New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal

I’ve been to Birmingham every chance I get. I met a dude hanging out at the station that is now my personal driver. He offered me a ride and showed me a bible. I asked him what the book of James related to, and serial killers don’t read that kind of stuff. Needless to say he passed the test.
I distinctly remember fighting with some guy in like 89′ (in the editorials) that 90 million is a drop in the bucket and you will see the buildings with crashed out windows on canal get sold to developers that will make it nice again. He refused saying the buses were fine. Well anybody that knows the story would spit on Rockefeller for dismantling them in the first place.
I mentioned that if those polluting traffic hazard buses were so great, let’s tear down the st. Charles line and replace it with buses???
He never replied again. The construction on the canal line began around 2001 and it’s 2016 and continues to add on…(plus quickly recovered after Katrina!!!)

Amtrak, has a simple mandate, to reach people in how to relive the romance of trains. The passenger terminal, needed some historic décor. All the pinball machines where broken.
The restaurants, had little choice and over priced. The toilets where dirty and creepy. A little more effort please.

WOW! That was easy! Amtrack & Greyhound housed in the same facility! Whoohoo high five to Amtrack & Greyhound for making public transportation easily accessible in New Orleans. Now if only other Amtrack and Greyhound facilities could emulate this facility I would take the train and bus more often! (Ummm… Atlanta Amtrack B-​))
This station was approximately two miles away from the French Quarters. There are taxi cabs you can easily take to your hotel or final destination in New Orleans. If your headed to the French Quarters, expect to pay anywhere from $ 10 — $ 15. Note that some taxi cabs do not start their meter so ask how much they will charge. If you don’t want to deal with this, I suggest using Über as a secondary form of transportation.
Overall good experience with the facility and the staff was friendly and helpful!

I love the taking the train, it is my favorite way of travel.
This particular Amtrak station is conjoined with The greyhound bus company so you have both stations in one. Although I would recommend staying away from the greyhound side!
This station has a subway restaurant, a gift shop and an arcade. Other than that not very much else in here.
Other things about this particular train station includes a RTA bus stop and a street car line that goes from the train station all the way down to the river front. If you don’t have patience to wait on the bus or street car they also have taxi cabs waiting out front itching to pick up new fares.
The customer service here is pretty good. The Amtrak employees are very friendly to passengers. They have always been polite and courteous to me every time I took the train.
In short if you are looking for a mode of travel this is one best ways to go. Also this particular station is alright in my book.

does anyone know how far it is from the Amtrak station to the Hilton Riverside — and what the best options are to get from the Amtrak station to the Hilton Riverside?

We took the Sunset Limited from LA to New Orleans, then stayed overnight and took the Crescent the following day to Washington DC. The New Orleans station is clean and well maintained. However, please note that the Magnolia Lounge (for sleeper car passengers) is closed and under renovation. It won’t reopen until late January 2015. There’s not a whole lot of seating in the terminal, and very little seating for people who need to pre-​board due to special needs. There’s a small gift shop but no place to get anything of substance to eat. The staff is helpful and courteous. Please be aware that you must present your luggage to be checked 45 MINUTES before departure. Bring your bag later than that, and it won’t get on a train until tomorrow! All in all, though, this is one of the more pleasant Amtrak stations in the South.

The train is such a great option when traveling New Orleans — Memphis — Chicago… The steward was courteous and well-​trained. The ride was easy and swift. It is easy to meat people. I strongly recommend this route.

