amtrak autotrain discounts/info

[quandrea]

Just heard about the auto train. Anyone have any discount codes. Also, what is the weather like from Toronto to the station in VA when travelling in Jan?

 

[tinka-belle]

Autotrain does senior and AAA discounts, but be aware any discounts are only against the train fare and not for your vehicle or any room accomodation. Like the airlines, fares rise as the space fills for both passengers and vehicles, and there's limited space, so it's best to book it early. Amtrak does not run periodic sales like the airlines do, so the closer it gets the higher the fares.

Late December/early January heading south frequently sells out since many retirees head to warmer weather for the winter and the autotrain is a yearly thing for them. Mid to late January would most likely show lower fares and more availability.

Your route will take you through some pretty snowy areas. Be prepared for storm delays on the roads and allow extra driving time. Better to grab a hotel near Lorton VA if you arrive a day or so early than to miss the train. It leaves daily at 4pm, but they have your line up the vehicles to load the train much earlier than that.

 

[bdcp]

We've taken it 3 times and will be going again next Oct. The snowbirds tend to go south in Nov and north in Apr. We've always gone in Nov and there are always lots of seniors going south and very few going north. Weather can vary in Jan. There are very few discounts on the AutoTrain-military is one also and they tend to be minimal amounts, just off the individual's fare, not off the cost of your car.

 

[snowy76]

Coming from TO, I'm guessing you'll hop on the NYS Thruway to I-81 and head south. Potentially bad weather b/c of lake effect snow from Buffalo to Syracuse. Check the weather forecasts and make sure you have plenty of extra time. A lake effect band stranded people on the Thruway in Buffalo this week for over 24 hours. People had to be rescued by ATV and snowmobile.