After nearly 20 years, train service between New Orleans and the Mississippi/Alabama Gulf Coast is making its long-awaited return, and the city is once again directly connected to its coastal neighbors. Starting August 18, 2025, Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service will run twice daily between New Orleans and Mobile, AL, with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.
The three-hour ride offers morning and evening departures in both directions, making it easier than ever for families, friends, and visitors to connect across the region. Coach fares start at just $15 each way, with discounts for children, students, seniors, military personnel, and groups.
A Win for Families and the Gulf South
City and state leaders from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are celebrating the new route as a boost for tourism, regional mobility, and local economies. For New Orleans, the line reconnects the city with Gulf Coast neighbors for the first time since Hurricane Katrina disrupted service in 2005.
Passengers can look forward to wide reclining seats, complimentary Wi-Fi, a café service featuring locally-sourced items, and generous carry-on allowances (pets are welcome!). From New Orleans, riders can catch same-day trains on the City of New Orleans route to Chicago, or connect the next day on the Crescent line for New York and the Sunset Limited for Los Angeles.
Extra Perks for Frequent Riders
Amtrak Guest Rewards members can take advantage of a limited-time “3-3-3” promotion: Complete three qualifying Mardi Gras Service trips by Nov. 18, 2025, and earn triple points on those and all additional trips during the promotion window.
Tickets are on sale now at Amtrak.com. The inaugural train ride, set for Aug. 16, will carry public officials and partners who helped make the route a reality, and two days later, families across the Gulf South will be able to say those long-missed words again: All aboard!