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With trust in air travel decreasing, following numerous recent incidents, and a growing number of Americans reporting they don’t feel as safe flying anymore, it was only a matter of time until the train resurgence that took over Europe (and even Latin America) reached these shores.
Following a 20-year pause, the historic Gold Coast Line train is set to hit the tracks again next summer.
It will reconnect Mobile in Alabama, to New Orleans in Louisiana, two of the most iconic cities in the south, as well as two of America’s most historical and culturally-significant destinations.
If you’ve had enough of airport delays and you’d rather wait it out until aviation sorts out its own mess, here’s everything you need to know about the new route and which stops it will service:
The Gulf Coast Line Is Back This Summer!
As confirmed in January, Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Line is coming out of its long hiatus this year, following many delays.
The railway company hit the brakes all the way back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc across the southern U.S.
Before ceasing operations, the Gold Coast route served essentially as an extension of Amtrak’s Sunset Limited line, linking Houston, in Texas, to San Antonio in the same state, as well as New Orleans over in Louisiana.
Amtrak had already returned to New Orleans in the aftermath of the devastating event, but it stopped short of re-activating the line passing through a handful of the South’s most beautiful, yet underrated coastal hotspots.
Starting in June 2025, you can dream again of whooshing past the verdant Alabaman fields on your way to Mississippi’s unspoiled Gulf shoreline or further down to New Orleans.
From Mobile To Alabama
Mobile is a coastal metropolis on the Gulf Coast of Alabama.
Its scenic harbor area and postcard-ready center revolve around a 19th-century Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, famous for its German stained glass.
Resting permanently in the Battleship Memorial Park, there’s a WWII-era battleship, and during the local Mardi Gras, the oldest carnival festivities in the United States, held in Mobile since 1703, costumed folks and innovative floats usually take to the streets.
If you’re looking for a unique attraction in Mobile that tourists often miss, the Africatown Heritage House is a local treasure chronicling the tales of the survivors of the Clotilde, the last ship to transport enslaved people from Africa to the States.
As for New Orleans, it is distinguished for being one of America’s most cultural cities, recognized as the birthplace of jazz, and with a rich culture and gastronomy informed by French, Spanish, African and Caribbean contributions.
Gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, crawfish étouffée… you can find all of your local deep south faves in a lively St. Roch Market, a food hall lined with stalls that dates back to 1875, and if it’s beautiful old houses with wide porches you’ve set out to find, look no further than the French Quarter:
Founded back in 1718, it is New Orleans’ oldest neighborhood, with narrow streets bordered by jazz clubs and Cajun eateries serving hearty dishes––it’s particularly fun during the sticky-hot Mardi Gras weekend, with all the backstreet parades and multiple live events.
All That Scenic Gulf Coastline In Between!
As Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker, the 145-mile route will be operational in only 3 months, and between Mobile and New Orleans, the train will be calling at the following towns:
- Bay St. Louis
- Gulfport
- Biloxi
- Pascagoula
Bay St. Louis is a historic beach town populated by Louisiana Creole and French descendants, whereas Gulfport is a bustling port city, Mississippi’s second largest at that, offering leafy boulevards lined with diners and a picture-perfect waterfront.
We know that many Mississippi towns get a bad rep due to the murky water that flows out of the Mississippi River into the ocean, but there are numerous hidden gems up and down the coast that are exceptions to the rule.
Biloxi is one such example:
Lining the Gulf of Mexico, or as it is now called on this side of the border, the Gulf of America, this resort city is known for its white-sand beaches, azure waters, and a plethora of casinos.
The landmark Beau Rivage Resort & Casino has a ‘Wine, Dine & Savor’ package starting from $189-a-night, and if you love seafood, Biloxi has some of the best in the state, from Adventures Pub’s signature chargrilled oysters, to Taranto’s spicy shrimps.
Pascagoula is the lesser-known out of the 4, though it shouldn’t be bypassed if you have a soft spot for uncrowded beaches––it has a 14-acre beach park equipped with a fishing pier and trails––and soulful food (make sure you swing by Jack’s By The Tracks).
At this point, we don’t know how much tickets between Mobile and New Orleans, or traveling between any of the stops on the route, will cost.
We should know more by the time Amtrak confirms the final launch date and puts tickets on sale.
If you’re a train enthusiast, and you’ve been enamored with the idea of exploring America by railway this summer, then you should definitely check out every new Amtrak line that’s either opened recently, or is opening soon here.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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