Amtrak from NYC

[nezy]

Does anyone have any experience with taking Amtrak from NYC to Orlando?

I have taken auto-train. Is it a similar experience(other than driving to Lorton)?

Are the type of traveler similar?

Is there a place to rent a car when you get to Orlando?

 

[DC7800]

The Auto-Train is a similar experience to Amtrak's conventional trains from New York to Florida, though there are some distinct differences. While Auto-Train makes no intermediate stops (except for crew change & servicing) the other trains will board passengers at many communities along the way. Indeed, the same seat will often be occupied by 2-3 different people during the journey. As passengers are grouped as far as is practical, this isn't too noticable. Meals are available from the dining car (remarkably, these cars are some fifty years old), but here they are NOT included in your ticket price unless you are a sleeping car passenger. Coach passengers pay to eat in the diner. There is also a lounge car open to all passengers, serving sandwiches and snacks.

Instead of the bi-level Superliners used on Auto-Train, the other trains use low-level Viewliner (sleepers), Amfleet II (coaches and lounge), and Heritage equipment (dining cars). Sleeping car rooms and coach seats are comparable to Superliner cars found on Auto-Train. Where Auto-Train attracts many snowbirds and other long-term visitors to Florida or the Northeast, the conventional trains attract more seniors and persons on vacation; there are few business travellers.

The two trains in question are the Silver Star and Silver Meteor. Each takes a lisghtly different route to Orlando (then on to Miami), with the Meteor therefore being marginally faster. Rental cars are available at the Orlando station, along with taxi's, hotel shuttles, and the public bus.