When you have train a fanatic kid, you seek out train museums. He was very excited to come and see these layouts. Many of them are a “work in progress” and look as though they’ve been worked on for years and years. Some of the layouts are just amazing. So much detail it is amazing.

Important tip, the railroad is NOT inside the zoo. It's just outside, so no zoo admission is needed to ride. Only a small fee to ride and they have a hat, whistle, and bandana you can buy as a souvenir. I do wish they had more souvenirs. But it is nice that they have this. Very special

The Balboa Park Railroad is located in San Diego right near the Zoo entrance. The Balboa Park Railroad is a miniature train small enough for the kids and large enough for the adults to ride also. The train ride is about 3 minutes long and takes you around 4 acres of beautiful balboa park and goes through a tunnel which was the kids favorite part of the ride. Your family will surely enjoy this experience ! $3.00 per ticket, $5.00 whistle (sounds just like the trains whistle! ) Free parking (Near the zoo or by the Spanish Village Art Center)

Kids and Parents will love this ride on a miniature train that is a replica of a real diesel locomotive. It navigates through the scenery of Balboa Park, goes through a tunnel, and passes near another kid favorite – the Balboa Park Historic Carousel. It is located right between the Carousel and the San Diego Zoo. Rides are less than 5 minutes long so the line is usually small. Tickets are $3 per person and both kids and adults can ride the train comfortably.

This train ride has been a favorite destination since I can remember. I have been taking my son on it since he was born. It's such a piece of San Diego history that is fun for the entire family. It doesn't matter how old you are, who's going to turn down a ride in a miniature train? This is a very inexpensive way to put a smile on you and your family's face.

I'm so glad the railroad is back open! The train ride is only $3 per person. It's really cool for kids and adults alike. The ride only lasts a few minutes but has some cool things to see to keep kiddos occupied. Definitely recommend checking it out after leaving the zoo or during a trip around Balboa park

I have lived in San Diego for decades and been to Balba Park and the Zoo countless times. I never knew about the miniature railroad. I was asked to join friends this holiday season. It was just fun. It's inexpensive and only takes a few minutes, but well worth doing. Everyone that went enjoyed the ride.

Very decent price. Sit towards the back unless you want to breathe in exhaust fumes. I feel sorry for the conductor... They should redirect the fumes toward the ground. Breathing the fumes took away a star on an otherwise 5 star review.

Came here as a youngster, brought my son, now we bring granddaughter. The scenery & statues have not changed. As much $$$ as the Zoo has you'd think they would have a lot more nice animal statues on display. Needs revamping. The irony is that the Art Village is right there. Have them create some nice pieces.

Good for the kids. $4 a head with some light displays during the holidays plus a psychedelic Wonka tunnel at the end, just about when most of the adults start reflecting on how they ended up on a miniature diesel train with two kids and grandpa plus a rucksack full of wipes and spare diapers. Staff super nice. No real wait when we went on a Friday night at 5:00 p.m.

This spot is again a must visit if you have kids. Just next to Balboa carousel and left side of San Diego Zoo. Tickets are just $3 per person and each round is 5 minutes total, and i would say totally worth it !! If you are going in summer, make sure to carry a cap🧢 or hat 🤠 as the track is completely open.

I simply loved it! I am a train enthusiast, and I had a lot of fun riding on this small train. Adults can ride the train.

$3 for a ticket to ride is wonderful. My three year old adored it. It is close to the carousel so it is worth doing both. We visited the same time as going to the natural history museum and Eve was walkable.

Tickets are three dollars. The train is clean and fun! We rode it twice. The kiddos loved it! They take a card or cash.

very interesting and kid friendly

Great place for Kids and Adults. The price is only $3.00. The train ride is about 5min long winding through a large figure eight track. Lots of trees to provide shade and large Animal sculptures to look out. At the End is a Tunnel that's very exciting. Overall great ride to take lots of video and pictures. My Only suggestion is to post a volenter sign. The wonderful Animal sculptures are Super dusty, I'm sure a volenter wouldn't mind cleaning them. In exchange for a few free train rides.

Something fun to do with the kids. It won't eat up the afternoon, but if you're going to the zoo or the museums, it's worth a stop.

A good day to celebrate the 75 years of this mini train. The employees were very friendly. The route is 4 minutes, not very long, but enough for the little ones.

Tickets are $3 dollars, but I wouldn't mind if they were more. This is my favorite part of Balboa park. It goes hand in hand with the train museum only a block away and is right outside the zoo parking lot. The staff is absolutely magnetic and so loving to the kids.

