Trains in Texas & South USA — Dallas, Houston, Austin & San Antonio
Texas is America's largest state by land area — and one of its most underserved by rail. Two Amtrak long-distance routes thread through the state: the Texas Eagle from Chicago to San Antonio and the Sunset Limited from New Orleans to Los Angeles via Houston. Neither is fast enough to replace driving for most Texas journeys, but both offer a genuine train experience. And on the horizon: Texas Central's proposed Dallas to Houston high-speed rail line that would change everything.
🤠 Trains in Texas — The Honest Picture
Texas has two Amtrak long-distance routes and a complex relationship with passenger rail. The state's vast distances, car-centric urban planning, and lack of a state rail funding programme mean that train travel in Texas is primarily useful for two types of traveler: those making long-distance journeys where a sleeper car is practical, and those who simply enjoy traveling by train as an experience in itself.
For the major Texas city pairs — Dallas to Houston, Austin to Dallas, Houston to San Antonio — the train is not the fastest or most convenient option. The Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited run infrequently, stop at stations that are often distant from city centers, and experience significant delays on freight-owned tracks. Driving or flying is faster for most journeys within Texas.
That said, the train does work well for specific journeys: the Austin to San Antonio run (1.5 hours, $15, daily), connecting to the Texas Eagle for a through journey from San Antonio to Chicago, and the Sunset Limited for the unique deep Texas experience — crossing the Chihuahuan Desert through Alpine and Marfa country, a journey impossible to replicate any other way.
🚆 The Texas Eagle — Chicago to San Antonio
The Texas Eagle is Amtrak's primary Texas train — running daily from Chicago Union Station to San Antonio Sunset Station, covering 1,306 miles in approximately 32 hours. It is the only daily Amtrak train serving Dallas and Austin, making it the backbone of whatever intercity rail exists in Texas.
The Texas Eagle departs Chicago in the early afternoon, reaches St Louis in the evening, crosses into Arkansas overnight, arrives in Dallas mid-morning the following day, reaches Austin in the early afternoon, and arrives in San Antonio in the late afternoon. The southbound schedule puts the Texas Hill Country and San Antonio arrival in pleasant afternoon light.
Beyond San Antonio, three times per week the Texas Eagle connects with the Sunset Limited — combining into a through train that continues to Los Angeles via Del Rio, Alpine, El Paso, Tucson, and the Sonoran Desert. This combined service, known as the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited Thruway, is the only train connection from Texas to California.
| Key Stop | Southbound Arrival | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Union Station | Departure ~1:45 PM | National hub — connections to Empire Builder, Capitol Limited, Lake Shore Limited |
| St Louis Gateway | ~8:30 PM | Evening arrival — Gateway Arch visible from the station |
| Little Rock | ~1:00 AM | Overnight stop — minimal passenger use at this hour |
| Dallas Union Station | ~8:30 AM | Downtown Dallas — DART light rail connection to citywide transit |
| Fort Worth | ~9:30 AM | Cowtown — Trinity Railway Express commuter rail connection |
| Waco | ~11:00 AM | Midpoint between Dallas and Austin |
| Austin | ~1:00 PM | Capital Metro connection — station is 2 miles north of downtown |
| San Antonio | ~3:30 PM | Sunset Station — historic 1902 building, River Walk 15 min by taxi |
🌅 The Sunset Limited — New Orleans to Los Angeles
The Sunset Limited is one of the most unique train journeys in the USA — crossing the deep American South and the Chihuahuan Desert in a single 47-hour journey from New Orleans to Los Angeles. It is the only passenger train serving southern Texas — stopping at Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, Del Rio, Sanderson, Alpine, Marfa Road, El Paso, and Tucson on its way to California.
Unlike the Texas Eagle (daily), the Sunset Limited runs only three times per week in each direction — a significant limitation for planning. It departs New Orleans on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays; departs Los Angeles on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
The train's most spectacular section is through far west Texas — the Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend country, and the crossing of the Rio Grande at Langtry. The stop near Alpine serves as the closest train station to Marfa, the arts destination in the Chihuahuan Desert. This section is accessible only by the Sunset Limited — no other public transport reaches this part of Texas.
⚡ Texas Central — The Proposed Dallas to Houston HSR Line
Texas Central is a proposed private high-speed rail project that would connect Dallas and Houston with Japanese Shinkansen N700S bullet trains in approximately 90 minutes — compared to 4 hours by current Amtrak service and 3.5 to 4 hours of driving. The line would be approximately 240 miles long with a single intermediate stop at a suburban location between the two cities.
