Key Highlights
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You can explore Mississippi with easy Amtrak passenger train service.
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There are two main routes, the Crescent and City of New Orleans, that connect you to big cities.
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Main Amtrak station stops are in Jackson, Meridian, and Laurel.
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There will be a new train service running along the Gulf Coast. This service will connect to New Orleans.
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The old Meridian Union Station is a big transportation hub.
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Traveling by train makes it easy to see the Magnolia State of Mississippi and even places beyond it.
Introduction
Welcome to your guide to train travel in Mississippi. Taking the train is a calm and pretty way to see the state. Amtrak, the national train service for the United States, helps you connect to places in Mississippi and other parts of the country. You can travel along the gulf coast or go north. The passenger rail lets you have a different kind of trip. Sit back, let the train go, and see what the gulf coast has in store for you.
Overview of Mississippi’s Passenger Train Network
Mississippi’s passenger rail service plays a big role in how people get around in the southern part of the United States. Amtrak runs all the trains in this system. These Amtrak trains make it easy for you to travel between different towns and cities on two main long-distance routes. You can go for work, or just to have fun, without the stress of driving.
Right now, you can catch Amtrak trains at different Mississippi Amtrak stations, like Jackson, Meridian, Laurel, and Hattiesburg. These stops make it simple to get to many popular places. They also connect Mississippi with the bigger national rail service network. Now, let’s see more about the different routes and the trips you can take from these stations.
Key Train Operators and Routes Serving Mississippi
In Mississippi, Amtrak is the only company that runs passenger trains. It runs on two well-known routes that link cities like New Orleans, Chicago, and other big places on the East Coast.
The two main rail lines going through Mississippi are:
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The Crescent: This train goes every day from New York to New Orleans and stops in Atlanta on the way. It stops in Mississippi at Meridian, Laurel, Hattiesburg, and Picayune.
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The City of New Orleans: There are songs and stories about this route. The train runs from Chicago to New Orleans. In Mississippi, you can get on at Jackson, Brookhaven, Hazlehurst, McComb, Greenwood, and Yazoo City.
These routes by Amtrak give you a good way to travel if you do not want to fly or drive. You can relax in your seat and see the changing countryside. You still get to travel between some of the most lively cities in the country like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and New Orleans.
How Train Travel Connects Mississippi to Neighboring States
Mississippi’s Amtrak rail service lets you travel to nearby states and go even farther. You can get on in many places in Mississippi and travel to Louisiana. From there, you can travel more if you want. The Crescent and City of New Orleans trains both finish their trip in New Orleans. This makes it easy to plan a weekend visit to New Orleans.
If you go the other way, the Crescent route starts in Mississippi and goes through Alabama on its way to Atlanta and the East Coast. You can get there without a long drive or airport checks. It’s simple, whether you travel for work or just for fun.
Soon, Amtrak will bring back rail service along the Gulf Coast. When they do, you can travel by train from Mississippi’s coastal towns and into Mobile, Alabama. This means more choices. It will be easier for all of us to visit the Gulf and see new places.
Guide to Major Amtrak Stations in Mississippi
Knowing about the main Amtrak station locations in Mississippi can help you plan your trip better. Big spots like the Jackson Amtrak station in the capital city, and Meridian Union Station, are main places where people come and go. Many travelers start or end their ride at these stations. The station staff there can help you get your trip started the right way because they have all you need.
Soon, people will find more Amtrak station choices on the coast. Both Gulfport and Biloxi will be part of a new route. When you use any station, you can buy a ticket from a ticket office or just wait for your train. At each Amtrak station, you will find the things you need for your journey. Now, let’s look more closely at these key stops in Mississippi.
Meridian Union Station: Hub of Rail in East Mississippi
Meridian Union Station stands as a testament to the city’s rich railroad history. Located at 1901 Front Street, this beautifully renovated facility is more than just an Amtrak station; it’s a multi-modal transportation center. It also houses Greyhound bus services and provides office space for Norfolk Southern Railway, making it a true hub for travel in East Mississippi.
