All about the Autotrain

[mkymouse40]

Hi to All! My daughter and I will be taking the Autotrain for the first time in November. But, before I ask all of my questions and ask for help, I thought I would offer my knowledge of the Lorton/Northern Virginia area to those that need something to do when arriving early.

Kobey...for your trip at the end of July - forget the golf course in Lake Ridge, it is farther away than you realize because I live right next to it. There is a mini-golf & regular driving range in Alexandria and is only about 10 minutes from the train. You can google it and find it under Top Golf, located on South Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA. They also have a nice little restaurant located inside. Across the street from it is Kingstowne Center that has a lot of nice stores and restaurants. There is also a movie theater for those that spend the night and want something to do.

For everyone else....there is a brand new mall literally 5 minutes from the train station that has many stores, delicious restaurants, and a nice movie theater. It is called the Springfield Town Center if you want to google it. You can also go to the Kingstowne Center mentioned above in my comment to Kobey.

Close to the train station about a mile away is also a small shopping complex called Lorton Station. I haven't been there but once, so I'm not really sure what is there. Right across the street from the train station and also about a block up on the right side of the road are two small shopping centers with grocery stores, pizza shops, drug stores, etc.

There is also a quaint, historic town about 10 minutes down I95 called Occoquan, Virginia. It has adorable little shops right on the water. You can drive to it, or I believe they now offer free bus service to it from the train station. I will confirm this also and provide information soon. They are trying to increase the tourist business to the town and providing this bus service for the Autotrain riders helps with that.

For those that want to spend the night before at a hotel, there is a brand new Embassy Suites a few miles from the station. If you are looking at a specific hotel in the area, PM me and I can give you my thoughts on it. I don't want to post anything on here and get sued for my negative comments.

Please feel free to ask me any local questions and I will be happy to help you out. Not only do I live about 20 minutes from the station, but I work about 5 minutes away at the local police station.

Finally, traffic in the Northern Virginia area is terrible most hours between 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. I can attest to these hours because I commute in them every day. I can leave work at 7:30 at night and it can still be bumper to bumper traffic. Summer time is a little less busy, but if it is a Thursday or Friday, expect delays. These delays will begin north of Baltimore and last the whole way to Lorton. It is normally about an hour from Baltimore to Lorton, but it can run you 2 to 3 hours with traffic. I would definitely use a GPS for the trip down from New England because it will find you ways around the traffic if possible.

 

[mkymouse40]

Okay, this will probably be the first of many posts from me with questions . I have not been on the Autotrain in over 35 years, yes, I did say 35+ years! I have severe back and hip issues so I am concerned about the long drive from Northern Virginia. My daughter would like to book coach, but I would like to book the room with a bathroom. My first question and most important one is if you book seats for coach, how many bathrooms do they have in each coach? Also, how is the cleanliness of them, I have heard they are very dirty and stink really bad? Were there lines to use them? Thank you!

 

[Disneyholic]

Okay, this will probably be the first of many posts from me with questions . I have not been on the Autotrain in over 35 years, yes, I did say 35+ years! I have severe back and hip issues so I am concerned about the long drive from Northern Virginia. My daughter would like to book coach, but I would like to book the room with a bathroom. My first question and most important one is if you book seats for coach, how many bathrooms do they have in each coach? Also, how is the cleanliness of them, I have heard they are very dirty and stink really bad? Were there lines to use them? Thank you!

Only ever did coach once on our first train ride from Philadelphia to Orlando before we found out about the AutoTrain. Since then we have gotten the Deluxe Sleeper car with bathroom. In coach there were, if I remember correctly, 2 bathrooms/coach car. We ended up going to other cars a few times because of lines in our car and also because there isn't enough room in the toilet area for parents to go in with their kids, the rooms were messy and gross. I like having my own bathroom that I only have to share with my family. Now it is only DH & me so we just have them do the lower bed. It is large enough for the 2 of us to sleep together. We sleep much better lying down on a flat bed compared to the reclined seats in coach.

 

[SingingMom]

Only ever did coach once on our first train ride from Philadelphia to Orlando before we found out about the AutoTrain. Since then we have gotten the Deluxe Sleeper car with bathroom. In coach there were, if I remember correctly, 2 bathrooms/coach car. We ended up going to other cars a few times because of lines in our car and also because there isn't enough room in the toilet area for parents to go in with their kids, the rooms were messy and gross. I like having my own bathroom that I only have to share with my family. Now it is only DH & me so we just have them do the lower bed. It is large enough for the 2 of us to sleep together. We sleep much better lying down on a flat bed compared to the reclined seats in coach.