We departed the train at 11:30 PM and felt Safe with sheriffs walking around the train depot

The birth place of jazz.
When I was very little, my mama and papa brought us here on the way to Mobile (when Mobile had a train stop). We weren’t allowed to get off the train, but I was so happy when my papa brought back cute tees for us. Mine was a pink one that read «New Orleans, The Birth Place of Jazz» with beautifully printed saxophones, trumpets, and band players. That was my last memory here before 2013, and probably influenced my decision to play clarinet and saxophone many years later.
Fast forward to September 2013. Old enough to decide to make New Orleans 15 hour stop before catching a bus to Mobile, I was practically running off the train to finally experience NOLA.
New Orleans Passenger Terminal houses the Sunset Limited, Crescent and City of New Orleans Amtrak lines as well as a few Greyhound bus lines. It is located minutes from shopping, bars, and restaurants.
Unlike many major train and bus terminals, New Orleans is pretty clean and shocking free of non passenger people just hanging around. There are beautiful posters and paintings around the terminal. On my return trip I spent some time looking about and taking pictures. The station is also secure with nice yet strict security guards. I was followed by some street person into the terminal. Being aware of the situation I walked straight into a restroom where he could not follow. Outside I heard, not seconds later, a woman guard inquiring as to his purpose at the station which lead her to escort him out fairly quickly. Very nice!
I think there were 2 food options, one being a Subway. However with all the fabulous New Orleans eats within minutes of the station, I wouldn’t choose to dine here anyway. There is also a pretty pricey gift shop, which again I wouldn’t use unless you don’t have time to venture off into the city.
Until the next time…

I am a big fan of trains; I have been all my life.
This terminal has nothing special about it other than the fact that every time I’ve taken a train, someone has either tried to steal my stuff (The cops and ambulance ended up being called for him) or someone gets into a fight in the lobby (Probably from a botched attempt at stealing stuff).
Other than that, it’s just a dingy old building that pulls double duty as a train and Greyhound terminal.

The art deco in this place is wonderful, its like your going back in time to the 50’s.

Recall: I love taking the train. I am an Amtrak junkie who logs 5,000+ rail miles every year. I’m all about the choo-​choo adventure.
This review has nothing to do with taking the train and everything to do with the weird, exciting old building that is the train station. The New Orleans train station is an old building that was built in a by-​gone era of humanist architecture. It’s been maintained, although there is some sort of building project going on inside right now that’s resulted in shifting counters and temporary baggage areas. Everything is changing! Assume nothing!
Like most cities, Amtrak and Greyhound share a building which means the clientele in Union Station is varying degrees of desperate. For every savvy traveler with a snappy pullman, there is another just-​been-​dumped dude with his stuff in a black garbage bag getting the bus to Texas. (And now I’ve got the song «All my exes live in Texas» stuck in my head. Ugh.) There are also a number of area workers who stop by for lunch at Subway. There is just no telling what sort of people-​watching is available on any given day.
The food options are so limited that I can’t even consider eating at the terminal. Unless you are a true Subway junkie, bring something with you. I usually do. (My favorite to-​go option is either the Rouses on Baronne or Trolley Stop on St. Charles.)
When the station was built, I’m sure it was more accessible from the city. I’m sure getting to and from was easier. These days, the station is in a weird place in relationship to the city. Sure, you can take the St. Charles Streetcar and walk a few blocks up to get to the station… but doing that with luggage is a beast. (I do not recommend it unless your luggage is ultra portable.) There are a few NORTA bus lines that serve the station and a new trolley line, but I don’t know anything about those because they don’t help me get home. On the other hand, a taxi ride from the station to most of New Orleans proper is a flat fee of $ 10 + $ 1 per extra person.
There are two character notes I want to add about the station:
One: the mural around the ceiling is one of the weirdest murals I’ve ever seen. No one has normal knees. (Seriously. Stare at it for a while. No normal knees.) There is a lot of charm and even some artistic merit there with a touch of American Cubism, but I will forever have dreams of the weird knees. Shudder.
Two: There is a freelance taxi-​stand attendant out front. He is certainly not paid by the folks at Union Station, nor is he employed by any cab company. Nope, this guy shows up when trains arrive (which is only a few times a day) and hustles folks into cabs for tips. The cabbies HATE him because he infringes on their tips, and the station seems to ignore him. But really, what other city has a freelance taxi-​stand attendant with such dedication?
Accessibility notes: Automatic doors. High counters. No Braille signage. Pre-​boarding and assistance are difficult to obtain.

