wheelchairs. There are no wheelchair-accessible restrooms on board.

Age limits

Children are welcome on board, but anyone enjoying alcoholic beverages must be at least 21.

What to pack

Camera, shawls or extra layers; your own wine, if preferred (corkage fee applies)

What to wear

While not required, a smart-casual dress code is recommended.

Not allowed

Pets

Amenities

Sparkling wine on arrival, gourmet kitchens, restrooms

Address

The Napa Valley Wine Train departs from downtown Napa, just adjacent to the popular Oxbow Public Market. Public transit options between San Francisco and Napa are limited, but the journey is roughly one hour by car. If you plan to enjoy wine on board, it may be preferable to use taxis, rideshare services, or a private transfer service.

Driving

To get to the Napa Valley Wine Train by car, get on I-80 E in San Francisco and take it to CA-29 N in Vallejo. The journey is around an hour, with parking options available on-site.

Public transportation

The Napa Valley Wine Train is not easily reachable by public transportation from San Francisco. You can book a private transfer service to take you to and from the attraction.

Best times to visit

The Napa Valley Wine Train typically runs two lunchtime train services and one dinner train on days when evening packages are available. Lunch is a great time to soak up the sunny daytime views.

Best days to visit

Booking well in advance is always a good idea, but that’s especially true on weekends and holidays.

Best months to visit

There’s rarely a bad time of year to be in Napa, but expect summer to be most popular. Fall is a great time to watch the annual harvest unfold.

Special events

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers special events timed with holidays throughout the year, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s packages.