All about the Autotrain

[shafke]

I just booked my northbound return trip for July '14. It came out to the same price as the southbound trip. Finally the northbound prices came down!!

It pays off to check the website once a day.

Or this site... just booked out return trip for end of August.... yay.

 

[Ngwira]

Happy you got your fares booked. I'm going to wait until Friday.

 

[disneyterri]

Just booked our return trip for August also. Been waiting and checking everyday. So glad we aren't going to have to drive home.

 

[musical2]

Booked our return trip yesterday as well for July 25th. I kept checking daily and they finally came down to equal our southbound trip. Booked two connected deluxe bedrooms for my family.

 

[jwboucher]

Or this site... just booked out return trip for end of August.... yay.

Not for 9/14 yet.

 

[Vickie1016]

Booked our return trip yesterday as well for July 25th. I kept checking daily and they finally came down to equal our southbound trip. Booked two connected deluxe bedrooms for my family.

Just booked our return trip for August also. Been waiting and checking everyday. So glad we aren't going to have to drive home.

Happy you got your fares booked. I'm going to wait until Friday.

So happy for you, Vickie!!!

Thanks. Teamwork pays off as well (by members posting on this site that the rates dropped) So glad everyone was able to get the new lower rates for the northbound return trips. Yay - no driving home

 

[monorailsilver]

Curious if anyone is traveling in April on the autotrain?

 

[bdcp]

Almost done packing. We're on the train tomorrow!

 

[Marshay]

Almost done packing. We're on the train tomorrow!

Have a great trip and please report back!

I'm at 29 days!

 

[whodatdare]

Just scooped up our Auto Train for June 15 (down) and June 27th (coming back). Saved about 400 from what it was last week. Was getting nervous that it was just going to stay there. Now, just have to book the package

 

[bdcp]

All checked in at Lorton. Line was backed up onto Lorton Rd. People weren't using both lanes and then merging. Those that were in the lane weren't letting others merge into the main lane. We got here around 11:40. We usually arrive by 11:15 at the latest and get in the line towards the front. I don't get the attitude I saw with some of the older people. They were actually keeping bumper to bumper as to not let people merge. Seriously? Letting someone in might make you 1 minute later than you were. And, it was the seniors in the lane being obnoxious. I was nice and let someone in after I was let in and the guy behind me blew his horn at me. Really? Anyway, checked in for our roomette and we have the 7 pm dinner. Sitting here seeing and endless line of cars. I know this train is sold out and has been for a few days.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Wow - we booked this amost a year ago. Can't believe how fast the time went.

Looking forward to our trip.

What movies are on board.

I am bringing my laptop and some movies but always like hanging out in the lounge car.

Linda

 

[Marshay]

All checked in at Lorton. Line was backed up onto Lorton Rd. People weren't using both lanes and then merging. Those that were in the lane weren't letting others merge into the main lane. We got here around 11:40. We usually arrive by 11:15 at the latest and get in the line towards the front. I don't get the attitude I saw with some of the older people. They were actually keeping bumper to bumper as to not let people merge. Seriously? Letting someone in might make you 1 minute later than you were. And, it was the seniors in the lane being obnoxious. I was nice and let someone in after I was let in and the guy behind me blew his horn at me. Really? Anyway, checked in for our roomette and we have the 7 pm dinner. Sitting here seeing and endless line of cars. I know this train is sold out and has been for a few days.

Sorry to hear this. Last time we went, the line was out onto Lorton Road, too, but that was bc the northbound train was extremely late and ran into southbound people trying to enter when cars were still unloading.

Can't believe people weren't letting others merge and getting so upset. Train travel should be relaxing, not stressful!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[bdcp]

Wow - we booked this amost a year ago. Can't believe how fast the time went.

Looking forward to our trip.

What movies are on board.

I am bringing my laptop and some movies but always like hanging out in the lounge car.

Linda

They were showing Casablanca last night. We watched Monsters University on our laptop. We pulled into Sanford at 9:15 this morning. Our car was in the last 1/4 of cars called which it always seems to be. Trip was good. Not as bumpy as some previous trips have been. Dinner was excellent-we were in a roomette. I had some really good catfish. Train was packed. Never did hear the numbers, but our sleeper was completely full. As usual we met some nice people. We had dinner with a couple we met at the wine tasting.

 

[jad215]

Wow are they jacking up the prices in October 2014. We are looking to book for October 15th which would mean we could do the reservation this Friday. From September 30th, the prices seem normal to me from what we've had previous Octobers with the rail fare for 2 people being $204, Car $179, and Roomette $138. However when I look at any of the October dates for next year that are currently bookable, both ways it's the same price and the roomette is $426 almost $300 more! The other prices are the same though. Holy smokes....normally it's cheapest the farther out you book and we always try to book right on the 11 month mark.

Advice needed, should we book Friday and if the prices come down they'll adjust it for us or wait and see if they drop?

 

[Marshay]

Wow are they jacking up the prices in October 2014. We are looking to book for October 15th which would mean we could do the reservation this Friday. From September 30th, the prices seem normal to me from what we've had previous Octobers with the rail fare for 2 people being $204, Car $179, and Roomette $138. However when I look at any of the October dates for next year that are currently bookable, both ways it's the same price and the roomette is $426 almost $300 more! The other prices are the same though. Holy smokes....normally it's cheapest the farther out you book and we always try to book right on the 11 month mark.

Advice needed, should we book Friday and if the prices come down they'll adjust it for us or wait and see if they drop?

Wow, I'm definitely disappointed in this, too! I'll be booking at end of this month and I think my plan is to book at 11 months and then keep watching and have them adjust if price goes down.

 

[dalspot]

Holy Toledo! Last time we took the AT, we booked a round trip for 4 for the same price it would now cost us to go ONE WAY! Unfortunately, they've priced themselves out of our budget.

Wow are they jacking up the prices in October 2014. We are looking to book for October 15th which would mean we could do the reservation this Friday. From September 30th, the prices seem normal to me from what we've had previous Octobers with the rail fare for 2 people being $204, Car $179, and Roomette $138. However when I look at any of the October dates for next year that are currently bookable, both ways it's the same price and the roomette is $426 almost $300 more! The other prices are the same though. Holy smokes....normally it's cheapest the farther out you book and we always try to book right on the 11 month mark.

Advice needed, should we book Friday and if the prices come down they'll adjust it for us or wait and see if they drop?

 

[Ngwira]

Holy Toledo! Last time we took the AT, we booked a round trip for 4 for the same price it would now cost us to go ONE WAY! Unfortunately, they've priced themselves out of our budget.

Keep checking. The price will come down, they know a lot of people book 11 months out so they jack it up. In October fares were sky high for August. They came down 2 weeks ago. Keep checking.

 

[Ngwira]

Finally booked our Nothbound train fare. 2 adults, 2 children, 1 car in lower level coach was $454.40 using AAA discount. I did not book sleeping accomodations yet. Holding out for a family bedroom, if not will wait till last minute to buy 2 roomettes or rough it out in lower level coach.

 

[jad215]

Well...this makes no sense to me , but my fiancé asked when he called to book our trip down for our wedding next year today about why the prices are so high at 11 months and this was the response:

She said they flipped the policy so the high fares start out, but they will drop dramatically (as you said) over the course of the year and we will get refunds if we call and ask for them.

I would think this would be more work for them with all the phone calls they'll have to now handle, but there you have it!