The project was first announced in 2012 and attracted significant investment and attention as the most credible high-speed rail proposal in the USA outside California. It would be entirely privately funded — no federal or state subsidy — using the proven Shinkansen technology operated by Central Japan Railway.
However, as of 2026 the project faces significant obstacles. The company has faced prolonged legal battles over eminent domain and land acquisition along the proposed route. Key executives and investors have departed. No construction has begun and no definitive timeline has been announced. The project's future remains genuinely uncertain — it may yet be built, or it may join a long list of ambitious US rail proposals that did not come to fruition.
🗺️ Key Train Routes in Texas
🎷 Deep South — Louisiana, Arkansas & Mississippi
The Deep South is served by the Crescent (New York to New Orleans via Atlanta), the City of New Orleans (Chicago to New Orleans via Memphis), and the Sunset Limited (New Orleans to Los Angeles). These routes pass through some of the most culturally rich territory in the USA — but with the same limitations as all Amtrak long-distance trains: once-daily or tri-weekly service, freight railroad delays, and limited stop times in most cities.
The Shreveport to Dallas leg is served by the Texas Eagle — Shreveport sits in northwest Louisiana and is the last stop before crossing into Texas. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. The Little Rock to Memphis segment is part of the Texas Eagle's northbound route — Arkansas's capital to Tennessee's music city in 3 hours, passing through the Arkansas Delta.
🚂 Train Operators in Texas & the South
Amtrak Texas Eagle
Chicago to San Antonio — daily, 32 hours. The primary Texas train. Serves Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Austin, and San Antonio. Superliner equipment with sleeping cars and dining car. Coach from $22.
Amtrak Sunset Limited
New Orleans to Los Angeles via Houston, San Antonio, El Paso — 3 times per week, 47 hours. The only train serving far west Texas (Alpine, Marfa, Del Rio). Superliner sleepers available. Not for time-sensitive travel.
Amtrak City of New Orleans
Chicago to New Orleans via Memphis and Jackson — daily, 19 hours. Serves Arkansas and Mississippi through the Delta. Does not enter Texas but connects Deep South cities to Chicago and New Orleans.
Texas Central (Proposed)
Dallas to Houston in 90 minutes on Japanese Shinkansen N700S — privately funded, no public subsidy. Significant legal and financial hurdles remain unresolved as of 2026. No construction has begun.
Trinity Railway Express (DFW)
Commuter rail connecting Dallas Union Station and Fort Worth Intermodal — separate from Amtrak, operated by DART and Trinity Metro. Connects to Texas Eagle at Dallas Union Station.
Texas Amtrak Thruway Buses
Amtrak operates connecting bus services to several Texas cities not directly served by trains — including Corpus Christi, College Station, and Beaumont. These connect to the Sunset Limited at Houston or San Antonio.
🚉 Key Train Stations in Texas & the South
| Station | City | Routes | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Union Station | Dallas, TX | Texas Eagle, Sunset Limited | Historic 1916 Beaux-Arts station in downtown Dallas. DART light rail connection to citywide transit and DFW Airport. Walking distance to Dealey Plaza and downtown. |
| Fort Worth Intermodal | Fort Worth, TX | Texas Eagle | Modern intermodal hub. Trinity Railway Express commuter rail to Dallas. Walkable to Fort Worth Stockyards (20 min) and Sundance Square. |
| Houston Amtrak Station | Houston, TX | Sunset Limited | Located in Midtown Houston — 3 miles from downtown. Uber/Lyft recommended. Trains stop here only 3 times weekly in each direction. |
| Austin Amtrak Station | Austin, TX | Texas Eagle | Located 2 miles north of downtown Austin on Lamar Blvd. Capital Metro bus connections. No light rail directly to the station — rideshare recommended. |
| San Antonio Sunset Station | San Antonio, TX | Texas Eagle, Sunset Limited | Historic 1902 Mission Revival building in the Eastside neighborhood. River Walk and downtown are 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. One of the most beautiful Amtrak stations in Texas. |
| New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal | New Orleans, LA | Sunset Limited, Crescent, City of New Orleans | Central Business District location. Three Amtrak routes converge here — gateway to the Gulf Coast and the West via the Sunset Limited. |
💡 Booking Tips for Texas & South Train Travel
Best Value Texas Journey: Austin to San Antonio
At 1.5 hours and from $15, Austin to San Antonio on the Texas Eagle is the most practical train journey in Texas — genuinely competitive with driving on I-35, which can take 2 to 3 hours in traffic. One train daily in each direction — check the schedule and plan around it.
