Traveling from Amtrak Birmingham to New Orleans is a long journey on the Crescent train, as it’s on the southern route. One train runs in each direction daily, completing the journey in approximately 8 hours. Train 19 is southbound, departing from Birmingham in the afternoon and arriving in New Orleans at night. However, the northbound train 20 departs in the morning around 9 and arrives in the evening around 5:30. Passengers can access coach and sleeping cabins with prices starting from $36, with multiple amenities. Additionally, Amtrak runs several discounts based on categories throughout the year that are applicable to this route too.
Amtrak Birmingham to New Orleans
The Crescent is a long-distance train running from New York to New Orleans daily. The Birmingham-New Orleans route passes through Tuscaloosa, Meridian, Laurel, Hattiesburg, Picayune, and Slidell before reaching the city.
- Train Line: The Crescent (Trains 19 and 20)
- Duration: Approximately 8 hours 9 minutes (Birmingham to New Orleans) / 8 hours 14 minutes (New Orleans to Birmingham)
- Distance: Approximately 312 miles (503 km)
- Frequency: One daily departure in each direction
- Departure Station: Amtrak Birmingham Station, AL (BHM)
- Arrival Station: Amtrak New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOL)
Train from Birmingham to New Orleans
The Crescent operates on a fixed daily schedule. Train 19 is the southbound service from New York to New Orleans, passing through Birmingham in the early afternoon. Train 20 is the northbound service from New Orleans to New York, passing through Birmingham in the late afternoon.
| Amtrak Train | Operational Days | Departure and Arrival Timings | Duration | Coach Prices | Sleeping Cabin Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 The Crescent | Daily | 1:03 p.m and 9:12 p.m. CT | 8 hours 9 minutes | From $36 | From $162 |
Intermediate Stops and Schedule
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
| Birmingham, AL (BHM) | Departs 1:03 p.m. |
| Tuscaloosa, AL (TCL) | 2:02 p.m. |
| Meridian, MS (MEI) | 4:19 p.m. |
| Laurel, MS (LAU) | 5:16 p.m. |
| Hattiesburg, MS (HBG) | 5:53 p.m. |
| Picayune, MS (PIC) | 6:57 p.m. |
| Slidell, LA (SDL) | 7:22 p.m. |
| New Orleans, LA (NOL) | Arrives 9:12 p.m. |
Amtrak New Orleans to Birmingham
| Amtrak Train | Operational Days | Departure and Arrival Timings | Duration | Coach Prices | Sleeping Cabin Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 The Crescent | Daily | 9:10 a.m. and 5:24 p.m. CT | 8 hours 14 minutes | From $68 | From $162 |
Intermediate Stops and Schedule
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA (NOL) | Departs 9:10 a.m. |
| Slidell, LA (SDL) | 10:02 a.m. |
| Picayune, MS (PIC) | 10:27 a.m. |
| Hattiesburg, MS (HBG) | 11:35 a.m. |
| Laurel, MS (LAU) | 12:10 p.m. |
| Meridian, MS (MEI) | 1:32 p.m. |
| Tuscaloosa, AL (TCL) | 3:09 p.m. |
| Birmingham, AL (BHM) | Arrives 5:24 p.m. |
Travel Class and Available Facilities
The Crescent is a Viewliner long-distance train and offers two cabin types between Birmingham and New Orleans: Coach and Sleeping accommodations. All classes make the full eight-hour journey, making Sleeping options more useful and comfortable, especially when traveling with children or elders.
Amtrak Coach Class
Coach Class is the most affordable option. Seats are wide and arranged two-by-two with generous legroom, full recline, fold-down tray tables, reading lights, and power outlets at every seat. Large windows are present on each pair of seats. Passengers can visit the Cafe Car for food and drinks. Coach is available on both the upper and lower levels of the Viewliner cars.
Amtrak Sleeping Accommodations
The Crescent operates Viewliner sleeping cars, and private rooms are available for the Birmingham-New Orleans segment. All Sleeping fares include meals in the Dining Car for the duration of the journey.
Roomette: A private two-person room with two facing seats that convert to upper and lower berths. It features a window, reading lights, charging ports, a temperature control panel, and complimentary meals. Accommodates two passengers at once; it is suitable for couples and even solo travelers.
