Key Highlights
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The main spot for train travel in New Orleans is the Union Passenger Terminal (NOL). You can find it at 1001 Loyola Avenue.
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Amtrak runs three big train routes from this terminal. These are the City of New Orleans, the Crescent, and the Sunset Limited.
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This terminal is an intermodal facility. It connects you to Amtrak trains, Greyhound buses, and local streetcars.
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The station has a big waiting room. There is checked baggage service and both same-day and overnight parking.
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You can plan your train travel from New Orleans to places like Chicago, New York City, and other cities on the Gulf Coast.
Introduction
Welcome to the Big Easy! If you want to visit New Orleans, taking the train is a good and easy way to begin your trip. When you go by train, you can see the pretty sights of Louisiana as they pass by your window. You can feel relaxed before you even reach the city. In this guide, you will learn all you need to know about using the train stations in New Orleans. This will help your trip in 2026 be easy and something you will remember. The friendly people and warm feeling of the South will meet you right when you get off the train in orleans.
Get ready for a good time with new orleans train travel through louisiana!
Overview of Train Travel in New Orleans
Taking a train has been part of New Orleans for many years. At first, river trade was on top, but soon trains were needed to link the Crescent City with other places in the country. In the past, New Orleans had five passenger depots. This made things crowded and not safe at times.
Now, all train travel for passengers goes through one place—the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. This is the one spot for all Amtrak stations in the city. The station is the end point for three main long trips by Amtrak. Having one union passenger terminal makes it much easier to plan your trip in or out of New Orleans.
Importance of Rail Connections in the City
The growth of rail lines was an important event in the history of New Orleans. After the Civil War, the city started to rebuild and add to its railroad lines. By the 1880s, new orleans had a few railroads in the area. But, the building of the first union station in 1892 was key. This was when the city really started to work as one big rail terminus.
This brought travel and business together, helping orleans connect with big cities like chicago and even reach the gulf coast. The southern pacific railroad and the illinois central railroad both played big roles. They made orleans an important doorway to the gulf coast.
More recently, the city still sees how important the rail system is. There have been transportation investments generating economic recovery and making the city better. One was a $45 million TIGER grant. That money helped fix up the station and add new things, like the streetcar line. Because of these transportation investments generating, rail will stay a major part of orleans and help the city in the years to come.
What to Expect When Traveling by Train in 2026
If you pick train travel for your trip to New Orleans in 2026, you can look forward to a smooth and easy ride. The trip with Amtrak is made to help you feel calm. It is simple to use and works for everyone, whether you go alone or with your family.
At the station, staff will be there to help you. They will give a hand with ticket problems and show you where to go. If you have bags, you can use the checked baggage service. This way, you do not have to carry heavy things. Just try to get there with enough time to check your bags and get on the train without rush.
Here are some tips to help your trip go well:
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Arrive at the station at least 60 minutes before your train if you need ticket help or want to use the baggage service.
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If you already have your ticket and no bags for check-in, 30 minutes before the train leaves is enough.
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The station staff will help with your baggage.
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOL)
The New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, also called NOUPT, is the main spot for rail travel in the city. It opened in 1954. At that time, the terminal was seen as something new and special. Now, it is still the only passenger train station in New Orleans. The station was put up to bring together the work of five other train depots that used to be spread out across the city.
The Union Passenger Terminal is an important intermodal facility. This makes it one of the top places to get around in the southern United States. At this terminal, you can get on Amtrak trains, Greyhound buses, and local transit. Everything you need is in one spot here. We will talk about where the new orleans union passenger terminal is and what you can use inside to help your travel go well.
Location and Getting There
You can find the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal at 1001 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113. It is right in the Central Business District, so it’s easy to get to from many places in the city.
The main lead track to the terminal goes along what used to be the New Basin Canal. Now that area is called the Pontchartrain Expressway, or I-10. This big highway makes it easy to drive in and out of the union passenger terminal. The station is near important places, like the Superdome and the main post office. This makes the terminal a well-known spot in New Orleans.
If you want to use public transportation, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority runs lots of bus routes that stop right at the union passenger terminal. Plus, the Rampart-Loyola streetcar line ends (has its terminus) at the terminal. This gives you a simple way to get to Canal Street and the French Quarter from the station.
Key Features and Amenities for Travelers
The Union Passenger Terminal is equipped with a range of amenities designed for traveler comfort and convenience. The centerpiece is the modern waiting hall, which features famous murals depicting the history of Louisiana. This large, air-conditioned space provides a pleasant area to relax before your departure.
The station offers essential services such as a ticket sales office, restrooms, and vending machines. For those with luggage, checked baggage service is available, and station staff can provide assistance. While the original freight and express houses are now part of the neighboring arena and main post office, the terminal itself is focused on passenger needs.
Both same-day and overnight parking are available for a fee, including accessible parking options. Here is a quick look at some of the key amenities you’ll find:
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Amenity |
Availability |
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Waiting Room |
Yes, open 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily |
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Ticket Office |
Yes, open 6:30 AM to 10:15 PM daily |
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Checked Baggage Service |
Yes, available 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM daily |
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Parking |
Same-day and overnight parking available |
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Restrooms |
Yes, accessible |
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Wheelchair Lift |
Yes, available |
Amtrak Routes and Major Destinations
New Orleans is an important end point for three big Amtrak routes. If you want to travel north toward Chicago, go east all the way to the Atlantic coast, or head west to California, you will start this trip here. These Amtrak routes let you get to hundreds of places in the United States.
