FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below you will find answers to many common questions about our Rail Tours. Click the “+” to see the answer.
Our 2026 season is from April 17, 2026 through November 15, 2026. We do not take out tours during Winter, when the chance of snow and ice are high.
Tour tickets are $59.99 per person for all rides, plus North Carolina sales tax and applicable fees from your payment processor and our booking platform provider.
No. Due to liability concerns, no pets are allowed on any of the Rail Tours. This includes service animals.
Ages 8 years and older can ride on RailBikes. Each child will need their own seat and to be secured with the seatbelt provided.Ages 4 years and older can ride on the Passenger Cart accompanied by an adult.
For safety reasons there is a weight limit of 300lbs per person on the RailBikes. Passengers over 300 lbs may ride comfortably on our Passenger Cart Ride or the Choo-Choo Speeder.
Each person should bring a bottle of water and a snack. We have drinks, snacks, cooler rentals, and ice pack rentals available in our gift shop. If you arrive early, get food to go from any of our wonderful eateries in town!
Please remember you will be outside, in nature. At the tunnel, you will have the option to walk down to the river, and there is a slight slope. You may encounter spiders, bees, and other insects during your tour.
Dress for the weather and temperature. Please do not wear skirts or flowy pants that could get caught in the pedals of the RailBike. Do not tie sweaters or jackets around your waist, and do not tie a scarf around your neck. To avoid losing your shoes, no flip-flops or sandals without a heel strap should be worn. Closed-toe shoes are best.
Groups with an odd number of riders may need to be split into more than one RailBike to even out ridership numbers.
RailBike rider parties that are larger than 4 will be seated on consecutive RailBikes.
If your party is less than 4 people, and you do not want to ride with strangers, you can purchase the additional seat(s) when you make your reservation.
Yes, we have four restrooms at the Depot as well as three restrooms at the Tunnel.
Tours go out rain or shine. If the weather looks like thunderstorms or lightning then we will cancel your tour. If Andrews Valley Rail Tours cancels your tour, you will be notifed by text, phone call, and email. We will offer you to book another day in the future or you will be issued a full refund (your choice).
If you choose not to participate in the tour, due to weather conditions, and the tour you were scheduled for runs as scheduled, you will not receive a refund.
You can cancel your reservation up to 120 hours (5 days) prior to departure for a full refund, minus a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellations within 120 hours of departure are non-refundable. NO EXCEPTIONS.
You can reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours before departure for a $5 fee.
This is a rain-or-shine event. However, Andrews Valley Rail Tours reserves the right to cancel a tour due to severe weather at our discretion. If a tour is cancelled by AVRT, customers will receive a full refund or the option to re-book for another date. You will be notified by phone call, text message, or email if your tour is cancelled due to severe weather. If you do not receive a notification, your tour will depart as scheduled.
YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE DEPOT 30 MINUTES BEFORE your scheduled departure time for mandatory safety instructions. No refunds will be issued for late arrivals.
GOOGLE REVIEWS
Cassie C.
00:02 21 Nov 25
My hubby planned a surprise trip to NC for our 2nd anniversary and we were able bike the railway before they closed for the season! It was an absolute blast. From booking and check-in, to the shop, tour guides, and tour, everything was seamless and great! We especially loved the little break before heading back to picnic, explore nature, and take pictures.
We shared our rail bike with another young couple and were friends by the end of it. SO MUCH FUN!
Can’t wait to come back and bring friends and family! Thank yall for everything!
We shared our rail bike with another young couple and were friends by the end of it. SO MUCH FUN!
Can’t wait to come back and bring friends and family! Thank yall for everything!
Fiona Vaughan
21:05 17 Nov 25
Lots of fun and highly recommend this tour. It is seasonal and very popular. Privately owned (family run). You get a workout through peddling and electric assisted rail bike for 5 miles. At the end of the 5 miles the bikes are turned around for the return trip. Whilst waiting you get a great history lesson on the 400 meter tunnel you go through. There is also a picnic area at this site too, by a natural stream. The whole tour takes about 2 hours.
Sharon Dunn
16:02 11 Nov 25
I was so looking forward to the rail bike adventure and it did not disappoint! The team
Is very organized and safety oriented. They got us onto the rail bikes quickly so we could enjoy the scenery which included cows and wild turkeys. The tunnel midway was magnificent and we had plenty of time to explore before heading back. Highly recommend this tour!
Is very organized and safety oriented. They got us onto the rail bikes quickly so we could enjoy the scenery which included cows and wild turkeys. The tunnel midway was magnificent and we had plenty of time to explore before heading back. Highly recommend this tour!
Hope Brown
12:25 09 Nov 25
We loved the tour- we had the non-pedaling cart. It had seats that would spin completely around so you could see everything, no matter where you sat!
We loved the staff there as well- everyone was friendly and welcoming, even just sat and talked with us when we stopped at the tunnel!
