Los Angeles to New Orleans by train

The train ride from Southern California to the Gulf Coast crosses some of the most remote landscapes in the United States. Passengers travel through the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico before crossing the vast expanses of Texas and entering the bayous of Louisiana. As of 2026, the Sunset Limited is the only direct rail option between these two cities. The trip takes two days and nights, making it a major cross-country journey rather than a simple transit connection. Planning ahead is important because the train does not run every day.

Your train options

The direct Sunset Limited runs three times a week in each direction as of 2026. This trip takes about 46 to 48 hours and requires spending two nights on the train. Passengers can choose between standard Coach with reclining seats and leg rests or upgrade to a private room. If you want to sleep flat, you can book a Superliner Roomette or a larger Superliner Bedroom. Families traveling together might consider the Family Bedroom, and an Accessible Bedroom is also available. All passengers have access to the Sightseer Lounge car with its large windows and the Dining car for meals. Choosing your class depends on your budget and comfort preferences for a two-night trip. Coach is the most affordable option, but sleeping in coach overnight for two nights requires stamina. Upgrading to a sleeper gives you privacy, a flat bed and included meals in the dining car.

The journey

The route from Los Angeles to New Orleans covers diverse terrain across several states. Leaving California, the train passes through the Coachella Valley and the Imperial Valley area. Depending on the schedule and time of year, you may see the Saguaro desert in daylight or darkness, as much of this section is traveled at night westbound. The train stops in cities like Palm Springs, Tucson and El Paso. Near El Paso, the route follows the Rio Grande valley close to the border between the US and Mexico. Continuing east, the train crosses remote West Texas, passing the Chihuahuan Desert, the Big Bend country around Alpine and the Pecos River high bridge area. Texas stops include San Antonio, Houston and Beaumont. Finally, the landscape shifts to Cajun Louisiana around Lafayette and bayou country. The train crosses the Huey P. Long Bridge over the Mississippi River before arriving in New Orleans.

The stations

The journey begins at Los Angeles station, known as Los Angeles Union Station, which opened in 1939. This station features a landmark mix of Mission Revival and Art Deco architecture. It connects to Metro Rail lines, Metrolink commuter trains and the FlyAway bus to LAX airport. It is a hub for the Pacific Surfliner and the terminus for the Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief and Sunset Limited. In Louisiana, trains arrive at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. This is a 1954 modernist station that also serves intercity buses. Outside the station, you can catch the Loyola Avenue streetcar toward the French Quarter. The terminal serves as the terminus for the Sunset Limited, City of New Orleans, Crescent and Mardi Gras Service.