All about the Autotrain

[dromio42]

It would really be out of our way to take this. So why do I think we will take it some day?

Where in NY? We are just over the border in the Berkshires and we love the AT - take it every trip.

 

[Disneyholic]

On the way down the bathrooms were gross in the morning so I went to another car and they were fine. On the way back, no problems. Also brought Lysol wipes!

The other thing I don't have to worry so much about is if I or someone else in the car passes gas. I tend to get very gassy when I am on vacation from the changes in food and water and I'm glad I don't have be subjected to someones gas, or subject anyone else to my gas,

That is why they have different levels of travel. To each his own. You are comfortable in coach because it is cheaper. I am more comfortable in a sleeper because it is more comfortable for me even though it costs more. I also enjoy what is served for dinner more in the sleeper dining car. We aren't as young as we used to be and now we spend the extra on comfort. We used to camp in a tent in primitive sites where you had to walk some distance to the bathrooms. If we go camping now it is in a camper in a site near the bathrooms.

Enjoy your coach seats. They are just not my cup of tea.

 

[Marshay]

For me it's the snoring! Thankfully my DH doesn't snore but when in coach you hear all kinds of (IMHO) disgusting breathing/snoring sounds. Drives me crazy ...I guess because its something I'm not used to. But completely destroys my good mood on the train if I'm up all night listening to stranger's night sounds.

We upgraded to a family car on our second AT trip and haven't regretted it at all.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Has anyone booked the VA to FL trip but not return because of pricing?! The FL to VA is $$$$!!! I'm debating booking VA to FL and waiting to see what kind of deal I can get on the way back by checking frequently. Worse comes to worse, we drive straight through on the way back!! 17 hours isn't too bad...haha!!

It is worthwhile to do the trip one-way. I booked the return trip over a month ago and only recently booked the trip down when the price suddenly dropped for a roomette.

Doing two one-way or one round trip makes no difference in price. I've found this with all Amtrak trips I've examined.

I would pay more to get the trip home and skip the trip down, just so I could have a relaxing trip at the end of vacation.

 

[BonnieA]

For me it's the snoring! Thankfully my DH doesn't snore but when in coach you hear all kinds of (IMHO) disgusting breathing/snoring sounds. Drives me crazy ...I guess because its something I'm not used to. But completely destroys my good mood on the train if I'm up all night listening to stranger's night sounds.

We upgraded to a family car on our second AT trip and haven't regretted it at all.

I use a cpap and I really need a roomette. I would be uncomfortable using one in a regular seat. In november I am driving down and taking the autotrain back.

 

[BonnieA]

Does anyone know if they limit the glasses of wine you can get at the reception (sleepers) on the autotrain? I heard they were going to give tickets for wine. Has that happened?

 

[Marshay]

Does anyone know if they limit the glasses of wine you can get at the reception (sleepers) on the autotrain? I heard they were going to give tickets for wine. Has that happened?

Ooh, I haven't heard this yet. The cups are so teeny that I would hope they do not...this is one part I truly enjoy...sipping some wine, eating snacks and relaxing...for me, this is when my vacation begins.

 

[erinch]

We rode on July 30. No tickets. A good tip is to go down to the lounge right after you board and meet your room attendant. After they announce, the seats are generally full.

 

[BonnieA]

I don't remember the glasses being small, so perhaps they reduced the size of the glasses instead of using tickets.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

We rode on July 30. No tickets. A good tip is to go down to the lounge right after you board and meet your room attendant. After they announce, the seats are generally full.

Are you saying that if you have a sleeper, the sleeper car attendants will be in the lounge and you should meet them there? This is in order to get a seat in the lounge for the wine tasting, correct? Or am I reading this wrong?

 

[bdcp]

Are you saying that if you have a sleeper, the sleeper car attendants will be in the lounge and you should meet them there? This is in order to get a seat in the lounge for the wine tasting, correct? Or am I reading this wrong?

I've never seen the attendants in the lounge. They are usually working doing other things. Our attendant has always come by our room to meet us, usually after the wine tasting.

You do need to go to the lounge as soon as you can to get a seat because the one thing that really bugs me is how many people are sitting 2 to a booth, that easily seats 4-6 and who won't let anyone else sit with them. There aren't enough seats for everyone if they do that. It's just a strange thing that people think they own a booth when there is plenty of room. We always offer to share.

 

[erinch]

Are you saying that if you have a sleeper, the sleeper car attendants will be in the lounge and you should meet them there? This is in order to get a seat in the lounge for the wine tasting, correct? Or am I reading this wrong?

