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There is one daily train from Carbondale to New Orleans. Traveling by train from Carbondale to New Orleans usually takes around 23 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak City of New Orleans train can make the trip in 14 hours and 21 minutes.
| Distance | 540 mi (868 km) |
| Fastest train | 14h 21m |
| Lowest price | £69.60 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak City of New Orleans |
| Train lines | 2 |
Overall score for trains from Carbondale to New Orleans
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: The area we were seated in was spacious and I never felt cramped. Cons: The seats were a tad stained, and overall cleanliness could have been improved. The employees also could have been more friendly, they weren't rude by any means but I didn't feel welcome. Tips: Bring plenty of pillows and blankets if your travel time exceeds five hours. Though there's plenty of space, if you want to rest you'll need something softer to lay your head on.
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Carbondale to New Orleans was £69.60. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to New Orleans if you book your train tickets at least 17 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra £37.34.
2 train services operate from Carbondale to New Orleans. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 2d 17h 32m | £298.00 |
| Amtrak City of New Orleans | 1 | 14h 21m | £87.20 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Carbondale to New Orleans every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £266.
The City of New Orleans is an Amtrak route that runs daily trains from Chicago to New Orleans and vice versa. The City of New Orleans includes a sightseer lounge with panoramic windows for the best views of the five states along the route. Affordable Coach seats cost about for a trip from Carbondale to New Orleans. However, the City of New Orleans also offers private roomettes and bedrooms for added comfort and luxury (and a higher price). Passengers who book sleeper accommodations will enjoy included meals, and all passengers can stop into the cafe car to purchase meals and snacks.
The distance between Carbondale and New Orleans is approximately 540 miles, or 868 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 23 hours and 15 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 14 hours and 21 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.
Trains from Carbondale to New Orleans are the most crowded on Wednesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Carbondale at 01:00 and arrives in New Orleans around 14 hours later.
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 Carbondale.
Carbondale, one the best vacation destinations in Illinois, is best known for its proximity to Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the Gods: one of the most Instagrammed sites in the state. This quiet paradise is filled with lush trees bordering miles of hiking trails and scenic drives. The enormous sandstone bluffs in Giant City State Park attract rock climbers and rappellers looking for their next adventure. Boo Rochman Memorial Park offers a unique, family-friendly experience– a park filled with wooden sculptures of dragons, unicorns, wizards, and more. The park’s centerpiece, a massive wood and stone castle, features an elaborate jungle gym with stairs, tunnels, and an ogre or two.
Threaded by Main Street, downtown Carbondale is known for its Historic Town Square and charming, old-school architecture. The whole area is easily walkable, so you can peruse local shops for bike gear, art, vintage clothes, musical instruments, and everything in between. The SIU University Museum is a must-see, with no entry fee and a variety of exhibitions about the history and culture of the region. While in the area, explore Campus Lake and Pulliam Hall clocktower, or catch a football game at Saluki Stadium.
Bus services connect Seattle, Chicago, and Phoenix to Carbondale. Amtrak has multiple lines from the city to Memphis, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The nearest airport is Marion Williamson County Regional.
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
There is one train station in Carbondale.
401 S Illinois Ave
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionOpened 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.
Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
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