Trains from Birmingham to New Orleans
Trains from Birmingham to New Orleans
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Birmingham – New Orleans Train Schedule
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Birmingham to New Orleans. Traveling by train from Birmingham to New Orleans usually takes around 7 hours and 59 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
What is the price of a train ticket from Birmingham to New Orleans?
In the last month, $25.00 was the average price of a train ticket from Birmingham to New Orleans. This is about as inexpensive as train tickets ever get. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 10 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $24.00 more than that for a same-day booking.
Monthly average prices
If you are trying to decide when to travel from Birmingham to New Orleans by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for March. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just $29 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Birmingham to New Orleans in December, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to $40 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 10 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to New Orleans from Birmingham will be about $24.00 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Birmingham to New Orleans?
Amtrak Crescent is the one and only train line which connects Birmingham to New Orleans. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won’t have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
Amtrak Crescent
The Crescent is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs from New York to New Orleans by way of Atlanta. As an overnight service, the Crescent offers a variety of amenities and accommodation options. There’s also a café car where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals and a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages. Like all Amtrak trains, the Crescent offers free WiFi, power outlets and extra legroom. Train trips from Birmingham to New Orleans take about 7 hours and 59 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from Birmingham to New Orleans during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
How long is the train journey from Birmingham to New Orleans?
The distance between Birmingham and New Orleans is approximately 313 miles, or 503 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 59 minutes,
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Distance (mi)
Distance (km)
When are trains the most crowded?
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Birmingham to New Orleans on Tuesday. Tickets for Tuesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
Busiest
Least crowded
When are the first and last trains of the day?
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Birmingham at 1:00pm and arrives in New Orleans around 7 hours later.
Is there a direct train from Birmingham to New Orleans?
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to New Orleans with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from New Orleans to Birmingham.
City Information
Birmingham
Birmingham may not be the capital of Alabama, but it does hold the crown as both the cultural and entertainment capital of the Cotton State. The second-most populous city, Birmingham was founded during the Reconstruction Period, which followed the American Civil War.
Quietly going about its business as an industrial powerhouse, producing much of America’s iron and steel, Birmingham didn’t enter the world’s consciousness until the Civil Rights Movement one hundred years later. It’s one of the 8 iconic cities on our Martin Luther King, Jr. road trip, as it’s the city where Dr. King wrote his famous “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” When visiting, be sure to stop at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn more about the city’s civil rights history.
Today known as America’s ‘Magic City,’ new life has been blown into downtown Birmingham in recent years. Its streets have been cleaned up, allowing the city’s historical gems such as the Alabama Theater to shine once more both by day and by night.
The Birmingham Museum of Art contains the most extensive collection of artworks in the southeastern United States. It’s connected to the nightlife districts of Five Points South, Lakeview, and Uptown by a series of charming tree-lined public squares. Close by Five Points South also lies Red Mountain’s Vulcan Park, home to the world’s largest cast-iron statue. It was made for the St. Louis World Fair of 1904.
Birmingham is an important regional hub linking the Deep South, the Appalachian Mountains, and Piedmont. Travelers can easily reach other noteworthy destinations in the U.S., including Dallas, Phoenix, and Montgomery, thanks to the hundreds of bus and train routes to and from Birmingham.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred vacation destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travelers.
There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.
New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centers of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The airport is located not too far from the city center, while the city’s main bus and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Birmingham?
Image credit: David Wilson
Main arrival station: Union Term – 1001 Loyola Ave
Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transportation hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Buses operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous streetcars. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.