All about the Autotrain

[cherylp3]

You might see a rail sale in the summer - less busy months.

I agree with everything that tinker-belle has said.
Usually the farther out you book - the cheaper it is.

 

[KristinU]

Great stuff to know - thanks to both of you!

 

[KristinU]

OK, I can't stop thinking about the AT! Our traveling party is me, DH, and DS who will be 3.5 at the time of the trip we're thinking about the train for.

In pricing it out the family sleeper is about $200 for the way down but over $400 for the way back. On the way back the regular bedroom is about $260. Do you think the three of us would fit OK in the regular bedroom? I was thinking I could sleep with DS on the lower bunk since it is wider than the upper. I'm pretty petite - only 5'1", but DS is also a fidgeter, so I could see it being a looong night. So I'm not sure. I should probably tape it out at home and see how wide 3.5 feet really is. What are the chances of swapping for a family sleeper when we show up?

 

[Straughn]

OK, I can't stop thinking about the AT! Our traveling party is me, DH, and DS who will be 3.5 at the time of the trip we're thinking about the train for.

In pricing it out the family sleeper is about $200 for the way down but over $400 for the way back. On the way back the regular bedroom is about $260. Do you think the three of us would fit OK in the regular bedroom? I was thinking I could sleep with DS on the lower bunk since it is wider than the upper. I'm pretty petite - only 5'1", but DS is also a fidgeter, so I could see it being a looong night. So I'm not sure. I should probably tape it out at home and see how wide 3.5 feet really is. What are the chances of swapping for a family sleeper when we show up?

The family bedrooms are at the end of the sleeper cars on the lower level. You will find that they have more room than the regular bedrooms which are designed for two people. 3.5 feet isn't a lot of sleeping space and with an active child in bed with you, it could well be a very "looong night". I find the trains to be on the warm side temperature wise and having a small over-heated kid in bed isn't going to make it easy for either of you to sleep. You may also want to bring his favorite pillow as the ones on the train are very small and thin. He will probably sleep better if he has his own pillow.

 

[labdogs42]

What a great thread! We're considering the Auto Train for our trip in the fall with my train loving 2 year old DS. Thanks for all the info. I didn't read the whole thread yet, but I'm wondering if a two year old would be better off sleeping in coach or in a bed in a sleeper. Would he roll out of the bed? Ideas? Thanks!

 

[tinker-belle]

Hiya. We took the auto train 3 times in the last 4 years (in January). We just ride coach. What I did with DS (at ages, 2, 4 & 5)- is since there was plenty of room he got his own two seats to himself. He fit across head to toe nicely. I brought his own blanket & used the train's pillow. To keep him from rolling off.... I used to foot part of the recliner. You can raise the foot part to rest your feet- but it goes up beyond that at about a 70 degree angle (hope I'm explaining this clearly enough)- and it served well as a 'bed rail'. Have fun!

 

[heartsy77]

Last month we took auto train; we will never do that again. It was fun, for the firs three hours. My kids where bored and we had the lap top with DVD player, games, and mp3 players. Walking to the dining car was a joke; 5 cars of trying not to fall! The food was really good. We tried the train more for the experience of it all. Needless to stay we where 4 hours late arriving in Florida ! We will def fly next time, it would have been cheaper to fly anyway!

 

[hollyb]

I really tried to read through every thread. I now have a major head ache. Can anyone who has travel recently tell me what to expect food wise? We are riding coach. How are the kids choices? Do I need to bring snacks and drinks with us? This is really my other concern left I think I have successfully did all the other leg work for our train trip. Thanks

 

[cherylp3]

drinks and snacks I would suggest bringing. I've never had the kids meals but the coach food is fine.

 

[heartsy77]

Ok I just rode the auto train 3 weeks ago. My kids really didnt like the kids food it was weird chicken tenders and mac & cheese. Shortly after you leave station snack is available in bar car. Snack mix and fruit and hot chocolate. No soda or juice unless you want to buy it. I paid 1.75 for a can of Pepsi ( which after a week anti Pepsi Disney World was so worth it!)The kids also have the option to order of the adult menu; my kids preferred this. They both at the meatloaf- the brown gravy. The cheesecake and apple pie was really good as well. I had the cod on the way down and it was really good. On the way home I had veg lasagna, it was ok really but small portion though. I can say food was one of the best parts of the auto train, I said earlier in thread we will never do this again. We are back to flying again!

 

[hollyb]

I think I better pack a cooler of food. The food dosen't sound promising. Thanks for the report.

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

The food comes down to personal taste.
We have had the Family car the last two years on the way down.

First year the Chicken was great with a butter sauce, Kids meal Mac & cheese or chicken tenders

Second year we had the chicken again( It was ok but not as good as first year) , Kids meal Chicken Tenders - good.

snacks in bar car are mainly a chips mix.
If you find you cant sleep in the middle of the night, The longne is availble for sitting but no food is served in the middle of the night. You may find some fruit that is left out and some chip mix.

You may want to pack some snacks in case the main meal dosnt cut it.
Maybe a box of dunkin Muchkins or bagels

I have found costwise Its about the same between flying and renting a car and autotrain one way and driving back . I have enough vaction time so I can take a couple of days to drive back to Ct instead of doing a marthon drive.

If you have a limited time and can get a good deal on airfare then flying is better, BUT if you want a relaxing way to start your vacation and a new expireance take the autotrain.

This will be year three for us. The beds need to be better but for one night its not bad. Take your own pillows.

 

[caitlinsdad]

bump

 

[caitlinsdad]

How is the on time performace been lately
We are on the July 15 train to FL and wondering how the trips have been lately

 

[cherylp3]

I'm on the July 12th train headed North to VA. I'll let you know.

I did check online, the train ran late on the 4th, but other than that it was running on time, sometimes early.

Cheryl

 

[Capt_BJ]

I'm on the July 12th train headed North to VA. I'll let you know.

I did check online, the train ran late on the 4th, but other than that it was running on time, sometimes early.

Cheryl

Did the southbound run June 16-17 ... we arrived about 30 min early. Car came off about the middle of the pack I'd say....I was on my way between 10 and 10:30.

a/c was lacking in my roomette tho ..... pretty uncomfortable much of the nite.

 

[DC7800]

Arrival times for train 53 arriving Sanford, Florida, for the last few weeks:

Scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

7-14: 8:23 a.m.
7-13: 8:10 am
7-12: 9:03 am
7-11: 9:26 am
7-10: 8:33 am
7-09: 8:26 am
7-08: 8:02 am
7-07: 9:08 am
7-06: 8:30 am
7-05: 8:10 am
7-04: 10:52 am
7-03: 8:36 am
7-02: 7:38 am
7-01: 8:23 am
6-30: 8:38 am
6-29: 9:10 am
6-28: 9:03 am

 

[caitlinsdad]

Thanks for the time update

 

[GMULL]

What website shows the historical arrival times? We will be taking the Autotrain in November and I'm interested to see what I can expect.

Thanks

 

[cherylp3]

http://www.amtrak.com

on the bottom of the page there is an area that says train status.