All about the Autotrain

[Disneyholic]

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!)

Unless you don't like snuggling with your husband or your daughter has some reason she can't get in the upper bunk I would suggest having him sleep in the lower with you and have your daughter go up top. That is what we did when our son used to go with us. We don't even have the top bunk made up when it is just the 2 of us.

 

[SingingMom]

Unless you don't like snuggling with your husband or your daughter has some reason she can't get in the upper bunk I would suggest having him sleep in the lower with you and have your daughter go up top. That is what we did when our son used to go with us. We don't even have the top bunk made up when it is just the 2 of us.

She's afraid she'll be claustrophobic so close to the ceiling lol !

 

[Ngwira]

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.

I would love to have to ur own bathroom too but I limit liquids and that seems to work out well. I also bring toilet seat covers!

 

[Disneyholic]

She's afraid she'll be claustrophobic so close to the ceiling lol !

With the upper bunk down there isn't much room in the lower bunk overhead either. She may want to try it

 

[mkymouse40]

Tink's Pixieduster - I live and work near the AutoTrain location in Lorton and I would definitely advise you NOT to go to the Cracker Barrel. It is farther than you realize and that stretch of highway has terribly long traffic in both directions. That short stretch could take you an hour or more to get to the Cracker Barrel and the same returning to the Lorton station. Right now there is construction on I95 South in that area and they close down several lanes in the early morning and they do not open them back up until 3:00. From my exit on I95 (Occoquan/Woodbridge) to the Dumfries/Montclair exit where cracker barrel is located, it has been taking travelers an hour to go that 4 mile stretch. Construction will continue for at least a year, probably several.

 

[Katelly]

She's afraid she'll be claustrophobic so close to the ceiling lol !

Here's a photo that we took last week of our AutoTrain bedroom. Because the bottom bunk is a bit bigger than the top bunk, the outer edge of the bottom bunk seemed a bit more open. My daughter gets claustrophobic and she tried the top bunk about five times but couldn't fall asleep. She slept really well in the bottom bunk.

 

[Cupmom]

Taking the Auto Train home month from tomorrow ..after looking at this picture I probably could have got by with 1 bedroom instead of 2 for me, DH and DS 14

 

[Disneyholic]

Taking the Auto Train home month from tomorrow ..after looking at this picture I probably could have got by with 1 bedroom instead of 2 for me, DH and DS 14

You might want to call and check to see how much it would save you to cancel one of those bedrooms. We had plenty of room for 3 in 1 bedroom. Don't know if there is a cancellation fee at a month out, but even so you would probably save a bit by cancelling one of the rooms.

 

[SingingMom]

View attachment 112268

Here's a photo that we took last week of our AutoTrain bedroom. Because the bottom bunk is a bit bigger than the top bunk, the outer edge of the bottom bunk seemed a bit more open. My daughter gets claustrophobic and she tried the top bunk about five times but couldn't fall asleep. She slept really well in the bottom bunk.

thanks for the photo! I couldn't picture how tight it would be. Now I am ready. LOLOL

 

[Ngwira]

25 days to go before we are on the autotrain..so exciting!!

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Tink's Pixieduster - I live and work near the AutoTrain location in Lorton and I would definitely advise you NOT to go to the Cracker Barrel. It is farther than you realize and that stretch of highway has terribly long traffic in both directions. That short stretch could take you an hour or more to get to the Cracker Barrel and the same returning to the Lorton station. Right now there is construction on I95 South in that area and they close down several lanes in the early morning and they do not open them back up until 3:00. From my exit on I95 (Occoquan/Woodbridge) to the Dumfries/Montclair exit where cracker barrel is located, it has been taking travelers an hour to go that 4 mile stretch. Construction will continue for at least a year, probably several.

Thanks, mkymouse40 - I was only providing an answer to a question asked by Mommytink about the nearest Cracker Barrel. I live very close to the Lorton AT station (about 1.5 miles away, as the crow flies) and I haven't been to that Cracker Barrel for a couple of years. I usually avoid I95 and use the back roads to get to the area of Potomac Mills, so I wasn't aware construction was going on that was causing such bad delays. Goodness knows, delays without construction can be bad enough. I hope Mommytink reads your warning about the traffic.

