This New Amtrak Route From New Orleans Makes It Easier to Visit Popular Beaches in the Gulf Shores

It just got easier to explore The Big Easy and the bayou region.

Amtrak recently announced a new service connecting Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans with stops including Biloxi and Gulfport in Mississippi. The new service will operate twice daily and will be known as the “Amtrak Mardi Gras Service.”

Amtrak says the exact timing, fares, and the start date will be published in several weeks, but the train company revealed it will launch the route during the summer travel season. The train will make stops in Bay Saint Louis, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Pascagoula—all in Mississippi.

“Our goal is to have some of that festive Mardi Gras feeling on every trip, sharing the culture of the Gulf Coast region while connecting with the rest of the Amtrak network,” Amtrak president Roger Harris said in a statement obtained by Travel + Leisure.

The new service allows rail travelers in the southern states to connect in New Orleans and go as far as Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Best of all, the twice daily Mardi Gras service allows for same-day trips. 

For travelers looking to explore the bayou region, the new service lets you visit under-the-radar destinations. For example: the Mobile, Alabama, stop is just a 30-mile trip from Dauphin Island, which has been described as an “often-overlooked” destination. With 14 miles of shoreline and white sand beaches, Dauphin Island is also home to The Beach Club Resort and Spa and Kiva Dunes Resort and Golf. 

Travelers can also spend time in the town of Pascagoula, Mississippi, another stop on the Mardi Gras Service, which is known as the “Secret Coast” and was previously recognized by Travel + Leisure as the “South's Most Underrated Beach Getaway.” The community is home to beaches and nature trails, such as the Fontainebleau Nature Trail, which has more than 400 positive reviews on AllTrails for its unique terrain and proximity to the bayou. 

In addition to this new route expansion, Amtrak has been on the move with customer enhancements, including the recent announcement of its next generation of rail service. The rail company plans to launch its new Airo train cars, which will have larger windows and more space for passengers, in 2026.