Despite being a sprawling car-oriented city, Houston has an Amtrak station and trains that can take you New Orleans, Los Angeles and many other cities in between. The Sunset Limited route travels through the city three days each week, and if you plan carefully around the train schedule, there are several options for short and long rail adventures.
In this guide, discover the best Amtrak trips from Houston with good train arrivals times and minimal transfers.
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Lake Charles
Sit back and relax on the train ride to Lake Charles, Louisiana. A lake of the same name is next to the city, but most people come for the casinos and festivals. It’s an easy adult getaway if you want to gamble, lounge at a resort pool (Golden Nugget and L’Auberge both have lazy rivers) or party at an event.
Houston to Lake Charles Overview
| What to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| Train | Sunset Limited |
| Travel time | 3.5 hours |
| Frequency | 3 times per week |
| Arrival station | Lake Charles, LA (LCH) |
| Arrival area | Limited walkability, rideshare recommended |
| Best for | Gambling, resort stays, outdoor recreation, events |
San Antonio
If you can handle a late arrival and an early morning return to Houston, then a San Antonio train trip might be for you. Travel time is about five hours, and the San Antonio Amtrak Station is conveniently near hotels (Staybridge Suites is a 3-minute walk away) and the Alamodome.
The River Walk and Spanish missions (including The Alamo) are top attractions. Natural Bridge Caverns, the Japanese Tea Gardens, and the San Antonio Botanical Garden are also great outdoor areas to explore, plus there are many other cultural attractions and a nearby Six Flags amusement park.
Houston to San Antonio Overview
| What to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| Trains | Sunset Limited |
| Travel time | 5 hours |
| Frequency | 3 times per week |
| Arrival station | San Antonio, TX (SAS) |
| Arrival area | Somewhat walkable |
| Best for | Historic sites, family-friendly attractions, Tex-Mex food, transfers to the northbound Texas Eagle trains |
Lafayette
Six hours away from Houston on the train, Lafayette, Louisiana is known for its Cajun food, festivals and historic sites, including a 19th-century bayou village. Trains arrive in walking distance of downtown shops, restaurants, and accommodations (home rentals provide the most options). You can stay one night in the city and have time to sightsee until the midday return train back to Houston on the following day.
Houston to Lafayette Overview
| What to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| Train | Sunset Limited |
| Travel time | 6 hours |
| Frequency | 3 times per week |
| Arrival station | Lafayette, LA (LFT) |
| Arrival area | Walkable |
| Best for | Cajun culture, live music, food experiences, festivals |
New Orleans
Plan a trip to New Orleans for fun, festivals, live music, and lots of food. It’s a long daytime trip, so consider a private room (which includes meals). Don’t miss the top attractions after you arrive, including the French Quarter, Garden District and the National World War II Museum. Plus there are several riverboat cruises for a unique experience on the Mississippi River.
Houston to New Orleans Overview
| What to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| Train | Sunset Limited |
| Travel time | 9.5 hours |
| Frequency | 3 times per week |
| Arrival station | New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOL) |
| Arrival area | Walkable |
| Best for | Mardi Gras, live music, walking tours, unique restaurants |
Tucson
For Southwest culture, food and desert landscapes, head to Tucson on the Sunset Limited. Top places to visit include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which has a zoo, gardens and museum exhibits, Saguaro National Park, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Historic Fourth Avenue and the many great restaurants. Check out the event calendar for more activity ideas.
Trains depart Houston on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday evenings and you’ll arrive in Tucson on the next day in the evening. The Tucson Amtrak Station is in a walkable area next to the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, and the Historic Hotel Congress is across the street.
Houston to Tucson Overview
| What to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| Train | Sunset Limited |
| Travel time | 26 hours |
| Frequency | 3 times per week |
| Arrival station | Tucson, AZ (TUS) |
| Arrival area | Walkable |
| Best for | Southwest cuisine, desert landscapes, outdoor recreation, stargazing |
Chicago
There are a few route options for traveling to Chicago by train. We recommend a one-way ticket to New Orleans, staying at least one night there, then boarding the City of New Orleans train to reach the Windy City. It’s a wonderful place to visit in the summer with a lakefront trail, riverwalk, beaches, and many neighborhood festivals. World-famous attractions like the Chicago Institute of Art, Field Museum, and Willis Tower Skydeck can also be enjoyed all year long.
Houston to Chicago Overview
| What to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| Trains | Sunset Limited, City of New Orleans |
| Travel time | 29 hours (with an overnight layover) |
| Frequency | Sunset Limited (3x per week), City of New Orleans (daily) |
| Arrival station | Chicago Union Station (CHI) |
| Arrival area | Walkable |
| Best for | Architecture tours, museums, live performances, connections to the scenic California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Southwest Chief routes |
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the end-of-the-line for the Sunset Limited, and it’s an epic rail trip from Houston. You’ll spend two nights on the train and arrive early in the morning next to El Pueblo de Los Ángeles, a historic district that preserves the birthplace of Los Angeles. Top attractions include the Getty Center, Griffith Observatory and the Santa Monica Pier. City tours are a great way to see the sights (and maybe a celebrity).
Houston to Los Angeles Overview
| What to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| Train | Sunset Limited |
| Travel time | 36.5 hours |
| Frequency | 3 times per week |
| Arrival station | Los Angeles Union Station (LAX) |
| Arrival area | Somewhat walkable |
| Best for | Beaches, celebrity home tours, museums, transfers to the Pacific Surfliner, Coast Starlight, and Southwest Chief |
San Diego
For amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, travel by train to San Diego. The trip from Houston is long and requires a train transfer in Los Angeles to the Pacific Surfliner, but it’s worth it. In addition to great scenery along the way, there are many things to see and do after you arrive, including boat excursions and visiting the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, USS Midway Museum, Gaslamp Quarter, and the Seaport Village. We recommend booking a flight home to reduce travel time.
Houston to San Diego Overview
| What to Know | Details |
|---|---|
| Train | Sunset Limited, Pacific Surfliner |
| Travel time | 41 hours |
| Frequency | Sunset Limited (3x per week), Pacific Surfliner (multiple trains per day) |
| Arrival station | San Diego Santa Fe Depot (SAN) |
| Arrival area | Very walkable |
| Best for | Beaches, nightlife, family-friendly fun, whale watching |
More Information
- 10 most scenic Amtrak routes
- Traveling on Amtrak: 5 things to know
- 10 essential things to pack for your Amtrak trip
Top photo by Joe Parks, Saguaro National Park (CC BY 2.0)
US Train Travel Guide 