Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service is set to return in August, marking the long-anticipated return of passenger rail service to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Service will begin on Aug. 18, with four daily trips between Mobile and New Orleans, calling in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
“This isn’t just a transportation milestone; it’s a transformative opportunity to drive tourism growth across our entire region,” Coastal Mississippi Tourism CEO Judy Young said in a release. “We’re deeply grateful to Amtrak and our state, local, and federal partners for working together to turn this long-awaited vision into reality.”
The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is expected to bring thousands of new visitors annually to Coastal Mississippi’s cities and towns. From the excitement of our many festival weekends, concerts, and special events, to relaxing beach weekends, culinary adventures, and family getaways, there’s no better time—or easier way—to experience the Gulf Coast than by train.
“The return of passenger rail gives both visitors and locals a new way to enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Louisiana so special,” Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Glenn Ledet said in a release. “Re-starting the Amtrak line is a significant step toward establishing self-sufficient passenger rail service in the Gulf Coast Region.”
Amtrak Mardi Gras Service guests have same-day connections in both directions daily to the City of New Orleans trains between New Orleans and Chicago via Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis, and next-day connections in New Orleans to Crescent trains to and from New York via Atlanta, and Amtrak Sunset Limited trains to and from Los Angeles via Tucson, San Antonio and Houston.
