The complete guide to riding the Amtrak Texas Eagle from San Marcos, TX to Malvern, AR. Schedules, tips, what to expect, and how to connect to Bastrop and Hot Springs.
The Amtrak Texas Eagle (Train #21 northbound, #22 southbound) runs daily between San Antonio, TX and Chicago, IL, passing through San Marcos, Austin, Temple, Dallas, Texarkana, Little Rock, and Malvern along the way. The San Marcos to Malvern segment covers approximately 520 miles and takes about 12-14 hours.
Service: Daily, year-round
Route: San Antonio → Chicago (and reverse)
Your segment: San Marcos, TX → Malvern, AR
Distance: ~520 miles
Duration: ~12-14 hours
Classes: Coach, Business, Roomette, Bedroom
No driving fatigue on a 7+ hour route. See Texas and Arkansas countryside from panoramic windows. Bring your own food and drinks (including alcohol in coach). WiFi (spotty but available). Power outlets at every seat. Legroom that makes first class airlines jealous. The observation/lounge car. Arrive relaxed instead of exhausted.
Bastrop: San Marcos station is 45 minutes from Bastrop via TX-21/TX-80. Have someone drop you off or use long-term parking.
Hot Springs: Malvern station is 20 minutes from Hot Springs via US-270 East. Easy pickup or Uber/Lyft.
Times are approximate and can vary. Always check amtrak.com for current schedules. The Texas Eagle runs daily in both directions.
| Station | Arrive | Depart | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Marcos, TX | — | ~7:30 AM | Board here. Station is at 338 S Guadalupe St. |
| Austin, TX | ~8:15 AM | ~8:35 AM | Downtown station. Major stop, may have delay. |
| Temple, TX | ~10:00 AM | ~10:10 AM | Quick stop. |
| McGregor, TX | ~10:40 AM | ~10:42 AM | Flag stop (only if passengers boarding/alighting). |
| Cleburne, TX | ~11:45 AM | ~11:47 AM | Small town south of Fort Worth. |
| Fort Worth, TX | ~12:30 PM | ~12:55 PM | Major stop. Stretch your legs. 20-25 min. |
| Dallas, TX | ~1:40 PM | ~2:10 PM | Union Station. Long stop. Can step outside briefly. |
| Mineola, TX | ~3:45 PM | ~3:50 PM | East Texas. |
| Longview, TX | ~4:40 PM | ~4:45 PM | Junction with I-20. |
| Marshall, TX | ~5:10 PM | ~5:15 PM | Historic downtown. |
| Texarkana, AR/TX | ~6:15 PM | ~6:35 PM | State line city. Smoke stop. Step out. |
| Arkadelphia, AR | ~8:15 PM | ~8:17 PM | Henderson State University town. |
| Malvern, AR | ~8:50 PM | — | Your stop. 20 min to Hot Springs. |
| Little Rock, AR | ~9:50 PM | ~10:15 PM | (If continuing north) |
| Station | Arrive | Depart | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malvern, AR | — | ~7:00 AM | Early morning departure. Dark in winter. |
| Arkadelphia, AR | ~7:25 AM | ~7:27 AM | Quick stop. |
| Texarkana | ~9:15 AM | ~9:35 AM | Crew change possible. May stretch legs. |
| Marshall, TX | ~10:30 AM | ~10:35 AM | |
| Longview, TX | ~11:00 AM | ~11:05 AM | |
| Mineola, TX | ~11:55 AM | ~12:00 PM | |
| Dallas, TX | ~1:25 PM | ~1:55 PM | Union Station. Long stop. |
| Fort Worth, TX | ~2:40 PM | ~3:05 PM | Major stop. Step out for air. |
| Cleburne, TX | ~3:50 PM | ~3:52 PM | |
| Temple, TX | ~5:30 PM | ~5:40 PM | |
| Austin, TX | ~7:10 PM | ~7:30 PM | |
| San Marcos, TX | ~8:05 PM | — | Your stop. 45 min to Bastrop. |
Important: The Texas Eagle is frequently late — 30 minutes to 2+ hours is common. Freight trains have priority on the tracks. Don't plan tight connections. Check real-time status at amtrak.com/track-your-train or the Amtrak app.
