All about the Autotrain

Ngwira · Apr 3, 2015

We booked our August train in September of last year and got a family bedroom for $252 both ways. I did pay more for our car but I just called and got a credit since the price of the vehicle went down $50 each way. We paid $1450 round trip.2 adults, 2 kids.

thepops · Apr 16, 2015

If you've made reservations, be sure to check the site occasionally. We're scheduled to go down in June, and I checked today and the price went down by $280 for the 5 of us! Called in and I'll have a credit on my card in 2-3 days! Bingo!

disneymom06 · Apr 18, 2015

First time taking the auto train, as we usually drive so I have a few questions that I hope someone can help with.
We will have the bedroom, 1 adult and 2 kids. Amtrak states lock all your valuables in the trunk but I have a minivan. What have been your experiences with no trunk? Should I be concerned?

The kids will have their ipads but when we go to dinner the door to the bedroom does not lock from the outside. Again, should I worry or is this not an issue, I haven't read that anyone drags their stuff with them but I would hate to come back to a ransacked room.

Last question, we are taking the July 3rd train from Lorton. Do you think that DC traffic will be worse than usual? Google states 4hrs and 15 minutes but I don't want to cut it too close.

I have learned alot reading this thread. We are looking forward to this experience. Any help is more than appreciated. Thanks to all

katallo · Apr 19, 2015

We are looing into Autotrain next Spring. Are fares similar to booking airfare in that there are better days to book or better days to travel? How far ahead to they open schedules? thanks

Sadie22 · Apr 19, 2015

The day before Independence Day? I think traffic will be worse everywhere. Definitely allow plenty of extra time to arrive at the train station. We always arrive around noon and ate a sandwich brought from home while waiting.

Cupmom · Apr 19, 2015

I have taken the Auto Train twice..third time will be in August.
As far as the mini van goes I wouldn't worry about not having thing locked in the trunk. We never had an issue. no one will have access to you car except the people that load and unload it..

The bedroom doors do not lock and I would not leave the ipad out in plain sight so if you leave the room store it back in your suitcase/ backpack.

Tink's Pixieduster · Apr 19, 2015

disneymom06 said:
First time taking the auto train, as we usually drive so I have a few questions that I hope someone can help with.
We will have the bedroom, 1 adult and 2 kids. Amtrak states lock all your valuables in the trunk but I have a minivan. What have been your experiences with no trunk? Should I be concerned?

The kids will have their ipads but when we go to dinner the door to the bedroom does not lock from the outside. Again, should I worry or is this not an issue, I haven't read that anyone drags their stuff with them but I would hate to come back to a ransacked room.

Last question, we are taking the July 3rd train from Lorton. Do you think that DC traffic will be worse than usual? Google states 4hrs and 15 minutes but I don't want to cut it too close.

I have learned alot reading this thread. We are looking forward to this experience. Any help is more than appreciated. Thanks to all

I live about 2 miles from the Lorton Auto Train station and have taken it three times round trip.

I’ve driven both an SUV and cross-over (station wagon) to the AT, so I didn’t have a trunk either. My belongings in the car have not been tampered with on any trip yet. The car jockeys are so busy driving vehicles onto the car carriers and then locking and positioning the carriers, there would be little time for them to go through luggage in a car. Not impossible, but not likely.

I’ve never had a room ransacked and haven’t heard of anyone who has, but I guess you're reading here for the first time that someone actually takes some items with them. I’m old school and don’t like leaving expensive items behind in an unlocked room even if they would be tucked away, so besides my wallet and iPhone, I take my camera and iPad with me to dinner. I carry my iPad in this case http://www.disneystore.com/bags-totes-accessories-disney-parks-classic-collage-e-tablet-case/mp/1336113/1000291/ so my hands are free and it’s protected if anything is spilled (the exterior is plastic). It would probably be fine tucked away in a room, so it really comes down to your own personal preference.

July 3rd is a federal holiday, so the vast majority of federal workers will have the day off. This means there won’t be a typical awful rush hour. However, it also means that there will be many more people southbound to Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks on I-95. You don't say where you're driving from, but I would definitely recommend allowing extra time, or, if your budget and schedule allows, come down the day before and get a room at the Comfort Inn at the same Lorton exit from I-95 as the AT. http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-lorton-virginia-VA296?sid=xF1H5M.kGr96gRK4i.53

disneymom06 · Apr 19, 2015

Thank you Tink's Pixieduster!! Your advice is just what I was looking for. We are driving down from just north of NYC. Planning to be on the road by 6am so I think that we should be ok.

Thanks again

Tink's Pixieduster · Apr 19, 2015

disneymom06 said:
Thank you Tink's Pixieduster!! Your advice is just what I was looking for. We are driving down from just north of NYC. Planning to be on the road by 6am so I think that we should be ok.