The attendant will come to your roomette or bedroom and confirm your dinner time, and when you want the room set up as beds. At that point you are free to find the lounge, rather than wait for the announcement.

 

[erinch]

I don't remember the glasses being small, so perhaps they reduced the size of the glasses instead of using tickets.

I think they are about 3 oz glasses. And I think about the same size they've always been. Bring a pile of dollar bills to tip the wine person when you take a glass.

We also tip $10 at dinner and 5 at breakfast. It is sad how few people tip.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I've never seen the attendants in the lounge. They are usually working doing other things. Our attendant has always come by our room to meet us, usually after the wine tasting.

You do need to go to the lounge as soon as you can to get a seat because the one thing that really bugs me is how many people are sitting 2 to a booth, that easily seats 4-6 and who won't let anyone else sit with them. There aren't enough seats for everyone if they do that. It's just a strange thing that people think they own a booth when there is plenty of room. We always offer to share.

The attendant will come to your roomette or bedroom and confirm your dinner time, and when you want the room set up as beds. At that point you are free to find the lounge, rather than wait for the announcement.

Thanks!

It is the train! As with dinner, it should be expected that all booths must be shared.

 

[Marshay]

I think they are about 3 oz glasses. And I think about the same size they've always been. Bring a pile of dollar bills to tip the wine person when you take a glass.

We also tip $10 at dinner and 5 at breakfast. It is sad how few people tip.

Also tip your room steward!

 

[Yellowstonetim]

When I check in, which will be early, can I make requests? For example; on the way down I have a roomette, and want to request a lower level room. If I could be on a car with all bedrooms upstairs that would be even better. Less people to share the bathrooms.

On the return trip we have a bedroom and I would like to request a forward facing couch.

Any advise? Is there anyway to do requests prior to arrival? Are room assignments already made and requests are impossible?

Thanks. Getting excited! We hear the "All aboard!" August 30th!

 

[bdcp]

When I check in, which will be early, can I make requests? For example; on the way down I have a roomette, and want to request a lower level room. If I could be on a car with all bedrooms upstairs that would be even better. Less people to share the bathrooms.

On the return trip we have a bedroom and I would like to request a forward facing couch.

Any advise? Is there anyway to do requests prior to arrival? Are room assignments already made and requests are impossible?

Thanks. Getting excited! We hear the "All aboard!" August 30th!

Your room is assigned when you make your reservation. You can see the room number on your reservation. The only possible way to get a different room when you check in is if there are any empty ones. You can also call Amtrak and ask if you can move rooms now.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

OK, I found both rooms I am in going down and up, is it possible to know the direction of travel? Do they usually face the car the same way? Or one way down and the other way back?

 

[bdcp]

OK, I found both rooms I am in going down and up, is it possible to know the direction of travel? Do they usually face the car the same way? Or one way down and the other way back?

I honestly never paid attention to whether or not they face one way or the other. It really doesn't make any difference to us. I get seasick, but do not get sick on the train so it doesn't matter to us. Someone might be able to answer your question. There are entrance doors on both sides of all cars, so they can go either direction into/out of the stations.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

The train cars don't get turned around on the trip. On the southbound trip the engine goes first then it's coach diner/ lounge car/ coach cars. Then it's sleeper diner/ lounge car / sleepers. Then the car carriers. When the AT arrives in FL the coach cars are separated and moved to another platform across from the rest of the AT. The train cars are not turned around.

On the Northbound trip. The separated cars are moved back onto the same track as the rest of the AT and recoupled. The engine goes first then sleeper cars/ sleeper lounge cars/ sleeper dining car then it's coach seats/ coach lounge/ coach diner. Then the car carriers.

So the same deluxe bedroom couch that is facing the engine on the southbound train- will be going back backwards on the northbound train. The deluxe bedroom does have a single seat facing the couch.

We have walked the length of the AT from our sleeper to eat in coach dining. It is a very long walk!

Also when you go through Jacksonville there is a curve in the track that you can see the front of the AT as well as the rear of the AT. It is one of my favorite pics to take.

Also an OP asked about getting a sleeper car with just upper sleepers - there is no such sleeper car available. All sleeper cars will have lower sleeping compartments on them.

We just returned on the August 9th train and there was no tickets given out for wine. We did go for the cheese/crackers/veggies as soon as we boarded.

Already planning trip 11 on the AT for next July/aug