Key Highlights
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll learn about Texas train travel:
- Texas is on major Amtrak routes. These include the Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited. These lines connect Texas to the rest of the nation.
- You can find an Amtrak station in major cities like Dallas (Union Station), Houston, and the well-known San Antonio station.
- Passenger rail gives you a new way to see Texas. You can go from the piney woods of East Texas to the busy city of Fort Worth.
- There are many train stations in Texas. They offer different things to help make your travel experience easy and nice.
- The Texas Eagle is a main train that goes through the middle of the state each day. It stops at many places on the way.
Introduction
Are you ready to see Texas in a new way? Riding by train is a great way to travel across the Lone Star State. You get to relax and look at the different views outside your window. You can’t get these same views from driving on the highway. You will pass by green hills and busy cities, all while sitting in comfort. Train travel lets you feel the heart of Texas and learn about its history. Try a trip on the famous Texas Eagle and find out why people all over the United States are starting to like train travel again.
Key Features of Texas Train Stations
Texas train stations are built to make your travel experience better from the minute you get there. Many stations are right in or close to the central business district, so you can get to them easily. When you walk in, you will see different things to help with your mobility needs and make sure you are comfortable while you wait.
These train stations offer help with tickets and let you bring service animals, so using passenger rail is easy for everyone. No matter if you are starting your trip here or just passing through, the stations offer what people need to keep travel easy and fun. Here are some of the services and things you can find at Texas train stations.
Types of Passenger Rail Services in Texas
When you think about passenger rail in Texas, Amtrak is the main choice for people who want to travel long distances. It connects Texas to the rest of the country. The two main services are the Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited. These trains stop in many cities and small towns across the state. You can spot an Amtrak station in many important places. This makes it a good way to get across Texas.
Big cities in Texas have their own transit systems too, but it is these long Amtrak trains that help you get across the state. The American Public Transportation Association says that you should have a good mix of transit in the big areas. Many major cities use their Amtrak station along with other transit, like:
- Light rail systems
- Bus networks
- Commuter rail service
- Rapid transit lines
These local rail service options help you get around the city after you reach your stop. For example, when you arrive at a big Amtrak station, you can take a light rail to get to different spots in the city. All of these ways to travel work together to make your trip smooth.
Accessibility and Traveler Amenities
Your comfort is very important when you travel on Texas trains or wait at the stations. The major hubs work hard to meet many needs for people who travel. You can sit and rest in a comfortable waiting area before it is time to get on your train. These big stations also help people with mobility needs, so all can get around with ease.
When you get on the train cars, you will find some key amenities that help make the trip nice. What you get can change based on your ticket and route. Some trains have a dining car, a Sightseer Lounge with wide views, and private rooms where you can stay. Service animals are also welcome, so everyone can go on their journey.
Key amenities often include:
- Checked baggage service
- Superliner Accessible Bedrooms for passengers with mobility needs
- Onboard café service for snacks and drinks
How to Find Schedules and Ticketing Options
Planning your Texas train adventure is a straightforward process. The best way to begin is by using the official Amtrak website. You will find the most up-to-date information for every route. This includes times for departure and arrival at each station. The website is easy to use. You can quickly look up the schedule that works best for your travel plans.
If you want to plan on the go, get the Amtrak mobile app. The mobile app gives you all the same information you get on the website. But it is on your phone. You can see schedules, book Amtrak tickets, and check on your train’s status in real time.
Here’s how you can easily get your Amtrak tickets:
- Visit the official Amtrak website.
- Use the mobile app.
- Purchase tickets directly at the station.
Major Amtrak Stations in Texas
Texas has many big train stations. These stations are important for people who travel by train. The most used train stations connect big cities in the state. They help people get to and from routes like the texas eagle and sunset limited. You will see important stations like Dallas Union Station, houston station, and the well-known san antonio station. All of them have their own good things and help people connect to other places.
Traveling for work or fun is easy when you use a central station in texas. These main train stations help your trip go well. You can get on amtrak trains at these places. The texas eagle or sunset limited can take you far, across the state or even outside Texas. Next, we will show what is good or special about each of these train stations, such as union station and san antonio station.
