After 20 years, Amtrak's Gulf Coast train line is back—here’s what to expect

Linking the Mardi Gras capital of New Orleans in Louisiana and the waterfront city of Mobile in Alabama, Amtrak’s Gulf Coast train is set to become one of the USA’s great rail routes once more when it relaunches in spring 2025. Following the southern US shoreline for most of its three-hour journey, it passes through Louisiana’s Cajun country — known for its miles of bayous, traditional festivals and hearty gumbos (spicy Cajun chicken soup) — and coastal Mississippi. The latter is a lesser-visited area with white-sand beaches, fresh crawfish and walkable seaside towns, all easily accessible from stations along the line.

The train was originally launched in 1984 and its rebirth comes after an almost 20-year hiatus due to damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed miles of track and several bridges in 2005. Residents campaigned to bring the train back and the revitalisation project has been led by the Southern Rail Commission, in conjunction with local cities and tourism organisations. The train will run twice a day, once in the morning and evening in each direction, meaning travellers already headed to New Orleans for Creole culture, jazz bars and sugar-dusted beignets will be able to head out on a day trip to Mobile or any of the Mississippi city stops along the route. These include the small town of Bay St Louis, with its sweeping, butter-coloured beach, and Biloxi, known for its seafood, from where shrimping trips run. The train will also have a dining car serving Southern food for on-board meals.

(How to plan the ultimate US rail trip along the West Coast or Eastern Seaboard.)

Route highlights

1. Preservation Hall, New Orleans
The Big Easy is synonymous with jazz and this restored historic venue —which has hosted many local legends — is one of the most authentic spots for enjoying the genre. It was founded in 1961 along with the house Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which still performs several 45-minute upbeat sold-out shows every night of the week.

2. Gulf Hills Hotel & Resort, Ocean Springs
Spend the night overlooking the peaceful waters of Fort Bayou in coastal Mississippi at the Gulf Coast’s only waterfront hotel. Fresh from a contemporary makeover, the Gulf Hills Hotel & Resort first opened in 1927 and was a favourite holiday spot for Elvis in the 1950s. It has a saltwater pool and a stylish cocktail lounge.

3. Mobile Carnival Museum, Mobile
America’s first Mardi Gras celebration took place not in New Orleans, but in downtown Mobile in the early 1700s. Three hundred years of carnival history is crammed into this small museum inside a historic Alabama mansion. Highlights include black-and-white photos of past carnivals and a vast collection of colourful parade costumes dating back to the 1920s.

(Venture west: hop on board the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer.)