Trains are just as important to Southern culture as sweet tea and barbecue—think of all those country songs about hearing that lonesome whistle blow. In the South, traveling by rail lets you soak in the slower rhythm of the region and see small towns that are harder to reach by plane.
And there’s never been a better time to explore the South by rail. New train companies like Brightline have launched in places like Florida, and after a decades-long hiatus, Amtrak will soon reconnect the route between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Several other high-speed rail projects are also in the works.
Here are the seven best train routes across the South.
Amtrak Cardinal
Courtesy of Amtrak /Chuck Gomez
From: Cincinnati, Ohio to Washington, D.C.
Amtrak’s Cardinal route connects Chicago to New York through the Northeast three days a week. But it also follows the curves of America’s oldest rivers, and passes through tcute small towns.
If you ride this route, you’ll go through Maysville, Kentucky, on the northern end of the state, which has a past deeply rooted in bourbon history. Distillers used to ship their product here via the Ohio River. While you’re here, you can sip on spirits made by the state’s third-oldest distillery, Old Pogue.
The Cardinal also passes through Prince, West Virginia, which is considered one of the gateway towns of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, home to 70,000 pristine acres of Appalachian Mountain scenery. In Charlottesville, Virginia, you can find the Thomas Jefferson-founded University of Virginia, where you can tour a replica of Edgar Allan Poe’s dorm room and the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection.
Amtrak Carolinian
Courtesy of Amtrak
From: Rocky Mount, North Carolina to Charlotte, North Carolina
Two Amtrak lines serve the Piedmont of North Carolina (the area that lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains). There’s the Carolinian, which starts in New York, and the Piedmont, which originates in Raleigh—both end in Charlotte and run daily. Whichever option you choose, they’re a great way to see several cities in the state in a short period.
The state’s capital city, Raleigh, has a wealth of museums covering arts and history, plus several James Beard-nominated restaurants. Tour the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, the site of a months-long sit-in at a Woolworth’s lunch counter. Complete the trip in Charlotte home to the high-octane Nascar Hall of Fame. If you’re into beer, both trains can be used as a sort of “ale trail” where you can hop on and off between destinations while sampling craft beer.
Amtrak City of New Orleans
Courtesy of Amtrak
From: Memphis, Tennessee to New Orleans, Louisiana
The City of New Orleans route is one of the best ways to see some of the most important music destinations in America. It follows the same undulating paths along the Mississippi as river cruises and passes through rural towns that have a deep connection with America’s musical history. Trains run daily from Chicago, but I recommend starting your journey in the Home of the Blues, aka Memphis.
For the full immersive experience, consider spending the night before your trip at the Central Station Hotel, located above Memphis Central Station. It’s steps away from Beale Street and legendary music venues like B.B. King’s Blues Club and the Tin Roof. From there, it’s a lazy ride through the rural but iconic landscapes of the Mississippi Delta.
In Greenwood, Mississippi, you can visit the brick depot that’s been immortalized in a Little Richard song and visit three memorial gravestones dedicated to Robert Johnson. Don’t miss the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, which is dedicated to the events that happened during the American Civil Rights Movement between 1945 and 1970. Finish at New Orleans’ Union Passenger Terminal, a quick ride away from the jazz clubs of Frenchmen Street.
Amtrak Silver Meteor/Palmetto
Courtesy of Amtrak
From: Washington, D.C. to Jacksonville, Florida
If it’s classic Southern cities you’re after, the Silver Meteor/Palmetto can’t be beat. Running from New York City to Miami, the portion south of the Mason-Dixon line can be completed in around 14 hours.
The journey begins at historic Union Station in D.C., and a few hours later in Richmond, Virginia, you can disembark to see the world’s largest collection of Fabergé eggs at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and stroll through fun neighborhoods like Shockoe Bottom and Carytown.
This route also goes through Charleston, South Carolina, and though the Amtrak station is a short drive from downtown, the trouble is worth it to experience one of the nation’s top food cities. I recommend wandering through the historic Charleston City Market, where you’ll find locally made items like sweetgrass baskets.
In Savannah, Georgia, historic homes are a big draw, including the former residences of author Flannery O’Connor and Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Jacksonville, Florida, is the final stop, where you can enjoy a hard-earned beach day.
Amtrak Sunset Limited
Courtesy of Amtrak
From: Beaumont, Texas to El Paso, Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas, and this route is no exception. The Sunset Limited crosses the country from New Orleans to Los Angeles, but this stretch alone takes nearly an entire day to complete.
The journey begins in the former Texas oil boomtown of Beaumont, located near the Louisiana border—every spring, the city puts on its own Mardi Gras festivities. Give yourself plenty of time to eat your way around Houston, filling up on barbecue and Vietnamese fare. Just a few hours later on the trip, you’ll pass through San Antonio, where you can see the Alamo and explore the historic Pearl District, a shopping and dining area located in the old Lone Star Beer brewery.
But the most stunning part of this route is the portion that goes through the sprawling deserts and big skies of West Texas. Though the train doesn’t pass through Marfa, you can explore the quirky college town of Alpine or rent a car here to hike through Big Bend National Park. Disembark in El Paso, where you can feast on some of the best Tex-Mex in the state.
Brightline
Courtesy of Brightline
From: West Palm Beach, Florida to Miami
When Brightline launched in 2018, it created a major buzz. The system runs from Miami to Orlando (with future plans to reach Tampa) and provided an alternative to the jam-packed roadways of the toll-laden Florida Turnpike.
The stretch between West Palm Beach and Miami takes a little over an hour, and you’ll get to see the stunning Florida coastline, the old US-41 through Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood, Florida. Once you get to Miami, you’ll arrive in the historic Overtown neighborhood and be just a short drive from downtown’s museums and restaurants.
Perks for Brightline travelers include a free carry-on bag and Wi-Fi—it’s become especially popular among those going to sporting events or traveling between airports.
SunRail
Courtesy of SunRail
From: DeLand, Florida to Poinciana, Florida
Brightline isn’t the only option for Florida travelers. SunRail has been in operation since 2014, and unlike Brightline (which follows the coast), this line connects the north Florida town of DeLand to the Orlando metroplex in the south.
Most SunRail passengers are commuters or regional travelers, so the onboard experience is fairly minimalist. The journey takes about two hours to ride its entire length. Before you hop on in DeLand, make sure to see the manatee-filled waters of Blue Springs State Park.
Down south, you can find old Florida charm in Winter Park—if you’re adventurous, the canals here are a perfect place to kayak. Get off in Poinciana, which puts you about 20 miles from Walt Disney World Resort.
