Train travel is booming. In FY 2024, The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) served 32.8 million riders — an all-time ridership record.
The more sustainable, often scenic, and middle seat-less cousin to flying, train travel could play a part in your next vacation — even though Knoxville doesn’t have a station of its own. Think of it like driving to a different airport for more direct flights.
Meet the Crescent
If you’re leaving from Spartanburg’s Amtrak Station (the closest to Knoxville at ~3 hours’ drive), you may end up on a Crescent:
- WiFi | Crescent trains come equipped with free WiFi, so you can keep reading 865today. 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 Spartanburg that are worth a trip. Prices may vary.
- Washington, DC | ~11-hour trip | Coach: $90+ | Private rooms: $430+
- New York, NY | ~15.5-hour trip | Coach: $130+ | Private rooms: $430+
- New Orleans, LA | ~18-hour trip | Coach: $120+ | Private rooms: $420+
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. Spartanburg’s offers same-day and overnight parking, so you can leave the car upon arrival.
Just down the track…
Despite federal funding concerns, an Amtrak line connecting Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta is still in the works, which would put an Amtrak station roughly an hour closer to Knoxville.
The City of Chattanooga is in charge of a conducting a currently-underway feasibility study.