Glad to hear the bottom bunk is large enough for two people! Hubby said he'll take the top and DD and I will take the bottom. I'm sure she and I won't actually sleep! He, however, will be snoring in time with the engine!

 

[monorailsilver]

Okay, this will probably be the first of many posts from me with questions . I have not been on the Autotrain in over 35 years, yes, I did say 35+ years! I have severe back and hip issues so I am concerned about the long drive from Northern Virginia. My daughter would like to book coach, but I would like to book the room with a bathroom. My first question and most important one is if you book seats for coach, how many bathrooms do they have in each coach? Also, how is the cleanliness of them, I have heard they are very dirty and stink really bad? Were there lines to use them? Thank you!

We didn't ride coach in 2013 and had our own bathroom on the way down but dh was kind and went downstairs to do #2.

On the return we did a family bedroom with no bathroom. The bathroom was clean on the first day but when I woke up to go in I noticed skid marks in the toilet and the sink was a mess. So even though less people may have been using those bathrooms they were not spotless.

Only ever did coach once on our first train ride from Philadelphia to Orlando before we found out about the AutoTrain. Since then we have gotten the Deluxe Sleeper car with bathroom. In coach there were, if I remember correctly, 2 bathrooms/coach car. We ended up going to other cars a few times because of lines in our car and also because there isn't enough room in the toilet area for parents to go in with their kids, the rooms were messy and gross. I like having my own bathroom that I only have to share with my family. Now it is only DH & me so we just have them do the lower bed. It is large enough for the 2 of us to sleep together. We sleep much better lying down on a flat bed compared to the reclined seats in coach.

Glad to hear the bottom bunk is large enough for two people! Hubby said he'll take the top and DD and I will take the bottom. I'm sure she and I won't actually sleep! He, however, will be snoring in time with the engine!

On the way down, I share the bottom bed with my then 8 yo. We had plenty of room and I am not a skinny Minnie. My oldest slept on the top and my dh and ds slept in a roomette.

On the return the 5 of us shared a family bedroom. It was tight, dh and I tried to lay side by side in the bed and I was against the wall. I couldn't move. I was about to sleep on the floor but instead, I flipped and a part of my body as in my sons bed.

We didn't get great sleep, well dh, my oldest dd or myself, my younger 2 slept like logs! But we looked more rested then those coming out of coach.

 

[java]

DD(17) and I are booked on the Autotrain in August! Driving from NJ then onto Fort Myers once we get to Florida.
The big decision is do I take it back alone? Or drive? We are going down to move her into her dorm. Coming home would take 19 hours driving. Taking the autotrain knocks at least 11 of those off the trip(although it would take over 16 to do it lol) Can't decide what to do. Also stressing so I booked priority offloading. We do have an appointment on the way in so I need to be in Fort Myers by 5:30. Hoping I will make it. Fingers crossed for a smooth trip. I booked a roomette. Expectations are low so I am hoping that I will be happily surprised.
Another ? If we get to Lorton early, do I have to check my car in? Or can I just check us in and then use my car to go find lunch someplace? With the priority offloading I know I need to have the car there by 2:30 but I would try to get there way earlier as I worry about traffic in the dc area.
Excited for this new adventure!
So 2 ?'s
1. Should I take the train back home?
2. Can I check us in and still keep the car? Or once we check in is the car gone?

 

[DanBoris]

Okay, this will probably be the first of many posts from me with questions . I have not been on the Autotrain in over 35 years, yes, I did say 35+ years! I have severe back and hip issues so I am concerned about the long drive from Northern Virginia. My daughter would like to book coach, but I would like to book the room with a bathroom. My first question and most important one is if you book seats for coach, how many bathrooms do they have in each coach? Also, how is the cleanliness of them, I have heard they are very dirty and stink really bad? Were there lines to use them? Thank you!

I have never done the Autotrain but ride other routes a lot. My understanding is that the Autotrain uses the two level Superliner cars. If that is the case, then there are five restrooms on the lower level one of which is handicap accessible. Cleanliness can be a problem on other routes and I assume it's that same with the Autotrain.

