Amtrak’s Gulf Coast trains are back: a quick guide to Mobile, New Orleans

The long-awaited return of intercity rail to the Gulf Coast is here: Amtrak’s new Amtrak Mardi Gras Service began regular operations on August 18, 2025, restoring passenger trains between Mobile and New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The twice-daily route revives coastal connections, brings a low-cost travel option to travelers and locals, and creates new tourism and economic opportunities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

This quick guide explains how the service works, where it stops, what to expect onboard, and practical tips for planning trips to Mobile, New Orleans, and the scenic Mississippi stops in between. Read on for schedules, fares, station details, connections to the national network, and advice for game-day and day-trip planning.

What the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is and who’s behind it

The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is a twice-daily state-sponsored passenger rail route operating between Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana. Amtrak is the operator, running the route under contracts with Louisiana and Mississippi and with financial support from the City of Mobile and backing from the Southern Rail Commission. U.S. Department of Transportation grants are funding operations and track/freight improvements tied to the service.

The official launch in mid-August 2025 followed months of planning and partnerships; an inaugural, invite-only train ran August 16 and regular revenue service began August 18. Officials have framed the service as restoring Gulf Coast passenger rail after nearly two decades, and local leaders expect it to boost tourism and support area businesses.

Operational caveats remain: infrastructure projects are still underway in places, so Amtrak and its partners advise riders to check real-time status and allow extra time during construction periods and big events. The service is a major step forward but will evolve as upgrades continue.

Schedule, trains and how travel times work

The Mardi Gras Service runs twice daily in each direction between Mobile and New Orleans. Published timetables show roughly 3 hours 43 minutes end-to-end, an example is New Orleans 7:35 AM arriving Mobile 11:18 AM, making same-day round trips possible for many travelers.

Train numbers and typical times (effective Aug. 18, 2025) include: westbound Train 23 (Mobile 6:30 AM → New Orleans 10:30 AM) and Train 25 (Mobile 4:30 PM → New Orleans 8:13 PM); eastbound Train 24 (New Orleans 7:35 AM → Mobile 11:18 AM) and Train 26 (New Orleans 5:31 PM → Mobile 9:14 PM). These published times create practical options for morning departures and evening returns.

Because the route runs twice each way daily, you can plan flexible day trips, business travel, or leisure visits. Still, Amtrak notes that construction and occasional freight traffic can cause delays, so allow buffer time for connections or events.

Stops and station details , Mobile and coastal Mississippi

The route stops at Bay Saint Louis (BAS), Gulfport (GUF), Biloxi (BIX), and Pascagoula (PAG) between Mobile and New Orleans. Each Mississippi stop provides direct access to coastal attractions, casinos, beaches and local dining, ideal for short excursions or as staging points on longer itineraries.

In Mobile the stop is located next to the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center and Cooper Riverside Park (downtown Government Plaza/Water Street). Mobile City Council approved a long-term lease in which Amtrak pays $1 per year for 75 years for the site; a temporary elevated platform was constructed in the convention center parking lot as the service launched.

Expect modest station facilities at some stops early on while permanent upgrades continue. Local tourism groups have already started tying rail arrivals to visitor packages and events to showcase the ease of arriving by train.

Fares, seating, and onboard amenities

Fares on the Mardi Gras Service are intentionally low to encourage ridership, with adult coach fares starting at $15 one-way end-to-end and lower fares for shorter legs. Amtrak also offers everyday discounts for children, students, seniors, veterans, military travelers, and group fares, making the route affordable for many kinds of travelers.

Onboard, trains offer Coach and Business Class, a café service that emphasizes locally sourced items, free Wi‑Fi, wide reclining seats with no middle seats, and generous carry-on allowances. Amtrak allows advance-reserved space for golf bags and permits small pets in carriers per its national policy.

Promotions and loyalty programs complement fares: Amtrak Guest Rewards ran a special Mardi Gras Service « 3-3-3 » promotion that awarded triple points after three qualifying trips through Nov. 18, 2025, encouraging repeat travel on the corridor.

Connections to the national Amtrak network

One practical advantage of the new service is its New Orleans connections. Mardi Gras Service arrivals and departures at New Orleans make same-day connections possible to the City of New Orleans (Chicago, New Orleans) and provide easy next‑day links to long-distance trains such as the Crescent (New York, New Orleans) and the Sunset Limited (Los Angeles, New Orleans).

This connectivity turns Mobile and Mississippi coastal towns into gateways for longer rail trips and increases options for travelers who want to combine regional coastal travel with cross-country rail itineraries. Be sure to check connection times and consider overnight layovers when linking to long-distance trains with less frequent departures.

Because some connections require timely transfers and infrastructure work is ongoing, plan with padding and consult Amtrak’s schedule and real-time tools when making multi-leg plans.

Demand, events, and practical planning tips

Early ridership numbers show strong demand. Through September 2025, the Southern Rail Commission reported nearly 19,000 guests rode the Mardi Gras Service, averaging more than 105 customers per train, and seats sold out for initial New Orleans Saints home games. Amtrak even added an extra car to increase capacity by roughly 60 seats on game weekends.

These patterns mean you should book early for weekends, Saints games, festivals, and holidays. Low starting fares can disappear for peak dates, and special event trains can fill quickly. If you plan a same‑day trip, use the morning departures and evening returns in the published timetable, but reserve seats early to secure space.

Also remember operational caveats: construction near tracks and occasional freight interference can cause delays. Check Amtrak’s real-time status, allow extra travel time for connections, and consider flexible plans during major events or while infrastructure projects finish.

Local impact and tourism opportunities

State and local officials, tourism leaders and business groups view the Mardi Gras Service as more than transportation: it’s an economic and cultural link for the Gulf Coast. Officials from Louisiana DOTD, the Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, the Mayor of Mobile, Visit Mobile, and Coastal Mississippi have said the route will boost tourism and support local businesses.

Travel outlets and guides have highlighted scenic coastal stops, affordable fares, and tourism tie-ins in Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula and Bay St. Louis. For visitors, trains make it easy to plan multi-stop itineraries that combine casinos, beaches, seafood dining and local festivals without the stress of highway driving.

The Southern Rail Commission estimated that the service equated to roughly 400 fewer cars daily on I‑10/US‑90 in early operation, a sign that rail can reduce congestion while providing economic benefits along the corridor.

As with any new or revived service, expect ongoing tweaks, schedules, capacity adjustments, and infrastructure upgrades will evolve as ridership patterns solidify. Riders should monitor Amtrak updates and plan a for high-demand dates.

Overall, the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service gives travelers a convenient, affordable way to link Mobile, the Mississippi coast and New Orleans. Whether you’re planning a day trip to the Big Easy, attending a Saints game, or exploring coastal towns, the train offers a scenic and stress-free alternative to driving.