Support Us Button Widget

All aboard: How to ride Amtrak as a Chattanoogan

Taking the train isn’t just for commuters — it’s also a method of leisure travel that’s growing in popularity.

Multiple people are seated in naby blue chairs in a large terminal. On the wall behind them is a large, colorful mural with reds, oranges, yellows, pink, blues, and other colors smattered around in abstract patterns.

The Texas Eagle offers upgrades like the Superliner Roomette, pictured here, which features two seats that transform into upper and lower beds.

Photo via Amtrak

Train travel is booming. In the last year, The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) has served 24+ million riders.

The more sustainable, often scenic, and middle seat-less cousin to flying, train travel could play a part in your next vacation — even though Chattanooga doesn’t have a station of its own. Think of it like driving to the Atlanta airport for a better flight.

Meet the Crescent

If you’re leaving from Atlanta’s Peachtree Station, you’ll be riding on a Crescent:

  • WiFi | Crescent trains come equipped with free WiFi, so you can keep reading NOOGAtoday. Pro tip: Outlets are more accessible in first or business class + sleeper cars.
  • Food + Drink | This train offers flexible dining (complimentary meals for private room travelers) + cafe service (snacks and drinks for purchase).
  • Accommodations | The Crescent features coach seats + various private roomettes and bedrooms.

Where it takes you

Maybe you’ll take the midnight train, but you don’t wanna go just anywhere. Check out a few places you can get from Atlanta. Prices may vary.

  • Greenville, SC | ~3-hour trip | Coach: $30-$40 | Private rooms: $230-$350 (Bonus: Consult GVLtoday for plans.)
  • Washington, DC | ~14 or ~17-hour trip | Coach: $100-$140 | Business: $150-$250 | Private rooms: $400-$600
  • New York, NY | ~18.5-hour trip or ~21-hour trip | Coach: $130-150 | Business: $200-$300 | Private rooms: $450-$1500

First stop: The ticket counter

Purchase one-way tickets online, or buy a pass — the $499 USA Rail Pass, for instance, gets you 10 rides over 30 days.

Next — getting to the station. Atlanta’s offers same-day and overnight parking, so you can leave the car upon arrival.

Just down the track…

Talks about an Amtrak line connecting Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta have been in the works.

Most recently, Chattanooga City Council accepted a federal grant for a two-year comprehensive study into the proposed railway.

More from NOOGAtoday
We sat down with the mayor of the war-torn Ukrainian town of Trostyanets to get an update on the community-led group that was founded last year.
Northern Hamilton County will soon have a longer trail system after a land swap at Audubon Mountain was initiated between Chattanooga Audubon Society + Tennessee State Parks.
Join fellow Chattanoogans to show some love to our green spaces for National Walk to a Park Day on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Chattanooga has an incredibly rich history that is showcased in museums throughout the area. From the Hunter Museum of American Art to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, pay a visit to these various spots to learn all there is to know about the Scenic City.
Get ready for a classic weekend in the Scenic City as this annual event returns to the West Village on Friday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 13, bringing luxury cars downtown.
Halloween is around the corner, so we’re bringing you some scary stories and haunted places across the city.
It’s the season of the pumpkins, so we’re rounding up a list of local places to go picking. Check out these patches, farms, and nurseries.
The fourth annual CHA Hip-Hop Week kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 6 with performances, art exhibits, activities, and more.
As nearby towns and states are assessing damage done by Hurricane Helene, local businesses and organizations are hosting drives for flooding relief supplies.
We’re giving you the 411 on the 423’s landmarks — from the Walnut Street Bridge to the Incline Railway. Learn about their history, fun facts, and just why Chattanoogans and visitors alike find them so iconic.