The Amtrak City of New Orleans is a daily Superliner train that connects Chicago, IL, to vibrant New Orleans, LA. This iconic route passes through Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, offering a scenic and soulful journey across 934 miles and 18 stops. Whether you’re heading to the Windy City or the Big Easy, this train offers unique sights and experiences along the way.
Quick Overview:
- Route: Chicago, IL → New Orleans, LA
- Distance: 934 miles
- Key Stops: Chicago, IL; Memphis, TN; Jackson, MS; and New Orleans, LA
- Accommodations: Coach class, roomettes, bedrooms, family room, and accessible rooms.
- Food: There is a café car and flex dining for sleeper passengers.
Amtrak provides connecting services to various destinations for travelers exploring beyond the tracks.
This article features the schedule, a printable timetable, and additional information about the train. You can also discover the train’s on-time performance and connections to other Amtrak long-distance trains.
Temporary Schedule Changes for the City of New Orleans
Temporary schedule changes for the City of New Orleans will be effective until April 16, 2025. If needed, timetables and schedules are provided below.
Northbound Changes—From now until April 16, Departure shifts one hour later to 2:45 p.m., and all other stops are adjusted accordingly.
Tips for Travelers: If you have a trip coming up, check your ticket online regularly for updates.
Monitor your email and spam folder for notifications about any last-minute changes.
A podcast designed to help you plan your trip to New Orleans
If you’re considering visiting New Orleans, explore the Beyond Bourbon Street Podcast and website.
The podcast and website cover many insider trips to New Orleans and suggest activities beyond Bourbon Street. A travel guide is also available!
About the City of New Orleans Route
The City of New Orleans is not the most scenic Amtrak route, but the destinations make it worth the ride.
When traveling south, the views start after Memphis, where, depending on the time of year, the sun begins to rise. The train takes you through various cities, and you can get off the train in Jackson, MS, for a smoke break.
One of my favorite sights in both directions is the Lake Pontchartrain Bridge, the longest bridge in the world! The upper level of the train provides a stunning view, making it feel like the train is traveling on water.
When this train started, the Illinois Central operated it, departing from what is now the Millennium Station in Chicago. In the 1970s, Amtrak relocated all its Chicago trains to Union Station, causing the train to reverse its maneuver to access the old Illinois Central, now CN tracks.
When arriving at or departing from Union Station, please note that it may take 15-20 minutes to reach the station, but this is part of the schedule.
In both directions, you mainly see parts of Louisiana and Mississippi; traveling north, you see parts of northern Illinois.
The neatest part of this train is going over the Lake Pontchartrain Bridge! Especially if you are on the top level of the train, it can feel like you are on a boat traveling over the water because that is all you see from both sides.
Route Guide for Amtrak’s City of New Orleans
Over a decade ago, Amtrak produced route guides for many of its trains, and I can go back in time to get them for you. If you’re interested, you can download them to your device or print them out.
The City of New Orleans’ on-time performance and host railroads
Canadian National/Illinois Central hosts most of the City of New Orleans route, and Amtrak owns the tracks around the terminal stations.
- Amtrak’s City of New Orleans had an average passenger on-time performance.
- In February 2025, the City of New Orleans averaged 77.7%, with an average delay of 80 minutes,
- For February 2024-2025, the train averaged 79.5%, with an average delay of 74 minutes.
- While Amtrak can cause delays, the host railroads often contribute to delays once the train leaves the originating station.
- The top two delays caused by CN include:
- Freight train interference and Slow order delays
- The top two delays caused by CN include:
The information for this section comes from the official Amtrak Host Railroad Report – February 2025.
If you transfer to a different train, you can check out other Amtrak long-distance trains’ on-time performances.
Equipment used for the Amtrak City of New Orleans.
The Amtrak City of New Orleans operates with Superliner equipment, featuring bi-level cars designed for comfort and great views. Onboard, you’ll find:
- Coach Class – Spacious reclining seats with leg rests and large windows.