The three main lines at the Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans are the City of New Orleans, the Crescent, and the Sunset Limited. Each of these amtrak routes gives you its own type of trip and a way to see different parts of the country. In the next parts, you will get to know more about these lines and some popular stops you can visit.
City of New Orleans, Crescent, and Sunset Limited Lines
Your Amtrak journey in New Orleans starts at the Union Passenger Terminal, right on the main lead track. From here, you can pick one of three fun routes. Each one shows you a different side of the country.
If you get on the City of New Orleans line, you will go north. The train follows the Mississippi River until you reach Chicago. This line is well-known and goes through blues country, with stops in cities like Memphis. It’s great for anyone who likes music or hearing about the past.
If you want to travel east, you can ride the Crescent. This train goes through the Deep South and ends in New York City. If you’re going west, get on the Sunset Limited. It links New Orleans and Los Angeles. Taking this route gives you beautiful sights while crossing Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. You get to see a lot of the American Southwest this way.
Popular Destinations Accessible from New Orleans
From New Orleans, you can take a train to many fun cities all over the United States. If you want a short trip or you plan to start a bigger adventure across the country, there are plenty of places to go.
The City of New Orleans line is a good way to head to Memphis, which is famous for blues music and barbeque. After Memphis, you can take the train all the way to Chicago, a large city full of energy. If you want to go east, the Crescent train line lets you visit old, historic cities in the South before reaching big places like Washington, D.C., and New York City. The Sunset Limited line lets you travel into Texas and the Southwest.
There is also good news closer to New Orleans. Soon, new train service will make it easy again to travel along the pretty Gulf Coast. You will be able to visit spots that are great for enjoying the sun. Some favorite places include:
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Bay Saint Louis
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Gulfport
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Biloxi
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Lake Charles
Navigating the Station and Local Area
When you get to the Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans, it is easy to find your way around. The station is set up well. The main waiting hall is in the center. You can get to train platforms, the ticket counter, and the exits from there. Union Passenger Terminal is in the Central Business District of Orleans, so you are in the heart of the city.
You are also close to many must-see spots. The French Quarter is nearby. The Superdome is not far away, too. You can get to the arts scene in the Warehouse District in just a short time. In the next few parts, you will find simple tips and travel ideas for getting around and seeing the area.
Directions to Downtown and Local Attractions
The Union Passenger Terminal is right in the Central Business District. This makes it easy to get to downtown places. The middle of the city, like the famous French Quarter, is a little more than a mile away. You can walk there, grab a quick taxi, or use public transit.
A great way to get around is by taking the Rampart-Loyola streetcar. It stops right at the terminal. This streetcar goes straight to Canal Street, which sits between the Central Business District and the French Quarter. Once you are on Canal Street, you can start to explore old streets, local shops, and places to eat.
The terminal is close to some big spots in town. If you get lost, check for one of these nearby landmarks:
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The Caesars Superdome can be reached by walking.
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The main post office is next to the terminal.
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Canal Street can be reached with a short walk or streetcar ride.
Multimodal Transportation Options (Buses, Streetcars, and Taxis)
One of the biggest things people like about the Union Passenger Terminal is that it is a full intermodal facility. This means you get a lot of ways to go where you want right when you leave the train. Your travel in New Orleans can be smooth and easy here.
Yes, you can catch Greyhound buses at this terminal too. Greyhound Lines joined the station in the late 1960s, so now people can use trains and buses in the same place. This makes it easy to go from a long train ride to a bus route in Orleans.
Besides the big bus trips, you get other local ways to get around, thanks to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. Right at the station, you will find:
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City buses. They go everywhere in New Orleans and there are a lot of lines.
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The famous New Orleans streetcars. One of the streetcar lines stops right at the terminal.
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A taxi area for fast and easy rides to your hotel or where you want to go.
Conclusion
To sum up, checking out the train stations in New Orleans lets you enjoy your trip more. It helps you see the lively culture and fun things to do in this city. You can visit the famous New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal and use different Amtrak routes to reach many great places. Train travel is both easy and fun for everyone.
When you move through the terminal and the area around it, you will find plenty of good things like food spots, places to rest, and simple ways to get around Orleans. This makes it simple to go out and explore new areas. It does not matter if this is your first time or if you travel often—knowing how new orleans train travel works really helps your trip feel better. If you need some one-on-one help, just ask for your free travel talk now!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there other train stations in New Orleans besides the Union Passenger Terminal?
No, the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is now the only passenger train station in the city. In the past, New Orleans had other stations. These included the Southern Railway Terminal and the first New Orleans Union Station made by Louis H. Sullivan. All of these got joined together into the current terminal in 1954. After that, the old stations were taken down.
Is parking available at the New Orleans train station?
Yes, you can park your car at the Union Passenger Terminal. There are spots for same-day parking and for overnight parking. You will need to pay to use these spots. If you need an accessible parking spot, there are some at the terminal too. This makes it easy for people who want to leave their car for a few hours or for more than one day.
How do I buy tickets for trains departing from New Orleans?
You can buy your Amtrak tickets at the Union Passenger Terminal. There is a ticket office in the main waiting area. Station agents are there to help you. If you want, you can also get your tickets before your trip. Book them online at Amtrak.com or use the Amtrak app on your phone.