VolvoManiac850
Let's Go Bucs
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2008
If you're from Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, etc, and want to save big time on traveling, consider taking the Amtrak Auto Train.
The train boards in Lorton, Virginia (a few miles from Alexandria). It's not too far from major cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, etc and is very convenient for those in DC.
The auto train not only carries your party on an overnight train trip, it also transports your vehicle in a special car carrier. (If you have a motorcycle they can accommodate that as well). You'll get dinner and breakfast as part of the deal and can choose to stay in a coach car (similar to a tourbus) or a sleeper car (which converts to bunks similar to those in the army). There are lounge cars, movie showings, and power outlets on the train (many people bring laptops along and watch DVDs on them). The ride is pretty smooth and the train usually isn't overly noisy, so if you like to bring a good book along on a long trip this is the way to go. You'll meet people from all over the place when you dine and may even get to know the folks around you in your car.
The deal is incredible. With one ticket (which is pretty reasonable) you get two meals, transportation, and lodging. You also can take as much luggage as your car can hold (a big advantage over traditional trains or airplanes) and don't have to worry about a rental car.
There are very few drawbacks. One is that there is very little to do in Lorton, VA if you spend the night. (If you do I recommend eating at the Polo Grill, which is excellent, and staying at the Comfort Inn near the station). The other is that brushing your teeth on a moving train can be quite a challenge...
The train usually stops around midnight so drivers can be changed. Get to the bathrooms at that time for the night and all will be fine.
I should also mention that the staff is top notch. I fell ill the day I left Disney this year and the staff was able to tend to me by finding a doctor on the train and had said they would have made a stop had I needed to go to a hospital. They were able to accommodate me very well and I wrote them a personal thank you letter when I got home. Major props to the folks at Amtrak for this!!!
I've taken the Auto Train four times now and will definitely take it again on my next vacation. It's fun and is an incredible way to save money over driving (costly hotel rooms!) and especially flying.
The train boards in Lorton, Virginia (a few miles from Alexandria). It's not too far from major cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, etc and is very convenient for those in DC.
The auto train not only carries your party on an overnight train trip, it also transports your vehicle in a special car carrier. (If you have a motorcycle they can accommodate that as well). You'll get dinner and breakfast as part of the deal and can choose to stay in a coach car (similar to a tourbus) or a sleeper car (which converts to bunks similar to those in the army). There are lounge cars, movie showings, and power outlets on the train (many people bring laptops along and watch DVDs on them). The ride is pretty smooth and the train usually isn't overly noisy, so if you like to bring a good book along on a long trip this is the way to go. You'll meet people from all over the place when you dine and may even get to know the folks around you in your car.
The deal is incredible. With one ticket (which is pretty reasonable) you get two meals, transportation, and lodging. You also can take as much luggage as your car can hold (a big advantage over traditional trains or airplanes) and don't have to worry about a rental car.
There are very few drawbacks. One is that there is very little to do in Lorton, VA if you spend the night. (If you do I recommend eating at the Polo Grill, which is excellent, and staying at the Comfort Inn near the station). The other is that brushing your teeth on a moving train can be quite a challenge...
The train usually stops around midnight so drivers can be changed. Get to the bathrooms at that time for the night and all will be fine.
I should also mention that the staff is top notch. I fell ill the day I left Disney this year and the staff was able to tend to me by finding a doctor on the train and had said they would have made a stop had I needed to go to a hospital. They were able to accommodate me very well and I wrote them a personal thank you letter when I got home. Major props to the folks at Amtrak for this!!!
I've taken the Auto Train four times now and will definitely take it again on my next vacation. It's fun and is an incredible way to save money over driving (costly hotel rooms!) and especially flying.
on planes) so the Autotrain is a great solution. And the funny thing is, I have a hard time justifying driving to Disney anymore. With gas so high plus a hotel night, it would cost over $200 to drive the 20 hours to Disney. I go solo, and I can usually get the Autotrain in coach in the $260 range, so for just a $60 difference, I can avoid 15 hours of driving, and get relax and sleep and let Amtrak do the driving. And the safety factor is huge, as I won't be driving alone for the 15 hours and 900 miles. The Autotrain is a no-brainer to someone like me. 
