Amtrack's Autotrain

[anniet]

The Boston Globe had an interesting article today for anyone that wants to travel to Florida, but might not want to fly, or just find a different way to get there.

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/050/travel/Driving_to_Florida_can_be_fun_by_train+.shtml

 

[Credit Man]

Thanks for the link.

 

[roadtripper]

What a great article! Thanks for posting it!

 

[christinou]

We just came back from our first auto train ride and we just loved it.
My kids also loved the train, and dinner was the highlight of their trip, as well as the lounge car, I had brought some cards, and it was fun to have a table to play at.
We were in coach and it was VERY comfortable, my advice is to bring some pillows, the one that they give are just too small.
I am very happy to answer any questions.

 

[ScottJoy]

If only the Auto Train went all the way to Boston instead of just to Virginia!

 

[Beanie]

christinou, I am very interested in this way of travel...Did you go coach the whole way?? Where did you start from? I am interested in traveling from Boston to Orlando, but I am not sure how comfortable I would be in coach the entire way...I have a 5 and 3 year old, who are very used to traveling in a car to Florida, so I am not too worried about that, but as far as it being "boring" for them...Can you please tell me, in detail, about your trip? What you did? Did you bring any food on the train? How were the seats in coach? Are the bathrooms small??

Thanks so much and I will appreciate any feedback!

 

[christinou]

We went by coach the whole way, and back. I have 2 girls 7 and 5. We live in Upstate NY, it is about 6.5 hours from Lorton.
We got to the station really early, as traffic can be really bad around Washington. We were able to board the train at 2:30, and get settled. We did not bring any food or drink, they had water, and coffee and tea available and gave out bowls of snacks (chips, pretzels...), they also had fruit, cookies later on in the evening, and muffins early in the morning, all of that was free, you could also buy soda, juice, and alcoholic beverages.

We ate dinner at 7 on the way down, so we just played cards and colored before dinner, and then went to sleep after dinner around 8:30. Dinner was fine, choice of entree and desert, milk or apple juice for the kids, white wine, water, and iced tea for the adults

On the way back we had dinner at 5 (7 was filled up) and we watched the movie at 7:15.

Either way was fine, dinner early with the kids is probably better as it keeps them busy. We woke up early in the morning around 6 and went for breakfast, and then just got cleaned up, and before we knew it we were at our destination.

The seats are very confortable, they have a leg rest that comes up, and a food rest attached to the seat in front, each seat also has a table. We each slept with one of the kid, it certainly is not a bed, but it 100 times better than an airplane.

My kids have also made the journey by car to Florida many times, and they just loved the train, we as adults loved it also. No worrying about traffic, accidents, potty break.....

2 of the bathrooms were very small, 1 is very big, handicap accessible, 1 has a little lounge attached and 1 has a little changing room. No problems with taking little one to the bathroom.....

Anything else??

 

[Beanie]

Thanks, christinou, for the information...My biggest concern right now is the bathroom space...Is it like an airline bathroom or more room than that? I am not worried about being in coach all night, as my DH usually falls asleep on the couch rolleyes: ) and my kids can adjust to anything since we travel by car a lot! I am seriously thinking about this way because I have never been on a train before in my life and it just sounds so interesting...How many bags are you allowed to take on board? We have 2 adults and 2 children and usually we end up taking one big suitcase, a backback and usually a tote bag...will that be okay?

Thanks again!

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Very intrigued by the idea. There was an article in this month's Disney Club Magazine. Not too bad an idea...we either drive straight through, in which case we are exhausted by the drive on our first day there, or we stop in Hilton Head on the way down (still relatively tired from the 2 long drives) but the AutoTrain will give me the flexibility of being able sleep/relax more while using up only slightly more time...I figure about a 5-6 hour drive to VA, 16 hours on the AutoTrain and another hour to WDW. Total 24-25 hours.

I've done the drive straight thru in anywhere from 18-20 hours depending on weather and traffic. With the stopover in HHI, it is about 28 including stayover time. So I'm looking into it for the next trip...I'd really like to hear more about the sleeping room accomodations as we have me, DW and 4yr old DS and 1yr old DD. Any info you all have would be great.

 

[DC7800]

Beanie,
Coming from Boston, Auto-Train could be a great way to get to Florida, but in your case a train direct from Boston might be a better choice. Auto-Train has only two terminals; Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida (near D.C. and Orlando, respectively). This means you still have to drive to Virginia to catch Auto-Train (which is far better than drving all the way to WDW, of course!). You can, however, catch other trains from South Station in Boston (and from some points in New Hampshire, depending on where you are).

These are standard Amtrak long-distance trains (they do not carry automobiles - only AT does that). Each of three trains to florida originates from Penn Station in New York (so you would need to change trains there) and travels to Orlando or Kissimmee Florida.

The baggage scenario you mentioned would be fine. Amtrak states no more than two pieces "of reasonable size and weight" should be brought onboard per passenger (additional luggage may be checked, though possibly not between Penn-South Stations).

The seats in coach are often compared to airline first-class. Restroom size should not be a problem (and those handicapped accessible restrooms are larger, if space is a problem).

 

[christinou]

If you take the autotrain, luggage is not an issue, as you leave everything in your car. I just brought a bag, with a toiletry kit and a change of cloths on the train.
Some of the bathrooms are really big, same size as a large handicapped bathroom.
I can't comment on the sleeper, we stayed in coach, but I looked that the family room through the window and they looked very nice.

 

[Threehearts]

How far back do the seats recline in coach? When I think of first class on the airplane, I think of fully reclining seats. Thanks for the info.. Susan

 

[christinou]

They do not fully recline, they recline like a seat in coach on an airplane, but they are the size of first class...

 

[kmc33]

I am very interested in the Autotrain as my son LOVES trains. Coming from Pittsburgh, we could drive to Lorton pretty easily (around 4-5 hours) and get the train. To fly to Orlando from Pittsburgh, we usually get a flight for around $200. Does it cost a lot more than this to take the Autotrain?
Thanks!

 

[apagano]

The cost of Auto train vs. flying depends on the airfare on any given day, but most of the time I have compared the two the Auto Train cost more. Right now, for instance, my May 10-17 trip prices out as follows:

Southwest Air Lines: $405 for two passengers

Auto Train: $ 571 for two

Add the cost of car rental to the airfare and it's a wash. The big difference is that the plane will get me there in less than 4 hours, but the Auto Train is a 24-hour trip when you include the drive to VA.

I'm a big supporter of passenger rail, but in my case the Auto Train would only be economical for a trip longer than 10 days to offset the cost of renting a car.

 

[Braque]

Hi all -

We booked the AutoTrain going down on 6/27. You all just missed a great Buy One/Get One Adult Fare Special (ended 2/15) which brought the cost for a family of four down to the cost of two regular adults. Children are always 50% off, a regular automobile transit cost is around $280. They might run another similar special again.

The AutoTrain shows up on Amrak's Rail Sale page every once in a while. Check it out at:
http://tickets.amtrak.com Go to the Rail Sale page.

Also, for more tips and info on AutoTrain travel see: http://communities.prodigy.net/trains/amtauto.htm


Also, don't forget to sign up for Amtrak's Guest Rewards Program before you buy!

Maybe we'll see you there