Overnight in NOL station

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M

margo

Lead Service Attendant
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
279
Location
Louisiana
I am asking for someone else (50 yr 0ld man, traveling alone). Is it possible to stay overnight in the NOLstation? He is scheduled to arrive about 9:00 pm on the SL and depart the next morning at 7:00 am on the Crescent. He doesn't want to get a hotel room. I didn't know how to advise him, so any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
I'm not really certain, but I think I've heard that if the SL comes in late that those connecting to the Crescent were allowed to stay. I heard they kick out the Greyhound passengers overnight, but they allowed the Amtrak passengers to stay.

At least the last time I was there, NOPD had a desk with an officer in the station.
 
I have no personal experience of trying to stay there overnight, but the Amtrak site shows the hours as 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. I suspect he'll be asked to leave about an hour after the SL arrives and not allowed back in until 5:00 the next morning.
 
If he can't stay there, he can take the streetcar from the station to real close to the casino if he changes streetcars. If he is a senior, cost is 40 cents one way with free transfer.

The casino is 24x7.
 
Amtrak passengers can stay in the Station overnight, theres even a Security guard, but No in and out is allowed, and it's very uncomfortable in the Lobby especially in the wee hours.

The idea of heading over to Harrahs Casino is an excellent one, but I suggest using Lyft or Uber or a cab if one has luggage.Its a $10-$12 trip.

Walking back in the AM is easy, try to be there by 6am if checking Luggage. If going in a Sleeper the Magnolia,Room is available for Sleeper passengers,but no food is available.

Breakfast is served in the Diner as the Crescent crosses the Lake on the Causeway!
 
I have done this exact same thing, i.e., arrive on #2 and depart on #20; it was a couple of years ago. At that time Amtrak ticketed passengers could remain in the station overnight. However, the station closed at 10 pm and those remaining in the station could not leave for any reason until 5:45 am. when the station reopened. Actually we only had access to part of the station, the Amtrak part. There was a rent-a-cop, not NOLA PD, who was very officious but that part is probably variable. So, no food available, no smoking and uncomfortable seating. Also no access to the Magnolia Room. IIRC you could get Greyhound wifi if you stood as close as you could to the line that marked their part of the station. There were maybe 8 or 6 of us that night.
 
Does anyone know if the station remains open on days when the SL does not run? I might be connecting from the Crescent to the CONO in a few weeks, but it may or may not be on one of the days the SL departs. That connection can be booked on one ticket (for example Atlanta-Memphis) so I would think it would be open but I don't want to assume anything. Also, is there any major safety threat I am missing? Being in a secure room with a few other Amtrak passengers and no bags (in my case) doesn't seem threatening to me.
 
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Nothing to be worried about safety wise, but consider you just have uncomfortable, short back plastic seats to sit in - unless you crash on the floor, I guess.

There are vending machines and restrooms available.
 
City of Miami said:
I have done this exact same thing, i.e., arrive on #2 and depart on #20; it was a couple of years ago. At that time Amtrak ticketed passengers could remain in the station overnight. However, the station closed at 10 pm and those remaining in the station could not leave for any reason until 5:45 am. when the station reopened. Actually we only had access to part of the station, the Amtrak part. There was a rent-a-cop, not NOLA PD, who was very officious but that part is probably variable. So, no food available, no smoking and uncomfortable seating. Also no access to the Magnolia Room. IIRC you could get Greyhound wifi if you stood as close as you could to the line that marked their part of the station. There were maybe 8 or 6 of us that night.
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Is someone daring people to do this? Is a radio station giving out free concert tickets when the station reopens? The last time I considered agreeing to being locked inside a business all night was back when I was a kid who could be arrested for breaking curfew. Unless I'm on my last centavo I'm getting a hotel.
 
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I've been in and out of New Orleans many times, I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to stay in the station overnight, and im not sure why they even allow it if no trains are running.

But hey, if you want to write a true adventure on your blog, im sure that would be some interesting material to write about.
 
Bob Dylan said:
MikefromCrete said:
Ten hours overnight in an otherwise closed train station seems more of a punishment than an accommodation.
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This!
Plenty of Hotels close to the Station, and deals,can be had,especially in the Summer, if No Big Event is going on.
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I know, if it was a few months later I would as there are hostels for under $20. However, in addition to there being a major music festival that weekend, I'm still a few months short of 18 so no place is willing to sell me a room because it would be difficult for them to hold be accountable if I refused to pay. I'm not expecting it to be comfortable, but I have spent most of the night in the Charlotte Amtrak Station and Midway Airport, both of which were bearable.
 

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