 

[monorailsilver]

DD(17) and I are booked on the Autotrain in August! Driving from NJ then onto Fort Myers once we get to Florida.
The big decision is do I take it back alone? Or drive? We are going down to move her into her dorm. Coming home would take 19 hours driving. Taking the autotrain knocks at least 11 of those off the trip(although it would take over 16 to do it lol) Can't decide what to do. Also stressing so I booked priority offloading. We do have an appointment on the way in so I need to be in Fort Myers by 5:30. Hoping I will make it. Fingers crossed for a smooth trip. I booked a roomette. Expectations are low so I am hoping that I will be happily surprised.
Another ? If we get to Lorton early, do I have to check my car in? Or can I just check us in and then use my car to go find lunch someplace? With the priority offloading I know I need to have the car there by 2:30 but I would try to get there way earlier as I worry about traffic in the dc area.
Excited for this new adventure!
So 2 ?'s
1. Should I take the train back home?
2. Can I check us in and still keep the car? Or once we check in is the car gone?

We did the drive from Lorton to Ft. Myers in 2013. We arrived at about 10, off loaded and went to DtD for lunch and arrived at my sisters at about 3:30. We had a pit stop along the way for gas and watering out as well.

At Lorton, I checked us in and got us our dinner seating and then we left. We drive from CT and were at the station at around 11:15. We retuned probably around 1 due to anxiety (me) of never riding before.

As far as the train home???

We drove to Ft. Myers in 2012 and said never again, but I would drive over the train. We really didn't save any time driving. When we drive, we left at 6am, stopped for the night in Santee, SC and had another 9 hr drive ahead of us. We arrived around 4 in Ft. Myers (about 15 min from sanibel/10 min from Ft. Myers beach). When we took the train, we left at 6 am and arrived my sisters at about the same time the day after. We still had a 9 hr drive each way-CT to Lorton/Sanford to Ft. Myers so it was. Ice to not be in the car. If I wasn't such a worrier, arriving later for the train would of cut our travel time down but then we'd have to deal with NYC traffic.

The drive home was worse then the way down because we already knew how boring VA, NC, SC and GA were diving (I am talking 95 people from those states, I know other parts of those states are very beautiful). So I don't know what to tell you. I mean you will be in the car alone for that drive or you will be on the train alone. I might choose train.

 

[Ngwira]

We are headed down to Disney World in late August. We live in NJ and drive to Lorton. We leave around 5:30am and arrive in Lorton by 9:30-10:00am. We stop at the Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge, VA. There is a super walmart there so we usually buy snacks for the train. We have lunch in the mall area before heading to the Station. We've taken the train 3 years in a row and love it. We are a family of 4 and always book a family bedroom or 2 roomettes. This year we have family bedrooms both ways. I book the train one way (to Florida) in September for the following August to ensure the lowest price. I was able to get a family bedroom for $254.00 this way. Around December, I book the return trip home for $254.00 for a family bedroom as well. I use the AAA discount to reduce my fare even further. This method works for me because I am able to stagger my train fare cost instead of paying one lump sum. Sometimes, the return trip is high but I book anyway (as long as sleeping accommodations are at their lowest), then I watch over the following 8 months because Amtrak will credit you the difference if the fare goes down. The key is to book early. The prices I paid are for WEEKEND (Saturday) fares.

We have never done coach so I cannot comment but the sleeping accommodations are the way to go. You are well rested when you reach Florida. We don't mind that there is no longer wine at dinner or a wine and cheese spread because we are not drinkers. We bring dvds and devices to watch in our room so we are not bored.
We have done the drive to Florida and will never do it again when the train is such a good option. Our vacation starts with the train.
Hope this helps someone.

 

[klo1335]

We are heading to Disney in late August. We live right outside of Philadelphia. I took the autotrain with my family back in the mid-90s and we went via coach seats. This time we booked 1 roomette and one bedroom. My husband will take one daughter and I will take the other. We have decided to divide and concur We plan on leaving around 7:30/8:00am and will bring snacks and then stop for lunch on the way there. We booked really early and got a good deal via AAA. We are really looking forward to the trip and travelling a different way.

 

[Mommytink]

Hi to All! My daughter and I will be taking the Autotrain for the first time in November. But, before I ask all of my questions and ask for help, I thought I would offer my knowledge of the Lorton/Northern Virginia area to those that need something to do when arriving early.

