I took the new Amtrak line from the Coast to New Orleans. Here’s the scoop

On August 18, Amtrak began its new Mardi Gras Service to connect cities along the Gulf Coast to New Orleans. But what is a trip to New Orleans on the train like?

Looking for answers, and an easier trip into the Big Easy, I took the morning westbound train from Bay St. Louis. The train, which departed at 8:41 a.m., arrived in New Orleans at 10:30 a.m. The seating was comfortable, providing plenty of legroom and outlets to charge my devices.

Most seats have window access, except for those in the back of the car, which is where I was seated. Passengers are allowed to move between the cars at any time. This gives plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs, order from the cafe car, and see the view from different parts of the train.

There also were business class seats that were about double the price of a standard ticket. Those offer extra legroom, but I didn’t find the purchase necessary thanks to the already spacious seats in coach and the freedom to walk around the car.

It’s also worth noting the times on your tickets are departure times, not boarding times. So you better get to the station with time to spare, so you can get on the train and pick out the seat you want.

When I arrived in New Orleans, I was dropped off at the Union Passenger Terminal which is a 15-minute walk to the Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center. This makes the Amtrak an option for sports fans looking to watch the New Orleans Saints, Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl, the Sugar Bowl or the New Orleans Pelicans.

The walk to the stadium was easy and seems like it would be safe at most times of the day. The route I took was along Loyola Avenue and under The Welcoming Committee Mural on Girod Street.

From the train station, it is about a 25-minute walk to Bourbon Street and about a 30-minute walk to the French Quarter, which gives passengers access to hotels and restaurants in the city.

The walk will require you to cross a few busy streets, but should be manageable for most people. The walk will take you down Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue.

For those who aren’t interested in making the walk, the train station has a loop for taxis and Ubers that will cost about $25 to get you to the Quarter.

Once you’re there, Cafe Du Monde and Loretta’s are popular picks for their authentic pralines and beignets. There are also a variety of restaurants around Jackson Square to get lunch and dinner.

Loretta’s is located in the French Market and tends to be less busy, while the Cafe Du Monde location in the French Quarter is very busy and may feel a little stifling on warmer days.

The French Market also offers options for Christmas shopping during the holiday season. Visitors can also check out the Christmas Eve bonfires, JAMNOLA, ice skating at the Ernest N. Morial Center and concerts at the St. Louis Cathedral that will be happening throughout the month.

North of the train station, visitors can take an Uber to the New Orleans City Park which hosts a variety of cafes, the botanical gardens, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. The park also has its own Cafe Du Monde, which tends to be less busy than the location in the Quarter.

The park is about four miles from the train station and is an hour and a half walk. The route to the park is not particularly walkable, so I would recommend taking a taxi or an Uber. That would likely cost you about $25 at peak hours.

The City Park also hosts the Celebration in the Oaks, an annual light show that will happen every night until the end of the year.

I spent my time in the City Park exploring the New Orleans Museum of Art which has a variety of abstract environmental art exhibits and offers a scenic walk through the park. The ponds also are home to some ducks that you can see as you check out the exhibits.

The Mardi Gras service can be a convenient way to get in and out of New Orleans for a day trip or weekend trip. Taking the train lets you avoid the traffic going in and out of the city and eliminates having to pay for parking in the city. However, the cost of Ubers to get to places like the City Park may drive up the cost if you want to go anywhere outside the French Quarter and the nearby stadiums.

What you need to know

WHEN THE TRAIN RUNS: The service runs twice daily, starting in Mobile and making stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay St. Louis before reaching New Orleans.

Westbound trains in the morning make stops from 6:30 a.m. to 8:41 a.m. and arrive in New Orleans at 10:30 a.m. Westbound trains in the evening make stops from 4:30 p.m. to 6:42 p.m. before arriving in New Orleans at 8:13 p.m.

Eastbound trains leaving New Orleans depart at 7:35 a.m. and make stops from 8:59 a.m. to 11:18 a.m. Trains leaving in the evening depart at 5:31 p.m. and make stops from 7:00 p.m. to 9:14 p.m.

WHAT IT COSTS: A ticket for each leg of the trip can start at around $20, but can cost around $40 if bought the day before a trip.

The train also gives access to the cafe car which lets passengers order breakfast, lunch or dinner items that are all below $10.