Bedroom: This is a large room with a lower and upper bed, alongside a private restroom and sink. It also includes access to a shower in the Bedroom Suite car. Meals are included, and Bedroom passengers have access to the Metropolitan Lounge at select staffed stations.
Accessible Bedroom: Located on the lower level of the Viewliner car, with wide doorways, an accessible toilet and sink, and space for a mobility device. Designed for passengers with disabilities.
Passenger Amenities
Cafe Car: Open throughout the journey, it serves hot meals, sandwiches, snacks, and a selection of beverages including alcoholic drinks. Irrespective of cabin, every passenger can access the cafe car and purchase food.
Dining Car: The Crescent offers meals for Sleeping Car passengers served privately in their rooms under a dining arrangement. Three meals a day are included in the Sleeping fare for the duration of travel. In addition, passengers can also bring their own food on Amtrak for the journey.
Sightseer Lounge: The Crescent includes a Sightseer Lounge car with upper-deck windows available to all passengers. They can sit there, eat, and enjoy the outside views together.
Amtrak Wifi: Complimentary internet connection is available on the Crescent. Connectivity through urban and suburban areas but can drop in rural sections of Mississippi and Alabama. Suitable for messaging and light browsing.
Amtrak Power Outlets: All Coach seats and Sleeping rooms include power outlets for charging devices.
Amtrak Pet Policy: Small dogs and cats weighing under 20 pounds, including the carrier, can travel with a reservation and a $26 pet fee. Throughout the journey, owners must keep the pets inside the carrier.
Bicycle Policy: Folding bicycles can be brought on board as carry-on items. Standard non-folding bicycles require a checked baggage reservation. Both Birmingham and New Orleans stations support checked baggage service.
Birmingham Intermodal Facility Station
Birmingham’s Amtrak station is located at 1819 Morris Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35203, adjacent to Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham and within closeness to the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus.
The station has:
- An open waiting area with natural light,
- a staffed ticket counter,
- public restrooms, vending machines,
- overhead arrival and departure monitors.
- Free wifi is available in the waiting area.
- It also connects with local Greyhound bus services and Birmingham city transit from the same facilities.
Transportation Available
Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit (BJCTA): Local bus routes serve stops near the station, connecting to downtown Birmingham and the wider city transit network. The station is available close to the Five Points South and UAB areas.
Ride-sharing: Uber and Lyft both operate in Birmingham for reaching most city neighbourhoods and the suburbs.
Walking: Railroad Park is immediately adjacent to the station. The station is within a short distance of the developing downtown Birmingham restaurant and entertainment corridor along Morris Avenue.
New Orleans Passenger Terminal
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is located at 1001 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, in the Central Business District, approximately six blocks from Canal Street and the edge of the French Quarter.
- Staffed Amtrak ticket counter,
- Public restrooms including accessible facilities,
- A waiting lounge,
- Vending machines, and
- Checked baggage service.
Several dining and retail options are available in the surrounding area just outside the station. The terminal also serves as a Greyhound and intercity bus hub, connecting multimodal stations in the South.
Onward Transport
RTA Streetcar: The Loyola-UPT Streetcar line stops directly outside the terminal and runs along Loyola Avenue to Canal Street, from which passengers can connect to the Canal Street and St. Charles streetcar lines serving the French Quarter, the Garden District, and Uptown New Orleans.
RTA Bus: Several Regional Transit Authority bus routes serve Loyola Avenue and the surrounding streets, providing broader city coverage beyond the streetcar network.
Taxi and Ride-sharing: Taxis are available from the rank outside the terminal. Uber and Lyft are both widely available in New Orleans and provide direct connections to any part of the city, including the French Quarter, Magazine Street, and the airport.
Walking: Canal Street, the boundary between the CBD and the French Quarter, is approximately a 10-minute walk from the terminal.
Amtrak Discounts: Birmingham to New Orleans
Passengers can use these available discounts while traveling from Amtrak Birmingham to New Orleans to save more on tickets.
Amtrak Children’s Discount: Children between the ages of 2 and 12 traveling with a fare‑paying adult are eligible for a 50% discount on the lowest available Coach fare. Infants under 2 years old who do not occupy a separate seat travel free of charge.