Reserved seat with legroom that shames airlines. Reclines significantly. Footrest. Power outlet. Overhead luggage rack. Perfectly comfortable for 12-14 hours. Bring a pillow and blanket if overnight. Most passengers ride coach.
Available on some Texas Eagle trains. Wider seats, more legroom, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks. Quieter car. Worth the upgrade if available. Not dramatically different from coach on this route.
Private room for 1-2 people. Two seats that convert to bunk beds. Door that closes and locks. Meals included in the dining car (this alone is worth $50-80). Fresh towels. Best value for overnight segments. Highly recommended if budget allows.
Larger private room. Full-size bed (not bunks), private toilet and shower, armchairs, large window. All meals included. The premium experience. Worth it for a special occasion or if you need the space.
Book early: 2-4 weeks ahead for best prices. Prices rise as the train fills. Flexible dates: Tuesday/Wednesday are cheapest and least crowded. Amtrak app: Book, track your train, get mobile tickets. Senior discount: 10% off for 65+. AAA discount: 10% off. Student discount: 15% off. Rail passes: USA Rail Pass (10 segments in 30 days, $499) if doing multiple trips.
Must have: Phone charger, snacks, water bottle, earbuds, neck pillow, light blanket. Nice to have: Downloaded movies/podcasts (WiFi is unreliable), book, playing cards, eye mask. Allowed: Your own food and non-alcoholic drinks (alcohol allowed if purchased on board). Luggage: 2 carry-ons + 2 checked bags (free). No size nazis like airlines.
Texas Hill Country transitions to Austin skyline. Cross the San Marcos River, then parallel I-35 through the Texas German country. Austin's downtown station is right by the convention center — you'll see Lady Bird Lake and the Congress Avenue bridge (bat colony!).
Central Texas plains. Temple, Waco area (you won't see Magnolia from the train). Cross the Brazos River. The landscape flattens as you head north. Cotton fields, cattle, small-town water towers. Fort Worth Stockyards are visible from the train. Dallas Union Station is a beautiful 1916 Beaux-Arts building.
East Texas Piney Woods begin after Mineola. The landscape transforms from prairie to forest. Tall pines, red dirt, small towns. Marshall's historic downtown is visible from the tracks. Approaching Texarkana, you literally cross the state line — you're in Arkansas.
Southern Arkansas. Pine forests, rolling hills, the Ouachita River. Sunset over the Arkansas countryside (on the northbound schedule). Arkadelphia's Henderson State campus is visible. Then Malvern — small station, your ride to Hot Springs should be waiting. 20 minutes on US-270 through the Ouachitas.
Floor-to-ceiling windows. Swivel seats facing the scenery. Open to all passengers. The social hub of the train. Great for watching the countryside, meeting fellow travelers, and having a drink. Snack bar with sandwiches, chips, drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails ($5-12). Best seats on the train.
If you booked a Roomette or Bedroom, meals are included and served in the traditional dining car. White tablecloths, real silverware. Seated with other passengers at tables of four (community seating — you'll make friends). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus rotate. Steak, chicken, pasta, vegetarian options. Not gourmet but surprisingly good.
Located in the lounge car. Open most of the trip. Burgers, hot dogs, pizza, sandwiches ($6-12). Snacks, chips, cookies. Coffee, soda, juice. Beer ($6-8), wine ($7-9), cocktails ($8-10). Accepts cash and cards. Pro tip: bring your own food — you can eat anything you bring aboard.
"The Texas Eagle is the most relaxing way to travel this route. Yes, it's slower than driving. That's the point. You read a book, watch Texas roll by, have a beer in the lounge car, and arrive without road fatigue. It's transportation as experience."
— Frequent Texas Eagle rider"Book a roomette if you can afford it. The included meals alone save you $50+, and having a private room with a door that locks is worth every penny on a 12-hour trip. The beds are narrow but comfortable enough."