The are always closed 🤔

Kids had fun ridding the train. We spent an hour here eating lunch and doing about 6 laps on the track, there was no line when we went.

A must do with kids!!

Awesome little train ride for the little one! The staff was super nice and the train was really fun to ride. Relatively small seats but definitely worth your time!

A nice little ride for the family to enjoy together.

Great little railroad Scenic ride. I love riding this train as a child as there are lots of trees statues of animals a really cool little tunnel that the train goes through at the end and blows it's whistle. Be sure to call ahead as I was there on Tuesday and it was not running. If this is your first time there it's very close to the zoo and the parking lot.

3 bucks a person / kid. Ride takes around 3 mins. Not a bad way to spent a couple bucks to see my little one smile and have fun

Wonderful train ride. If you have small kids they are going to love it.

Loved going on this trian! Very reasonably priced and the kids were entertained! I recommend buying the hat, whistle and bandana package for the kids!

My kids love riding the train whenever we stop by Balboa Park on weekends

Nice place. Price is right.

Super cute train ride for the whole family especially for the kids who are fascinated by trains. Train ride is 5-8 minutes which was perfect for my toddler. Afterwards we walked over to the old carousel which was fun too. Train in on the left side of San Diego Zoo, so you can use the same parking lot.

I use to ride this train when I was 6 in San Diego! My dad use to take me here when he was stationed in San Diego! Such great memories!! Also use to roller skate back in the 70’s around the park.

My boy's love the train ride, they are 1 and 3. It's about a 5 minute ride

It's a fun little ride relaxing I wish it could be a longer ride but definitely fun to go on

Gorgeous place to come out and visit. The only downside is that it can get pretty crowded and people seem to always be in a rush and run into you. Other than that it was a great experience and what an amazing sight to see.

Must ride and it’s worth every penny. Just $3 is amazing

This miniature train ride is a treat for all kids young or not so much, and a makes a great way to start off or wind-up a visit to the zoo. Built in 1948, train fans will appreciate knowing that they are riding a rare antique ⅕-scale model G-16, with fewer and fewer surviving each year, worldwide.

Small little train that my toddler is in love with... not a bad way to spend a few minutes while at the park

Utterly delightful fun for all ages. Having neither been a railroad enthusiast nor a model enthusiast I reluctantly toured what I assumed would be a series of exhibits targeted at children. Imagine my surprise when I found a whole whimsical universe of painstakingly and brilliantly constructed miniature worlds. The people who built and maintain these models are clearly passionate about their hobby and it shows. Walking between exhibits one finds it impossible not to be captured by the delight guiding the hands of the modellers. I was struck by the emotion in captured in the scenes of everyday life captured romantically and reminded that in a similar way a master painting is different than a photograph of the same scene. There is a deeply human element which has gone into the displays and I found them charming beyond words. Volunteers are on site to answer questions but also serve as the visible benevolent giants tending to their creations. Of course, it is still super fun for kids who often do not see physical models of anything in this digital world. An hour should be satisfactory to see the museum but it will linger in your memory much longer than that.

Pretty tiny. 4 minutes ride

Very nice place to walk with the family

Fun for the kids and close to the zoo

Very nice train, great fun for kids.

It’s not open on Fridays.

Fun to do if you're at the park or zoo, kids under 1 ride free otherwise it's 3 bucks per person/child.

Located NEXT to the Zoo, but not IN the Zoo, so no admission required, just the $3 fee! Only open weekends & holdays, but worth the wait!

My daughter and I loved it !!!

Loved it

The kids loving getting on the train

SOOO FUN !! I RODE THE TRAIN IN GRIFFITH PARK AS A KID- PASSING ON THE FUN TO MY GRANDS !!

It's a fun little train ride. More importantly my nephew loved it. We rode twice and would probably have gone all day if he'd had his druthers. The people running the train were a pleasure to be around.

Good for kid

Definitely worth stopping by, especially if you have young kids with you.

(Translated by Google) It's small but it sounds like the big ones !! (Original) Es pequeño pero suena como los grandes!!

great for kids! located next to the carousel and mini carousel :) and of course balboa park!

Great ride and fun for kids. We took this ride twice.

very crowded and hard to find parking

Great family train ride anytime of year, Christmas lights made it even more+ fun!

Park was nice.Train doesn't run anymore.

Very nice and cute experience!