Tennessee offers limited Amtrak service with only two stations: Memphis Central Station and Newbern-Dyersburg, both located in western Tennessee. These stations are served by the City of New Orleans route, which operates one daily train in each direction between Chicago and New Orleans. While Nashville does not have direct train service, Amtrak Thruway buses provide connecting service to Nashville and Clarksville, and you can book these with your Amtrak ticket.
I have traveled on Amtrak in Tennessee many times, totaling over 800 trips. When I take the City of New Orleans southbound, I typically wake up just as we are arriving in Memphis. This is where the more scenic part of the journey begins. After we leave Memphis, it’s a perfect opportunity to head to the dining car for breakfast.
Tennessee Amtrak Stations
Tennessee has two Amtrak stations. If you are in Northeast Tennessee, consider Fulton, KY.
Here are the two Tennessee stops:
Memphis Central Station
Memphis Central Station, located at 545 South Main Street, is Tennessee’s primary Amtrak hub and the state’s busiest rail station. This historic building, originally constructed in 1914, has undergone significant renovation. The renovation transformed it into a mixed-use facility featuring a boutique hotel, a theater, and other amenities, as well as a full-service Amtrak station.
Station Amenities:
- Hours: 5:30 am – 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Ticketing and checked baggage service
- Enclosed waiting area
- Restrooms
- Shared facility with Greyhound
What’s Nearby: The station is located in a highly walkable area of downtown Memphis. Within a five-minute walk, you can easily reach the National Civil Rights Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame, and Central BBQ. If you need overnight accommodations before or after your train journey, the Central Station Memphis Hotel is located right next door.
Parking Warning: Memphis is facing a significant parking issue. In 2019, a hotel conversion replaced a large free parking lot with only eight designated spaces for Amtrak. The nearby hotel charges approximately $25 per night for parking. If you plan to travel by train from Memphis, it’s advisable to arrange transportation to the station or seek alternative downtown parking, as leaving your car here for several days can be pretty expensive.
Train Times:
- Southbound (Train 59): Arrives around 6:27 am, departs around 6:40 am
- Northbound (Train 58): Arrives around 10:20 pm, departs around 10:40 pm
Newbern-Dyersburg Station
The Newbern-Dyersburg Station, located at 108 Jefferson Street, Newbern, TN 38059, serves the Dyersburg area in northwest Tennessee. This charming facility, built by the Illinois Central Railroad in 1920, currently functions as both a railroad museum and an Amtrak station.
Station Details:
- Unstaffed station (have tickets ready before arrival)
- Free parking
- No restrooms
- Accessible platform
- Historic depot building
- This is a flag stop station; the train stops only if a passenger is booked to board or deboard.
Train Times:
- Southbound (Train 59): Arrives around 3:54 am and departs at 3:56 am.
- Northbound (Train 58): Arrives around 12:20 am and departs around 12:22 am
The departure times are less convenient than those in Memphis, particularly the midnight northbound option. However, free parking and easy station access make it a practical choice for travelers in northwest Tennessee.
The City of New Orleans Route
The City of New Orleans is Amtrak’s sole route to Tennessee, spanning 926 miles between Chicago and New Orleans. The train operates daily in both directions, with an estimated travel time of 19.5 hours.
Major Stops Include:
- Chicago, IL
- Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Carbondale, IL
- Fulton, KY (just across the Tennessee border)
- Memphis, TN
- Newbern-Dyersburg, TN
- Jackson, MS
- New Orleans, LA
Onboard Amenities: The City of New Orleans operates with Superliner equipment (bi-level cars) and offers:
- Coach seats (reserved seating)
- Private sleeping accommodations
- Sightseer Lounge car with panoramic windows
- Café car with snacks and meals
- Flexible dining for sleeping car passengers
- No WiFi (be prepared)
- Power outlets at most seats – bring an extension cord.
On-Time Performance: If you want to see the on-time performance of this and all other Amtrak long-distance trains, visit my Amtrak on-time performance page, or go to the City of New Orleans for the latest information.
Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
Amtrak partners with Greyhound and other bus companies to offer connecting bus service. You can book these buses with your train ticket to ensure seamless transfers.
Nashville and Clarksville Connections
Amtrak offers two Thruway bus routes to Nashville, which can be booked with your Amtrak ticket. Although Greyhound operates these buses, they honor Amtrak reservations. By booking through Amtrak, you will receive a single ticket that covers both your train and bus travel.
St. Louis-Nashville Thruway Bus: Also stops in Clarksville, connecting at St. Louis Gateway Station with:
- Texas Eagle (to Little Rock, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Los Angeles)
- Lincoln Service (to St Louis, Bloomington, Springfield, Chicago)
- Missouri River Runner (to Jefferson City, Kansas City)
The Nashville bus stop is located at the Greyhound station (709 5th Avenue South), which is near downtown and the Music City Convention Center.
