Amtrak Train Travel | The US South

Amtrak Atlantic Coast trains bring Southern hospitality to the rails. Amtrak Virginia extends Northeast Services across the Dominion State with through trains to Richmond, Charlottesville, Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach. The state is also the northern gateway for Amtrak Autotrain service to Orlando. North Carolina's Amtrak links Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh. Other Amtrak Southern routes connect Florida cities including Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami with Savannah, Washington DC and New York City.

The Big Easy is Amtrak's Southern hub. Routes include the Crescent to Atlanta and the Northeast; the famous City of New Orleans to Memphis and Chicago; and the Sunset Limited to Texas and Los Angeles. The Texas Eagle dips into Dixie when it crosses Arkansas on its Chicago-to-San Antonio run.

Nonstop Amtrak service between suburban Washington DC and the outskirts of Orlando provides a stress-free alternative to I-95 traffic and congestion. Auto carriers can accommodate car, van, motorcycle, SUV, small boat, jet-ski, or other recreational vehicle. Services and amenities: reserved Coach and Superliner Sleeper Classes, Auto Train Lounge (feature movies), Dining Cars; dinner and continental breakfast included.

The Amtrak Carolinian runs daily through the Tar Heel State and along the Mid-Atlantic coast. Same-day service links Charlotte and New York City and points along the way; daily Amtrak Piedmont trains add a second trip between Charlotte and the state capital, Raleigh. Services and amenities: reserved Coach, Business and Viewliner Sleeper Classes, Lounge/Cafe Car and Dining Car, multi-ride passes; First Class ClubAcela in Washington, Philadelphia and New York; North Carolina Volunteer Train Hosts.

The good times roll daily between the Big Easy and the Windy City. Amtrak's overnight train serves communities in five states -- from the Great Lakes to The Gulf of Mexico -- including Memphis, home of Beale Street Blues and Elvis Presley's Graceland. Scenic highlights include the Illinois Ozarks, Mississippi River Delta and Louisanna Bayou. Services and amenities: reserved Coach and Superliner Sleeper Classes, Sightseer Lounge/Cafe Car and Dining Car, First Class Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago.

Daily trains make this overnight connection between the Big Apple and the Big Easy. Scenic highlights include the Blue Ridge foothills and Louisiana bayou country. Services and amenities: reserved Coach and Viewliner Sleeper Classes, Dining Car, Lounge/Cafe Car; First Class Club Acela in New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC; Trails & Rails interpretive program.

A trio of Amtrak trains provides Northerners with a dose of Southern hospitality. Daily trains link New York and other Northern cities to Rocky Mount and Savannah. Same day Palmetto service travels via Charleston. Silver Services (Silver Star via Raleigh and Silver Meteor via Charleston) continue overnight to Orlando, Tampa, Palm Beach (via West Palm), Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach (via Miami). Palmetto Services and amenities: reserved Coach and Business Classes; Lounge Car (light menu). Silver Star/Silver Meteor Services and amenities: reserved Coach and Viewliner, Sleeper Classes, Dining Car, Lounge Car; First Class ClubAcela in Washington, Philadelphia and New York.

Note: service between Orlando and New Orleans is currently suspended. Three weekly round-trips roll across the continent along Amtrak's southern-most route. The two-night sweep between Florida and LA hooks up with New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Tucson, Maricopa -- gateway to Phoenix and Scotsdale -- and Palm Springs. Scenic highlights include the Gulf Coast, Rio Grande and the Mexican frontier, and the Southwestern desert. Services and amenities: reserved Coach and Superliner Sleeper Classes, Sightseer Lounge/Cafe Car and Dining Car; Trails & Rails interpretive program.

Daily Amtrak trips up and down the nation's mid-section trade The Land of Lincoln with the heart of Texas in a single night... with second-night service to California offered three times a week aboard the Sunset Limited. St. Louis, Little Rock and Hot Springs and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex are among the destinations. Scenic highlights include the Mississippi River, Gateway Arch and Ozark Mountains. Services and amenities: reserved Coach and Superliner Sleeper Classes, Sightseer Lounge/Cafe Car and Dining Car; First Class Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago; Trails & Rails interpretive program.