Amtrak -never Again!

[bdcp]

Flying usually is much cheaper than taking Amtrak any long distance.

I like Amtrak for shorter trips, such as between Boston and NYC, but anything longer - forget it. Just way too many delays. You can count on a greatly delayed arrival.

That's funny because my trip to NY from Union Station (DC) was on time and trip to RI and back from Union Station was on time and so early getting into NY that we had to wait 45 minutes to catch up to the schedule. Not ALL trains are late. Because we all know there's never any delays or cancellations when you fly

 

[DonnaL]

How much is the train fare from most Northeast cities? I can't imagine that it's that much less expensive than flying........we're flying from PHL to MCO in October for $117 round trip per person on a Southwest nonstop flight.......we're there in 2 hrs 15 min........somehow I just can't compare that to approximately 20 hours on a train......unless you're someone who is absolutely petrified of flying. We've never paid more than $137 rd trp pp on SW out of PHL.......I know SW also has flights for approximately the same prices out of a lot of Northeast cities.......Hartford, Providence, Manchester, Albany, Long Island/Islip, LaGuardia to name a few. We've considered driving a few times, but, when looking at costs for fuel, meals enroute, and the 22 hour drive time we've always decided against it because the only real cost savings would be not needing a rental car (which at WDW you don't really need, but, we choose to have a car)

 

[bdcp]

How much is the train fare from most Northeast cities? I can't imagine that it's that much less expensive than flying........we're flying from PHL to MCO in October for $117 round trip per person on a Southwest nonstop flight.......we're there in 2 hrs 15 min........somehow I just can't compare that to approximately 20 hours on a train......unless you're someone who is absolutely petrified of flying. We've never paid more than $137 rd trp pp on SW out of PHL.......I know SW also has flights for approximately the same prices out of a lot of Northeast cities.......Hartford, Providence, Manchester, Albany, Long Island/Islip, LaGuardia to name a few. We've considered driving a few times, but, when looking at costs for fuel, meals enroute, and the 22 hour drive time we've always decided against it because the only real cost savings would be not needing a rental car (which at WDW you don't really need, but, we choose to have a car)

The fare is easy to calculate. Just go to Amtrak.com and you can calculate your fare based on dates of travel, number of adults, children, etc. But, this issue of flying vs train is not comparing the same thing, kind of like comparing driving with flying or the train. Most people take the train because they enjoy it and not just fear of flying. I've driven it, (yuck!), flown (quick, but with today's cancellations, delays, etc, can be a pain) and taken the Auto Train (not perfect either, but very enjoyable and relaxing). My DH and I are taking the Auto Train again this Nov. after doing it last Nov. We met lots of great people and why people talk about being "stuck" on a train I don't get. Last week there was a whole plane full of people stuck on the tarmac for 7 hours waiting due to inability of the airline to make a decision to cancel after a tire problem. How fun would that be?

 

[poohluvr]

How much is the train fare from most Northeast cities? I can't imagine that it's that much less expensive than flying........we're flying from PHL to MCO in October for $117 round trip per person on a Southwest nonstop flight.......we're there in 2 hrs 15 min........somehow I just can't compare that to approximately 20 hours on a train......unless you're someone who is absolutely petrified of flying. We've never paid more than $137 rd trp pp on SW out of PHL.......I know SW also has flights for approximately the same prices out of a lot of Northeast cities.......Hartford, Providence, Manchester, Albany, Long Island/Islip, LaGuardia to name a few. We've considered driving a few times, but, when looking at costs for fuel, meals enroute, and the 22 hour drive time we've always decided against it because the only real cost savings would be not needing a rental car (which at WDW you don't really need, but, we choose to have a car)

Wow! I really need to check SW. Every airline I've checked is at least $250.00 as opposed to the $135.40 I paid last June out of JFK. When I checked Amtrak it would be $416.00 roundtrip for 3 people. I'm not planning on going until April so I'm waiting to see if the flights come down, before I book anything. If I can get something down at least in the $200.00 range I'll definitely fly.

 

[disneyjunkie]

How much is the train fare from most Northeast cities? I can't imagine that it's that much less expensive than flying........we're flying from PHL to MCO in October for $117 round trip per person on a Southwest nonstop flight.......we're there in 2 hrs 15 min........somehow I just can't compare that to approximately 20 hours on a train......unless you're someone who is absolutely petrified of flying. We've never paid more than $137 rd trp pp on SW out of PHL.......I know SW also has flights for approximately the same prices out of a lot of Northeast cities.......Hartford, Providence, Manchester, Albany, Long Island/Islip, LaGuardia to name a few. We've considered driving a few times, but, when looking at costs for fuel, meals enroute, and the 22 hour drive time we've always decided against it because the only real cost savings would be not needing a rental car (which at WDW you don't really need, but, we choose to have a car)

It depends on when you're traveling.

Our next trip is during President's Week. (2/14-2/25)

Right now Jetblue is $974.20 round trip for my son and I. Amtrak is $310.00. I can get the price lower if I use AAA.

If Jetblue doesn't drop thier return flight ($299.00pp), We may just fly down and take the train back.

 

[adisneynut]

How much is the train fare from most Northeast cities? I can't imagine that it's that much less expensive than flying........we're flying from PHL to MCO in October for $117 round trip per person on a Southwest nonstop flight.......we're there in 2 hrs 15 min........somehow I just can't compare that to approximately 20 hours on a train......unless you're someone who is absolutely petrified of flying. We've never paid more than $137 rd trp pp on SW out of PHL.......I know SW also has flights for approximately the same prices out of a lot of Northeast cities.......Hartford, Providence, Manchester, Albany, Long Island/Islip, LaGuardia to name a few. We've considered driving a few times, but, when looking at costs for fuel, meals enroute, and the 22 hour drive time we've always decided against it because the only real cost savings would be not needing a rental car (which at WDW you don't really need, but, we choose to have a car)

It would cost us about 350.00-375.00 to fly from Atl to MCO and I have to drive 3 hrs to get to the airport. It is only 264. 00 for all of us to take the train.