 

[Mommytink]

Tink's Pixieduster - I live and work near the AutoTrain location in Lorton and I would definitely advise you NOT to go to the Cracker Barrel. It is farther than you realize and that stretch of highway has terribly long traffic in both directions. That short stretch could take you an hour or more to get to the Cracker Barrel and the same returning to the Lorton station. Right now there is construction on I95 South in that area and they close down several lanes in the early morning and they do not open them back up until 3:00. From my exit on I95 (Occoquan/Woodbridge) to the Dumfries/Montclair exit where cracker barrel is located, it has been taking travelers an hour to go that 4 mile stretch. Construction will continue for at least a year, probably several.

Thanks, can you recommend any other close restaurants for lunch (kid friendly)?

 

[Mommytink]

25 days to go before we are on the autotrain..so exciting!!

Are you going on the 22nd?

 

[klo1335]

Anyone else get an email from Amtrak recently stating that departure is now 4pm instead of 4:30pm? Not that I am complaining because it will get us into Florida sooner the next day. Just curious.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Thanks, can you recommend any other close restaurants for lunch (kid friendly)?

Within very easy driving distance there are:

- The Great Harvest Bread Company
- Subway
- Pane e Vino (Italian)
- The Fireside Grill
- Vocelli Pizza
- Burger King
- McDonald's
- IHOP (24-hour)
- Z Pizza

And practically across the street from the entrance to the Auto Train is a strip shopping center that has a Glory Days (sports themed) that I know has a kid's menu, a California Tortilla, also with a kid's menu and a Z Pizza. To get to these, from Lorton Road turn right at the traffic light immediately after the Auto Train entrance (Lorton Market Street). The shopping center is on the left. They also have a Shoppers grocery store if you need to pick up something you forgot and a Caribou coffee and a sushi restaurant who's name escapes me at the moment.

 

[SingingMom]

Anyone else get an email from Amtrak recently stating that departure is now 4pm instead of 4:30pm? Not that I am complaining because it will get us into Florida sooner the next day. Just curious.

Hmmm.... didn't get anything. I guess I better confirm!

 

[karatemom2]

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!

We have done coach seats on the Auto train 3 times. It isn't the worst night sleep I have ever had. Bring your own pillow and blanket and some soft foam ear plugs. Make sure you get seated in the center of the car. One time we sat near the door and that was not a good night. I would try to avoid being right across from the stairs also. The food is OK not great. Depends on how fussy you are. We pack snacks and drinks to take with us so that if dinner isn't great we have something to keep us full. It is more comfortable than an airplane. The seats are much roomier and there is more leg room. There is more to see than on an airplane. We always bring a laptop and the kids sit together and watch a movie in the evening. If you can get a seat in the lounge you could play cards. We usually stay in our seats most of the time and read, watch movies or play games.

 

[Mommytink]

We have done coach seats on the Auto train 3 times. It isn't the worst night sleep I have ever had. Bring your own pillow and blanket and some soft foam ear plugs. Make sure you get seated in the center of the car. One time we sat near the door and that was not a good night. I would try to avoid being right across from the stairs also. The food is OK not great. Depends on how fussy you are. We pack snacks and drinks to take with us so that if dinner isn't great we have something to keep us full. It is more comfortable than an airplane. The seats are much roomier and there is more leg room. There is more to see than on an airplane. We always bring a laptop and the kids sit together and watch a movie in the evening. If you can get a seat in the lounge you could play cards. We usually stay in our seats most of the time and read, watch movies or play games.

Does it get cold in there? Do people change their kids into pjs?

 

[java]

Anyone else get an email from Amtrak recently stating that departure is now 4pm instead of 4:30pm? Not that I am complaining because it will get us into Florida sooner the next day. Just curious.

I didn't get that email alert I better check too! YIKES! And Yippee at the same time. And I think we are on the same or close to your date train.......

ok just looked at my email confirmation and the train time is 4PM but still getting in around 9

 

[klo1335]

k just looked at my email confirmation and the train time is 4PM but still getting in around 9

we are taking the train Friday Aug 14th, you?