Thanks again

You're welcome. Have fun planning your trip!

bdcp · May 3, 2015

disneymom06 said:
First time taking the auto train, as we usually drive so I have a few questions that I hope someone can help with.
We will have the bedroom, 1 adult and 2 kids. Amtrak states lock all your valuables in the trunk but I have a minivan. What have been your experiences with no trunk? Should I be concerned?

The kids will have their ipads but when we go to dinner the door to the bedroom does not lock from the outside. Again, should I worry or is this not an issue, I haven't read that anyone drags their stuff with them but I would hate to come back to a ransacked room.

Last question, we are taking the July 3rd train from Lorton. Do you think that DC traffic will be worse than usual? Google states 4hrs and 15 minutes but I don't want to cut it too close.

I have learned alot reading this thread. We are looking forward to this experience. Any help is more than appreciated. Thanks to all

We've taken mini vans and suvs and only a car with a trunk one time. We've never had an issue with anything being taken except some loose change that happened to be in view in the cupholder of my minivan a few years ago. I hope they enjoyed the 50 cents or so they got lol. Otherwise, I carry a tote with our passports(usually taking a cruise) travel documents, cash, credit cards and jewelry in it to dinner. We leave our kindles and laptops in backpack/bags and we've never had anything touched. The car attendant is usually out and about quite a bit during dinner and he/she knows who belongs where. They're usually making up beds, delivering dinner, answering questions, etc during dinner service and up to about 10 pm and are pretty much always visible up til most people settle down for the night.

bookluvingbabe · May 10, 2015

Planning our first trip on the Autotrain this summer!

How much out of pocket expenses should I budget for? Tips? Meals are included, right?

Conway733 · May 16, 2015

Does anyone know if you can have your meals in your room if you reserve a roomette? TIA

DanBoris · May 16, 2015

Conway733 said:
Does anyone know if you can have your meals in your room if you reserve a roomette? TIA

Yes you can, although I really enjoy eating in the dining car. I have had meals with some very interesting people on my trips.

Conway733 · May 16, 2015

DanBoris said:
Yes you can, although I really enjoy eating in the dining car. I have had meals with some very interesting people on my trips.

Yes, I agree! Some of our traveling companions are not as interested in doing so.

bdcp · May 17, 2015

bookluvingbabe said:
Planning our first trip on the Autotrain this summer!

How much out of pocket expenses should I budget for? Tips? Meals are included, right?

Yes, meals are included (dinner and continental breakfast) so it depends on whether you bring snacks or not. We always do. I am prepared in case of delays, plus bringing my own wine is cheaper

. I bring wine to drink at our seats (and yes I've done it in coach, but we usually have a roomette). If I want wine at dinner, I buy it there. As for tips, yes, you need to have some cash for that. We tip around $10 at dinner and $5 at breakfast for the two of us. Plus, since we're in a sleeper we also tip our car attendant as we get off the train. So, how much cash can vary from person to person. The lounge car sells snacks and drinks also.

katallo · May 17, 2015

If you need to cancel your auto train reservations in the required time, will they credit your credit card or will you have to take a voucher for future travel?

Tink's Pixieduster · May 18, 2015

katallo said:
If you need to cancel your auto train reservations in the required time, will they credit your credit card or will you have to take a voucher for future travel?

The refund is applied back to your credit card. There may be some exceptions:
http://www.amtrak.com/refund-and-exchange-policy

klo1335 · May 18, 2015

bdcp said:
I bring wine to drink at our seats

They actually let you do this? I know you can buy alcohol at dinner but I didn't know you could bring your own to your room.

Andy D. · May 19, 2015

I accidentally posted a new thread last night without checking out this one. Whoops!
Hi y'all! I am new to these forums! Y'all seem like super nice people.
I have some questions about the Amtrak auto train.
1. Is it feasible for someone to sleep well in coach seats? It is literally 1000 more expensive for the five of us in those cool roomettes, so I spec we'll be taking the coach. However, we're still considering the sleeper car. Is it worth it? Its $1000 roundtrip for 3 adults and 2 kids, $500 less than flying and rental car. It is the same price as flying if we only do the sleeper car one leg of the journey. Its $500 more than flying with both kegs with the sleeper car.
2. How is the food onboard?
3. Does this have an airplane feel, or is it better (besides the comfort of the seat).

Any help is greatly appreciated!

bdcp · May 19, 2015

klo1335 said:
They actually let you do this? I know you can buy alcohol at dinner but I didn't know you could bring your own to your room.

Of course you can. A lot of people do so. You just can't bring it to the dining or lounge car as they want you to purchase anything you consume there. We've even drank it in our coach seats when we've been there instead of sleepers.

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