An adventure awaits, Houston. The Amtrak Sunset Limited is a historical locomotive that stands as the oldest named train in the United States. Chugging along through the American Southwest, the legendary train has Houston in between the likes of Los Angeles and New Orleans: offering Houstonians the chance to embark on an epic, cross-continental journey.
History of the Sunset Limited
First launched by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1894, the Sunset Limited is the longest continuously operating named train in the nation. As it was created in the Gilded Age, the original train was entirely comprised of luxury sleeping cars – or “all-Pullman” service – where passengers embarked from New Orleans and San Francisco in utter opulence.
In 1971, Amtrak acquired the rail and would later extend the Sunset Limited to Orland and Jacksonville in Florida. Up until 2005, the rail was the only coast-to-coast train in the history of the United States – this was until it was derailed by the irreparable damage of Hurricane Katrina. While Amtrak cut its service to Floridian cities, the rail continues to operate from New Orleans to Los Angeles.
The Sunset Limited Rail: LA to NOLA
The Sunset Limited is a tri-weekly service that departs from the Houston Amtrak station (HOS) at 902 Washington Ave. Across the approximate 1,995 miles between Los Angeles and New Orleans, the rail makes 22 stops in five states.
For Eastward passengers, the revelry, Cajun cuisine, and cool jazz of New Orleans is just six stops (9 hours and 30 minutes away). The engineering highlight of this route is crossing the massive Huey P. Long Bridge. At nearly five miles long, it takes the train high above the Mississippi River, offering an incredible, slow-motion panoramic view of the New Orleans skyline before arriving at Union Passenger Terminal.
At the other end of the line, the trip is more of an odyssey. Taking between 34 to 36 hours, the long-haul voyage from Houston to Los Angeles amounts to an epic journey rewarding passengers with breathtaking scenery across West Texas.
The westbound leg also features the incredible site of the Pecos River High Bridge, or otherwise the highest bridge throughout the Amtrak network soaring 273 over a river canyon.
Boarding the Sunset Limited
The historic railway offers numerous options for passengers. Whether you’re looking for the beatnik experience or something a little more comfortable, two options are available.
Coach
Not to be confused with the slightly-too-snug seats of an airliner, Amtrak Coach seats on the Superliner (double-decker) cars offer far more comfort. Known for their very welcome legroom, the seats are 180-degree reclining and feature thick leg rests. Also very welcome: no middle seats. If you’re planning to get a little shuteye during your trip, we do recommend bringing your own pillows and blankets.
Prices vary depending on destination; ranging from $50 – $90 to New Orleans and between $160 – $260 to Los Angeles.
Private Cabins
Private cabins are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Roommettes are the entry level, and feature two cozy seats that convert into bunkbeds. The roommettes offers a private space, a sliding door with curtain, as well as access to shared shower and restroom in the car. Meals are included in the Dining Car.
Prices (for 1 -2 people) range from $350 – $550 to New Orleans; from $900 – $1200 to Los Angeles.
Superliner Bedrooms offer even more space, at twice the size of Roommettes. These rooms are furnished with a sofa, armchair, as well as a private en-suite shower, bathroom, sink, and picture window. Meals are also included.
Prices here range start around $710 from Houston to Nola and around $1,850 from Houston to Los Angeles.
At the lower level of the train, Family Bedrooms and Accessible Bedrooms are available for families with two adult and two children beds. For those passengers with mobility issues, Accessible Bedrooms provide easier access to the boarding door.
The Sightseer Lounge: The Heart of the Train
The crown jewel of the Sunset Limited is the Sightseer Lounge. Accessible to all passengers, the double-decker lounge is a communal hub fit with floor-to-ceiling windows curved into the roofline. As such, it is the best (and only) place to catch the full, epic sunset as you cross West Texas.
For scheduling, prices, and/or other information about booking tickets on the Sunset Limited from Houston, take a look a Amtrak’s website here.