- Sleeping Cars – Private accommodations, including Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Family Bedrooms.
- Sightseer Lounge – A scenic lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows where you can enjoy the landscapes along the route.
- This car is situated between the coach cars and the café car.
- Café Car—The café car is the only food car on this train and is open to coach and sleeper car passengers. It is where sleeper passengers can obtain their flex meals.
- The café car is located between the sleeper cars and the Sightseer Lounge.
You can learn more about each of these cars in this article.
Coach Class on Amtrak’s City of New Orleans
The Amtrak City of New Orleans coach class features:
- Comfortable reclining seats with ample legroom
- A fold-down tray
- Seat back pocket
- Leg and footrests
- Individual reading lights
- 120v grounded (three-prong) electric outlets on the wall under the windows
- Upper and lower seating
- Above-seat luggage storage, with shelving on the lower level, too.
- The bathrooms are on the lower level.
Coach Class Travel Tips from Kev’s Experience
Over my decade of train travel, I have discovered a few things that make the trip in coach class more enjoyable.
I always bring a water bottle, snacks, and extra money for the café car. I’ll explain more about the café later.
An extension cord is essential! The coach’s outlets are on the wall; while there are two outlets, you need to share one with your seatmate. An extension cord allows you to plug in more than one item at a time. Another advantage is that an aisle seat can provide power without bothering your seatmate.
A blow-up pillow or another pillow and a blanket can make sleeping or napping more comfortable. A bulky hoodie can also work if you don’t need it.
Some entertainment helps, too! While the windows can work, I often bring other things, such as puzzle books and magazines, my iPad for movies and shows, and my iPhone for music and podcasts. If you want more Amtrak entertainment ideas, check out that post.
Coach car layout
Sleeper accommodations on Amtrak’s City of New Orleans
All rooms include:
- Complimentary meals
- Lounge access in Chicago and New Orleans
- Dedicated car attendant
- At least one outlet in the room
- A place to hang garments
- Amtrak supplies:
- Hangers, pillows, fresh linens, blankets, and towels
- Access to showers: Amtrak provides soap.
- Coffee and juice in the morning with water bottles in your room.
- Seats by day, beds by night.
Amtrak Sleeper Car Tips
Traveling thousands of miles in Amtrak rooms has taught me a few things, and I want to share these tips with you.
Storage in these rooms is limited, so packing lightly and efficiently is essential. If you need more space, storage is on the car’s lower level.
While Amtrak often has water bottles in the room and includes meals, I like to have backups. Additionally, I enjoy bringing snacks, and money for the café never hurts.
Amtrak provides pillows and blankets, but consider bringing a blow-up pillow for extra comfort. This small addition can make a big difference in your journey, especially if you are a side sleeper. You can always check to see if they have additional pillows.
An extension cord is also necessary! In most rooms, there is only one outlet on the wall. If you bring one, you will have power where you need it and can charge more than one thing at a time.
Types of rooms offered aboard the City of New Orleans
- Roomette
- Amtrak’s smallest rooms are excellent for one person and cozy for two.
- Rooms 1-10 are on the upper level, while 11-14 are on the lower.
- Bedroom
- Twice the size of a roomette, with an in-room restroom and shower.
- All rooms are on the upper level.
- Family bedroom
- Provides seating and berths for two adults and two children
- Each sleeper car has one of these rooms located on the lower level.
- Accessible room
- Accommodates passengers with mobility issues and their travel companions
- You will find the accessible bedrooms on the lower level of the train.
Amtrak City of New Orleans sleeper car layout
Wi-Fi and the City of New Orleans
The City of New Orleans does not have Wi-Fi or entertainment systems outside the windows. Here are some entertainment ideas for Amtrak passengers.
Amtrak City of New Orleans add-ons
You can add a few things to your next adventure on this train!