Dallas Union Station: Location, Features, and Services
Dallas Union Station sits right in the middle of the city’s central business district. It is one of the main major hubs in Texas. The full name is Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station. This place helps connect many rail lines, like Amtrak’s Texas Eagle.
Being in a great spot, you can easily get around downtown Dallas from here. Things like Reunion Tower are not far and are easy to get to on foot. The station is not only a busy stop, but also a famous landmark. It is a grand place to start or end your ride. Many people visit Union Station because it is more than just a regular station. It’s a well-known spot on its own.
Union Station is a big part of getting around North Texas. Besides Amtrak, it connects to other services like the Trinity Railway Express. This rail line goes from Dallas to Fort Worth, making it simple for people to travel all over the area. That’s why Union Station is so important for getting in and out of north Texas.
Houston Amtrak Station: Connections and Facilities
The Houston Amtrak Station is at 902 Washington Avenue. This place is an important stop on the Sunset Limited route. The train goes between New Orleans and Los Angeles, and Houston is a key stop along the way. The station is smaller than the Union Station in Dallas, but it has all you need for a good travel experience.
Inside the Houston station, you will find a ticket office with staff, a waiting room, and checked baggage help. It is made to help you get where you need to go. So, it works if Houston is your first stop, a place you pass by, or your final destination. The station is simple, and you can get in and out without much trouble.
To find train times or see when the station is open, you should check the official Amtrak website before your trip. That is the best way to get the most current details for your journey with Amtrak through Houston. This station lets people connect to the rest of the national rail network.
San Antonio Station: Key Amenities and Historic Value
The San Antonio station is more than just an important place to get on or off the Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited. It is a spot that has deep ties to history. The building used by passengers today was put up in 1998. It is close to where the old, stylish depot from the Southern Pacific Railroad days once stood. All of this history makes your trip feel even more special.
The station is set up well for people going on a trip. It is where the Texas Eagle links up with the Sunset Limited, and together, they take off to Los Angeles. This lets people in Texas travel with ease to many other parts of the country and join up with the rest of the nation.
At the San Antonio station, you get to relax in a nice waiting room and have other key amenities for your comfort. The spot is close to well-known places in San Antonio, like the Riverwalk and the Alamo. Because of this, it is a great starting point if you want to see more of the city and take in all it has to offer.
Passenger Train Routes Across Texas
You can go across Texas by train with some main Amtrak routes. The biggest passenger rail service is the Texas Eagle. This train goes every day from Chicago, stops in Texas, and heads down to San Antonio. After San Antonio, it links to the Sunset Limited train if you want to keep going to Los Angeles.
There is also the Heartland Flyer route. It connects Oklahoma City with Fort Worth. These rail service choices give you a nice and calm way to ride between big cities and small towns. Now, let’s check out the stops and the best things you can see on each route.
The Texas Eagle Route: Stops and Highlights
The Texas Eagle is one of the most iconic Amtrak trains, offering a journey deep into the heart of Texas. The full route runs between Chicago and San Antonio, with connecting service to Los Angeles via the Sunset Limited. Along the way, it passes through the Ozarks to Little Rock before entering the piney woods of East Texas.
This route connects you to major cities like Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth, as well as smaller communities. Amtrak trains on this line are equipped with amenities like private rooms and a dining car to make your long-distance trip comfortable. On certain segments, you can enjoy the Sightseer Lounge car for spectacular views.
The Texas Eagle makes several stops within the state, providing broad coverage.
| Texas Stop | Region |
|---|---|
| Marshall | East Texas |
| Longview | East Texas |
| Dallas | North Texas |
| Fort Worth | North Texas |
| Austin | Central Texas |
| San Antonio | South Central Texas |
| El Paso | West Texas |
Other Amtrak Lines Serving Texas Cities
Besides the Texas Eagle, there are two other important Amtrak lines that help people travel by passenger rail in the state. The Sunset Limited is the country’s southernmost route. It goes from New Orleans to Los Angeles. On the way, it goes through Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso. This gives people in Texas a simple way to get to both the southeast and the west coast.
The Heartland Flyer is a regional line that runs between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. This one leaves each day. It is great for short trips between North Texas and Oklahoma, and it gives a handy choice instead of driving. Many people pick this line for business trips or quick weekend getaways.
