The Sunset Limited is a long-distance Amtrak route that connects New Orleans with Los Angeles. There are stops in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, with many unique attractions to visit along the way, or simply stay on board to enjoy expansive desert landscapes and views of Louisiana wetlands.
Fun fact: the Sunset Limited is the oldest-named passenger train in the United States still in operation. See the 5 best Amtrak routes for history lovers to learn more.
This website is reader supported and not affiliated with Amtrak. We may earn a small commission from links on this page. Content last updated October 2026.
Table of Contents
Sunset Limited Overview
| Route Information | Facts & Highlights |
|---|---|
| Distance | 1,995 miles |
| Travel time | 45.5 to 46.5 hours (2 nights) |
| Frequency | Three days per week |
| End stations | New Orleans, Los Angeles |
| Best time to ride | Fall, winter, spring |
| Best travel direction | Eastbound for more daylight in the desert |
| Scenery highlights | Mississippi River, Houston skyline, Pecos River, Mexico border, Franklin Mountains in El Paso, Sierra Blanca mountains in New Mexico, high desert |
Popular Stops
View the popular stops on the Sunset Limited route with nearby things to do and recommended places to stay. For more information and inspiration, see the 10 attractions on the Sunset Limited route to plan a trip around.
New Orleans
What to Do: French Quarter, WWII Museum, Garden District, jazz cruise, swamp tours, food tours
Where to Stay: Walk to Hyatt Regency or stay in French Quarter
Houston
What to Do: Space Center, Museum of Fine Arts, Theater District, Buffalo Bayou Park, POST Houston, Rodeo
Where to Stay: The Lancaster Hotel, Thompson Houston, Houston Heights rentals
San Antonio
What to Do: The Alamo, River Walk, Market Square, Natural Bridge Caverns, San Fernando Cathedral
Where to Stay: River Walk, Pearl District, King William
Tucson
What to Do: Saguaro National Park, mission, botanical gardens, eat
Where to Stay: Hotel Congress, Blenman House, Armory Park Inn, Downtown DoubleTree
Los Angeles
What to Do: Griffin Observatory, Getty Center, El Pueblo de Los Ángeles, Universal Studios, Santa Monica
Where to Stay: Santa Monica, West Hollywood or Universal City
Schedule Highlights
- Trains depart New Orleans in the morning.
- Trains depart Los Angeles at night.
- Trains arrive in L.A. early in the morning.
- Trains arrive in New Orleans in the evening.
- Overnight, trains are in parts of California, Arizona and Western Texas.
Ticket Options
When booking your tickets on the Sunset Limited, you can select coach seats or private rooms. Coach seats are the most affordable option, but you’ll need to sleep sitting up (seats partially recline). Additionally, coach cars are typically in the front of the train, which means the train horn will be louder and may disrupt your sleep.
In comparison, private rooms are more expensive, but you’ll have a bed and free water, coffee, and meals. Based on availability, you can choose from the following private room options:
- Roomettes
- Family bedrooms on the lower level
- Accessible bedrooms on the lower level
- Standard bedrooms on the upper level
Explore the room types to see which one is best for you and the differences between upper and lower level rooms.
Dining
- Anyone can purchase food in the cafe car, which has a selection of beverages, snacks and light meals. There are sometimes discounts on food toward the end of the trip.
- The dining car is primarily reserved for sleeper car passengers. Any remaining reservations, after private room passengers have chosen their meal times, may be offered to coach passengers at standard cost.
- It’s generally good to bring snacks with you on the train. If you’re sitting in coach, bringing a meal or two is also a good idea as the cafe car has limited food options. A small cooler or cooler bag is great accessory for packing a variety of food.
Travel Tips
- Trains operate three days per week, so you may need to select various travel dates to find fares for the Sunset Limited.
- For a shorter trip, travel between New Orleans and San Antonio for sightseeing in both cities (travel time is about 15 hours one way).
- Tuscon is a great place to rent a car so you can visit Saguaro National Park and other outdoor attractions outside the city.
- Lafayette is a wonderful place to learn about Louisiana history via the Acadian Village and Cajun food tours.
- Maricopa is the stop for Phoenix, but it is 30 miles away from the city center. We recommend getting a Lyft or Uber ride to reach the city. There is also a bus transfer if you select Phoenix as your final destination.
- If you want to visit Palm Springs, select the Palm Springs Spa Resort Casino Station as your final destination when booking your tickets, which includes a bus transfer to downtown Palm Springs. Hotels closest to the bus stop (in easy walking distance) are Andreas Hotel & Spa, Hilton Palm Springs and Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs. Trains unfortunately arrive late at night or overnight, so let your hotel know in advance.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle?
The Sunset Limited travels through the US South and Southwest while the Texas Eagle has additional stops in the Midwest. These trains are combined in San Antonio, and stop at the same stations between San Antonio and Los Angeles.
Does the Sunset Limited have food?
There is a café car available to all passengers and traditional dining for sleeper car passengers on the Sunset Limited. Meals are included in the ticket price if you book a roomette or bedroom.
Stations
Explore the full list of Sunset Limited train stations in route order. Click the station names to view amenities and additional details on the Amtrak website.
- New Orleans, LA – Union Passenger Terminal (NOL)
- Schriever, LA (SCH)
- New Iberia, LA (NIB)
- Lafayette, LA (LFT)
- Lake Charles, LA (LCH)
- Beaumont, TX (BMT)
- Houston, TX – Amtrak Station (HOS)
- San Antonio, TX (SAS)
- Del Rio, TX (DRT)
- Sanderson, TX (SND)
- Alpine, TX (ALP)
- El Paso, TX – Union Depot (ELP)
- Deming, NM (DEM)
- Lordsburg, NM (LDB)
- Benson, AZ (BEN)
- Tucson, AZ (TUS)
- Maricopa, AZ (MRC)
- Yuma, AZ (YUM)
- Palm Springs, CA – Amtrak Station (PSN)
- Ontario, CA (ONA)
- Pomona, CA (POS)
- Los Angeles, CA – Union Station (LAX)
More Information
- Views from Sunset Limited
- Amtrak routes with observation cars
- Amtrak trips out West: 7 amazing vacations
- 20 best Amtrak trips from New Orleans
- 10 attractions on the Sunset Limit route to plan a trip around
Top photo by Matt Johnson via Creative Commons
Was this guide helpful?
If it saved you time, helped with a decision, or reduced stress, you can leave a small tip to support future train travel guides.
Or enter a custom amount
Thank you!
