The City of New Orleans Train: Chicago to New Orleans

This route appeals to music fans traveling between the blues clubs of Chicago, the jazz heritage of New Orleans, and the rock history of Memphis. It is a practical option for passengers who want to avoid flying or driving the long distance between the Midwest and the Gulf Coast. The overnight schedule allows you to sleep through the middle of the country and wake up for the southern portion of the trip. Fans of American folk music also ride this route to experience the journey made famous by the Steve Goodman song of the same name. Whether you book a simple coach seat or upgrade to a private room, the train provides a comfortable way to travel south.

Route overview

The City of New Orleans covers about 934 miles between Chicago and New Orleans. As of 2026, Amtrak operates this long distance train daily in each direction. The journey takes about 19 to 20 hours end to end. You spend one night on board.

Southbound trains leave Chicago in the evening and travel through Illinois overnight. You reach Memphis in the early morning. The train then spends the morning and afternoon rolling through Mississippi and Louisiana before arriving at the New Orleans terminal. Northbound trains follow a reverse schedule. They depart New Orleans in the afternoon, pass through Mississippi in the evening, and arrive in Chicago the following morning.

Major stops along the way include Champaign, Carbondale, Memphis, and Jackson. At the endpoints, passengers can transfer to several other Amtrak routes. Chicago offers connections to western trains like the California Zephyr and Empire Builder. In New Orleans, you can connect to the Sunset Limited, the Crescent, or the Mardi Gras Service.

What you see, section by section

Chicago to Carbondale

Departing Chicago, the train rolls south through the flat farmland of Illinois. You will pass through college towns such as Champaign-Urbana. As the train nears Carbondale, the landscape shifts slightly as you reach the edge of the Shawnee Hills. On the southbound schedule, this section is traveled during the evening and night, meaning views are limited to town lights. Northbound passengers will see this agricultural scenery during the morning hours before arriving at Chicago Union Station.

Memphis to Jackson

This section takes you through the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Known as the home of the blues, the region features expansive cotton fields and small southern towns like Greenwood and Yazoo City. Southbound passengers usually experience this stretch in morning daylight, offering clear views of the rural landscape. Northbound travelers pass through the Delta during the late afternoon and evening. The stop at Memphis serves as a major gateway for those exploring the musical heritage of the region.

Hammond to New Orleans

The final approach into Louisiana provides some of the most distinct scenery on the route. South of Hammond, the train crosses the Manchac area on a long trestle over the water. You will see the dense swamps and wetlands along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. This elevated track gives passengers excellent views of the bayous as the train nears its final destination. Both northbound and southbound schedules typically pass through this aquatic landscape during daylight hours.

Classes and onboard

• Coach with reclining seats and leg rests
• Superliner Roomette
• Superliner Bedroom
• Family Bedroom
• Accessible Bedroom
• Lounge or café car
• Dining service for sleeping car passengers

Amtrak uses bi-level Superliner equipment on the City of New Orleans. Passengers can choose between standard coach class or private sleeping accommodations. Coach class features wide, reclining seats with leg rests and large windows.

For an overnight trip, many travelers prefer to book a sleeper room. Options include the Superliner Roomette, which sleeps two in a compact space, or the larger Superliner Bedroom with an en suite toilet and shower. The train also offers a Family Bedroom and an Accessible Bedroom on the lower level of the sleeping cars.

All passengers have access to a lounge or café car for snacks, drinks, and casual seating. Passengers who book a sleeping car accommodation receive complimentary meals through the dining service. Coach passengers must rely on the café car for food or bring their own provisions for the journey.