All about the Autotrain

[Kim&Chris]

No recent experiences, but I'm responding to say: you're not alone! I am the exact same way! I think after enough time goes by between trips I think, 'maybe it wasn't as bad as I remember' but then it is. LOL. And yet, I'm sure I'll do it again....!

THIS!!! LOL.

We took it last year and, for reasons unknown, my husband loves it. Me? I'm a serious over-packer, so the AT allows me to take what I want without dealing with airline rules.

Prices have gone UP though.

 

[erinch]

We LOVE the auto train. We get a bedroom. Started out coach long ago, got upgraded to roommettes, and when they comped a bedroom when my DH had a violent migraine never looked back.

We pack our own happy hour—wine and cheese and fruit and crackers, and the vacation begins the moment we settle in.

 

[Shannon G]

Has anyone ever gotten a clear answer from a car rental agency about whether a rental car can be taken on the auto train? I know the likelihood of the car being damaged is pretty low, but I also don't want to fund myself stuck with a huge bill because the rental agency says I violated the contract. My daughter lives in Orlando and I am trying to bring some of her things that are still at home down to her, but would like to be able to just fly home, so I was thinking a one way car rental and the auto train. Specifically looking at renting through National, because I have some free days available.

UPDATE: I reached out to National via chat and asked if a rental could be taken on the auto train, and explained that the amtrak employees load the cars onto the train. The rep said yes, it is allowed. I saved screen shots of the chat just in case, but I think I'm good to go ahead with my plan.

 

[easyas123]

I'm not sure, but I do not several folks who have done it.
National does have a chat feature, you could ask there.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Has anyone ever gotten a clear answer from a car rental agency about whether a rental car can be taken on the auto train? I know the likelihood of the car being damaged is pretty low, but I also don't want to fund myself stuck with a huge bill because the rental agency says I violated the contract. My daughter lives in Orlando and I am trying to bring some of her things that are still at home down to her, but would like to be able to just fly home, so I was thinking a one way car rental and the auto train. Specifically looking at renting through National, because I have some free days available.

UPDATE: I reached out to National via chat and asked if a rental could be taken on the auto train, and explained that the amtrak employees load the cars onto the train. The rep said yes, it is allowed. I saved screen shots of the chat just in case, but I think I'm good to go ahead with my plan.

The last time we took the AutoTrain going south we were seated at dinner with a mother and daughter who were taking a rental car on it.

 

[AJKMOM]

We've been on the Autotrain several times, and the main issue now is the price. Even the roomettes, where you have to go in the aisle way just to change your mind ::-D are so much more. I can't sleep in the recliners, but that's the best option.

 

[lovin'fl]

We just did the AT again. I think it was our, around, 5th time (maybe 6th). We went from Sanford to Lorton on Super Bowl Sunday. It was not a packed train (maybe due to Super Bowl). It was a pretty easy trip compared to our last couple. We arrived around 1-1:30pm and drove right up to drop off car (no line for once). Walked in and right up to check in counter and was able to get early dinner seating. Which they only had 2 times (means less full train, 3 dinner seatings on a packed train). Then they told us we'd be getting aboard at 2:30 which is earlier than past trips.

We had booked relatively last minute, about 9-12 days before the trip. And still got a decent price which I think was due to Super Bowl and thus not being booked up. We got a bedroom which the husband and I always do ( I did the roomette with my daughter not long ago). We sat with a nice couple at dinner and chatted and even moved to the bar car and chatted longer. They had the coach seats but were able to pay for dining car service. They said $45 (not sure if that was pp or for both). The next day we arrived a little early and only waited about 35-40 minutes for our car and that wasn't bad at all.

The negatives...the older couple in the bedroom next door (our connecting door shared with their room) were hacking and hocking up stuff the whole time. All through the night. ANd, every 30 mins, they flushed their toilet (which made loud whoosh in our room like it was our toilet flushing). Not only a sleepless night but 2-3 days later I was sick. ALso, we have a hard time with the bed situation. We share the bottom bed and it is very small and the mattress is hard. ANd whoever of us is against the wall has a heck of a time getting out to use the toilet if needed. Plus it is hard to get changed for bed and then changed again in the morning with the bed set up. But we have the turn down done while we are in the bar car and then go back and change for bed. Then we change and clean up before going to the bar car to have coffee (and have the bed put away while there).

I wonder how the older folks do it. We are 52 but most others are quite older than us. We can't climb to the top bunk so I imagine most others, our age or older, can't as well. The older couple next to us also had an entire push cart (they provide there) full of bags and stuff. The top basket and the bottom rack. It was even overflowing and falling off as they pushed it. It was like they brought all their stuff from their car. I have no clue where they put it all in the bedroom, especially with the bed made out at night.

We will likely do it again. It's easier than driving 14 hours. We try to book far in advance for cheaper rates. We also don't take much stuff onto the train, just one duffle or carry on size suitcase. We also bring snacks and drinks (mostly wine but this last time I brought 3 little airplane sized gins with club soda and limes). We bring a crossword puzzle book and I play music from my phone. It's not bad when the bed isn't out. I wonder if we can do something different for sleeping. Like one sleep on the sofa and maybe other can do the top bunk?? I could maybe climb up/down if the bottom bed wasn't out. We also sit in the bar car a lot. It's more spacious and we have a whole table to set drinks and do crosswords or whatnot.