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7/1/2025
Starting Aug. 18, Amtrak trains will operate along the Gulf Coast between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans for the first time in 20 years.
Amtrak is now accepting bookings for the Mardi Gras, its new twice-daily intercity train service, with morning and evening departures from both Mobile and New Orleans. Amtrak trains haven't operated along the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina knocked out service in 2005.
“We encourage customers to get their tickets now to experience this new, comfortable and scenic service, and have the first opportunity to travel by train on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in nearly 20 years,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris in a press release.
Amtrak Mardi Gras riders will have same-day connections in both directions daily to the Amtrak City of New Orleans trains between New Orleans and Chicago via Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee. Next-day connections will be available in New Orleans to Amtrak Crescent trains to and from New York via Atlanta, and Amtrak Sunset Limited trains to and from Los Angeles via Tucson, San Antonio and Houston.
Amtrak plans to celebrate the start of service with an inaugural train to operate on Aug. 16, inviting public officials and others to thank them for working to bring Amtrak service back to the region. A schedule and other details will be released later this month, Amtrak officials said.
“This new Gulf Coast passenger service wouldn’t be possible without the leadership of federal, state and local partners,” said Joe Hinrichs, president and CEO of CSX, a host railroad for the Amtrak Mardi Gras service.