Amtrak all the way from Boston?

[NJBILL]

How much is it to take the train from Boston to Orlando?

Amtrak Discount Information www.travelweather.weebly.com

 

[luvndizny]

I just wanted to thank everyone for replying as I am about to book our tickets for the train. We've been to DW several times in the past three years and our last trip we split up the drive (coming from NC), this time we're trying the train. Our family vehicle has 187K miles on it now and each time I worry more about being so far from home *if* something were to happen with the truck....So we're trying the train.

I was hoping to book a bedroom on the train, but it states maximum capacity is 3 to a room and we're a family of 4. (Was also thinking maybe one adult, one kid in regular seats and we'd switch out throughout the night to get some privacy, etc in the bedroom....) but it appears Amtrak makes you buy 4 coach seats AND the bedroom??? I was thinking maybe separating up the tickets (buy one adult, one child each booking) and could get around this having to buy 4 coach seats, but it seems they won't let you do that either. So if I got this right- a family of six, buying two bedrooms would also have to buy 6 seats as well as two bedrooms?? That doesn't make any sense.

Anyhow, I will post a trip report after we return (beginning of April) and let everyone know our thoughts. I've been on trains before, but no over-nighters. (Just to give a little background info- I've also flown by myself with our two young children who were just 2 1/2 yrs. and 11 mos. old at the time from Germany to Boston to Atlanta with nooone to help me, etc.) Hubby and I also rode in an overnight ferry from mainland Italy to Sardinia in cramped quarters before so we've run the gamut of tight sleeping and uncomfortableness... We consider this another adventure in life (I am absolutely ADDICTED to trying all kinds of new trips- if we won the lottery, besides charity, the majority of the money would be spent on traveling.)

Okay, so I digress- I will be back to post our opinions. Thanks on the tips given so far. I have informed everyone to dress warmly and bring blankets, snacks, etc. Also, for those considering, you can also go on youtube and see the regular seating, bedrooms, auto train, etc. on there to get a better idea if you're consider this route also.

Stay tuned!

 

[Rumpus]

I just find it funny that almost every country in the world has train services that are more widely used than here in the US. Is it because we are so impatient and we can't stand not getting where we want when we want? I plan on trying the train should I go to Disney later in the year after all if people across the world can travel by train and enjoy it why can't I.

Over the years I have read about lack of food, poor temperature control, overflowing toilets, dirty restrooms, but if you can enjoy the trip, go for it. The positive revues that I have read have been few and far between. Many describe it as the train from hell. All of the people in the world do not necessarily enjoy traveling by train, but you may be one who does. Let us know how it works out.

 

[DC7800]

I was hoping to book a bedroom on the train, but it states maximum capacity is 3 to a room and we're a family of 4. (Was also thinking maybe one adult, one kid in regular seats and we'd switch out throughout the night to get some privacy, etc in the bedroom....) but it appears Amtrak makes you buy 4 coach seats AND the bedroom??? I was thinking maybe separating up the tickets (buy one adult, one child each booking) and could get around this having to buy 4 coach seats, but it seems they won't let you do that either. So if I got this right- a family of six, buying two bedrooms would also have to buy 6 seats as well as two bedrooms?? That doesn't make any sense.

Everyone - coach and first-class passengers - pay 'rail fare' (the 'seat charge' - if you have four people, you pay rail fare for four). If you want to travel in sleepers (first-class), you pay an accommodation charge (roomette or bedroom) on top of the rail fare. If you buy nothing additional, your seat will of course be in the coaches.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Pepe-it seems we are surrounded

I think some people will just not be happy traveling with strangers no matter how they do it. Yes, you can get a crying baby next to you. Yes, it does take longer than flying. Yes, you might sit near a stranger if you are not traveling in pairs.

BUT, you can see the sights and take lots of luggage free!You can have fun playing and visiting with your family.Chose to enjoy it and you will
I had a bad experience on the train once but oh well, things happen.I am headed to disney and find it hard to complain with that in my future

Flying and long 2 day drives just aren't for everyone.I also see that train travel isn't either but if you are willing to try it you just might love it!! I have a train trip post here with pics for more insight

Happy trails on the rails!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Pepe-it seems we are surrounded

I think some people will just not be happy traveling with strangers no matter how they do it. Yes, you can get a crying baby next to you. Yes, it does take longer than flying. Yes, you might sit near a stranger if you are not traveling in pairs.

BUT, you can see the sights and take lots of luggage free!You can have fun playing and visiting with your family.Chose to enjoy it and you will
I had a bad experience on the train once but oh well, things happen.I am headed to disney and find it hard to complain with that in my future

Flying and long 2 day drives just aren't for everyone.I also see that train travel isn't either but if you are willing to try it you just might love it!! I have a train trip post here with pics for more insight

It's one of those, you either get it or not. We've had a bomb scare once coming home in Jacksonville, emptying the train in the station and then calling in the bomb squad, separating the car from the rest of the train.....taking their good old time and not saying much on how long the delay would be.....they bought coffee pots and made coffee for everyone, cases of water and I told my wife, we better stake out a piece of the station floor because it's going to take a long time. Usually I get perplexed, angry and anxious but this didn't bother me at all....they were handling the issue with our safety in mind ( someone actually left some bags on the floor unattended ) well after about 9-12 hours...issue resolved...no threat....and we boarded and were on our way....do I hate the railroad...nope...just part of life, part of an experience and all turned out well and we still use Amtrak.

I was never a good flyer the 3 times I tried so just gave up that means of travel and driving 1100 miles one way getting up in years got to be too long and stressful...not an enjoying trip at all and no need for a car in WDW...so bottom line is the train. Aways was a train buff, enjoying watching the countryside roll by the window. We're nestled in our pair of seats, cooler full of food,snacks and beverages...have our Ipods, Kindle and puzzle books and drape a blanket over us and relax to the sway of the train. Like I said before sometimes we opt for a roomette from DC to Kissimmee but that little room is starting to get to me...claustrophbic I guess and the huge amount of room in coach eases my mind...I'd rather take the extra time and be a happy traveler going by train then being cooped up in a car trying to make time trusting other drivers or encased in a metal cylinder flying 35000 feet above the US......like I said, some like it and some don't but everyone ought to experience it once for themselves...

 

[luvndizny]

DC7800....Thank you for clearing that up for me...I thought maybe I was just clicking incorrectly on the reservations page.

Well, we bought our tickets! Decided to just go coach and make the best of it. I also noticed something else that might be a good tip for others. (If someone else already mentioned this I apologize.) It is a good idea to go ahead and join the Amtrak Guest Rewards program. It is free to join and you can start collecting points right away! (You can do a quick sign-up, get your number and attach it to your first reservation.) - Now, just to make sure, I'm not talking about the credit card sign-up...This is just like a hotel guest rewards program. - Right now they give you 500 points right off the bat and you earn 2 points for every dollar spent. After 1000 points, you start earning free tickets. If I read correctly, we will have 1140 points after just this first trip! We're really hoping we enjoy it (although this is more of a relief from driving/flying that a true experience for us). If all goes well, we're hoping to do NY, DC and other places this way.

Now we gotta figure out our rental car details. We got a good deal from ORL to PC, but they (Hertz) want $90+ for ONE DAY rental, picking up that morning and dropping off that same evening for a reguar-sized car!! That's *supposed* to include our USAA discount of 25% and no added insurance?!!!