All about the Autotrain

[DC7800]

If you take the auto train you have to have a car on board, so no need for a taxi

I believe NJBILL was referring to Amtrak's 'regular' (no vehicles onboard) trains between the northeast and Florida, where coach fares sometimes are, sometimes aren't, cheaper than airline coach (price isn't the primary reason most people take the train; Airlines aren't even the biggest competition - automobiles are). Further, if you don't need your car in Florida, they will always be much less expensive than Auto-Train and the schedules and boarding stations far more convenient.

The experience is very roughly similar, though no meals are included except in first-class (sleepers), people get on and off at every stop, the train cars differ, and a few other details.

 

[SeeDisney]

Did I read somewhere that the coach seats has an electrical outlet so I can plug in an electrical blanket?

Thanks for verifying.

 

[vllygrrl]

Did I read somewhere that the coach seats has an electrical outlet so I can plug in an electrical blanket?

Thanks for verifying.

Yes - we took the Autotrain in December and there are electrical outlets for all coach seats.

 

[SeeDisney]

vllygirl -- how was your sleep in the coach?

I'll be bringing my four children. Hoping that they all sleep well.

Are the lights turned off?

Does the seats have the arm recliner go up and away so I can sleep with my 10 year old daughter and my 3 year old son between us?

Thanks.

 

[christinou]

Are the lights turned off? The lights do get turned down, but there is still some light.

Does the seats have the arm recliner go up and away so I can sleep with my 10 year old daughter and my 3 year old son between us? The armrest do go up, but it would be really tight to have 3 people, there are only 2 seats together, on each side of the aisle.

Thanks.

Enjoy the auto train we think it is a great way to travel.

 

[NJBILL]

Anyone know when historically AMTRAK offers kids ride free on Auto-train?
Waiting to buy tix for July 09...

 

[LisaNJ25]

Anyone know when historically AMTRAK offers kids ride free on Auto-train?
Waiting to buy tix for July 09...

It comes out in May and should cover parts of june into september

 

[NJBILL]

We will have suitcases on the roof of our van. Per AMTRAK they cannot stay on the roof. Am I assuming correctly that I can take the suitcases and put them inside our "empty" van when we get out out?
Thanks.


From the Amtrak site:
"Empty, factory-installed ski and luggage racks are okay; temporary luggage and bicycle racks are not. Luggage and bicycles may not be attached to the roof."

 

[cherylp3]

Yes, You can take a few minutes to move the luggage from the roof into the van.

 

[LisaNJ25]

We will have suitcases on the roof of our van. Per AMTRAK they cannot stay on the roof. Am I assuming correctly that I can take the suitcases and put them inside our "empty" van when we get out out?
Thanks.


From the Amtrak site:
"Empty, factory-installed ski and luggage racks are okay; temporary luggage and bicycle racks are not. Luggage and bicycles may not be attached to the roof."

yep, just dont take to long and hold up the line.

 

[NJBILL]

yep, just dont take to long and hold up the line.

About how much time would you say I would have to do this? I have never used Auto -train before.

 

[LisaNJ25]

About how much time would you say I would have to do this? I have never used Auto -train before.

I would say under 10 minutes... I have never had to do it but I know we gathered our stuff pretty fast out of the car and went in to check in.

You may be able to pull over to the side after you go though the first check in booth and before they take your car to do that.

 

[NJBILL]

I would say under 10 minutes... I have never had to do it but I know we gathered our stuff pretty fast out of the car and went in to check in.

You may be able to pull over to the side after you go though the first check in booth and before they take your car to do that.

Thanks with 3 kids pulling over seems like a good idea..

 

[christinou]

We just got back on the Autotrain on Monday, there is a parking area where you can take your time unloading, to the left of the area where you drop your car off, so it is no problem to pull over and get situated, it is such a nice way to travel. Enjoy.

 

[NJBILL]

We just got back on the Autotrain on Monday, there is a parking area where you can take your time unloading, to the left of the area where you drop your car off, so it is no problem to pull over and get situated, it is such a nice way to travel. Enjoy.

Thanks
How was your trip?

 

[chartle]

We will have suitcases on the roof of our van. Per AMTRAK they cannot stay on the roof. Am I assuming correctly that I can take the suitcases and put them inside our "empty" van when we get out out?
Thanks.


From the Amtrak site:
"Empty, factory-installed ski and luggage racks are okay; temporary luggage and bicycle racks are not. Luggage and bicycles may not be attached to the roof."

We saw a family unload suitcases from a hard shell type roof carrier on a minivan. They then put the suitcases and the car top carrier into the van. I would have never thought of doing that.

 

[cwnhokie]

If you buy tickets now and they have the kids ride free promotion later, can you get the difference refunded?

Also can anyone tell me their experience traveling with young children? We will have boys ages 8,6, and almost 2. Would we be ok in coach or would it be miserable to try to get the little one to sleep? Sorry if this has been addressed recently, I read back a couple pages.

 

[NJBILL]

If you buy tickets now and they have the kids ride free promotion later, can you get the difference refunded?

Also can anyone tell me their experience traveling with young children? We will have boys ages 8,6, and almost 2. Would we be ok in coach or would it be miserable to try to get the little one to sleep? Sorry if this has been addressed recently, I read back a couple pages.

We traveled coach for the first time (previously had sleepers) with 11,11,13 year olds...
Each seat has a plug for the kids ninetendo DS, or computer or whatever you may have. The train is very active and noisy during the day, and even at night you have folks walking down the aisles, but it is doable. At around 10:30 they turn out the car lights and it quiets down a bit..
My guess is that your older child will be fine and the younger ones will pose more of a challenge to keep in their seats..Most people do not care about about kids making noise or being fidgety during the day, but some get a little upset if children are active at night. I think you need to be prepared to keep them occupied and perhaps walk them around during the day. There is also a longe car with tables where you can sit and look out the window. We alternated between seats and lounge car to break things up.. Time goes pretty quickly. I think you will be ok as long as you are prepared to actively keep them occupied. The seats are passable to sleep, but make sure you bring your own blankets. You can also bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol).. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

 

[LisaNJ25]

If you buy tickets now and they have the kids ride free promotion later, can you get the difference refunded?

Also can anyone tell me their experience traveling with young children? We will have boys ages 8,6, and almost 2. Would we be ok in coach or would it be miserable to try to get the little one to sleep? Sorry if this has been addressed recently, I read back a couple pages.

They only way I think you can get an adjustment is if you dont have a hard copy of the tickets printed.

If you have an almost 2yo bump him up to 2 and buy him a ticket. Otherwise he will be on your lap and you dont want to deal with that.

I had no problems with mine.. last trip my toddlers were turning 2 and 3 during the trip. Just bring things to keep the occupied.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

NJBILL-- for the rooftop carriers - our first Autotrain trip in 05 we took our carrier off and put everything into the van-- not a small feat w/ 8 passengers! When we arrived in Sanford we saw cars unloading w/ the carriers still attached and loaded on the roof tops. For our return trip we left in on the top of the van and loaded. We have since traveled every year since then with the cargo carrier on the top of the van. I think it only comes into a problem when it makes your vehicle exceed the height requirement. When you arrive in Lorton there is an area -- stay to the left and it will bring you into a parking area that you can park and walk up to the person at the little booth where you get the vehicle number and double check w/ them. I dont' see a problem w/ leaving it on the top- BTW we use a soft side cargo carrier on a Chevy Venture. We are heading back in 154 days and plan on leaving the cargo bag on top.

HTH