Train Stations in Arkansas Travel Guide 2026

Key Highlights

Here’s a quick look at what you need to know about Arkansas train travel in 2026.

• There are two main Amtrak stations in Arkansas. These are Little Rock Union Station and Walnut Ridge.

• The main route for people is the Texas Eagle. This train goes to big cities like Chicago and San Antonio.

• The old Union Station gives you a full-service trip. You can find a ticket office and a waiting room there.

• The station thinks about everyone. There is a wheelchair lift for people who need it.

• If you want to see something different, take a ride on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad. They have pretty trips just for fun.

Introduction

Welcome to your guide for seeing Arkansas by train in 2026. Taking the train is a great and relaxing way to enjoy the beauty in this part of the country. No matter if you are going to work, visiting people you know, or want a fun trip, this guide gives you what you need. You will learn about the routes Amtrak trains use, how to find the best train station, and where to get passenger assistance. We want to help you make your trip easy and fun.

Overview of Train Travel in Arkansas

Train travel in Arkansas is run mostly by Amtrak. Amtrak is the main company for passenger trains in the United States. The Texas Eagle is the main train route that goes through Arkansas. It helps connect you to many places across the country. This makes going by train a good choice when you want to take a long trip.

When you use this service, you can get help from the station staff and find baggage service at some stops. There is also a train platform where you can wait before you get on. Besides the handy Amtrak train routes, Arkansas has other train rides for you, too. These are the kinds of trips that let you relax and enjoy the view as you go. Let’s now look at what kinds of services you may use.

Types of Train Services Available

In Arkansas, you can pick between two main kinds of train rides. One option is the long-distance service from Amtrak. Friendly Amtrak staff will help you with your travel. You can follow the popular Amtrak routes to go between cities around the country. This is a simple way to go from one city to another.

The other choice in Arkansas is to ride a train for fun, which is run by the Arkansas & Missouri (A&M) Railroad. These trips are all about enjoying the view. You travel through the pretty mountains in Northwest Arkansas. There are often special events on board, and the ride gives you a feeling of old-fashioned rail travel. Unlike some train stations that have a high platform, these trips can remind you of the classic train days.

Available services include:

• Amtrak’s Texas Eagle: A long-distance route that connects many big cities.

• A&M Railroad Excursions: A scenic train ride that focuses on sightseeing and special events.

Popular Routes Passing Through Arkansas

The Texas Eagle is the most important passenger train route in Arkansas. This well-known Amtrak line runs each day between Chicago and San Antonio. It crosses the state line into Arkansas and stops at big stations as it goes. From Arkansas, you can travel north to St. Louis and Chicago. You can also head south to Dallas and other places in Texas.

This route gives you an easy way to get to other cities, without the trouble of driving. You can check Amtrak fares or look up route details online to help you plan your trip. The Texas Eagle is a key link for people living in or visiting Arkansas. It connects the state to the bigger national rail system.

Key things to know about this popular train include:

• There is service every day through Arkansas.

• It connects with major hubs like Chicago, St. Louis, and Dallas.

• Stops include Little Rock and Walnut Ridge.

Major Amtrak Stations in Arkansas

When you plan your trip by train in Arkansas, you will likely use one of the two main Amtrak stations. The biggest one is Little Rock Union Station, which is historic and has full service. It is right in the state capital. The other option is the Walnut Ridge Amtrak station, which is a good stop for people in the northeastern part of Arkansas.

Both stations are stops for the Texas Eagle route. They do have different services, though. For example, Union Station has a ticket office with staff there to help you. Other Amtrak stations might give you different things. Let’s take a closer look at what you can get at each station—Union Station and Walnut Ridge.

Little Rock Union Station (LRK)

Little Rock Union Station is more than just a place to catch a train; it’s a historic depot that has been serving passengers since 1921. Today, this beautifully restored building houses office spaces and an Amtrak waiting room on its lower level. The station offers full ticketing services, so you can purchase tickets and get assistance from staff before you board.

Passengers can also take advantage of checked baggage service, but be aware there may be a storage fee for held bags. As a historic station, it may not have platforms at the level of the vestibule of the train, so staff assistance is available for boarding. The station’s blend of history and modern service makes it a unique starting point for any journey.

Service	Availability
Ticket Sales Office	Yes
Checked Baggage Service	Yes
Accessible Waiting Room	Yes
Overnight Parking	Yes (fees may apply)
Wheelchair Lift	Yes

Walnut Ridge Amtrak Station (WNR)

The Walnut Ridge Amtrak station is at 109 West Main Street. It is an important place for people who need to travel by train in the northeast of Arkansas. At the Walnut Ridge station, you get an enclosed waiting room where you can sit and be comfortable as you wait for the Texas Eagle to come in. There is not a ticket counter or a ticket office here, but this spot gives you a safe and easy way to get on your train.