Bikes
- Space is available for standard full-size bicycles
- Up to 50 lbs; 70 inches x 41 inches x 8.5 inches.
- Amtrak stores bikes in designated bike racks or areas inside the baggage car.
- For more information, check out Amtrak’s bicycle policy.
Pets and service animals
- Amtrak allows dogs and cats.
- Up to 20 pounds with the combined weight of the pet and the carrier
- For trips of up to seven hours.
- You must complete the paperwork for your fluffy friend before boarding the train.
- Get the paperwork and more information from Amtrak’s pet policy page.
If you have a service or comfort animal, you need to check out Amtrak’s service animal policy to see if your critter qualifies and, if they do, what you need to do for them to ride with you.
Luggage on this train.
Click the station links below to see if they offer checked baggage service. Your departure and destination stations must provide this service so you can check bags.
- The City of New Orleans also allows checked baggage
- Each passenger can bring two bags up to 50 lbs. and 75 linear inches for free.
- Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage.
- Not all locations can handle checked baggage.
Each passenger may carry on:
- One personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
- Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
If you transfer to the Pacific Surfliner at some point along your journey, the baggage size for that train is up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each.
Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage; check out Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.
Accessibility on Amtrak’s City of New Orleans train
A wheelchair ramp is available to assist passengers with a wheeled mobility device during boarding and detraining. The train has lower-level coach seating and accessible bedrooms. If you have a service animal, review Amtrak’s service animal requirements in the “pets” section above.
A look at the City of New Orleans route by the day
This table shows the route so you can see each day’s first and last stop.
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #58 Northbound | New Orleans, LA – Memphis, TN | Newbern-Dyersburg, TN – Chicago, IL |
| #59 Southbound | Chicago, IL – Effingham, IL | Centralia, IL – New Orleans, LA |
Food on Amtrak’s City of New Orleans
The café is on the upper level in the middle of the train. Sleeper passengers also get their food from this car.
Café car
- The café features
- Various hot and cold meals
- Snacks
- Hot, cold, and adult beverages
- The café is available for all customers from early morning until late at night.
- It may close during meal prep times and breaks.
- This car is between the coach and the sleeping cars in the middle of the train.
You can bring food and drinks aboard the train. Due to FDA regulations, you cannot eat food in the café car. If you are in coach class, you cannot drink the alcohol you brought aboard. If you have a sleeper, you can consume it in your or your travel buddy’s room.
Flex dining
- Flex Dining is a complimentary dining option offered to sleeper car passengers.
- You can eat your meals in your rooms or the café car.
- Meals are prepared and warmed on the train.
- Selections for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Complimentary nonalcoholic beverages.
- Those who want to and are of legal age can get a complimentary adult drink with dinner.
- You can purchase additional adult beverages.
The Amtrak City of New Orleans Scheduled Meals:
This table shows which meals you get aboard the City of New Orleans based on the day. If you head south, you will receive dinner before or after departing from Chicago!
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #58 Northbound | Dinner | Breakfast |
| #59 Southbound | Dinner* | Breakfast & Lunch |
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Temporary Amtrak’s City of New Orleans schedule
Here is the temporary Northbound Schedule that goes till the train leaves New Orleans on April 16, 2025.
