Cheap train tickets from New Orleans to Los Angeles
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New Orleans to Los Angeles Train Schedule
Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from New Orleans to Los Angeles usually takes 63 hours and 16 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 46 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 1669 mi (2687 km) |
| Fastest train | 46h 35m |
| Lowest price | £154.52 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from New Orleans to Los Angeles
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from New Orleans to Los Angeles?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from New Orleans to Los Angeles was £280.70. Considering the distance between New Orleans and Los Angeles, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £309.27 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from New Orleans to Los Angeles by month
Ticket prices for the train from New Orleans to Los Angeles often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only £243. If you're thinking of traveling from New Orleans to Los Angeles during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £519 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from New Orleans to Los Angeles on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about £309.27 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from New Orleans to Los Angeles?
2 train services operate from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 2d 18h 34m | £491.06 |
| Amtrak Sunset Limited | 1 | 1d 22h 36m | £238.15 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from New Orleans to Los Angeles every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £186.
The Amtrak Sunset Limited is a southern Amtrak route that crosses through Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The double-decker carriages have a variety of roomettes, bedrooms, and suites, as well as a restuarant and cafe service.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from New Orleans to Los Angeles
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from New Orleans to Los Angeles. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.
The distance between New Orleans and Los Angeles is approximately 1669 miles, or 2687 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 63 hours and 16 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 46 hours and 35 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 New Orleans to Los Angeles are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs New Orleans at 9:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Los Angeles to New Orleans.
City Information
New Orleans
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.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.
The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.
With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.
Station Information
Where is the train station in New Orleans?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain departure 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.
All train stations in New Orleans:
Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave
Where is the train station in Los Angeles?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Union Station
Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.
All train stations in Los Angeles:
Union Station
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