Kobey...for your trip at the end of July - forget the golf course in Lake Ridge, it is farther away than you realize because I live right next to it. There is a mini-golf & regular driving range in Alexandria and is only about 10 minutes from the train. You can google it and find it under Top Golf, located on South Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA. They also have a nice little restaurant located inside. Across the street from it is Kingstowne Center that has a lot of nice stores and restaurants. There is also a movie theater for those that spend the night and want something to do.

For everyone else....there is a brand new mall literally 5 minutes from the train station that has many stores, delicious restaurants, and a nice movie theater. It is called the Springfield Town Center if you want to google it. You can also go to the Kingstowne Center mentioned above in my comment to Kobey.

Close to the train station about a mile away is also a small shopping complex called Lorton Station. I haven't been there but once, so I'm not really sure what is there. Right across the street from the train station and also about a block up on the right side of the road are two small shopping centers with grocery stores, pizza shops, drug stores, etc.

There is also a quaint, historic town about 10 minutes down I95 called Occoquan, Virginia. It has adorable little shops right on the water. You can drive to it, or I believe they now offer free bus service to it from the train station. I will confirm this also and provide information soon. They are trying to increase the tourist business to the town and providing this bus service for the Autotrain riders helps with that.

For those that want to spend the night before at a hotel, there is a brand new Embassy Suites a few miles from the station. If you are looking at a specific hotel in the area, PM me and I can give you my thoughts on it. I don't want to post anything on here and get sued for my negative comments.

Please feel free to ask me any local questions and I will be happy to help you out. Not only do I live about 20 minutes from the station, but I work about 5 minutes away at the local police station.

Finally, traffic in the Northern Virginia area is terrible most hours between 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. I can attest to these hours because I commute in them every day. I can leave work at 7:30 at night and it can still be bumper to bumper traffic. Summer time is a little less busy, but if it is a Thursday or Friday, expect delays. These delays will begin north of Baltimore and last the whole way to Lorton. It is normally about an hour from Baltimore to Lorton, but it can run you 2 to 3 hours with traffic. I would definitely use a GPS for the trip down from New England because it will find you ways around the traffic if possible.

Is there a Cracker Barrel nearby?

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Is there a Cracker Barrel nearby?

If you're referring to the Lorton Auto Train station, the answer depends on your definition of "nearby". The nearest Cracker Barrel to the Lorton Auto Train station is the Dumfries location, about 12 miles south of the Auto Train exit on I-95. From I-95 south, take the Rt. 234 west exit (Dumfries Road). The Cracker Barrel will be on your right (there's probably more detailed information on the Cracker Barrel website). I've been there a few times and it's pretty easy to get there and back onto 95 again to go back to Lorton. The only issue is you never know if 95 traffic will be backed up going in either direction at any given time, so if you plan a trip allow plenty of time.

 

[Katelly]

Just returned from WDW yesterday and took the autotrain there and back. Had a bedroom on the way down to Florida and a roomette on the way back. The bedroom was great but the roomette was too small. Some people on the train were referring to it as a closette lol.

It was a fun experience and I'd do it again. If anyone has questions, ask away!

 

[SingingMom]

Just returned from WDW yesterday and took the autotrain there and back. Had a bedroom on the way down to Florida and a roomette on the way back. The bedroom was great but the roomette was too small. Some people on the train were referring to it as a closette lol.

It was a fun experience and I'd do it again. If anyone has questions, ask away!

We have a bedroom for three people. Will hubby fit on the top bunk if 22 year old daughter & I take the bottom bunk? Was there wifi at all? What did you do to wile away all those hours? ;-). (I am dreading the long trip when the plane ride is so much quicker, but DD is going down for an internship, so we are bringing her car!)

 

[Katelly]

We have a bedroom for three people. Will hubby fit on the top bunk if 22 year old daughter & I take the bottom bunk? Was there wifi at all? What did you do to wile away all those hours? ;-). (I am dreading the long trip when the plane ride is so much quicker, but DD is going down for an internship, so we are bringing her car!)

The bottom bunk is a little bigger than a single bed so you and your daughter will probably be able to sleep on that even though there won't be much extra room. As for the top bunk as long as your husband isn't super tall I think the top bunk will be fine. There is a ladder to the top bunk (unlike the roomette which has two steps up to the bunk). Just be warned though that when the room attendant folds out the beds there isn't much space left in the room. You literally walk in the door and climb over the bed. We had our beds turned down as late as possible (which I think was 11pm). Definitely bring your own pilllows! We also brought some snacks with us and a small cooler with drinks.

