The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service: Train Travel from New Orleans to Mobile

The Mardi Gras Service is a practical and enjoyable option for travelers exploring the Gulf Coast without a car. Launched in August 2025, it marks the return of passenger trains to this region for the first time since 2005. The route suits tourists visiting the beach towns of Mississippi, casino goers heading to Biloxi, and locals commuting between Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Because it connects directly with major long-distance trains at New Orleans, it also serves as a convenient extension for cross-country rail passengers. The short travel time makes it an easy day trip or a relaxed weekend getaway. Whether you are traveling for leisure or visiting family, this state-supported train provides a comfortable alternative to driving along the busy coastal highways.

Route overview

The Mardi Gras Service covers a distance of about 145 miles between Louisiana and Alabama. The entire journey takes about 3 hours 20 minutes from end to end. As of 2026, Amtrak operates two round trips a day on this corridor. The schedule allows passengers to travel in either direction entirely during daylight hours, making it easy to enjoy the coastal views.

The train begins at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal and crosses into Mississippi, making stops at Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. The route terminates in Mobile, Alabama. This state-supported service restores a vital transportation link that was absent from the Gulf Coast since 2005, finally launching in August 2025.

Because it is a daytime route, there are no overnight accommodations. Passengers traveling from further afield can connect to the Mardi Gras Service in New Orleans, where the Sunset Limited, the City of New Orleans, and the Crescent all arrive and depart. You can easily combine this short coastal trip with a longer journey across the United States.

What you see, section by section

New Orleans to Bay St. Louis

Departing from New Orleans, the train heads east through the low-lying wetlands of Louisiana. Passengers will see stretches of swamp and bayou immediately outside the city. Keep an eye out for local wildlife and the unique vegetation of the marshlands. As the train crosses the state line into Mississippi, the landscape opens up to reveal the beginning of the Gulf Coast. The arrival into Bay St. Louis offers your first major glimpse of the coastal waters and local marinas.

Gulfport to Mobile

Continuing east from Gulfport, the train hugs the shoreline of the Mississippi Sound. You will pass through a series of coastal beach towns and see the large casino resorts dominating the skyline in Biloxi. Further along the route, the train rolls through the industrial and shipbuilding town of Pascagoula. The final stretch crosses the state line into Alabama, navigating coastal inlets before arriving in the historic port city of Mobile. The coastal views are visible during the daytime runs in either direction.

Classes and onboard

• Coach

The Mardi Gras Service is a short daytime route, so it operates entirely with Coach class seating. There are no sleeper cabins or business class cars on this train. Coach tickets provide a comfortable reserved seat with plenty of legroom, a fold-down tray table, and access to standard power outlets. Because it is a brief journey of about 3 hours 20 minutes, Coach class is more than adequate for the trip.

Passengers should review the luggage rules on Amtrak before arriving at the station, as baggage services might be limited at smaller coastal stops. While the train does not feature a full dining car, you can typically find basic snacks and beverages. Travelers looking for a full meal should eat before boarding or bring their own food on board. The large windows in the Coach cars offer excellent views of the passing coastal scenery.