| Stops | Now to April 16, 2025 |
|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA – Union Passenger Terminal (NOL) | 2:45p |
| Hammond, LA (HMD) | 3:45p |
| McComb, MS (MCB) | 4:32p |
| Brookhaven, MS (BRH) | 3:56p |
| Hazlehurst, MS (HAZ) | 5:17p |
| Jackson, MS (JAN) | 6:44p |
| Yazoo City, MS (YAZ) | 7:42p |
| Greenwood, MS (GWD) | 8:37p |
| Marks, MS (MKS) | 9:31p |
| Memphis, TN – Central Station (MEM) | 11:40p |
| Newbern-Dyersburg, TN (NBN) | 1:22a |
| Fulton, KY (FTN) | 2:04a |
| Carbondale, IL (CDL) | 4:16a |
| Centralia, IL (CEN) | 4:10a |
| Effingham, IL (EFG) | 4:57a |
| Mattoon, IL (Charleston) (MAT) | 5:23a |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL (CHM) | 7:10a |
| Kankakee, IL (KKI) | 8:13a |
| Homewood, IL (HMW) | 8:44a |
| Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI) | 10:15a |
Amtrak’s City of New Orleans schedule
This schedule comes from Amtrak.com, and Amtrak can alter it at any time. Always refer to the “e-ticket” in your app or log into the website to verify the times before leaving for the station.
The most recent verification of these times occurred on August 20, 2024.
| Train 59 Southbound Read Down | Communities Served | Miles | Train 58 Northbound Last Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:05p | Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) B | 0 | 9:15a |
| 8:54p | Homewood, IL (HMW) | 24 | 7:44a |
| 9:23p | Kankakee, IL (KKI) F | 57 | 7:13a |
| 10:34p | Champaign-Urbana, IL (CHM) | 129 | 6:10a |
| 11:13p | Mattoon, IL (Charleston) (MAT) F | 173 | 5:23a |
| 11:37p | Effingham, IL (EFG) F | 200 | 4:57a |
| 12:25a | Centralia, IL (CEN) F | 253 | 4:10a |
| 1:26a | Carbondale, IL (CDL) F B | 309 | 3:16a |
| 3:14a | Fulton, KY (FTN) F | 406 | 1:04a |
| 3:56a | Newbern-Dyersburg, TN (NBN) F | 442 | 12:22a |
| 6:27a | 6:40a | Memphis, TN Central Station (MEM) | 528 | 10:20p | 10:40p |
| 8:01a | Marks, MS (MKS) F | 597 | 8:31p |
| 9:00a | Greenwood, MS (GWD) | 654 | 7:37p |
| 9:51a | Yazoo City, MS (YAZ) F | 706 | 6:42p |
| 11:12a | 11:20a | Jackson, MS (JAN) | 751 | 5:28p | 5:44p |
| 11:55a | Hazlehurst, MS (HAZ) F | 784 | 4:17p |
| 12:16p | Brookhaven, MS (BRH) F | 805 | 3:56p |
| 12:40p | McComb, MS (MCB) F | 828 | 3:32p |
| 1:28p | Hammond, LA (HMD) | 881 | 2:45p |
| 3:47p | New Orleans, LA B Union Passenger Terminal (NOL) | 934 | 1:45p |
| Final Stop | Stations | Miles | Read Up |
Abbreviations
R = Receive passengers only; this means you can board the train, but you cannot buy a ticket on this train to this station.
D = Depart only; you can buy a ticket to this station but not from this station.
F= Flag-stop
B = Stations with Amtrak Connecting Services.
Printable Amtrak City of New Orleans Schedule
You can download this PDF, but you can also print customer schedules. This article helps you print custom-made Amtrak schedules for your trip or entire routes.
Transferring to other Amtrak long-distance trains.
Some Amtrak adventures may include other Amtrak trains; I cover transferring to other long-distance trains.
If you have difficulty connecting between the City of New Orleans and other trains, you may need to spend the night before transferring. If you need to connect with an overnight stay, you may need to book separate one-way or multi-city tickets.
Eastbound Trains
| Train | Transfer City | Overnight Stay | Bus Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinal | Chicago | No | No |
| Crescent | New Orleans | Yes | No |
| Floridian | Chicago | No | No |
| Lake Shore Limited | Chicago | No | No |
Westbound
| Train | Transfer City | Overnight Stay | Bus Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Zephyr | Chicago | No | No |
| Empire Builder | Chicago | No | No |
| Southwest Chief | Chicago | No | No |
| Sunset Limited | New Orleans | Yes | No |
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