All about the Autotrain

[Marshay]

Opinions needed.... I'm currently booked for coach it's me and my 2 daughters 10 and 9. Should I switch to a roomette? It's only 138 more for us? Is it worth it? Especially with the changes. The only thing that intrigues me is the privacy so I might actually be able to sleep. But the roomette a look very very tiny. I wonder if the 3 can all sit in it.

The roomettes are VERY, VERY small with just two people. I wouldn't want to even try it with 3.

Even a 10 and 9yo need some space. For the regular seating they would be up right against each other when it is a seat. Then when it is a bed, they would be sharing a bunk bed, which again would be right up against each other -- meaning, skin to skin, can't turn around, can't lay flat, etc.

You will lose privacy by doing coach but you gain elbow room -- literally!

I say stick to the 3 coach seats, esp at that age. They are old enough to entertain themsleves and to behave. Put them together and you take the single seat (and hope no one is assigned next to you).

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

This is great! Definitely something we might do, does anyone know are there shuttles to other towns close by or is this the only one? Last time we went we ended up somewhere also I don't remember where just to buy some subway sandwiches to eat before checking into the station but the shuttle might be good so we on't feel rushed to return the car so quickly.

No, there are no others; this is a first.

 

[huggiebear23]

The roomettes are VERY, VERY small with just two people. I wouldn't want to even try it with 3. Even a 10 and 9yo need some space. For the regular seating they would be up right against each other when it is a seat. Then when it is a bed, they would be sharing a bunk bed, which again would be right up against each other -- meaning, skin to skin, can't turn around, can't lay flat, etc. You will lose privacy by doing coach but you gain elbow room -- literally! I say stick to the 3 coach seats, esp at that age. They are old enough to entertain themsleves and to behave. Put them together and you take the single seat (and hope no one is assigned next to you).

Thanks so much! I just won't be able to sleep with them across me

 

[huggiebear23]

I know they don't allow 3 in one roomette. If you click on my trip report I took detailed photos and walked through this exact scenario. I initially did this - booked just one roomette for my husband and myself and a coach seat for our son, figuring we could all just hang out and crash in the roomette at night. But for 3 adults it would never have worked so we added a second one. You could technically all squeeze in one depending on how much room the girls need or if they can share a bunk. (my husband and I actually slept on just one) But they're really not that big. Privacy was great for us. There are curtains which close off the entire window areas and you can lock yourselves in. We had an attendant assigned to our car and were told it was up to them to permit any visitors.

Thanks so much!! Great trip report!

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Amtrak today announced Auto Train summer fares of $39 for kids 2-12 one-way in coach seats from May 28 - Aug. 28. Details are in their press release here: http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/992/742/AMTRAK-AUTO-TRAIN-OFFERING-.pdf and on their website here: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conte...D_1_WSP&WT.mc_n=AutoTrainKidspage&WT.mc_r=365

I think this is a nice deal for those with youngsters traveling coach, but as someone traveling sleeper in a few months who will be experiencing cuts to service and amenities, I have to say

If this deal works for anyone here, go for it.

 

[Marshay]

Amtrak today announced Auto Train summer fares of $39 for kids 2-12 one-way in coach seats from May 28 - Aug. 28. Details are in their press release here: http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/992/742/AMTRAK-AUTO-TRAIN-OFFERING-.pdf and on their website here: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Content_C&pagename=am/Layout&p=1237405732514&cid=1251623565087&WT.mc_t=AutoTrainKids2014_HD_1_WSP&WT.mc_n=AutoTrainKidspage&WT.mc_r=365 I think this is a nice deal for those with youngsters traveling coach, but as someone traveling sleeper in a few months who will be experiencing cuts to service and amenities, I have to say If this deal works for anyone here, go for it.

Continues to make coach look better, if you don't mind the lack of privacy and no bed.

 

[huggiebear23]

Do we know what the new menu is?

 

[huggiebear23]

My travel agent is calling amtrak now to see if we can use this new rate to lower my costs.

 

[huggiebear23]

Saved 25 bucks on my current trip.. I'll take it..