Since the Walnut Ridge station does not have a ticket office or a baggage room, you will need to buy your ticket before you come and bring your bags with you. You can ask for passenger assistance if you need help, but be sure to let someone know before the day you travel. That will help make things go smoother when you get on the train. This platform is an unstaffed shelter. So, it is important to get ready for your trip before you arrive.

The Walnut Ridge station may not be big, but it is important for the community. It helps many people connect to other places on the national rail network. Remember to have your ticket with you and ready when you go to get on your train at this platform.

Passenger Train Service by City

If you want to know the cities in Arkansas where you can get on a passenger train, there are two. These are Little Rock and Walnut Ridge. Both cities let people travel by rail, but each one is a little different. Little Rock is the state capital, and it has a full train station. Walnut Ridge has a simple stop, but it is still important.

You should pick your city based on where you are and what you need. If you want a place with a ticket office and full service, Little Rock will be good for you. You can get Amtrak Guest Rewards points from both Little Rock and Walnut Ridge. Now, we will check the station details for Little Rock and Walnut Ridge.

Train Stations in Little Rock

The train station in Little Rock gives you a nice and easy trip. It sits at Union Station. There is a large waiting area where you can sit down and relax before your train comes. The station has many helpful services to make your travel smooth. Friendly staff are there to help people who need it.

If you need to buy tickets, there is a ticket office. Amtrak workers are there and ready when trains are coming and going. You can use the ticket office for ticket purchasing, dropping off your checked bags, or asking questions. The train station also has accessible parking that you can use for the same day or overnight.

From the time you walk in, you will see Little Rock Union Station is ready for all your needs. The place mixes old historic charm with new things people like, so your trip can start in a good way.

Train Service in Walnut Ridge

In the city of Walnut Ridge, the train service is simple and made for your comfort if you need to travel in this area. The Walnut Ridge station gives you a platform and a waiting room where you can sit inside while you wait for Amtrak trains to show up. This stop makes sure people in northeastern Arkansas have a way to use the national rail system on the Texas Eagle train.

The Walnut Ridge station does not have a ticket office. You need to do all ticket purchasing online, with the Amtrak app, or by phone before you go to the station. You should make sure you have your ticket ready before you get there. This helps you get on the train without any trouble.

Even though Walnut Ridge station does not have people working there, it still does a great job as a main travel spot. It helps connect the city to other places around the country. Because of this, it is very helpful for the people who live here, letting them use the waiting room and Amtrak trains that run on the Texas Eagle route.

Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Experiences

Arkansas has more to offer than just normal passenger trains. You can try the Arkansas & Missouri (A&M) Railroad for a fun rail trip. This is not your regular train for work trips. The rides here are all about the view and the feeling of the past. The train runs on tracks that have a lot of history. Some of these even used to be part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad.

The A&M Railroad is known for special train rides for people. They give you a great look at the Ozark Mountains. You can get on the train at a historic depot. There, you can pick if you want to join a special event or just enjoy a nice ride to see the sights. Let’s take a look at the one-of-a-kind trips this railroad gives us.

Scenic Passenger Excursion Rides

If you are looking for a nice trip with great views, the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad is a good pick. The passenger excursion rides on this train let you sit by the window and look at all the beautiful places in Northwest Arkansas. You get to ride through mountains and valleys. The train cars are old but they are fixed up and look great.

There are a few trips to pick from, so you can choose the one you like best. You may want a shorter ride or a longer one. Either way, the ride is easy and fun. The trains are old but that makes it special and they also give passenger assistance. This help lets everyone enjoy the ride.

The most popular scenic trips are:

• Springdale to Van Buren: This is a longer trip with many different views to see.

• Van Buren to Winslow: This ride goes up into the Ozark mountains.

• Springdale to Winslow: This is another well-liked route and the views are amazing.

Special Events and Themed Train Journeys

The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad is great for special events and fun train rides. These trips are more than a simple train ride. You get a good time and memories for all ages. During the year, you will find fun trips like the Pizza Train Express or an Ice Cream Social. These rides are good choices for families.

On some trips, you may get to be in a dining car, so you can eat a meal while you see the pretty views outside. These events are popular, so it is best to get your tickets early from the ticket office or online. The A&M Railroad uses its own tracks, but some rail parts in the state still belong to big companies, like the Union Pacific Railroad.

