Amtrak’s Mardi Gras rail service is now officially up and running.
Set to become a fixture on Deep South tours, the Mardi Gras Service links New Orleans’ centrally located Union Passenger Terminal to the city of Mobile, Alabama twice daily.
The route features four scenic stops along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, including Biloxi and Pascagoula.
It offers a convenient, car-free way to New Orleans, as well as easy, independent touring to Biloxi and Mobile and the beaches of Mississippi’s Gulf Shore.
Kim Priez, SVP of Tourism at New Orleans & Company, said: “New Orleans is excited to welcome back Amtrak train service from New Orleans to Mobile. It has never been easier to enjoy New Orleans and Louisiana in combination with Gulf Coast Communities and the city of Mobile, Alabama.”
The rail route includes six destinations, ideal for exploring regional cuisine, entertainment, outdoor experiences and shopping.”
Journeying from New Orleans to Mobile, both famed for their Mardi Gras celebrations, will take up to four hours one way on the line, which marks the first time the two cities have been connected by passenger rail for almost 20 years.
Adult fares start at $15 one-way for adults, with Coach and Business Class cars available in addition to a Café service.
Riders also get wide reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seats, and free Wi-Fi.
Departures are available in the mornings and evenings in each direction.
“With so much focus on US road trips, I think our visitors from the UK, Ireland and beyond sometimes forget how convenient the train is, both for reaching popular locations within the state, such as Lafayette and Lake Charles, and for onward travel from New Orleans to cities such as Memphis, San Antonio and Chicago,” said Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of Tourism at the Louisiana Office of Tourism.
“With this latest launch, visitors can now easily explore the Mississippi Gulf Coastline without a car,”
Tour operators have already embraced the service, including Travelbag with a 13-night Deep South USA by Rail experience, from £1,599 per person, including flights for UKL and Irish travellers.
American Sky’s new five-night New Orleans and Alabama break features a return trip on the Mardi Gras Service, along with return international flights, three nights accommodation in New Orleans, and two nights accommodation in Mobile, from £1,149 per person.
America As You Like It offers a 14-night Get Your Vibe On 65 self-drive tour, from £2,000 per person, including flights, accommodation and car hire. The open-jaw package steers visitors from Chicago to Mobile, where visitors switch to Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service for onward travel to New Orleans.