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

We are considering taking the Auto Train northbound in July. There will be 4 of us, myself, DW, DS17 and DS8.

Is it possible to book 2 coach seats and 1 roomette for the other 2? The website won't allow me to do it, but am I able to call and reserve this?

We took the Silver Meteor to Orlando last year and we are looking forward to trying the Auto Train.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

We are considering taking the Auto Train northbound in July. There will be 4 of us, myself, DW, DS17 and DS8.

Is it possible to book 2 coach seats and 1 roomette for the other 2? The website won't allow me to do it, but am I able to call and reserve this?

We took the Silver Meteor to Orlando last year and we are looking forward to trying the Auto Train.

You might be able to do it, but only by phone. DISser Poison Ivy on this thread has a link to her May 2013 AT trip in her signature (page 189, post 2828). If you follow the link to her trip report, she indicates she had a sleeper for her and her husband and a coach seat for her college-age son. BTW, it's an excellent report with lots of AT photos!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Amtrak today announced Auto Train summer fares of $39 for kids 2-12 one-way in coach seats from May 28 - Aug. 28. Details are in their press release here: http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/992/742/AMTRAK-AUTO-TRAIN-OFFERING-.pdf and on their website here: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conte...D_1_WSP&WT.mc_n=AutoTrainKidspage&WT.mc_r=365

I think this is a nice deal for those with youngsters traveling coach, but as someone traveling sleeper in a few months who will be experiencing cuts to service and amenities, I have to say

If this deal works for anyone here, go for it.

I logged in and tried a few differnt dates but for some reason it won;t make the kids $39. We have 3 adults(one is 14) and 2 kids so it should work.

 

[loveysbydesign]

I logged in and tried a few differnt dates but for some reason it won;t make the kids $39. We have 3 adults(one is 14) and 2 kids so it should work.

NM...I got it to work for another date...just not for the dates I was hoping for
My kids are still upset that we never got to take the train home due to Hurricane Sandy....that was to be our 1st time on it and they shut down the railways as we were checking in at the station. of course back then my oldest was still a "child" and was cheaper.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

NM...I got it to work for another date...just not for the dates I was hoping for
My kids are still upset that we never got to take the train home due to Hurricane Sandy....that was to be our 1st time on it and they shut down the railways as we were checking in at the station. of course back then my oldest was still a "child" and was cheaper.

If your dates are between May 28 - Aug. 28 it should work. If you want to book round trip, it may only work if you book two one-way trips.

I understand completely why your kids were unhappy the train was cancelled when Sandy came through. As disappointed as I am with the recent changes for sleeper car passengers, riding the train is still an extension of the vacation and much more enjoyable than riding in a car all those hours and the hassle of flying.

 

[bdcp]

We just booked rt for Feb 2015 to get to our cruise. Using and buying points, we got a roomette each way for a total cost of just under $600(we had to buy some points). So, we're paying for the car and and purchasing points. The agent also gifted us points to hit the next 100 so it'd be even. I now have zero points and DH gets the points for travel. Good thing we have our Chase MC.

 

[monorailsilver]

Well we are halfway to the train. We left my moms at 6am from CT and are at the Walt witman rest stop and it's 8:30.

 

[bdcp]

Well we are halfway to the train. We left my moms at 6am from CT and are at the Walt witman rest stop and it's 8:30.

Have a great trip. You are going to have great weather today. It's not supposed to rain here til overnight.

 

[monorailsilver]

Have a great trip. You are going to have great weather today. It's not supposed to rain here til overnight.

Thanks. We aren't doing Disney though. Headed to Ft. Myers and the beaches. We may stop in dtd for lunch tomorrow depending on time.

 

[huggiebear23]

Thanks. We aren't doing Disney though. Headed to Ft. Myers and the beaches. We may stop in dtd for lunch tomorrow depending on time.

Let me know how the train is and if the menu changed? Safe travels

 

[monorailsilver]

Let me know how the train is and if the menu changed? Safe travels

I peeked really quickly as I checked in. We have dinner at 6 and we are out exploring now. They are still taking cars off.