Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service rolls Aug. 18 between New Orleans and Mobile, bringing passengers to the attractions, shops and restaurants in cities along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. The return of passenger trains also brings an opportunity for South Mississippi residents to experience riding the rails to adventure in New Orleans and Mobile.
Excitement building for Amtrak’s Gulf Coast return
Amtrak Mardi Gras Service will begin on Monday, August 18, and Coast businesses are preparing for a potential boom in foot traffic.
The passenger rail service will run from Mobile to New Orleans with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.
Amtrak Passengers Are Overjoyed With Return Of This Popular Route
Amtrak is having a successful summer, with its newest service, the Borealis, hitting record milestones that have exceeded all expectations since its launch in 2024. With its $6 billion investment boost in 2025, the rail service continues to bring new experiences, major upgrades to stations, speedier trains, special discounts, and, of course, more routes. One of the most awaited Amtrak lines this year is the return of a Gulf Coast route in August, after 20 years. It ceased operations after the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Amtrak: Hey y’all, after a 20-year absence, Mardi Gras service to resume along America’s Gulf Coast
Amtrak announced on June 30 that its Mardi Gras service between New Orleans, Louisiana. and Mobile, Alabama, with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula, Mississippi will resume on August 18. The twice-daily service will provide employment opportunities initially for seven BLET engineers.
How to Plan a Trip Along Amtrak's New Mardis Gras Route to New Orleans
Mobile’s new Amtrak Mardi Gras route to New Orleans starts August 18, tickets on sale now
Amtrak announced on July 1 that its Mardi Gras service route from Mobile to New Orleans will operate twice daily, beginning August 18.
The trip from Mobile to New Orleans will take approximately four hours, according to Amtrak.
Trains will depart Mobile at 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There will be short stops at Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay Saint Louis. The morning train will arrive in New Orleans before noon, allowing travelers to catch afternoon Saints games and return on the departing train, which will leave around 5 p.m.
Train between New Orleans and Baton Rouge still years away
A daily train connecting New Orleans and Baton Rouge is at least two to four years away, says John Spain, vice chair of the Southern Rail Commission.
The big picture: The tentative plan includes stops at Gonzales, LaPlace, two Baton Rouge locations, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, the Southern Rail Commission says.
Amtrak announces Mardi Gras Service passenger rail just in time for football season
This could be interesting. If you're a New Orleans Saints fan living in the Gulf South, a new way to get to games this season just opened up to you with this week's Amtrak Mardi Gras Service announcement. Twice-a-day passenger trains will travel between Louisiana and Alabama with four stops in Mississippi beginning Monday, Aug. 18, just in time for football season, but the day after the Saints' preseason home game with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The move revives service that ran for decades before Hurricane Katrina.
Knox Ross joins Dave Elliott to discuss Amtrak services on the coast
South Mississippi (WXXV)- Amtrak is ready to roll.
After millions of dollars being invested and several delays, tickets are now available for the twice-daily Amtrak Mardi Gras Service starting August 18th. That runs between Mobile and New Orleans with 4 stops on the Mississippi Coast.
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Editorial: New passenger train service is a welcome addition to closely connected region
For the first time in almost 20 years, Gulf Coast residents will be able to take a train back and forth from New Orleans and Mobile, with stops in between.
We are glad to see the service back on track. Increasing connectivity along the Gulf Coast, which already has close cultural, economic and environmental ties, is a good thing.