Amtrak to New Orleans

Take an Amtrak train to New Orleans for a relaxing journey to the Big Easy. Whether you’re coming from Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York City or places in between, you can skip airport lines and highway driving, arriving ready to explore jazz, Creole cuisine, and historic neighborhoods.

Here’s what you need to know to start planning your rail trip.

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New Orleans Amtrak Routes

There are four Amtrak routes that travel to New Orleans: City of New Orleans, Crescent, Mardi Gras, and Sunset Limited. Trains arrive at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (1001 Loyola Ave, New Orleans), with taxis and rideshare easy transportation options. Outside the station you can also board the 46 streetcar, which travels along the border of the French Quarter and the Treme neighborhood.

Amtrak Route	Description
City of New Orleans	Chicago to New Orleans with stops in Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana (including in Memphis, TN and Jackson, MS)
Crescent	New York City to New Orleans with stops in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana (including in Atlanta, GA)
Mardi Gras	Mobile, Alabama to New Orleans with a stop in Biloxi and other cities in Mississippi
Sunset Limited	Los Angeles to New Orleans with stops in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana (including in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso and Tucson)

Train Travel Times

Biloxi to New Orleans: 2.5 hours
Hattiesburg to New Orleans: ~3.5 hours
Mobile to New Orleans: ~4 hours
Jackson to New Orleans: 4 hours
Laurel to New Orleans: 4 hours
Lafayette to New Orleans: 4.5 hours
Lake Charles to New Orleans: ~6 hours
Birmingham to New Orleans: ~8 hours
Memphis to New Orleans: 9 hours
Houston to New Orleans: 9.5 hours
Atlanta to New Orleans: 13 hours
San Antonio to New Orleans: 15 hours
Chicago to New Orleans: ~20 hours
NYC to New Orleans: ~32 hours

Ticket Prices

Amtrak tickets to New Orleans are usually cheaper than flying if you book a coach seat. Roomettes and bedrooms are also available on the City of New Orleans, Crescent and Sunset Limited trains if you prefer private accommodations, a bed and free meals. However, expect to pay more than twice the cost of a coach seat.

Note that prices vary by distance traveled, how far in advance you buy your ticket and demand. Expect higher prices around Mardi Gras and other major events like the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Use the “Book” feature on the Amtrak.com homepage to explore current prices and schedules from your starting location.

Things to Do in New Orleans

Top Attractions

Unique Experiences

Hotels & Accommodations

Hyatt Regency New Orleans is a top-rated hotel near the New Orleans Amtrak station. Walking time is about 11 minutes.
You can also walk less than 15 minutes to:
The French Quarter is a great place to stay, especially for first-time visitors. View the best French Quarter hotels.
The Central Business District is another convenient place to stay in New Orleans if you want to be near major attractions. View the best hotels in this area.
Vacation rentals provide even more options and can often accommodate larger groups.