Amtrak's Mardi Gras Service

Get ready, Gulf Coast! The new Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is rolling out twice daily between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama, making stops in several charming Coastal Mississippi communities. Whether heading to a festival, the beach, or just enjoying the journey, this train adds sparkle to your travel plans.

🎭 Think of it as a parade on rails — minus the beads, but with comfy seats and scenic views.

You can now book tickets for this train!

The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service at a Glance

• Route: New Orleans, LA ↔ Mobile, AL
• States Covered: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
• Frequency: Twice Daily in Each Direction
• Start Date: August 18, 2025!
• Stops include Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula, and more.

This new service is part of a broader initiative to reconnect communities along the Gulf Coast. It’s perfect for day trips, weekend getaways, or as part of a larger Amtrak adventure. We hope the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service will connect you with the City of New Orleans and the Crescent and Sunset Limited routes, though it may require an overnight stay. We must wait for the upcoming schedule to see how everything works out.

The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Schedule

Here’s the schedule for both directions.

The listed times indicate the departure times for all stops along the route, except for the last one, which is the arrival time at the final destination. Most station stops on this route last two to three minutes, so the arrival time is typically a few minutes earlier than the listed time.

The station links provide the address of each station and the services offered at them.

👉 Downloadable Schedule PDF (coming soon!)

Once available, you can view or download the full schedule here, which is perfect for planning your trip or printing out for your trip.

Accommodations on the Amtrak Mardi Gras Train

This train offers Coach Class seating, which includes:

• Spacious reclining seats
• Plenty of legroom
• Large windows for Gulf views
• Free Wi-Fi (great for those coastal selfies!)
• Restrooms in each car

No Business Class is available on this route; however, Coach is a comfortable and budget-friendly option for rides of four hours or less. or less

Luggage Information

You can bring:

• A personal item (up to 25 lbs each)
• Two carry-on bags (up to 50 lbs each)

This route likely won’t offer checked baggage, so pack light. Rolling suitcases and travel backpacks both work well for this quick coastal trip.

Café Car on the Mardi Gras Service

Fuel your fun with snacks, sandwiches, coffee, and soft drinks in the Café Car. It’s the perfect excuse to stretch your legs, meet other travelers, or grab a treat while the train rolls on.

The café car also features booth seating, allowing you to enjoy snacks in the car or take them back to your seat.

You can learn more about Amtrak’s café cars and check out the Mardi Gras Service café menu, which features locally sourced items.

Things to Do at Stops

Each stop on the Mardi Gras route has its local flavor:

• New Orleans: Food, jazz, and festivities year-round
• Bay St. Louis: Quaint charm and coastal views
• Gulfport & Biloxi: Casinos, seafood, and sandy shores
• Pascagoula: Home to beautiful bayous and riverfront parks
• Mobile: A lively downtown and Mardi Gras history galore

Want help figuring out what to do? I’ll be adding travel tips for each stop soon!

How to Board and What to Expect on the Mardi Gras Service

Are you new to Amtrak?

No worries. Check out my Amtrak Boarding Guide to learn what to expect. Ensure you have your ticket; you can buy them on the app, website, phone, or at staffed stations. Not all Amtrak stations are staffed.

When it’s time to board, ensure you have your ticket in hand, whether it’s electronic or printed.

Tips for First-Time Riders

• Arrive early – about 30 minutes before departure
• Download the Amtrak app – handy for updates and tickets
• Pack snacks or a water bottle – though the café has you covered, too
• Bring a light jacket – the A/C can be strong onboard

Connecting to Other Trains

As of now, this train only connects directly with Amtrak’s City of New Orleans. If you’re hoping to ride the Crescent or Sunset Limited, you’ll need to spend the night in New Orleans since same-day connections aren’t available.

For example, you can’t currently book a trip from Mobile to New York City with a same-day connection to the Crescent. Instead, you’ll need to book one ticket from Mobile to New Orleans and then a separate ticket from New Orleans to New York for the following day. You could also use a multi-city ticket to plan your trip with an overnight stop.

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Final Thoughts on Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service

Whether you’re a local looking for a weekend getaway or a traveler adding the Gulf Coast to your Amtrak bucket list, the Mardi Gras train is a fun, scenic, and easy ride. Keep an eye on this page for updated schedules and more tips as the launch approaches.

🚨 Be sure to bookmark this page so you don’t miss the official schedule drop!