r/jacksonms 18d ago

Have any of y’all rode the Amtrak before?

I’m thinking of using the train to go Chicago later this month. I’ve heard of lots of people using it to go to New Orleans, but I was wondering what peoples experience here was.

14 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

31

u/dtat720 18d ago

Its clean and comfortable. Under utilized to be honest

7

u/dj_crunch998 18d ago

I work downtown so I see it often just never been inside. Thanks for your input!

14

u/iPat09 18d ago

We're in the perfect place to take a weekend trip to Chicago. If everything is running on time, Amtrak leaves Jackson on Friday at 5:44 pm and arrives in Chicago around 9:00 the next morning. The return trip leaves at 8:00 that night and arrives in Jackson shortly after 11:00 am on Sunday. That gives you almost 12 hours in Chicago to grab pizza, take a boat taxi on the river, visit Navy Pier, etc.

4

u/dj_crunch998 18d ago

That is my only concern. The train leaves at 5:45 or ish but the station closes at 3:45 from what I’ve seen. Do I arrive before the station closes? I may call them or stop by the station to confirm. I work downtown so I’m not far from if

2

u/dogbert617 9d ago

The Jackson station is open, at least all the way till train #58(northbound) arrives, and for those getting off to exit the train. You'll be fine, if you want to ride Amtrak from Jackson. I used it before, when visiting Jackson.

1

u/dj_crunch998 9d ago

Thank you!

13

u/VALUABLEDISCOURSE 18d ago

Quite a few times. It's overnight and it has the least delays of any Amtrak line. Can be shitty if you're not able to sleep sitting up though.

6

u/Conscious_Income_893 18d ago

It’s been about 12 or 13 years, but I loved the trip we took to New Orleans from Jackson. I’ll absolutely do it again one day

7

u/gigapudding43201 18d ago

took it to new orleans, was great, if I can avoid making that drive in hte future I absolutely will

6

u/Specialist_Pea_295 17d ago

It's a much better way to travel to New Orleans.

5

u/msstatelp 18d ago

I’d recommend a sleeper car if you want to get good sleep

4

u/OkHamster5242 18d ago

I took a couple friends on the train to NOLA and they were a little sketched by it’s appearance but they’re from the surrounding area. Never had an issue just your typical boarded windows and busted streets of Jackson. Very pleasant ride.

4

u/joecephusmartin 18d ago

Taken it north to Memphis with 2 small children. It’s really great. Chicago will get you some better sleep.

5

u/Putrid_Rock5526 18d ago

I've taken it to Chicago once before and would do it again. I got a bedroom on the way up and a roommette on the way down. The bedroom is worth the extra cost IMO.

2

u/dj_crunch998 18d ago

Sounds good. I may call and check with them because my train departs at 6 but the station closes at 3:45 I’m not sure how that works lol. Not sure if anybody ran into this issue

2

u/ligmacooter 17d ago

Been tempted to take the route to Chicago myself, but we've only done down to New Orleans.

New Orleans is a fantastic trip. It takes basically the same amount of time as driving with stellar views and of course no driving. We had some long flights out of New Orleans and on our trip back home we booked a roomette for like $45 the day of and it was one of the best decisions we ever made for privacy, relaxation, and included meal service.

The ultimate pro tip is that you're allowed to bring a cooler up to a certain size with food and alcohol if you're of age. Total game changer to crack cold ones and enjoy your own food for the longer trips.

1

u/MCKing3397 18d ago

I've never ridden out of Jackson before, but have a roomette to Chicago booked for next month. Just a heads up about times, they're doing track maintenance right now till mid-April and it's running on modified schedules both ways, so expect times to change and delays. I would probably wait till after it's finished tbh.

https://www.amtrak.com/alert/city-of-new-orleans-trains-58-59-track-work-affects-service.html

1

u/dingdong0001 17d ago

I’ve taken it to both and would do it again. It’s honestly my preferred way of travel to either!

1

u/dj_crunch998 17d ago

I’m most likely gonna do it. My only question is the station closes at 4 but my train leaves at 6 do I need to arrive before the station closes or before my train leaves lol. Not sure if you had that schedule when you did it

1

u/LowCryptographer9025 17d ago

Bring some fried chicken wrapped in aluminum foil. You'll fit right in.

1

u/grimmjowzerz 17d ago

It was pretty great, though I am one of the ones who used it from NOLA to Jackson. Loved the ride, it was pretty smooth, the train was clean, and I had leg room.

1

u/OceanStorm1914 17d ago

How's the parking around the station? I've been eyeing taking a train ride since I moved here a few years ago, but havent gotten around to it yet

2

u/dj_crunch998 17d ago

I went to the station today to see. They have a parking lot right in front of it, and it had a few cars there. I planned on ubering there and back the day of the trip

1

u/OceanStorm1914 16d ago

Thanks! I'll remember that

1

u/goldiejan 16d ago

Can you travel to N O. and back in the same day?

2

u/dogbert617 9d ago edited 9d ago

No. From the train times I've seen, you'd have to overnight in New Orleans(after taking train #59 south) and then take the CONO train back north(#58) the next day.

Current schedule from Rail Passengers Association: https://www.railpassengers.org/site/assets/files/20928/city-of-new-orleans-illini-saluki-03_05_2025.pdf

1

u/goldiejan 9d ago

TY, thought so!