All about the Autotrain

[bdcp]

Live from thenAutotrain!


Where we have been Travelling slowly or stationary for. Most of the time due to presumed line problems.

When we arrived at noon we went to the left and parked and did not check car in. Got 7 pm dinner settings, and got the adult car for the 25 yr old Ds and the 17 yr old princess and her est friend. Inquired about a bedroom upgrade. $765 smackaroonies for a same day upgrade. Told kids they are doing discovery cove on our nickel and coach will be adventure.

Etheline was our check in agent, and she was awesome.

We then went ack out, looking for either the 5 guys or the Taco Bell. Google maps, using Yelp search, screwed it p and sent us in circles. Found the Taco Bell by random luck. Use a different nav system than google's I. Lorton, apparently.

Back at the station, There are signs plastered everywhere about the convenience upgrade starting August 1 that means you can buy a comfort kit rather than use a free blanket and pillow in coach.

This train is listed as sold out, although the actual passengers are below capacity. DD texted there are o empty seats In their car.

For those going in the sleeper cars, they announce the wine and cheese thing as starting at 3. Actually it opens as soon as boarding starts. At that time you can get a booth, the mink hey snacks (pretzels mixed with seaweed spicy crackers and horseradish peas. Yummy, if you like this.) the wine is still from a vineyard in VA. The Chardonnay is passable.

Dinner I got the steak. Ordered it medium. It was a bit over cooked and tough. But the sauce was flavorful. Veggies are fresh and not overlooked. The peaniput butter cake is absolutely to die for, and will put you in a suar coma.

This crew is fabulous.


No clue on what the several hours of slow to stop will do to the schedule. Will update!

Thanks! Our last trip, we came to a stop a couple of miles after we left Lorton. We had an engine problem which they had to diagnose and try to fix. We rode slowly to a point where a crew met the train to check it out. They were finally able to fix it and we continued on so we were a little late getting into Sanford, I think about 1 hour late, but honestly can't remember. The worst part was coming to a stop so close to leaving Lorton and having them announce that there was an engine issue. They usually announce what is going on when there is a delay or stop. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Marshay]

Thanks for the update. Your kids will be fine!!

Hope you can make up time safely and not be too late.

Just curious, what is the current movie?

Enjoy your trip!

 

[mwehttam]

Told kids they are doing discovery cove on our nickel and coach will be adventure.

Too funny! Glad you are enjoying it.

 

[FigmentChick]

Live from thenAutotrain!


Where we have been Travelling slowly or stationary for. Most of the time due to presumed line problems.

When we arrived at noon we went to the left and parked and did not check car in. Got 7 pm dinner settings, and got the adult car for the 25 yr old Ds and the 17 yr old princess and her est friend. Inquired about a bedroom upgrade. $765 smackaroonies for a same day upgrade. Told kids they are doing discovery cove on our nickel and coach will be adventure.

Etheline was our check in agent, and she was awesome.

We then went ack out, looking for either the 5 guys or the Taco Bell. Google maps, using Yelp search, screwed it p and sent us in circles. Found the Taco Bell by random luck. Use a different nav system than google's I. Lorton, apparently.

Back at the station, There are signs plastered everywhere about the convenience upgrade starting August 1 that means you can buy a comfort kit rather than use a free blanket and pillow in coach.

This train is listed as sold out, although the actual passengers are below capacity. DD texted there are o empty seats In their car.

For those going in the sleeper cars, they announce the wine and cheese thing as starting at 3. Actually it opens as soon as boarding starts. At that time you can get a booth, the mink hey snacks (pretzels mixed with seaweed spicy crackers and horseradish peas. Yummy, if you like this.) the wine is still from a vineyard in VA. The Chardonnay is passable.

Dinner I got the steak. Ordered it medium. It was a bit over cooked and tough. But the sauce was flavorful. Veggies are fresh and not overlooked. The peaniput butter cake is absolutely to die for, and will put you in a suar coma.

This crew is fabulous.


No clue on what the several hours of slow to stop will do to the schedule. Will update!

Thanks so much for this! I still have 91 days until we travel, but I sooo appreciate the play by play. I'm glad the kids are having and adventure. Please update us on your arrival status and all when you can!! Have a great trip!

 

[eangel12]

I've read through this post and WOW, great info!! Thank you to everyone who gives the time to answer and post.

We are planning a August 2014 trip to Disney and have tossed around the idea of taking the auto train.

Here is the scenario. It would be myself, my husband and my 4 year old and 2 year old. We would definitely rent a family room. We have a minivan and think having our car, carseats, double stroller, etc just makes sense! My mother in law is also coming with us. Is there a room that accommodates 3 adults and 2 kids or is it better to just book her a roomette for herself?! Any opinions?!

Thanks in advance!

 

[chartle]

I've read through this post and WOW, great info!! Thank you to everyone who gives the time to answer and post.

We are planning a August 2014 trip to Disney and have tossed around the idea of taking the auto train.

Here is the scenario. It would be myself, my husband and my 4 year old and 2 year old. We would definitely rent a family room. We have a minivan and think having our car, carseats, double stroller, etc just makes sense! My mother in law is also coming with us. Is there a room that accommodates 3 adults and 2 kids or is it better to just book her a roomette for herself?! Any opinions?!

Thanks in advance!

She would have to get her own room. I'm pretty sure the family bedroom is the largest they have.

 

[whodatdare]

Quick Questions:

Do they typically run the "Kids ride for 29" thing in June? I thought I saw they did it for this past June. We're going next June.

Do the prices always start out a the peak, and then come down a little before going right back up? Our "going down" train is only 306, but our coming home train, which just opened, is 600.

TIA!!!

 

[dalspot]

Wow! The AT is getting to be quite expensive!

