Amtrak Memphis to New Orleans is served by the City of New Orleans, a single daily overnight train in each direction. The route covers approximately 359 miles, with intermediate stops in Marks, Greenwood, Yazoo City, Jackson, Hazlehurst, Brookhaven, and McComb, Mississippi, plus Hammond, Louisiana. Southbound travel from Memphis to New Orleans takes about 8 hours and 52 minutes; northbound travel from New Orleans to Memphis takes about 9 hours. Coach Class and multiple sleeping car categories are available, with Coach fares commonly starting in the $46 to $63 range. However, sleeping cabins’ prices are higher, from $300.
Memphis to New Orleans on Amtrak
The City of New Orleans is a long-distance Amtrak route running the full distance between Chicago and New Orleans, a total of 934 miles, with Memphis roughly at the midpoint. Only one train operates in each direction per day, and the Memphis-New Orleans segment is traveled overnight or in the early morning hours, depending on direction.
- Train Line: Amtrak City of New Orleans (Train 59 southbound; Train 58 northbound)
- Duration: Approximately 8 hours 52 minutes (southbound) to 9 hours (northbound)
- Distance: Approximately 359 miles (578 km)
- Frequency: One daily departure in each direction
- Departure Station: Amtrak Memphis Central Station (MEM), 545 South Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103
- Arrival Station: Amtrak New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOL), 1001 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Amtrak Memphis to New Orleans Train Schedule
Both trains are segments of the longer Chicago-New Orleans route rather than standalone Memphis-New Orleans services. Train 59 originates in Chicago and continues south through Memphis to New Orleans. Train 58 originates in New Orleans and continues north through Memphis to Chicago.
Southbound Travel from Memphis
| Amtrak Train | Departure (Memphis) | Arrival (New Orleans) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Private Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 City of New Orleans | 4:55 a.m. | 1:47 p.m. | Daily Service | 8 hours 52 minutes | From $46 | From $307 |
Intermediate Stops: Train 59 from Memphis
| Station | Train 59 |
|---|---|
| Memphis, TN – Central Station (MEM) | Departs 4:55 a.m. |
| Marks, MS (MKS) | 6:27 a.m. |
| Greenwood, MS (GWD) | 7:35 a.m. |
| Yazoo City, MS (YAZ) | 8:33 a.m. |
| Jackson, MS (JAN) | 9:49 a.m. |
| Hazlehurst, MS (HAZ | 10:26 a.m. |
| Brookhaven, MS (BRH) | 10:47 a.m. |
| McComb, MS (MCB) | 11:12 a.m. |
| Hammond, LA (HMD) | 12:12 p.m. |
| New Orleans, LA – Union Passenger Terminal (NOL) | Arrives 1:47 p.m. |
Northbound Travel from New Orleans
| Amtrak Train | Departure (Memphis) | Arrival (New Orleans) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Private Rooms |
| 58 City of New Orleans | 11:45 a.m. | 8:45 p.m. | Daily Service | 9 hours | From $46 | From $307 |
Intermediate Stops: Train 58 from New Orleans
| Station | Train 58 |
|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA – Union Passenger Terminal (NOL) | Departs 11:45 a.m. |
| Hammond, LA (HMD) | 12:54 p.m. |
| McComb, MS (MCB) | 1:46 p.m. |
| Brookhaven, MS (BRH) | 2:10 p.m. |
| Hazlehurst, MS (HAZ) | 2:31 p.m. |
| Jackson, MS (JAN) | 3:40 p.m. |
| Yazoo City, MS (YAZ) | 4:38 p.m. |
| Greenwood, MS (GWD) | 5:38 p.m. |
| Marks, MS (MKS) | 6:35 p.m. |
| Memphis, TN – Central Station (MEM) | Arrives 8:45 p.m. |
Passenger Cabins on the Amtrak Memphis to New Orleans Route
The City of New Orleans operates with bi-level Superliner equipment and offers more accommodations than a same-day corridor train, since it runs overnight. Passengers should consider booking sleeping cabins rather than coaches for more comfort, as it’s a long journey.
- Amtrak Coach Class: Reclining seats with leg rests, individual reading lights, and at-seat outlets, arranged on the upper level of Superliner coach cars.
- Roomette: A private compartment for two, with seats that convert to beds, a fold-down upper berth, a window, climate control, and included meals.
- Bedroom: A larger private room with a lower sofa bed, upper berth, and private in-room toilet and sink, with meals included.
- Bedroom Suite: Two adjoining bedrooms that combine into a single larger space for up to four passengers.
- Accessible Bedroom: A lower-level room designed for passengers using a wheelchair or other mobility device, with wider doorways and an accessible toilet and sink.
- Family Bedroom: A lower-level room designed to sleep up to two adults and two children, with meals included.
Sleeping car passengers on this route receive meals in the dining car as part of their fare, inclusive of free access to Amtrak Wifi connection. All passengers, including those in Coach, have access to the cafe car and Sightseer Lounge Car.
Baggage: Passengers are permitted to bring carry‑on items, provided they fit within the dimensions of the onboard overhead storage racks. Checked baggage service is available at Memphis and New Orleans, subject to standard Amtrak checked-baggage rules.
Pets: Small dogs and cats are permitted onboard in approved carriers under Amtrak’s pet policy on trips of up to seven hours total travel time, subject to size and weight limits and a separate pet fare. Since this segment exceeds seven hours, the pet program does not apply to a full Memphis-New Orleans trip.
Accessibility: Both Memphis Central Station and New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal are wheelchair accessible, with no barriers between station platforms and train cars. The train’s lower level and all stations on the route are also accessible.
To travel on the Amtrak Memphis to New Orleans route, advance booking is recommended, since fares are demand-based and typically increase closer to the travel date, and sleeping car space is limited and can sell out well ahead of the travel date on popular dates. Amtrak Guest Rewards members earn points on this route, and sleeping car bookings earn a higher point multiplier than Coach fares.
FAQ
Southbound travel on Train 59 takes about 8 hours and 52 minutes, departing Memphis at 4:55 a.m. and arriving in New Orleans at 1:47 p.m. Northbound travel on Train 58 takes about 9 hours, departing New Orleans at 11:45 a.m. and arriving in Memphis at 8:45 p.m.
One train runs daily in each direction: Train 59 southbound from Memphis, and Train 58 northbound from New Orleans.
Coach fares commonly start in the $46 to $63 range, with pricing subject to change based on demand, travel date, and how far ahead the ticket is purchased. Roomette and Bedroom fares are considerably higher, starting from $300+ and include meals.
Trains depart from and arrive at Central Station, 545 South Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103.
Trains use Union Passenger Terminal at 1001 Loyola Avenue, which also serves the Crescent, Sunset Limited, and Mardi Gras Service lines.
The route stops at Marks, Greenwood, Yazoo City, Jackson, Hazlehurst, Brookhaven, and McComb in Mississippi, and Hammond in Louisiana.
Yes, the City of New Orleans offers Roomette, Bedroom, Bedroom Suite, Accessible Bedroom, and Family Bedroom accommodations, in addition to Coach seating. Meals are included for sleeping car passengers.
Yes, checked baggage service is available at both Memphis and New Orleans stations, subject to standard Amtrak baggage rules and size limits.
The standard Amtrak pet program applies only to trips of seven hours or less. Since the Memphis-New Orleans segment runs longer than seven hours, pets are not permitted under the standard carry-on pet program for the full trip.
Yes, both trains are part of the longer Chicago-New Orleans route. Train 59 continues south of Memphis to New Orleans after departing Chicago, and Train 58 continues north of Memphis toward Chicago after departing New Orleans.