Amtrak Senior Discount: Passengers aged 65 and above automatically receive a 10% discount on both Coach and Business Class fares when booking through Amtrak.com.
Amtrak Student Discount: Students aged 17 to 24 presenting a valid student ID are entitled to a 15% discount on Coach and Business Class fares, which can be applied during the booking process on Amtrak.com.
Amtrak Military Discount: Active‑duty U.S. military personnel, along with their spouses and dependents, qualify for a 10% discount upon presentation of a valid military ID. Veterans of the U.S. military are also eligible for the same 10% discount on this route.
Amtrak Group Discount: Groups consisting of six or more passengers traveling together on the same train can save up to 60% on Coach fares; however, these bookings must be coordinated in advance through Amtrak’s group sales team.
Amtrak Guest Rewards: Frequent passengers can use their earned guest rewards to reduce the cost of a ticket or pay full through it. However, new members can join and earn points on each travel journey.
Helpful Tips for Traveling Birmingham, AL to New Orleans by Train
Before taking Amtrak Birmingham to New Orleans, commuters must review these tips and book their tickets accordingly.
Book early, especially for Sleeping accommodations: The Crescent carries a limited number of Roomettes and Bedrooms, and they sell out in advance on popular travel dates including weekends and holiday seasons.
Track the train before heading to the station: Train 19 originates in New York and makes over 20 stops before reaching Birmingham. Delays can accumulate over a 30-hour journey. Use the Amtrak app’s real-time tracking to check Train 19’s current position and estimated Birmingham arrival before leaving home.
The Tuscaloosa stop: It is useful for a different boarding point: Passengers who are closer to Tuscaloosa than Birmingham can board at Tuscaloosa (TCL), approximately one hour into the southbound journey.
Consider a Roomette: The eight-hour Birmingham-New Orleans journey is long enough to make a private room a genuine comfort upgrade rather than a luxury.
Arrive early at the Amtrak station: Birmingham Intermodal Facility is a crowded station, but boarding can be easy, and the Crescent typically stops for only a few minutes.
The journey from Amtrak Birmingham to New Orleans is direct. But as there is only one departure from each side, passengers must be careful about the arrival times at the station. The duration is around 8 hours, and for that, coach class is affordable, but sleeping cars provide more benefits, including meals.
FAQs
Train 19 takes approximately 8 hours and 9 minutes, departing Birmingham at 1:03 p.m. and arriving in New Orleans at 9:12 p.m. The reverse journey on Train 20 takes approximately 8 hours and 14 minutes, departing New Orleans at 9:10 a.m. and arriving in Birmingham at 5:24 p.m.
One train runs daily in each direction. Train 19 is the southbound Crescent from New York to New Orleans. Train 20 is the northbound Crescent from New Orleans to New York. Both call at Birmingham as an intermediate stop.
The Crescent is the only Amtrak service on this route. The Birmingham-New Orleans segment is the southern portion of this long-distance route.
Coach fares start from approximately $36 on advance bookings. Prices increase as departure approaches and seat availability reduces. While Sleeping accommodations start from approximately $162.
Trains depart from Birmingham Intermodal Facility at 1819 Morris Avenue. In New Orleans, trains arrive at Union Passenger Terminal at 1001 Loyola Avenue.
Yes, Viewliner Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Accessible Bedrooms are available for the Birmingham-New Orleans segment. All Sleeping fares include meals in the Dining Car for the duration of the journey.
The Crescent operates primarily on Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad tracks; delays can happen. Tracking Train 19 or Train 20 via the Amtrak app before heading to the station is advisable.
The streetcar stops directly outside the terminal and connects to Canal Street. RTA bus routes also serve the area. Taxis and ride-sharing services are available outside the station entrance. The French Quarter is approximately 10 to 15 minutes’ walk.
Yes, both Train 19 and Train 20 call at Tuscaloosa (AL), Meridian (MS), Laurel (MS), Hattiesburg (MS), Picayune (MS), and Slidell (LA) between Birmingham and New Orleans. These stops are useful for passengers getting on and off the trains at points along the route.
Folding bicycles are permitted as carry-on items on board. Standard-sized bicycles require a checked baggage reservation, available at both Birmingham Intermodal Facility and New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal.