These Amtrak routes keep Texas connected with the rest of the country’s passenger rail system. No matter if you are going across Texas or going far away, you can take these routes for a nice and easy trip to your next stop.
Dallas to Houston and Regional Train Connections
Right now, there is no direct passenger rail service between Dallas and Houston. If you want to travel by train between these two major cities, you have to use a mix of routes, which is not a good or fast way to go. For example, you could take the Texas Eagle from Dallas Union Station to San Antonio and then try to go east, but this is not a straight trip.
Many people believe that there will soon be a high-speed rail line that will link these two busy cities. This project is still in the works. For now, most rail service options in the area connect big cities with towns near them.
At this time, you do have a few convenient options:
- Connecting bus services run from main train stations.
- The Trinity Railway Express links Dallas and Fort Worth.
- Local light rail and bus routes help you get around once you get to the Houston Amtrak Station or Dallas Union Station.
Comprehensive List of Cities with Train Stations in Texas
Amtrak service in Texas is not just for the big cities. The train stations are found in a lot of smaller towns too. This helps people all over the state use train travel to get where they need to go. Every train station is a key stop. These stops link up places on the texas eagle and sunset limited routes.
You can start your trip in one of the major cities that are busy. Or, you can pick a small town with a slower feel. With so many train stations, you really get to see all of Texas. This way, you get to meet people from many places and see what each spot has to offer. Let’s look at which major cities and smaller communities the trains stop in.
Largest Urban Destinations with Stations
Texas’s largest cities are well-served by Amtrak, with stations that act as major transit hubs. These urban centers feature stations that are often centrally located and connect to other forms of local transportation, making them convenient for travelers. Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston all have stations.
For example, Dallas Union Station is a major multimodal hub in North Texas, while the station in Fort Worth provides a key connection point for the Heartland Flyer. In Houston, the station is your stop for the Sunset Limited route, placing you near downtown Houston.
These stations are your entry points to the biggest cultural and economic centers in Texas.
| City | Station Name/Identifier | Key Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station (DAL) | Texas Eagle |
| Fort Worth | Fort Worth Central Station (FTW) | Texas Eagle, Heartland Flyer |
| Houston | Houston Station (HOS) | Sunset Limited |
| San Antonio | San Antonio Station (SAS) | Texas Eagle, Sunset Limited |
| Austin | Austin Station (AUS) | Texas Eagle |
Smaller Towns Connected by Rail Networks
One thing that makes train travel special is the chance to see the small towns all over Texas. The rail networks in Texas link many nice communities. You get to see many different sides of the state. The Texas Eagle rides through the piney woods of east Texas, and stops in places that, long ago, played a big part in railroads like the Southern Pacific.
When these trains stop, they give help to people who live there and also let visitors travel in a new way. When you travel by train, you don’t just fly over everything. You get to look at the hometowns that are part of what makes the state what it is. Riding the train this way helps you get to know local people and their way of life.
Some smaller towns you can get to on Amtrak are:
- Marshall and Longview in east Texas
- Temple and Taylor in central Texas
- Alpine in the big bend area of west Texas
Are There Train Stations Near Texas City, TX?
If you want a train station right in Texas City, TX, you won’t see an Amtrak stop there. The main passenger rail service does not have an Amtrak station in the city. But, that does not mean there are no good travel choices in that area.
The nearest big Amtrak station is in Houston. It is about an hour away by car. The Houston station has the Sunset Limited route. From the Houston Amtrak station, you can use other ways to get to Texas City. Amtrak also has connecting bus rides to nearby Galveston.
For long trips, Houston’s main station is the closest choice. Houston’s local METRORail system has many METRORail stations. But, these METRORail stations do not go to Texas City. The best way is to go to the Houston Amtrak station and then find local travel to finish your way to Texas City.
Notable Scenic and Historic Train Stations
Texas is proud of its strong railroad past. Some train stations here are not just places where people wait for a train—the stations are fun places to visit, too. In Texas, you will find depots that look like they did long ago. These stations show off the classic way railways were built. There are also train stops that take you right to the start of scenic trips for visitors. The state also remembers the days when the Southern Pacific and other rail lines helped build its history.
