Crescent from B'Ham to New Orleans

[JohnnyWad]

I am contemplating round trip from Birmingham to New Orleans. Can you park safely/cheaply in Birmingham? Are coach and sleepers the only option (no bus or 1st class)? Any other advice/suggestions welcome. Thanks!

 

[fairviewroad]

I am contemplating round trip from Birmingham to New Orleans. Can you park safely/cheaply in Birmingham? Are coach and sleepers the only option (no bus or 1st class)? Any other advice/suggestions welcome. Thanks!

Welcome to Amtrak Unlimited!

I can't answer the question about parking. Amtrak's website says there is no long-term parking at the Birmingham station, but that's not to say

there aren't some nearby privately-owned or city-owned lots. You may want to call or visit the station to see what they recommend.

You are correct in that there is no business class on the Crescent, which is the train that operates between Birmingham and New Orleans.

Technically, the sleeping cars are considered "first class." Since this is not an overnight segment, the extra charge for a sleeper may not

seem like a good use of your money. But keep in mind that meals are free in the diner to sleeping car passengers. So if you are planning

to eat in the diner anyhow, you might recoup part of the cost that way. But for a daytime only segment, coach is generally fine for most folks.

 

[haolerider]

I am contemplating round trip from Birmingham to New Orleans. Can you park safely/cheaply in Birmingham? Are coach and sleepers the only option (no bus or 1st class)? Any other advice/suggestions welcome. Thanks!

Welcome to Amtrak Unlimited!

I can't answer the question about parking. Amtrak's website says there is no long-term parking at the Birmingham station, but that's not to say

there aren't some nearby privately-owned or city-owned lots. You may want to call or visit the station to see what they recommend.

You are correct in that there is no business class on the Crescent, which is the train that operates between Birmingham and New Orleans.

Technically, the sleeping cars are considered "first class." Since this is not an overnight segment, the extra charge for a sleeper may not

seem like a good use of your money. But keep in mind that meals are free in the diner to sleeping car passengers. So if you are planning

to eat in the diner anyhow, you might recoup part of the cost that way. But for a daytime only segment, coach is generally fine for most folks.

Actually, since sleeper usage is not high between Birmingham and New Orleans, sometimes the upgrade charge is quite low. It is a relaxing way to travel in the sleeper and get your meals included. Check the Amtrak website for quotes.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I did some Checking on amsna.net and the Cheap Sleepers Prices are between ATL and NOL. THe Lowest Roomette Fare I saw in Feb for BHM-NOL . was $133, so for a 8 Hour Trip, as was said, Coach would be Fine! Downtown Birmingham and the Station (What a dump!)arent Cheerful Places, I would Recommend having Someone Drop you Off @ the Station if Possible!

Also be Aware that Track Work will be Going on as it does Every Winter between ATL and NOL so there will be Periods where the Crescent will only Run between NYP and ATL!

 

[fairviewroad]

I did some Checking on amsna.net and the Cheap Sleepers Prices are between ATL and NOL. THe Lowest Roomette Fare I saw in Feb for BHM-NOL . was $133, so for a 8 Hour Trip, as was said, Coach would be Fine! Downtown Birmingham and the Station (What a dump!)arent Cheerful Places, I would Recommend having Someone Drop you Off @ the Station if Possible!
Also be Aware that Track Work will be Going on as it does Every Winter between ATL and NOL so there will be Periods where the Crescent will only Run between NYP and ATL!

There are only a handful of days left with track work cancellations this winter, specifically Jan 28-31 and Feb 5-7 (unless they add more later on). And yeah, I saw the $133 roomette price. The only way that would be attractive would be if the OP had a travelling companion, in which case it would only be $66.50 per person each way extra and that would get you (I believe) two meals in either direction. So for $66 you'd get two meals in the diner plus a comfortable private compartment to ride in. That's not a bad value...but if traveling by oneself then $133 is a bit steep. [And southbound you'd have to ask yourself whether you really want to have an Amtrak dinner when in just a little while you'll be arriving into one of the best-loved food cities in the world.]

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Amtrak's current Business Class would be useless on the Crescent 'cause the Long-Distance Coaches are more comfortable. BC is only used on Short-Distance trains because they are more comfortable than those Coaches. The Sleepers ARE First Class, at least that's how they're labeled on the end doors.