If you’ve been to New Orleans you may have seen the Amtrak New Orleans Union Station. The official name is actually New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal but it still gets called by it’s old name before the new building was built. This is the main and only train station now in New Orleans.
New Orleans Union Station Overview
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is the correct name for this station but it still gets called New Orleans Union Station. It opened in 1954 as it consolidated passenger rail operations of all the rail services in the city to reduce dangerous grade crossings.
The station features a series of colorful murals that depict the history of the state of Louisiana from the age of exploration through the mid 20th century. The current station was built next to the original Union Station. It is an intermodal facility serving Greyhound customers on one end and Amtrak passengers on the other.
One of the highlights of riding a train in or out of New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is the path of the main lead track. It follows the path of the old canal (now filled in) and the Pontchartrain Expressway (I-10). The views as you arrive or leave the station is beautiful as you look out over Lake Pontchartrain.
The stations most recent renovation project was to level the platforms to make accessing the trains easier for passengers. This station has a lounge called the Magnolia Room and also offers Red Cap service.
If New Orleans Union Station is going to be your starting point, check out our list of best Amtrak trips from New Orleans.
Magnolia Room In New Orleans Union Station
The Magnolia Room at New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is not what you would expect from a first class lounge in a train station. If you have been to the Metropolitan Lounge in Moynihan Train Hall or Chicago, you will be disappointed. This lounge is very basic.
You will be given access to the lounge when you check in with Amtrak staff if you are in a sleeper car or have a lounge pass. The staff person will give you a code to punch into the door and it will grant you access. Once inside, it’s just as the name intimates, it’s a room.
The Magnolia Room offers you nicer, softer seats than in the main waiting area as well as some coffee or water to drink while you wait. There are no restrooms in this area, you will need to use the restrooms outside in the main waiting area.
Dining Options
One of the things we love about the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is the food options in the station. While there are several places nearby you can walk to and grab some food this station has some dining options inside. We usually grab sub from Subway to eat for lunch or dinner on the train if we are riding in coach. There is a Subway directly in the station.
You can also grab some snacks or last minute items at one of the convenience shops in the terminal as well. If the weather is good and you feel like walking you can always walk to one of many restaurants and fast food restaurants near the station. If you don’t like your options in the station or around the station, you can use a food delivery app to order anything you want.
When love to bring a small portable cooler with us to keep our sandwiches and fruit that we buy cool during the trip.
- PORTABLE: Adjustable padded sling strap and padded side handles for easy transport; zippered front and inside mesh pockets for storing ice packs and other extras
Last update on 2023-04-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hotels Near Amtrak New Orleans Union Station
There are lots of options of places to stay near the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. We stayed at the The Troubadour, and really enjoyed it. While it is not close enough to walk to the station, we ended up walking to the station with our luggage from there anyway, due to a lack of available cabs. Plan to book your ride to the station the night before with a reputable car service that your hotel can provide.
When we are visiting New Orleans we like to save money by using the New Orleans Go City all inclusive pass for all of our attractions. For one price you get admissions for your whole stay in the city.
What Amtrak Trains Go To New Orleans
There are three major Amtrak routes that run through New Orleans. One of the routes connects the East and West, one connects the North and South and one runs up to the Midwest. The City of New Orleans route is the shortest of the three routes that leave from New Orleans, heading to the Midwest. The Sunset Limited is the longest route leaving from New Orleans heading west to Los Angeles, California.
The Sunset Limited is also the southernmost Amtrak route. The Crescent route connects the Northern states to the South, heading up to New York. All of these routes are great and will give you a different experience. Click on each route to learn more about each individual route.
To see all of the possible connections from New Orleans, see our Amtrak Maps page.
Where Is The New Orleans Train Station Located
The New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is located just a couple miles from the famed French Quarter. The station has paid parking on the property and nearby in parking garages. It is best to get a ride to this station as the parking is open to the elements and garage parking can be very costly. The station is conveniently located on Loyola Ave.
Here is the physical address for the station: New Orleans Union Station, 1001 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70113