There was wi-fi in the lounge car. I know the trip seems really long as opposed to flying but the time went by pretty quick. We played games on our phone, walked around the train, had dinner, spent time in the lounge car playing cards and chatting with people, looked at the passing scenery, it wasn't too boring actually! We slept really well and were up for breakfast at 7am.

The worst part of the trip was waiting for our car when we arrived back in Virginia. It took an hour and a half before our car was unloaded and then we had a five hour drive home after that seventeen hour train trip. In Florida we lucked out, our car was unloaded after only twenty minutes.

 

[SingingMom]

The bottom bunk is a little bigger than a single bed so you and your daughter will probably be able to sleep on that even though there won't be much extra room. As for the top bunk as long as your husband isn't super tall I think the top bunk will be fine. There is a ladder to the top bunk (unlike the roomette which has two steps up to the bunk). Just be warned though that when the room attendant folds out the beds there isn't much space left in the room. You literally walk in the door and climb over the bed. We had our beds turned down as late as possible (which I think was 11pm). Definitely bring your own pilllows! We also brought some snacks with us and a small cooler with drinks.

There was wi-fi in the lounge car. I know the trip seems really long as opposed to flying but the time went by pretty quick. We played games on our phone, walked around the train, had dinner, spent time in the lounge car playing cards and chatting with people, looked at the passing scenery, it wasn't too boring actually! We slept really well and were up for breakfast at 7am.

The worst part of the trip was waiting for our car when we arrived back in Virginia. It took an hour and a half before our car was unloaded and then we had a five hour drive home after that seventeen hour train trip. In Florida we lucked out, our car was unloaded after only twenty minutes.

Thanks! We won't be able to bring our own pillows because we are bringing everything but the kitchen sink since DD will be moving to Disney ! Hubby & I are flying back after we settle her in and vacation a little bit, so we are limited with luggage. I guess I will suffer through the 17 hours. Lol. What we do for our kids! Haha

 

[Ngwira]

Thanks! We won't be able to bring our own pillows because we are bringing everything but the kitchen sink since DD will be moving to Disney ! Hubby & I are flying back after we settle her in and vacation a little bit, so we are limited with luggage. I guess I will suffer through the 17 hours. Lol. What we do for our kids! Haha

We bring airplane travel pillows since they are small and compact.

 

[Katelly]

Thanks! We won't be able to bring our own pillows because we are bringing everything but the kitchen sink since DD will be moving to Disney ! Hubby & I are flying back after we settle her in and vacation a little bit, so we are limited with luggage. I guess I will suffer through the 17 hours. Lol. What we do for our kids! Haha

Oh I know! I took the autotrain with my daughter because after years of flying without a problem, she is now deathly afraid of flying after experiencing very bad turbulence on her last flight. I thought taking the train would be a fun experience and it was but I'd prefer to fly and get there quicker. She is already talking about taking Amtrak the next time we head to Disney.


You'll be fine without your own pillows, or as another poster suggested, bring little travel pillows. Amtrak does provide pillows in the bedrooms though so it's not like you'll be without any.

 

[Mommytink]

If you're referring to the Lorton Auto Train station, the answer depends on your definition of "nearby". The nearest Cracker Barrel to the Lorton Auto Train station is the Dumfries location, about 12 miles south of the Auto Train exit on I-95. From I-95 south, take the Rt. 234 west exit (Dumfries Road). The Cracker Barrel will be on your right (there's probably more detailed information on the Cracker Barrel website). I've been there a few times and it's pretty easy to get there and back onto 95 again to go back to Lorton. The only issue is you never know if 95 traffic will be backed up going in either direction at any given time, so if you plan a trip allow plenty of time.

Thank-you! Cracker Barrel is a vacation tradition for us!

 

[Disneyholic]

We have never done coach so I cannot comment but the sleeping accommodations are the way to go. You are well rested when you reach Florida. We don't mind that there is no longer wine at dinner or a wine and cheese spread because we are not drinkers. We bring dvds and devices to watch in our room so we are not bored.
We have done the drive to Florida and will never do it again when the train is such a good option. Our vacation starts with the train.
Hope this helps someone.

I don't really miss the wine and cheese either, because being in a sleeper we can bring wine and cheese onboard and have it in our room. That way we have what we like.

You are right about vacation starting when you get on the train. Drove all the way down and back too many times to count and really appreciate taking the train now. We get a Deluxe Sleeper car for the 2 of us. I like having my own private bathroom.