The railroad wants to give everyone a good time. Make sure to look at their schedule for new special events. These events are a fun way to enjoy train rides in Arkansas.

Amenities at Arkansas Train Stations

When you get to a train station in Arkansas, what you find depends on the location. Every station, though, wants you to have a safe and good start to your trip. The bigger train stations, like Little Rock, have an indoor waiting room. There, you get comfortable seating, a ticket counter with station staff, and you can use the baggage service.

Smaller train stations, like Walnut Ridge, keep things simple. You may only see a platform shelter. If the station has staff, they are there to help you. Most stations give you an accessible platform, so getting on and off the train is not hard. Now, let’s see exactly what you will get at these places.

Ticketing Services and Waiting Areas

Your ticketing and waiting experience will be different at each station. At Little Rock Union Station, there is a full-service ticket office. Here, you can buy your tickets, ask for information, and check your bags at the baggage room. There is a ticket counter with station staff who can help answer your questions about travel.

This station has a big, climate-controlled waiting room. You can sit here and relax before your train leaves. There will be station staff on site to give you free passenger assistance. They help make sure everything goes well from the time you get to the station until you get on your train.

The Walnut Ridge station is different. At this unstaffed stop, you will find an enclosed waiting room, but there is no ticket office and no station staff. If you are using Walnut Ridge station, you must get your tickets online or by phone before your trip. It is always good to check what services your station offers before you go.

Accessibility, Parking, and Onsite Facilities

Accessibility is very important at Arkansas’s train stations. Little Rock Union Station helps people who need to get around. There is a wheelchair lift at the station that helps people get on the train. This is needed because the platform and train doors are not at the same level.

Inside the station, people will find accessible restrooms and a waiting room for those who need it. The train itself has onboard ramps. The station also makes sure people can get to the accessible platform without any problems. There is also accessible parking. You can park for just the day or leave your car overnight. Parking fees might apply in some cases.

Here are the main accessibility features at Little Rock Station:

• Available wheelchair lift for boarding

• Accessible platform, restrooms, and waiting room

• Designated accessible parking spaces

Walnut Ridge is a smaller platform and there are no staff. There are not as many accessibility options. It is a good idea to ask Amtrak for help before you travel if you will need any help there.

How to Buy Train Tickets in Arkansas

Ready to book your trip? Ticket purchasing for train travel in Arkansas is easy and you get a few choices. Most people like to use the official Amtrak website or the mobile app. Here, you can see amtrak fares and find train times that work for you.

If you want to talk to someone, you can buy tickets at the ticket office in Little Rock Union Station. The staff at the ticket counter in Little Rock can help you with your ticket and answer questions. Now, let’s talk more about these ways to buy your ticket.

Online Booking Options

The easiest way to get your train tickets is by using Amtrak’s online tools. You can try the official Amtrak website or the Amtrak mobile app on your phone. These let you see train times, plan your trip, and buy your eTicket. Then, your eTicket will go straight to your email address.

When you book, you will need to put in your travel details and passenger information. If you are in Amtrak Guest Rewards, get your member number ready. That way, you will be able to get points for your trip. Watch out when you type things like passwords because some parts are case sensitive.

With these online tools, you get to change or see your booking anytime and anywhere.

• Official Amtrak Website: This way is best if you want to plan your whole trip on a computer.

• Amtrak Mobile App: Good for booking and checking things while you move around.

• eTickets: The tickets are sent to your email address so you can print them or just show them on your phone.

Purchasing Tickets at the Station

If you want to buy your tickets in person, you can do this at the Little Rock Union Station. The ticket office at this spot has staff who can help you. You can talk right to the Amtrak team at the ticket counter. The station staff know a lot about ticket purchasing and can help with many things.

This way works well if your plans are hard, you want to pay with cash, or just like speaking to someone in person. You can get your questions answered right away and get a printed ticket then and there. Be sure to give your Amtrak Guest Rewards number if you have one.

Know that the ticket office is open only at some times, mostly around train arrival times and when they leave. The Walnut Ridge station does not have a ticket office, so if you want to buy in person, you need to go to the Little Rock Union Station.

Finding Train Schedules and Route Information

To have a smooth trip, you need to know the most recent schedule and route details. Train arrival times can change now and then, so it is always smart to look at the official timetables before you go. This can help you plan your day and make sure you do not get any surprises when you are at the station.

Amtrak gives you some helpful services and resources to keep you in the know. The best place to get this information is from Amtrak’s own sites, since these are updated in real time. Here, you can find the travel planning resources you need and always get good details on arrival times.