Chicago-Nashville: Connects at Chicago Union Station with multiple Amtrak routes, including:
- Southwest Chief (to Kansas City, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Los Angeles)
- California Zephyr (to Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno, San Francisco Bay Area)
- Lake Shore Limited (to Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany, Boston, New York)
- Floridian (to Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, Miami)
- Michigan Service (to Detroit, East Lansing, Grand Rapids)
- Lincoln Service (to St Louis, Bloomington, Springfield, Chicago)
- Hiawatha (to Sturevant, Milwaukee Airport, and Downtown Milwaukee)
New Orleans -Nashville: Connecting at New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal
- Mardi Gras Service (to Mobile, AL)
- These routes require an overnight stay in New Orleans because arrival and departure times do not allow same-day transfers.
- Crescent (to Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York)
- Sunset Limited (to Los Angeles)
Tips for Riding Amtrak in Tennessee
Booking Your Trip: Book your tickets in advance for the best prices, especially if you need sleeping-car accommodations. The City of New Orleans is a popular destination during holidays and special events.
What to Bring:
- Snacks and water (for while you wait at the station and if the café car is closed)
- Entertainment (books, downloaded movies; remember, no WiFi)
- Blanket and pillow for coach travel
- Phone charger and power bank
Station Arrival: Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for coach passengers and 45 minutes if you have checked baggage in Memphis.
Checked Baggage: Memphis provides checked baggage service, while Newbern does not. At Newbern, passengers are limited to carry-on luggage only, which includes two bags weighing up to 50 pounds each, plus a personal item.
Making Connections: If you are connecting to another long-distance train in Chicago, same-day connections can be tight but are usually manageable if your train arrives on time. It may be a good idea to schedule a buffer or plan for an overnight stay in Chicago if your schedule is tight.
How can I check if my train is on time? You can track your train using the Amtrak app or various third-party websites. For more information, please refer to my post on tracking Amtrak trains.
Future Rail Service in Tennessee
There has been ongoing discussion about a potential train route connecting Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis. This project has received a federal grant through the Corridor Identification and Development Program, but it is still in the early planning stages. I hope this initiative comes to fruition, as it would provide more rail options for travelers!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Amtrak routes in Tennessee? The City of New Orleans operates between Chicago and New Orleans, with stops in Memphis and Newbern-Dyersburg.
Does Amtrak go to Nashville? No, Nashville does not have train service; however, Amtrak offers Thruway bus connections from both Chicago and St. Louis that can be booked with your Amtrak ticket.
Can I take Amtrak from Memphis to Nashville? There is no direct Amtrak service between Memphis and Nashville. However, Amtrak provides connecting Greyhound bus service (known as Amtrak Thruway) between specific routes. For a one-way trip between these cities, Greyhound operates regular service that takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. Tickets can be booked directly through Greyhound’s website.
If you’re taking a longer Amtrak journey that includes this segment, check whether Amtrak provides a Thruway connection when booking your ticket; it may be included in your route and reservation. Consider other options that may work better.
How long is the train ride from Memphis to New Orleans? Approximately 9 hours aboard the City of New Orleans.
How long is the train ride from Memphis to Chicago? Approximately 10-11 hours overnight aboard the City of New Orleans.
Is there parking at Memphis Central Station? Yes, parking is minimal, with only eight spaces available, and it is expensive. It’s advisable to arrange alternate transportation or find parking elsewhere downtown for trips longer than a few hours.
Does the Newbern-Dyersburg station have baggage service? No, Newbern is unstaffed and does not offer checked baggage. Please pack light and use carry-on luggage only.
Can I bring my bike aboard the City of New Orleans? Yes, but you need to reserve a bike space when booking. Not all trains offer bike service. Check out Amtrak’s bike policy for more information.
Does Amtrak go to Knoxville? Knoxville does not have Amtrak service. The nearest Amtrak stations are in western Tennessee, specifically in Memphis and Newbern-Dyersburg. You can use FlixBus or Greyhound to reach these Amtrak stations, but be aware that you will need to book your bus tickets separately from your Amtrak ticket.
Does Amtrak go to Chattanooga? Chattanooga currently lacks Amtrak service, either by train or via Thruway buses. While discussions are underway about a potential route connecting Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis, the plan remains in early planning stages. For now, you will need to use bus services such as FlixBus or Greyhound to reach other Amtrak stations.
Can I buy tickets on the train? No, you cannot purchase tickets onboard. Always buy your tickets in advance through the Amtrak app, website, or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
You can also purchase tickets at the Memphis station ticket window, but this option isn’t available at Newbern. Since Newbern is a flag stop, the train will stop only if you have a reservation before it arrives. If you show up without a ticket, the train won’t stop.
Amtrak in Tennessee: Wrap-Up
Tennessee has only two Amtrak stations, but the City of New Orleans route offers access to a much larger network via Chicago and New Orleans. If you’re planning a trip to, from, or through Tennessee, be sure to check out my complete guide to the City of New Orleans. It includes details about what to expect on board, the best connections, and tips to enhance your travel experience.
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