No complaints here (though I’ve never dealt with Greyhound, so this is Amtrak oriented). The station was clean upon my arrival and departure, the employees were friendly, and the service ran quickly and smoothly. There’s a Subway (which I can’t speak about, because I was eating my expensive Nola leftovers like a classy lady), some vending machines, clean and roomy bathrooms, and a cheesy but fun gift shop. There’s technically no WiFi, but I picked up some from the Greyhound terminal. Baggage check was a breeze, and everyone was super nice.
This is about the City of New Orleans line specifically — I rode down from Champaign, and the people running that line right now are incredible. Specifically «Mr. Charles,» who’s sweet, kind, and helpful. He single-​handedly made my trip both ways very enjoyable. So I just wanted to put that in a review somewhere, in case Amtrak reads this… you should give him a raise!

Very accessible and easy to board

Our friend Wilson, lives in Mobile and crew changes with the Pirate out of Morgan city… A few times I have had to pick him up at the terminal so that he can meet his vessel and he always makes me laugh at his stories of the bus ride. This trip however, I was able to ask him about the terminal. He told me that this was one of the nicest terminals that he has ever been too (though I might argue that Union Station is Los Angeles is really beautiful, clean and full of amenities)…I can only go by my meager experience. I will say that it is always easy to get in and out of the loading area and on this trip I even double parked until Wilson emerged. Proximity to the expressway makes for a clean getaway and that’s always a plus when picking up out of town guests… think I might have to give the train a try at least I know the terminal is nice.

This is dedicated to you, vile, evil, lazy greyhound bus line employee. This simply speaks to the greyhound customer service, not the aesthetics or offerings of the station itself. And as a review of a rarely discussions train station, this will probably be no more than hot air getting lost into the internet ether. But as a form of catharsis, let me say this: you are terrible at your job and an unsympathetic, cowardly human being!
After already having had some big travel hiccups trying to head from New Orleans to Nashville when a friend could no longer drive me there, I decided to take a greyhound bus. I bought a ticket online for the 9:30 PM bus, which would take 14 hours (no problem, I’d be asleep through most of it) and get in the next afternoon. I arrive at the station at 9:13. Last bus of the night, next one leaves at 7:40 the next morning
Why do I know that fairly arbitrary arrival date? Because when I walk to the ticket counter, the line had been roped off. An employee is behind the counter, idly clicking away on the computer while flirting with a Sheriff deputy, but the counter was closed down with a sign that said «Closed at 9:10»
I move to the side of the line and wait for a bit for the employee and the deputy to stop chatting with each other (they clearly see me), but this doesn’t happen and I finally have to interrupt them with an «excuse me.» They both look annoyed that I’m there. Jesus Christ, how could I, a traveler in the bus station, need help from station employees.
I explain that I bought my ticket online in the morning, i just need to have it printed out.
Evil lady rolls her eyes, «we’re closed.»
No, i explain, i don’t need to buy a new one, it’s bought, it just needs to actualize and i’ll be out of here.
«Not here, we’re closed.»
I ask what time it is
«9:14»
You’re kidding me, i said. It’s important that i make it to Nashville tomorrow, I’ve made all kinds of arrangements, i say.
These two jagoffs get angry at me. The greyhound employee rolls her eyes and looks at the deputy, all the while clicking away at the computer (THE COMPUTER, the same goddamn computer that will make all this go away. You TAUNT ME, keyboard clicks) and the deputy interrupts me in a ‘you need to CALM DOWN or else’ kind of tone and says some people that HAVE tickets might not even make it on the bus.
I look at the line and there are maybe 20 people in line. Everybody will make it on the bus. But that’s beside the point. I have a ticket! You just need to print it out for me! At least give me a SHOT! Let me be a contender.
I say i’m sorry, i’m not trying to cause a scene here, but you’re still here and the computer’s clearly on and i just need my ticket so I can at least TRY to catch the bus.
Evil lady snickers, «you can’t be gettin no special rules,» and i hear them chuckling as a I, flabbergasted, walk away.
The next morning I tried to catch the 7:40 am bus (this time getting there at 6:30 am), but that was sold out. The next bus wouldn’t get me in till 4 in the morning, and after a point I said f*ck it and bought a plane ticket. The 240 dollar non– bus ride. Perfect!
I got into Nashville at 1:30, right around the time I would have if that strumpet had inconvenienced herself and done her job 4 minutes after the counter closed.
There are moments in ones job when, with very little effort, one can either make someone’s day or completely ruin it. This succubus was still behind the counter; the computer was still on, she was still working on it. There was no line of people behind me asking for favors as well. She was simply lazy and perhaps a little jaded and ruined my night. You hate your job, I get it, but it’s your f*cking job. Do it.
So thanks guys, thank you so much for such awesome customer service! Really made my night!