Official Timetables and Travel Planning Resources

For the most up-to-date train schedules, you should always use Amtrak’s own sources. The best way to start planning is to go to the Amtrak website. On the site, you can find official timetables for all amtrak routes. You just enter where you want to leave from and where you want to go. Then, you will see all trains that run at the time of your trip.

You can also use the amtrak mobile app. The app lets you buy tickets and see real-time updates on your train. It shows where your train is and will tell you if there is a delay. This is very helpful, especially on the day you travel.

Don’t use other websites for schedules because those may not have the right times. If you use Amtrak’s website or mobile app, you will know you have the right information to plan your trip through Arkansas.

Connecting Cities and Destinations From Arkansas

From Arkansas, the Texas Eagle train gives you many ways to travel. The train is a good way to reach different cities both close by and far away. If you go north from Little Rock or Walnut Ridge, you can go straight to St. Louis. From there, you can ride to Chicago, which is a big spot for Amtrak routes all over the country.

If you go south, the train goes across the state line into Texas. It can take you right to Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Once you get to these cities, you can catch other trains that travel all the way to Los Angeles. There is so much you can do and so many places you can go with the Texas Eagle, starting in Arkansas.

Some big places you can get to from Arkansas are:

• Northbound: St. Louis, MO, and Chicago, IL

• Southbound: Dallas, TX; Austin, TX; and San Antonio, TX

• Connections: From Chicago or San Antonio to other places in the country.

Best Arkansas Stations for Tourist Destinations

Picking the right train station can make it easy to get to some of the best places to see in Arkansas. The Little Rock Union Station is on the National Register of Historic Places. This means the train station itself is worth a visit. When you come in by train to the capital city, you are close to many big attractions.

The station staff will help you with local tips and can answer questions you may have. Even though train tracks do not go everywhere in the state, riding the train is still a good way to start exploring some areas. Let’s find out how you can use the train to go to great spots in Arkansas.

Reaching Eureka Springs by Train

Many people ask how to get to the nice town of Eureka Springs by train. You should know there is no Amtrak service or passenger train that goes straight to Eureka Springs. The town is in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. It is not on the path of the Texas Eagle train route.

But you can still enjoy a train ride as part of your trip to this region. The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad has scenic rides and special train events nearby. You can make their train part of your Northwest Arkansas plans if you want to.

To get right to Eureka Springs, you have to use something else, like a car. It is a good idea to ask the local chamber of commerce for tips about getting to and moving around the area.

Access to Popular State Attractions

For anyone who wants to see Arkansas, coming to Little Rock Union Station is a smart idea. This train station is in the heart of the capital city, so you get easy access to many top spots. You can get around by bus or use a ride-sharing app from the station.

It is a good place to start your trip. First, you can walk around the old union station itself. Then, you can see what Little Rock has waiting for you. There is a lot of history, art, and fun things to do close to the train station.

Some places to check out nearby are:

• The William J. Clinton Presidential Center

• Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

• The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Conclusion

To sum up, taking the train in Arkansas is a special way to see many great places in the state. You can start your trip from big stations like Little Rock Union Station and Walnut Ridge Amtrak Station. From these stations, you can get to top spots and some local secrets all over the area. You might ride the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad for fun, or you might travel between cities for work or a visit. No matter what, the stations give you nice things to make your travel easy and relaxed. Don’t miss your chance to see all the good things Arkansas has on the train. Book your tickets now and enjoy the charm of train rides right from Little Rock, Walnut Ridge, or Union Station in 2026!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cities in Arkansas currently have passenger train service?

You can get on Amtrak trains in two Arkansas cities: Little Rock and Walnut Ridge. The Union Station in Little Rock is a full-service stop. Walnut Ridge is a platform station. Both stops are on the Texas Eagle route. If you need passenger assistance, you can ask for it ahead of time.

What amenities can travelers expect at Arkansas train stations?

Amenities at each station are different. In Little Rock, you get a waiting room. There is also a ticket office that has staff. You can use baggage service and restrooms. Walnut Ridge has a simple shelter for you. Both stations have trains with features for people who need them. You can use a clear path to get to the accessible platform. When you need help, look for the station staff, if they are there.

Are there any scenic train rides available for tourists in 2026?

Yes, the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad does have great train rides that go through the Ozarks. These trips are not run by Amtrak. They are for people who want to see the sights and enjoy special events. You can ride on old train tracks for a fun and different trip. It is a good way for people to get a nice look at the area and try something new.