News Summary
Amtrak is reintroducing passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, set to begin on August 18, 2025. The Mardi Gras Service will operate twice daily, offering convenient travel options for residents and visitors. Enhanced train comfort and local culinary delights will enrich the travel experience, with affordable fares starting at $15. The service aims to boost local tourism and economic vitality along the Gulf Coast region, supported by government funding and community enthusiasm. An inaugural celebration event is planned for August 16, 2025.
Mobile, Alabama – Amtrak is set to launch its new Mardi Gras Service on August 18, 2025, marking the return of passenger rail service between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama, for the first time since 1996. Tickets for the service are currently available for purchase.
The Mardi Gras Service will feature twice-daily train operations, with departures from Mobile at 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Train arrivals in New Orleans are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 8:13 p.m. The return service from New Orleans to Mobile will see train arrivals at 11:18 a.m. and 9:14 p.m., offering convenient travel options for both residents and visitors.
Travelers will benefit from added stops along the route, including Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis in Mississippi. Each coach will provide wide reclining seats, ample legroom, and a design that eliminates middle seats to enhance comfort during journeys. Passengers can also connect to free Wi-Fi onboard.
The café menu promises to serve popular culinary favorites from New Orleans, such as muffuletta sandwiches, Zapp’s VooDoo Chips, pralines, and Community Coffee, aiming to enrich the travel experience with local flavors.
Affordable travel options are available, with adult coach fares starting at $15 for one-way trips. Discounts will cater to children, seniors, veterans, and group travelers, making the service accessible to a range of passengers. In addition, Amtrak will introduce promotional offers including a triple points rewards program for members of the Amtrak Guest Rewards program who choose to travel on this new service.
The establishment of the Mardi Gras Service comes after nearly 20 years of planning following the service’s suspension post-Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Local government support has played a significant role in this revival, with funding coming from the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as backing from the City of Mobile. This new service is expected to bolster local tourism and facilitate stronger connections among communities along the Gulf Coast region.
Residents and local business owners in downtown Mobile expressed enthusiasm about the anticipated economic benefits the rail service could bring. As a part of the launch, Amtrak plans to celebrate the inaugural train service with special events on August 16, 2025.
Furthermore, travelers will also enjoy connectivity with other Amtrak lines. The Mardi Gras Service will offer same-day connections to the Amtrak City of New Orleans trains and next-day connections to the Amtrak Crescent and Sunset Limited trains, effectively enhancing regional connectivity and providing an alternative means of travel.
Local leaders and officials have welcomed the return of this transportation option as a crucial step toward improving travel infrastructure in the Gulf Coast region. By reintroducing passenger rail services, Amtrak aims to not only enhance convenience for travelers but also contribute to the economic vitality and tourism potential of the area.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: Amtrak Mobile to New Orleans
- Wikipedia: Amtrak
- Axios: Amtrak Mardi Gras Train
- Google Search: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service
- FOX10: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service
- Google Scholar: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service
- NY Times: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Route
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mardi Gras
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
