All about the Autotrain

[MeggerasMa]

I just booked our one way return autotrain for Jan 2007 and re the rates this is what the autotrain rep told me. She said that the passenger fare is not what causes the increase. It is the vehicle fare. She said that they only have a certain number of spaces at the cheapest rate for a specific date. When those slots are sold, the price jumps to the next rate and the same process continues. I had been watching the fare for the date I wanted and hoping for a discount code or promo somewhere. Saw the price increase by about $40 overnight and so I immediately called. The above info is what she explained to me. If this info is already common knowledge I apologize, as I am new here. Thanks for all the great sharing. This site is great!

 

[mikelan6]

Ok ... here's a strange question for you. We will be taking the Autotrain from Lorton to Sanford this weekend. We have a bedroom confirmed.

Do the seats in the bedrooms face to the forward motion of the train? I really dont want to be looking towards the rear of the train.

Thanks!

 

[christinou]

If you have the small bedroom the seats face each other, so you will have one of each. If it is the deluxe bedroom, it is facing forward on the way to Florida, and backwards from florida to Lorton.

 

[DVC Chris]

Actually, the 'couch' in the deluxe bedroom can face in either direction. The way the rooms are designed are that they are in a back-to-back fashion. So, depending on the orientation of the car on the track, the direction of travel and the actual room you are in, the couch portion of the deluxe room may not face in the actual direction of the train. Deluxe rooms also have a moveable seat which faces the opposite direction of the couch. Therefore, if the couch is facing is the wrong direction, the seat will be in the right direction and one of the occupants can sit in the direction of travel.

See this link for pictures of the deluxe bedoom:
http://www.trainweb.com/accommod/s2jdelux.htm

 

[heartsy77]

I just booked the Auto train for Jan 26- Feb 4, for 3 adults, 4 kids and a mini van $1171.00 I think it pretty good, but if something better comes along I will cancell and rebook! Kids where 1/2 price with adults, since the free kids tickets are only for summer! What does everybody think about the price?

 

[cherylp3]

Mikelan6 wrote a trip report with pictures.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1077041

 

[MomBoyd]

Does anyone have a map or schedule which lists when (aprox.) the auto train enters each state and city? It could be one for either direction. I want to use it with my DS on our trip in August.

 

[Henlady]

If you purchased your tickets thru AMTRAK, they should have come in a nice little "booklet" about 4 inches wide by 8 inches high. Inside that booklet is some very useful information, including (I believe) a copy of the map of your travels. I don't think the times are listed, but if my memory serves me, if you depart from Lorton at 4:00, you should be in North Carolina by about 9:00 pm, and Florence, South Carolina around Midnight, you would then be entering Georgia at about 3 am and Florida around 5 am. Those times are approximate and depend on any delays. Hope this helps. I'll check my booklet later this evening and see what I can find.

Kris

32 days till our Favorite Restaurants Tour: The AutoTrain to WDW>Cocoa Beach>St. Augustine>Myrtle Beach.

 

[MeggerasMa]

We just received our AMTRAK tickets and Henlady you are correct. In the back of the booklet that holds the tickets is a "route guide". It lists the cities/towns that the train passes by along with an approximate time schedule. Also included is a short narrative about each place. This is interesting for not only children but adults as well. Have a great trip.

 

[Henlady]

OK - Here is the time/place info from the official "Auto Train Route Guide":

4:00pm Lorton
6:00pm Richmond, VA
8:00pm Rocky Mount, NC
9:00pm Fayetteville, NC
11:30pm Florence, SC
1:00am Charleston, SC
2:45am Savannah River/Savannah, GA
5:20am GA/FL State Lline
8:30am Sanford Fl

Hey - I was pretty close on those times. Must use the Auto Train TOO often.

Have a great trip.

Kris

 

[MomBoyd]

Thanks you everyone for answering my question!

 

[cherylp3]

bumping this up!

 

[cherylp3]

Recent trip report at
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1152296

 

[adisneynut]

We were re thinking about taking Amtrak from SAV to either Orl or Kiss Stations. However we don't want to bother renting a car and wonder if there are private car services that service these stations to WDW resorts. I think it would be easier to arrange a roundtrip pick-up and drop off.

Any Suggestions???

 

[adisneynut]

nevermind I found 3 services that have rates from 95.00 to 105.00 for a roundtrip transfer.

 

[bdcp]

Since this thread is about the autotrain you weren't going to get too many responses since everyone has their own car.

 

[adisneynut]

I realize that this is a autotrain and that transfer are not needed however it was the only train thread there was.

 

[bdcp]

Sorry, I didn't mean to come across that way, I just wanted you to know you probably wouldn't get any input. There are other older threads about Amtrak. Did you try a search?

 

[adisneynut]

Yes I did but nothing came up, I think the boards where too busy and it wouldn't complete the search. That is why I added my thread to the autotrain thread. However, I did start another thread on this board and did get some suggestions. I don't like to start new threads unless I have to.

 

[mwehttam]

Just got done reading this thread and have a question. My DW and I are planning our July 07 trip. My wife is due to give birth to our first child in the begining Nov so the baby will be 8 months old for the trip. What are some opinions on sleeping arrangments for the three of us? Would a Superliner Roomette be possible? I was wondering about the space if the baby was in a carrier on the bed with my DW? I also read about getting a bulkhead in Coach to place the carrier there. I guess another option is on the lower level in Coach where there is less traffic and less noise that could disturb the baby.

Any advice/experience woudl be appreciated. Thanks!

-Matt