We loved the staff there as well- everyone was friendly and welcoming, even just sat and talked with us when we stopped at the tunnel!
margaret thomas
15:28 05 Nov 25
We absolutely loved this experience!!! We went on Tuesday afternoon 11/4 and they extended their season this year so we lucked out being able to go while we were in town. And maybe people don’t know the season has been extended because it was just me, my partner, and another lady from out of town. So the owner took our small group out, (gave his team the afternoon off) and you can just tell he is really passionate about what he does and made the experience very special for us. He gave us a little history lesson of the are and made it funny and informative and pointed out all the cool stuff in the area. We saw the albino turkey!!! A bunch of baby cows the train passes a cow maternity ward. tons of river crossings on cute bridges. Through a cool huge hand dug tunnel. The foliage was gorgeous. Great Mountain Views. Can’t recommend enough.
Nikki Nesko
15:20 03 Nov 25
This was our first time in WNC and it was absolutely beautiful! We drove to the tour from Waynesville for the 830 am tour and were running late. Not used to the roads there at all! We called and let them know we would be a few minutes late they said they would wait but I was still worried we would miss it. They waited for us and were so kind and patient when we got there. They asked if we needed to use the restroom, offered us gloves. They were amazing!!! I am so happy they waited, come to find out this was the last early morning tour of the season and it was absolutely beautiful. The air was cold the sun was bright and the scenery was breathtaking! We saw the cows as they passed over the track, there were turkeys. There is a tunnel that we received a history lesson about. This was by far my favorite part of our vacation and the hospitality and kindness of the owners and staff was absolutely incredible!! We will be doing this tour again in the summer.
J T
14:34 02 Nov 25
We did the 5pm tour and it was the last one of the season. We had the best time!! The leaves were gorgeous and the guides were so fun! We learned about the tunnel and how it was hand carved. I especially loved hearing about Jarrod’s mom! We will be back next year!!
Mia Foschini
21:28 27 Oct 25
I booked months before the tour so I had no way of knowing what the weather would look like the day of. Although it did end up raining, they were kind enough to provide ponchos and the staff all made sure it was as enjoyable for everyone as if it was sunny! The rain and fog only added to the vibe, it was so pretty! Definitely recommend!
Cindy Gowan
00:36 26 Oct 25
It was a great trip. Wanted to try it for several years, finally made the reservation and so happy we did. The trip was amazing! Beautiful views, perfect weather, perfect day for this. Birthday celebration for my significant other and he loved it. The guide was very personable, staff was very friendly and great overall!!
Kaitlin Hankinson
00:35 23 Oct 25
This was a last minute decision my new hubby and I decided to do on our honeymoon due to a brochure at our Airbnb and we DO NOT regret it at all. We were able to get in to the last ride of the next day and had our own railway car!! It is nowhere as hard as you might think, I didn’t even have to pedal!! We will definitely be doing this again when we have time when we come back up here next time and I cannot wait to do it!!
Samuel Mitchell
02:42 20 Oct 25
My siblings and I came to Andrews to celebrate my brother’s upcoming 40th birthday. The rail tour was exactly what we had hoped for. The scenery was beautiful, and we had a blast. The team was so helpful in giving recommendations for restaurants. They were welcoming, and the gift shop had all we could want—snacks, drinks, souvenirs, etc. We highly recommend this for a weekend trip!
D Allen
20:33 19 Oct 25
We try and do everything in WNC as possible (we are natives). We have been holding off on this one for a while. We stopped in yesterday on 10.18.2025, the weather was perfect. The staff was very professional and accommodating. The trip goes pretty quick on the way out and even quicker on the way back. My youngest child is almost 10 and she had no issues with pedaling and she is pretty short, the staff gave her a seat cushion that helped. We will be back and we highly recommend this for a quick weekend trip.
Teresa Sutton
14:46 19 Oct 25
We rode the cart instead of the pedal bikes. It was a quick, breezy trip up to the cave. Beautiful weather and gorgeous nature made for a fun filled time with family! The staff was friendly and went out of their way to make it a great trip. Highly recommend this experience!
Monroe Hart
11:11 18 Oct 25
What an amazing experience! The scenery was incredible and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The previous mayor of the town was one of the employees and she gave us a lot of information about the town and shared a great place to eat breakfast. The peddling was easy and the tunnel at the end was really cool. We would highly recommend and plan on doing it again next year.
Allison Ashley
01:38 18 Oct 25
This is a must do! We had the best time. The staff is amazing, and the scenery is gorgeous! We did the 5:00pm tour, so glad we did, the sunset made the ride back even more beautiful.
Melissa Thomas
18:31 16 Oct 25
The staff is wonderful! We had a blast. My only feedback would be…I think they should tell everyone not to rush to the tunnel bc our group was wide open and it felt like we got there in 5 mins. The time at the tunnel is too long for the morning ride bc it’s cold and boring. More time on the track would be more fun!
Aimee Sharp
01:33 15 Oct 25
What a great afternoon!!!! The town of Andrews and the people running this rail line were absolutely incredible. We had a wonderful time!!! This experience can be done by anyone and the scenery was beautiful. The people of Andrews have brought this in to help rebuild their community so I would encourage everyone to come out and enjoy it!!!!
