Philadelphia to New Orleans by Train

Riding the rails from Pennsylvania to Louisiana offers a relaxed way to travel without the hassle of airports or long highway drives. The route takes you through major cities like Baltimore, Washington and Atlanta before crossing into the Deep South. Because this is a direct service, you can settle into your seat or private room in Philadelphia and stay on board until you reach New Orleans. Whether you are traveling for a vacation or visiting family, the train provides a comfortable environment with dining options and views right outside your window.

Your train options

The direct route is served by the Crescent, which runs daily in each direction as of 2026. The trip takes about 25 to 31 hours and involves an overnight stay on the train. Passengers can choose between standard Coach class and private sleeper accommodations. If you are traveling on a budget, Coach provides large reclining seats, and you can read our guide on sleeping in coach overnight for practical advice. For more privacy and a flat bed, you can book a Viewliner Roomette, a Viewliner Bedroom or an Accessible Bedroom. These sleeper classes include meals in the dining car. You can learn more about the differences in our guide to Amtrak roomettes and bedrooms explained. Since the journey takes over a full day, booking a sleeper is usually the most comfortable choice for the long ride to Louisiana.

The journey

After leaving Philadelphia, the train stops in Wilmington and Baltimore before arriving in Washington, DC. From Washington to Charlotte, you will see the Virginia Piedmont and the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains around Charlottesville and Lynchburg. The train then continues through Upstate South Carolina and north Georgia toward Atlanta. Depending on the time of year, southbound passengers usually pass through this section in the early morning. Further south, the route stops in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Between Birmingham and New Orleans, the scenery shifts to the pine forests of Alabama and Mississippi. Finally, the train crosses a long causeway over Lake Pontchartrain as it approaches the final destination. The exact views will depend on daylight hours, but the shifting landscapes provide a great sense of the distance covered.

The stations

Your trip begins at Philadelphia William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, which opened in 1933 and features a huge Art Deco main hall. It connects to SEPTA Regional Rail and the Market-Frankford Line, and is served by the Acela, Northeast Regional, Keystone, Pennsylvanian and long distance trains. You will arrive at New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. This 1954 modernist station also serves intercity buses. From outside the station, you can take the Loyola Avenue streetcar toward the French Quarter. The terminal is also the terminus for the City of New Orleans, Crescent, Sunset Limited and Mardi Gras Service.