Quick Questions:

Do the prices always start out a the peak, and then come down a little before going right back up? Our "going down" train is only 306, but our coming home train, which just opened, is 600.

TIA!!!

 

[eangel12]

I was actually coming on here to ask the same question. Why is it so much cheaper to go down from VA and the return is so expensive!? Would it be better to book as one ways?! Gesh!!

 

[eangel12]

Nope didn't make a difference if I booked as one way! To travel from FL to VA would be $600 and to add a family room would be an extra $727. Holy poop!!

 

[chartle]

I was actually coming on here to ask the same question. Why is it so much cheaper to go down from VA and the return is so expensive!? Would it be better to book as one ways?! Gesh!!

I have also seen this posted. Its always more coming back north. Most people will say well its because the snow birds are coming or going down so its more, but I have priced it in May and August.

 

[Capt_BJ]

This train is listed as sold out, although the actual passengers are below capacity.

Since you can't ride this train w/out taking a vehicle, I'd guess that the vehicle carriers are full. Some people book a car and 5 people and some book a car and 1 person - not often maybe but that's how I've moved cars twice. When the car spaces are full, the train is full, empty seats or no . .

Here's my lil' buddy, a 79 Mini waiting for his first ride 10 years ago . . . I traveled alone in a Roomette.



On another trip my son and I moved two cars. Two cars could be 8 persons or more but we were just 2 . . .

 

[labdogs42]

I paid $450 round trip (plus $350 for my car) for two adults and one child in coah for this August. I booked it November 2012, right when the fares came out.

If I tried to book it today, the coach seats are sold out, but I could get a room and the return coach trip costs $317.50. Vehicle round trip is now $464.

The northbound train isn't always more expensive. It was identical when I priced it from the beginning, now the southbound train is the one sold out and the northbound is cheaper. It depends on the demand.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I am headed south Friday, August 30th and returning Saturday, September 14th. I found, a number of weeks ago, that the trip north was cheaper than the trip south as far as rooms go. So I reserved up, not down. (I assumed this was because of snowbirds heading south in September.) I have been checking the 30th of August every day, and this morning the price of a room dropped to the minimum so I snagged the trip down as a separate trip. During that time the cost of a coach ticket changed only slightly - I think it went up $5 per person. The cost for the car remains constant.

I know prices are based on available rooms in a car. The more rooms are filled, the higher the price. Once the car is full, if they add a new car, the prices often drop. I think that is what happened today. The price for a roomette dropped from $280 some dollars yesterday to $138 dollars today! They won't add another car until all the other rooms are sold.

I will take my small car instead of the Ford Escape so I will save gas, wear and tear, food, etc. And will save gas driving around Florida, too. Plus the fun and relaxation of taking the train both ways is going to be awesome. Down is a roomette, back is a bedroom. Never done a bedroom before! We are splurging to celebrate our 30th.


If you can handle the regular coach ticket and vehicle cost, and are only worried about the room, keep checking every day. Right now both the roomettes and bedrooms are at their minimums (I believe), $138 and $313 respectively for both August 30th south and September 14th north.

 

[shafke]

Nope didn't make a difference if I booked as one way! To travel from FL to VA would be $600 and to add a family room would be an extra $727. Holy poop!!

Keep checking prices. I think when they initially open dates for booking they are high. If I had to guess this is because the dates were scheduled to open but they have not yet sat down to determine the actual pricing so they open at rack rates.

Out last AT trip was in Aug 2012. We started looking at about the 11 month mark and round trip for 4 with two roomettes would have run about $2100. About 3 weeks later the price came down and we got the round trip for under $1500.

 

[chartle]

Keep checking prices. I think when they initially open dates for booking they are high. If I had to guess this is because the dates were scheduled to open but they have not yet sat down to determine the actual pricing so they open at rack rates.

Out last AT trip was in Aug 2012. We started looking at about the 11 month mark and round trip for 4 with two roomettes would have run about $2100. About 3 weeks later the price came down and we got the round trip for under $1500.

Just be careful as they will then start to go up closer to the date.

 

[eangel12]

Thanks for the suggestions. We aren't set on the auto train but would like to do a comparison of prices between 5 airplane tickets and a 10 day rental car vs the auto train and taking our own vehicle!

As I pointed out to my husband, we also have to calculate renting a stroller (double jogger) which we could take on the train and then any other stuff that the boys would need.

Our trip is August 2014 with Wednesday down and Saturday back so we will see what pricing looks like!!

 

[chartle]

Thanks for the suggestions. We aren't set on the auto train but would like to do a comparison of prices between 5 airplane tickets and a 10 day rental car vs the auto train and taking our own vehicle!

As I pointed out to my husband, we also have to calculate renting a stroller (double jogger) which we could take on the train and then any other stuff that the boys would need.

Our trip is August 2014 with Wednesday down and Saturday back so we will see what pricing looks like!!

Also factor in its your car not a rental (hate renting cars) and you can pack it anyway you want. Everything you carry does not have to fit in a 4 suitcases. We crammed stuff like water bottles under seats. Also lets say all your swim shoes are in a certain bag. just throw the bag in the trunk. Same for swimwear.

 

[labdogs42]

Also factor in its your car not a rental (hate renting cars) and you can pack it anyway you want. Everything you carry does not have to fit in a 4 suitcases. We crammed stuff like water bottles under seats. Also lets say all your swim shoes are in a certain bag. just throw the bag in the truck. Same for swimwear.

And don't forget to include extra baggage fees in those plane fares. Those can add up fast! And, kids' amtrak fares are way lower than adults.

 

[vacationer1954]

I think when they initially open dates for booking they are high.

My experience has been the opposite, that the prices start low and then go up as fewer and fewer spots are left. Prices don't always go up but I think that is because sometimes people cancel and that leaves more spots left.