The station, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers a variety of services for your convenience. The project to restore the station has spurred significant economic development in the surrounding Depot District, inspiring other cities to revitalize their own historic stations.
You can find key services available seven days a week, ensuring you’re well-cared for on your travel days.
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Service |
Availability |
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Ticket Sales Office |
Daily, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm |
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Checked Baggage Service |
Daily, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm |
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Passenger Assistance |
Daily, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm |
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Waiting Room |
Daily, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm |
Historic Laurel Station: Significance and Services
The Laurel Amtrak station is more than just a place to catch the Crescent. It is a part of history. Like many old stations in the country, the Laurel Amtrak station shows what the “golden era” of train travel was like. It has a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. This shows how the railroad was a big part of how towns like Laurel grew in Mississippi.
When you travel through this Amtrak station, you are walking where many people have walked before over the years. The station is still very important to the community. It links Laurel to Amtrak and the country’s passenger rail system.
This station may be small, but it has what people need. There is a ticket office where you can buy your tickets and find out more about your trip. If you use Amtrak Guest Rewards, you will also earn points on every trip you take from this station. That makes your travel better and gives you more value.
Gulf Coast Stops: Biloxi and Other Coastal Highlights
Big news for the Mississippi Gulf Coast! The passenger rail service is coming back after being gone for 20 years because of Hurricane Katrina. The new service called “Mardi Gras Service” will run between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. There will be four main stops in Mississippi, and Biloxi is one of them. Riding the train will now make it much easier to see the coast.
The train on this new route will run two times a day. This gives both local people and tourists a good way to travel. The stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast are:
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Bay St. Louis
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Gulfport
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Biloxi
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Pascagoula
This new rail service is big for the area. It will help bring in more visitors and make it easy for people to travel between these great gulf towns. No matter if you want to try your luck at a casino in Biloxi or relax on the beach in Bay St. Louis, Amtrak will be ready to take you there.
New and Upcoming Train Services in Mississippi for 2026
Big things are coming up for rail service in Mississippi. Amtrak plans to spend more to grow its network. The state will be better off with these upgrades. You can expect more ways to travel, especially if you live on or go visit the Gulf Coast.
One big part of Amtrak’s plans is to bring back the rail route between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. This will add new stops in places on the Gulf Coast like Gulfport and Biloxi. It will also bring back an important way for people to travel. Let’s take a closer look at what these new rail options will be.
Planned Amtrak Expansions and New Routes
The most exciting of the new Amtrak routes is the soon-to-start Gulf Coast passenger service. Amtrak will launch its new “Mardi Gras Service,” which gives people a great new way to travel along the coastline. This big move will help Amtrak trains reach more areas in the South.
With this change, there will be two roundtrips each day between New Orleans and Mobile. For people in Mississippi, this means they will now stop in more places. The new passenger service will stop at:
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Bay St. Louis
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Gulfport
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Biloxi
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Pascagoula
This route is coming back because Amtrak, state governments, and local groups have worked together. It shows that they want to keep train travel up-to-date and better, so more people can have a quicker and more comfortable way to get around the gulf area.
Anticipated Economic and Travel Impact for Mississippians
The growth of passenger rail service will bring many good things to Mississippi. The new Gulf Coast route will help drive economic development. It will make it easy for tourists and people in business to go to places like Gulfport and Biloxi. This will help bring more visitors to these towns. People will spend more money in local shops, places to eat, and hotels.
When the rail service comes back, it will give people in Mississippi more ways to travel. They will get a direct and stress-free way to reach big cities like New Orleans. This will open up new chances for work, fun, and meeting family or friends. Having this new way to go along the coast is great for the people who live there.
The makeover of Meridian’s Union Station brought in over $135 million from both the government and other groups. This shows how powerful better rail service can be. The new passenger rail service on the gulf is ready to boost other towns this same way. It is a step forward for the economy and daily life in Mississippi.
