St. Augustine Trolley TourSt. Augustine night trolley tours — Ghosts and Gravestones vs Nights of Lights
Ghosts and Gravestones: the year-round night tour
Eighty minutes of stories, starting in the evening from the Welcome Center at 167 San Marco Ave. A costumed ghost-host (a storyteller character, not a live actor in every seat) narrates the tour with tales from St. Augustine’s oldest graveyards and haunted locations. The trolley stops to tour the Old Jail after dark, a genuinely atmospheric experience, and Potter’s Wax Museum gets exclusive night entry. The catch: seats are hard wooden benches—reviewers mention this straight up. Not recommended for very young kids. Rated 4.4 stars from 415 reviews. Check availability below.
The Old Jail after dark
Built in 1790 during the British occupation, the Old Jail is a stark, cramped stone structure. In daylight it’s historical; at night, lit dramatically, it feels different. The ghost-host narrates its use as a dungeon and holding cell. You walk inside, see the cells, feel the old walls. It’s not jump-scares, but it’s intentionally eerie. The $69 combo tour includes Old Jail admission too, but daytime; the night version is its own vibe.
Nights of Lights: the seasonal December tour
Roughly mid-November through January, the downtown historic district puts up extensive holiday light displays. The ~40-minute Nights of Lights trolley loops through them, stopping to soak in the decorations. The twist: $81 books a private row suitable for 1 to 4 people. So a couple pays $81 for two seats; a family of four pays $81 total. It looks pricey until you realize it’s the per-row rate. The tour is magical if you love holiday aesthetics, magical but short if you want a full evening experience. Rated 4.2 stars from 1,143 reviews. The honest caveat: December weekends sell out days ahead; book as soon as you know your dates.
Ghosts vs Nights of Lights: which night tour
Choose Ghosts and Gravestones: Year-round, eighty minutes, Old Jail and Potter’s stories, hard seats acknowledged, 4.4 stars. Best for: anyone wanting a longer evening experience, even outside December. Full review here.
Choose Nights of Lights: December-only, 40 minutes of holiday magic, $81 per private row (1–4 people), 4.2 stars. Best for: holiday travelers, smaller groups, willing to trade length for seasonal spectacle. Book early; December weekends sell out.
Hard seats in Ghosts and Gravestones
A few reviews mention it directly: “Trolley seats are extremely uncomfortable.” They’re wooden benches, not the cushioned seats on the daytime hop-on trolley. Eighty minutes sitting on wood. If you have back problems or mobility concerns, know this upfront. It doesn’t stop people from booking—the reviews still praise the ghost-host and Old Jail experience—but it’s honest to name.
Nights of Lights crowds and waits
December is peak trolley season in St. Augustine. Late November through mid-January the holiday displays light up nightly. December weekends — the Friday through Sunday runs — sell out 5–10 days ahead in most years. Even weekday runs fill in mid-December. The 4.2 rating reflects magical lights, but also peak-season waits at stops and boarding areas. Book as early as you can if December is your window.
Book Ghosts and Gravestones year-round if you want an eighty-minute evening tour. Book Nights of Lights the moment you know your December travel dates—it sells out fast. If you’re in St. Augustine outside December and want a night experience, Ghosts is the only option. The Old Jail at night, with the ghost-host narration, is atmospheric in a way the daytime version isn’t. December crowds peak near Christmas.
No discount codes, but booking ahead is the discount
GetYourGuide doesn’t run flash sales or discount codes for these tours. The real discount is booking early. Popular evening tours sell out, so early bookers get their pick of times and guarantee seats. Late bookers get higher prices and fewer time slots.
Frequently asked questions
Which night tour should I book?
If you’re visiting outside December, book Ghosts and Gravestones ($36)—it runs year-round. It’s eighty minutes with Old Jail after dark and ghost stories. Nights of Lights ($81/row) is December-only holiday magic, 40 minutes, private rows. Both bookable with live availability above.
Why is Nights of Lights $81 and not per person?
It’s $81 per private row, seating 1–4 people. So two people pay $81 total ($40.50 each), and four people pay $81 total ($20.25 each). It’s cheaper the more people in your row. Full pricing page here.
Can my family book a private row for Nights of Lights?
Yes. A family of four books one row for $81. It’s the only way to ride Nights of Lights—private rows only. Check availability above for family-friendly times.
Are the seats really that uncomfortable in Ghosts tour?
The benches are wooden and hard. Eighty minutes on wood. Reviewers mention it as an honest note, not a dealbreaker. If back pain or mobility concerns are a factor, consider the golf cart tour ($32) instead, which is a guided one-hour experience with easier seating.
Does Nights of Lights sell out every December?
Weekends near Christmas sell out 5–10 days ahead most years. Weekday runs fill up by mid-December. It’s worth booking as soon as you plan your trip to guarantee a time slot.
Is Nights of Lights worth it if I only have 40 minutes?
The reviews split. Some travelers love the magic and say 40 minutes is enough for the loop. Others wish it were longer. If you’re a holiday-lights lover and are in town late November through January, it’s unique to St. Augustine. If you want a full evening experience, Ghosts and Gravestones is eighty minutes year-round.