.I don’t know how I missed reviewing NOUPT since I absolutely LOVE taking the train when I travel. Now, I haven’t visited a large number of train terminals but I can definitely say this one is pretty good. It’s large and spacious with comfortable seats while you’re waiting. The staff has always been friendly, even the security. Every time I’ve been there it’s been clean which is probably a pretty big task considering the size of the place and the number of people that pass through daily.
One of the big advantages to this terminal is the first class lounge. If you have a sleeper car on the train (and I always do) there is a small lounge room with coffee and a TV where you can wait away from the hustle and bustle of the main waiting area. And if you’re traveling around Christmas (which I usually am) and taking a train before 8am (which I usually am) then a secluded quiet spot is a godsend.

For the longest time, I was baffled whenever I would see people wandering around this part of town pulling a suitcase behind them. Eventually, I figured out that there’s a train and bus station here, which had to be the source of the confused looking travelers I frequently saw in the area.
There is a train that goes from New Orleans to Lafayette (the Amtrak Sunset Limited) three times a week (Mon/​Wed/​Fri). It leaves at noon and it’s $ 18 one way. It takes about three hours, a little bit longer than it’d take to drive, but the scenery is absolutely gorgeous, much prettier than the drive, which I wasn’t expecting. And, really, you’d probably spend more on gas, since the tickets are super affordable.
The people at the ticket counter were extremely nice, the one time I managed to actually make my train. (Pro tip: Trains are not like airplanes. They leave on time. Don’t show up at 12:05 and expect the train to still be there.) Made me wish that air travel were even half as pleasant as dealing with the people at the train station.
As I climbed aboard the train, I felt like I’d been transported to some magical Disneyland/​Europe hybrid place, and that feeling stayed with me for pretty much the whole trip. As I mentioned, the scenery between here and Lafayette as seen from the train is absolutely gorgeous. I didn’t realize that Louisiana was so beautiful. Nor did I realize that the train took such a different route than the interstate. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much of anything, so I was pleasantly surprised by the very pretty landscape along the way.
Other than my moment of awe in climbing aboard the giant, silver train, I don’t remember a ton about the train station. There didn’t seem to be a ton of people around, everyone behind the ticket counter was friendly, and I didn’t wait for long before climbing aboard. It was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to doing it again in the near future.

I’ll be honest and say that my only dealing here are because I walk over to go to the Subway store, which is located inside the terminal.
However, I’ve always been fascinated by train stations and this one has a certain charm about it. I will definitely take a train ride out of here soon, as it is now on my «bucket list».
I will say that the terminal employees that I have come into contact with have always been pleasant, and that’s a good start.

A pleasant train station. Bigger than the ones I’m used to, but not quite as swanky as, say, Penn Station or Washington, DC’s Union Station, the NOUPT is a comfortable place to wait for an upcoming train ride.
There’s plenty of seating, a small lounge for sleeper car passengers, Subway subs, and pizza. We bought an acceptably-​priced deck of playing cards from an amusing gift shop that had all sorts of amusing hand-​written notices from the management (e.g., «Nothing here is free. Please don’t ask.)
The folks at the ticket counter were friendly and helped us get up to speed with our first overnight train ride. This terminal made for a very pleasant start to our trip.