Essential Information for Mississippi Train Travelers
To have a good and easy time when you travel by train in Mississippi, you should know some basic things. You will need to buy your ticket, and it helps to know what to expect when you get to the Amtrak station. If you know a bit ahead of time, it can help a lot. You should pay attention to ticketing, what is there at the station, and features that help people who need extra support.
No matter if this is your first ride or if you have done this many times, knowing about these things will make your trip better. In the next parts, we will talk about ticketing and what you will find at the Amtrak station when you are ready to leave.
Ticketing: Where and How to Buy Amtrak Tickets
Buying your Amtrak ticket is easy and fast. You have a few ways to buy your ticket, so you can pick what works best for you. The simplest and most used way is to book online or with the mobile app. That way, you can check the train times, look at prices, and handle your trip from anywhere.
If you like talking to someone, you have other choices too. Here is how you can get your ticket:
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Online: Go to Amtrak.com to buy your ticket.
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By Phone: You can call 1-800-USA-RAIL and talk with an agent.
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At the Station: At some big train stations, like Meridian Union Station, you will find a ticket office. Here, you can get help and buy your ticket in person.
Don’t forget to sign up for Amtrak Guest Rewards. You can earn points every time you travel, and use them for future trips. If you plan early and buy your ticket ahead of time, you can often get the best prices on your ride.
Station Amenities and Accessibility Features
Mississippi’s Amtrak stations give you many things to make your wait more comfortable. Most stations have a waiting room and restrooms. If you are bringing a lot of luggage, larger stations like Meridian offer baggage service. This means you can check your bags and not carry them onto the train.
Amtrak cares about making it easy for everyone to use the stations. Accessibility is important. The stations are built so all people can get in and move around without trouble. These are some common things you can find for accessibility:
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Accessible waiting rooms and restrooms
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Wheelchair lifts or ramps to help with boarding the train
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Passenger help is there if you ask for it
You should always look up which amenities your Mississippi Amtrak station has before you get there. Go to the Amtrak website for this. It is a good idea to come at least 30 minutes early. This gives you time to check your baggage, find your platform, and get on your way without hurry.
Conclusion
To sum it up, train stations in Mississippi give people a mix of old and new. They are full of history and also offer modern things you need. These stations help connect travelers, making it easy to get around. The passenger train network is growing fast here. This shows off the charm of Mississippi. The trains are a good way to travel both in Mississippi and to other nearby places.
More train lines will be coming in 2026. This makes now a great time to think about taking the train in Mississippi. When you use these new train services, you can get to many places with ease. You can also find some special things to do along the way.
It does not matter if you want a slow trip or just want to get away for a while. Be sure to read the main tips and information in this guide about Mississippi. Have a good trip! Try to book your train tickets ahead of time so you get a spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mississippi train stations offer connections to other states?
Several stations in Mississippi connect right to other states. For example, you can travel from Jackson and Meridian on the City of New Orleans and Crescent routes. These stations let you get to Louisiana, Alabama, and Illinois. The new Gulf Coast service will help people in towns like Biloxi and Gulfport go directly to New Orleans and Mobile.
How do I check train schedules for Mississippi stations?
The best way to see the latest train schedule for any station in Mississippi is to go to the official Amtrak website, Amtrak.com, or use the Amtrak app. You can look up a train by station, route, or train number. This helps you get real-time updates on when trains leave and arrive at all mississippi amtrak stations.
What are the main stops for travelers riding Amtrak through Mississippi?
The main Amtrak stops change based on the route you take. Some big stations now are Jackson, Meridian, and Laurel. With the new Gulf Coast service, you will also be able to get to Gulfport, Biloxi, and Bay St. Louis. This makes it easy for people to reach the Gulf Coast and see the beautiful shore or visit the main cities that are away from the gulf.