— Amtrak sleeping car passenger"The train is almost always late. Plan for it. Don't book a flight within 4 hours of your scheduled arrival. Have your ride to Hot Springs flexible on timing. Check the app and text your pickup with real-time updates."
— Seasoned Amtrak traveler"Tuesday and Wednesday are ghost trains — you might have a whole row to yourself. Friday and Sunday are packed, especially around holidays. Summer is busier than winter. Book early for Thanksgiving and Christmas."
— Regular commuterLeast crowded: Tuesday, Wednesday, January-February. Most crowded: Friday, Sunday, Thanksgiving week, Christmas, Spring Break, summer weekends. Best scenery: Northbound (daytime through Texas, sunset in Arkansas). Southbound departs Malvern early morning — dark in winter, but you get the full Texas scenery during daylight.
Left side (northbound): Better views through East Texas. Right side (northbound): Better views approaching Dallas/Fort Worth. Downstairs: Quieter, less sway, easier bathroom access, but smaller windows. Upstairs: Better views, more storage. Avoid: Seats near the doors (noisy) and near the cafe car (foot traffic).
Late arrivals: Freight trains have priority. Budget extra time. WiFi: Exists but barely works in rural areas. Download entertainment before boarding. Temperature: Trains run cold — always bring a layer. Announcements: Can be loud. Bring earplugs for sleeping. Cell service: Spotty through East Texas and rural Arkansas.
Small station, minimal amenities. No food nearby. Covered waiting area but not much else. Have your ride arranged in advance. Uber/Lyft exist in the area but can be slow to respond. The drive to Hot Springs is 20 minutes on US-270 — a beautiful road through the Ouachita Mountains, especially at sunset.
338 S Guadalupe Street. Small station in downtown San Marcos. Free parking lot (safe for multi-day trips). Near the San Marcos River and the outlets. No food at the station but restaurants within walking distance. Bastrop is 45 minutes east via TX-21 and TX-80 through the Lost Pines.
1. Download the Amtrak app (mobile tickets, real-time tracking). 2. Set up status alerts for your train. 3. Arrive 30 min before departure. 4. Checked bags are free but must be checked 45 min before. 5. Conductors are generally helpful — ask questions. 6. The observation car is first-come-first-served — grab a seat early. 7. Bring a power strip (outlets are shared). 8. Tipping in the dining car is appreciated ($3-5/meal).
Drive: 45 minutes via TX-21 West to TX-80 to I-35 San Marcos. Beautiful drive through the Lost Pines. Parking: Free lot at San Marcos station (safe for days). Rideshare: Uber/Lyft from Bastrop to San Marcos runs $35-50. Drop-off: Have someone drive you and pick you up on return.
Drive: 20 minutes on US-270 East through the Ouachita Mountains. Rideshare: Uber/Lyft exists but limited — arrange in advance. Pickup: Best to have someone meet you. The Malvern station has no rental cars. Taxi: Hot Springs taxi companies will pick up at Malvern station with advance notice ($25-35).
If San Marcos timing doesn't work, Austin's station is 30 minutes from Bastrop (closer). Larger station, more services, Uber/Lyft readily available. Both northbound and southbound stop in Austin with ~20 min dwell time. Parking is limited downtown — consider drop-off/pickup.
| Amtrak Texas Eagle | Driving (I-30/I-35) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 12-14 hours (often late) | 7-8 hours |
| Cost (1 person) | $35-80 coach / $150-300 roomette | $60-80 gas + tolls |
| Cost (2 people) | $70-160 coach / $150-300 roomette (shared) | $60-80 gas (same) |
| Fatigue | None — read, sleep, lounge | Significant — 7+ hours of driving |
| Scenery | Excellent — panoramic windows | Mostly interstate |
| Flexibility | Fixed schedule, often late | Leave anytime, stop anywhere |
| Food | Lounge car + bring your own | Fast food at exits |
| Productivity | Can work, read, or sleep | Driving only |
| Best for | Solo travelers, seniors, no-stress trips | Families, flexible schedules, heavy luggage |