Sunset Limited: Plan Around the 3x Weekly Schedule
The Sunset Limited runs only Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday from New Orleans (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday from Los Angeles). Miss it and you wait 2 to 3 days for the next one. This is the hardest constraint of Deep South rail travel — build flexibility into any Sunset Limited itinerary.
Stations Are Not Central — Plan Your Transfer
Most Texas Amtrak stations are not walkable to downtown. Houston's station is 3 miles from downtown; Austin's is 2 miles north. Dallas Union Station is the exception — it is downtown and has DART light rail. Always check the station-to-destination transfer before booking.
Take the Sunset for the Far West Texas Experience
The Alpine to El Paso section of the Sunset Limited (southbound, late evening to night; northbound, early morning) crosses the most remote landscape in the continental USA accessible by passenger train. Book a roomette and wake up in the Chihuahuan Desert. It is one of the most unusual rail experiences in America.
Texas Eagle Stop Times Are Inconvenient
The Texas Eagle's schedule is built around the Chicago endpoint — which means Texas stops happen at awkward hours. Houston on the Sunset Limited arrives very early morning southbound. Check exact stop times before booking; some are at 2 to 4 AM. The Austin to San Antonio segment, however, has daytime stops in both directions.
Amtrak Thruway Buses for Other Texas Cities
Corpus Christi, College Station, and Beaumont are served by Amtrak Thruway bus connections from Houston and San Antonio — you can book these on amtrak.com as part of a through journey. Not a train, but they connect to the rail network and are bookable on a single Amtrak ticket.
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320+ routes →🗂️ All Texas & South USA Train Routes (17 Routes)
Every train route we cover across Texas and the South — click any route for the full guide with schedules, fares, and booking tips.
Frequently Asked Questions — Trains in Texas & South USA
Answers to the most searched questions about train travel in Texas and the American South.
Yes — Amtrak's Sunset Limited serves both Dallas and Houston as part of its New Orleans to Los Angeles route. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. However, service is limited to 3 times per week in each direction, and stop times may be inconvenient. Fares start around $25. A proposed Texas Central high-speed rail line would reduce this to 90 minutes, but no construction has begun as of 2026. See the full Dallas to Houston train guide.
Yes — Amtrak's Texas Eagle connects Austin and San Antonio in approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, once daily in each direction. Fares start from $15 on Saver. This is the most practical train journey in Texas — the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio regularly takes 2 to 3 hours by car in traffic. San Antonio's Sunset Station is a beautiful 1902 historic building, 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from the River Walk. See the full Austin to San Antonio train guide.
Texas is served by two main Amtrak routes. The Texas Eagle (Chicago to San Antonio, daily) serves Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Austin, and San Antonio. The Sunset Limited (New Orleans to Los Angeles, 3 times weekly) serves Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, Del Rio, Alpine, and El Paso. The Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited combine south of San Antonio three times per week into a through service to Los Angeles. Neither route is fast for intra-Texas city hops.
Texas Central is a proposed private high-speed rail project connecting Dallas to Houston in 90 minutes using Japanese Shinkansen N700S trains. It would be entirely privately funded. However, as of 2026, the project faces unresolved legal battles over land acquisition, key executive departures, and no construction has begun. The project's future is uncertain — it remains one of the most ambitious and most troubled US rail proposals of the past decade.
The Amtrak Sunset Limited is a long-distance train running from New Orleans to Los Angeles in approximately 47 hours, covering 1,995 miles. It serves Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, Del Rio, Alpine, El Paso, Tucson, and Palm Springs. It is the only passenger train serving far west Texas — the Chihuahuan Desert region including Alpine and Marfa. Unlike most Amtrak trains, it runs only three times per week in each direction.
Yes — Amtrak's Texas Eagle stops at both Austin and Dallas daily. The journey takes approximately 3 hours, passing through Waco. Fares start around $22 on Saver. One train runs daily in each direction. Note that Austin's Amtrak station is 2 miles north of downtown — plan a rideshare or taxi transfer at both ends. See the full Austin to Dallas train guide.
Yes — Amtrak's Sunset Limited connects Houston and Dallas, with the journey taking approximately 4 hours. Service runs 3 times per week in each direction (not daily). Fares start around $25. Houston's Amtrak station is located in Midtown, about 3 miles from downtown — plan a rideshare transfer. See the full Houston to Dallas train guide.
Yes — Amtrak's Texas Eagle connects San Antonio Sunset Station to Austin in approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, once daily in each direction. Fares from $15. This is the best-value and most practical train journey in Texas. Sunset Station is a beautifully restored 1902 Mission Revival building — worth arriving early to see it. The River Walk is 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. See the full San Antonio to Austin train guide.