People who love trains and those who like history will enjoy visiting these spots. The old stations show what it was like when train travel was the best way to go far and wide. Trains used to mean adventure and style, and these places help us remember that. So, let’s look at some of these well-known and historic stops that are still important parts of Texas today.
Fort Worth T&P Station: Heritage and Visitor Experience
While Amtrak’s main stop in Fort Worth is Central Station, there is a nearby station called T&P Station. This station shows off some of the city’s history. The Texas & Pacific Railway Station has amazing Art Deco style. It stands out as a sign of the golden age of trains. Amtrak trains do not stop here any more, but the Trinity Railway Express still does.
When you visit the T&P Station, it feels like going back in time. The large waiting room has been kept up well. It reminds people of travel back in the 1930s. Many people who love history or taking pictures like to come here for the design and the history it holds.
These days, there are some private homes inside this building. The public spaces, though, still give you that real look into Fort Worth’s past as a railroad center. It is a special place that tells the story of the city’s transportation history.
Classic Railway Architecture and Restored Depots
All over Texas, you will find many great examples of classic railway buildings. These old depots show a lot about how Texas grew through the years. Most of these stations were put up when rail lines like the Southern Pacific Railroad were busy and growing. Today, people have worked hard to keep them in good shape. Some buildings now work as local museums or community meeting spots. Some are still used as busy train stations.
When you visit these depots, you can see the way people built things back then. Some are big and fancy, while others are small but still full of style and charm. If you love history, you can see and feel what passenger rail was like in the past.
There are many spots where you can see how old rail buildings are taken care of. Some are:
- The Texas State Railroad depots in Palestine and Rusk. These buildings are the start and stop for a famous rail line that brings up old Texas train days.
- San Antonio’s station, found near the old spot where the big Southern Pacific depot once stood.
- Dallas Union Station, which is a big and grand central station. The waiting room there reminds people of good times from many years ago.
Popular Tourist Train Stops for Rail Enthusiasts
For people who love trains, some train stops are much more than just a place to get on or off. They are great spots for visitors because the stops have special things to see and do. They are where your journey starts, and you get to have an adventure at each one. The Texas State Railroad is a great example of this. People can ride old steam and diesel trains on a pretty trip through Piney Woods.
This old train line has a four-hour ride that is all about having a good time. People of all ages, including families and fans of train travel, come from all over to enjoy it. It lets you ride a train the old way, just like people did a long time ago.
Some train stops are good because they are close to cool places in nature.
- The Alpine station is the place to go if you want to see Big Bend National Park, which is very large and beautiful.
- The Rusk and Palestine depots are at each end of the Texas State Railroad. This is a classic train trip in the area.
- Marshall station is good for visiting old towns and seeing the lovely outdoors in East Texas.
Conclusion
In short, Texas train stations are not just places where you catch a train. They are the start point to see the culture and landscapes of this big Lone Star State. Fort Worth T&P Station brings old-time charm, while Dallas Union Station has a lot of new and good things for people who travel. Each stop is different, so you get a new feel at every place.
If you want to take a nice ride on the Texas Eagle or need to go between big cities, knowing what each train station has to offer will make your travel experience better. There are so many ways to get from city to city, or from busy places to quiet towns, with these train stations.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Get in touch to plan your next trip and make the most of all Texas has for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a map of all train stations in Texas?
The best place to find a full and interactive map of all Amtrak train stations in Texas is the official Amtrak website. You can see routes for trains like the Texas Eagle. At each Amtrak station, you can click to find its spot and see what services are there.
Which Texas cities have Amtrak service?
Amtrak runs trains to many towns in Texas. You can find an Amtrak station in the major cities, such as Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. There are also stops in smaller towns like Marshall, Longview, Temple, and Alpine. This means people in much of the state can get around by train.
What services and amenities do most Texas train stations offer?
Most train stations in Texas have many things to help you enjoy your travel experience. They have a comfortable waiting area where you can relax. You can get your tickets there, and you can check your bags too. The stations are ready to help people with mobility needs. Most places also let service animals in. This way, your trip can be easy and smooth for everyone.