Helen Conover
11:50 14 Oct 25
This ride was a highlight of our trip to Western Carolina. Leisurely pedal by cow pastures along the river became a tougher - but not too tough - push up to and through the hand carved tunnel. After a picnic at the top all the carts whizzed together back down, then separated for another leisurely pedal back to town.
Emily
05:44 14 Oct 25
The adventure itself was worth our 2 hour drive for sure, but the people working there definitely made it 10x better. They were nice, cracked jokes, and explained everything perfectly so we weren’t left in the dark on what’s going on. They also made it very known that they appreciated our business and how it helped the community flourish. 10/10 would recommend and definitely stop in the gift shop for reasonably priced snacks to bring with you! Also, the bathrooms were nicer/cleaner than most restaurants which I really appreciated.
Just Patty
15:06 07 Oct 25
So delightful to see everything via the rail cart. The picnic area was perfect for a quick sandwich for our group, time to explore, and pictures of the area around. If not wanting to peddle on the bikes opt for the cart. The entire staff were extremely helpful and courteous. I will definitely go again, when in the area.
Melissa Killough
22:35 01 Oct 25
Wonderful experience. Absolutely gorgeous scenery. Beautiful time. Made for a fun time. It was our first time doing this and we loved it. The tunnel is an awesome place to go and explore. The staff were great.
Heather Joy Proctor
19:51 26 Sep 25
What a fun time we had on the Andrews Valley Rail Tours! The 4-person rail bikes are very unique, and you can pedal hard on your own leg power or choose intermittent pedal assist with the electric option. The tracks lead you through beautifully wooded and open field spaces - with a nice break midway by a babbling stream and picnic area. The staff are friendly and informative. Two thumbs up!
katye white
20:58 20 Sep 25
We had such a great adventure! My kids are 13 and 10 and they absolutely loved it. All the staff were very friendly and accommodating. Beautiful scenery and such a neat little town.
Jenna McCormick
01:04 19 Sep 25
This was one of my favorite experiences of my honeymoon, hands down! This was the most pleasant, most chill, friendly, easy, beautiful tour. The guides are very friendly, very sociable and kind.
Some tips: definitely bring snacks and some water for the break you take after the tunnel. Also, take some sunglasses! Most of the ride is shaded but there are sunny parts where sunglasses come in handy. Sign the safety waiver online before getting there! Just makes signing in quicker. And, lastly, use the bathroom before you ride!
In all- if you're looking for a fun, really easy-going activity, this is perfect. It's small town, personable and super beautiful.
Have fun!
Some tips: definitely bring snacks and some water for the break you take after the tunnel. Also, take some sunglasses! Most of the ride is shaded but there are sunny parts where sunglasses come in handy. Sign the safety waiver online before getting there! Just makes signing in quicker. And, lastly, use the bathroom before you ride!
In all- if you're looking for a fun, really easy-going activity, this is perfect. It's small town, personable and super beautiful.
Have fun!
Ashley Peele
16:34 17 Sep 25
The staff were super friendly and interacted in a way that made the whole trip even more fun. The ride itself was gorgeous and the perfect length. It was such a unique way to take in the scenery and I couldn’t recommend it enough!
M Green
13:09 15 Sep 25
This is a wonderful experience! The staff is friendly and helpful. The ride car and the peddle cars are comfy. They explain the process well. And the scenery...absolutely beautiful! Our group had a terrific experience. Definitely will go back again.
Pam Johnson
23:02 13 Sep 25
Had a blast! It was easier pedaling than we anticipated. The ride back down the mountain with no pedaling was awesome. It was a very unique and fun experience. Our tour guy was super cool and the whole team was really fun and helpful.
Deede Gram
02:32 04 Sep 25
This was a birthday event/trip for my husband and he loved it! We had a unique experience with the rail bikes to remember. Besides, we enjoyed incredible natural beauty of wild flowers, wild turkeys, and rushing creeks & streams in the fresh mountain air.
The crew that guided our trip seemed to love sharing the experience and were committed to our safety.
There was an option not to pedal, but to ride if desired, but we were fine and enjoyed the pedaling.
The crew that guided our trip seemed to love sharing the experience and were committed to our safety.
There was an option not to pedal, but to ride if desired, but we were fine and enjoyed the pedaling.
A C
17:37 30 Aug 25
I have been wanting to go on this tour for a couple of years now, but they were booked the weekends we could go. We finally booked it a few weeks in advance, and we are so thankful we did because we had an absolute blast! It was me, my husband, and my parents on one car. We laughed so hard the entire time. The owner’s son gave us the safety brief and interesting information along the tour. It was such a beautiful trip. He did scare us at the beginning that it was a steep trip up, but it wasn’t as bad as we anticipated. All of the guides were very funny and helpful. We highly recommend this tour, and booking in advance because it does get full!
kimberly Witcher
15:19 18 Aug 25
We absolutely loved it! It was so much fun! We did the early morning tour. The temp was a perfect 70 degrees. The staff were very informative and nice. Will definitely be recommending it to all our family and friends. We will definitely be back to do it again!