 

[adisneynut]

Yes I too know that CRX owns the tracks and that there can be delays. The Amtrak customer service rep kindly informed me of that when we talked. We flew down last May and used DME and it took us over 1.5 hours to get to the resort. Not very magical in my book. We could have driven down and made better time.

We have to fly out of Atl. or connect there and SWA, Jetblue, Nor Spirit work for me. We rarely get a deal on airfare.

We usually do drive down but this time the kids thought a train ride maybe fun. Since we are leaving out on Dec. 23rd we figured that traffic on 95 would be rough causind delays as well.

We can take the train for less than renting a SUV and buying the gas which by Dec. could be up to 3.00 a gal.

You have to take the bad with the good. I look at a glass as half full.

On the train we won't have to stop for pit stops. Today our train left 20 minutes late. It is less than 6 hours by train so we won't have that far to travel, even with delays.

 

[jadedNYer]

I LOVE the train (did roundtrip 4 years ago and one way 10 days ago). We flew to WDW on 8/7 due to return on the 17th. I don't like to fly to begin with and was totally stressed about the return. We had done it with carry ons - wasn't sure how to pack. And like I said I LOVE the train. The morning of the 17th I woke up at 4:30 because of nerves. I called Amtrak and was able to get a large room on the 1:00 train for myself and 2 kids. Pleasantly surprised that it arrived in Orlando early. We did end up getting delayed for a little over an hour outside of Charleston so we were a little over an hour late getting in NYC but I expected a much longer delay.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

That's funny because my trip to NY from Union Station (DC) was on time and trip to RI and back from Union Station was on time and so early getting into NY that we had to wait 45 minutes to catch up to the schedule.

Please go back and re-read my original post. If you do, you'll see that I specifically mention short hauls as being fine (such as Boston - NYC). My comment as to certain delays is for long hauls, such as Boston - Orlando.

I like Amtrak for shorter trips, such as between Boston and NYC, but anything longer - forget it. Just way too many delays.

 

[adisneynut]

I LOVE the train (did roundtrip 4 years ago and one way 10 days ago). We flew to WDW on 8/7 due to return on the 17th. I don't like to fly to begin with and was totally stressed about the return. We had done it with carry ons - wasn't sure how to pack. And like I said I LOVE the train. The morning of the 17th I woke up at 4:30 because of nerves. I called Amtrak and was able to get a large room on the 1:00 train for myself and 2 kids. Pleasantly surprised that it arrived in Orlando early. We did end up getting delayed for a little over an hour outside of Charleston so we were a little over an hour late getting in NYC but I expected a much longer delay.

Glad that you had a good trip. Thanks for replying.

 

[Henlady]

As far as price goes:
In early June 2006 I booked our AutoTrain departure from Lorton on Sept 15, 2006 and return from Sanford on Sept 20, 2006. The price for 3 adults and our car, with an Orlando Magic Card discount of 20% off the rider only fare and 10% AAA discount also off the rider only fare, the total was $588.80 (coach seating).
Cheaper than flying by about $100 and we don't need to rent a car (I prefer having a vehicle for a trip to church, or shopping off property or just a quicker way to get to other resorts,etc...).

 

[NotUrsula]

Most folks have better experiences with the AutoTrain than with the regular rail service, because the AutoTrain is a premium express train that is reservation-only. It makes a difference.

I personally love trains, but the only routes I will take them for in the US are short trips between major cities in the NE Corridor, where the service is relatively reliable. I live in the midwest, and trains to anywhere from here are very hit-or-miss, and often experience delays that are longer than the scheduled trip time. (I know that the record of the AutoTrain is better, but there isn't one out in the midwest.)

The state of American passenger rail service is a national disgrace, IMO. It just burns my toast that in 1934 you could take a train from Denver to Chicago in 15 hours, but now it takes over 20 hours (if it is running on time, which it very seldom does.) Major cities in this country SHOULD be connected by hi-speed rail so that you can go back and forth between them by train, leaving air travel for longer-distance trips.

 

[bdcp]

Please go back and re-read my original post. If you do, you'll see that I specifically mention short hauls as being fine (such as Boston - NYC). My comment as to certain delays is for long hauls, such as Boston - Orlando.

I did read your post. I've taken the train from Washington DC to NY and back and from Washington DC to Providence, RI and back. Hardly a short haul to RI. The train to RI is 7+ hours. What I guess I should have made clearer was that our trip from Providence to Washington, both ways was on time and we were way ahead of schedule on our return til we had to wait in NY, because of the fact the train cannot leave certain stops before the scheduled time so we ended up in DC 2 minutes early instead of almost an hour. And as for going to FL lots of people have taken the train with very little delays and not just the Auto Train. There are several websites dedicated to train travel where you will find real train lovers and true reviews. What you tend to hear about is the griping when there are longer delays from people who grudgingly took the train to begin with. There are also several reviews here on the Auto Train FAQ thread that mention early arrivals. Like I said earlier, flying can have it's share of delays and as another poster said, at least you can get up and walk around n the train. As you can see from some of the posts, quite a few people LOVE the train. You don't have to take the train, but don't think you can change the minds of those that love it.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You don't have to take the train, but don't think you can change the minds of those that love it.

Apparently you have misinterpreted my post. Take the train or don't take the train; I have no interest in changing anyone's mind on this issue. Why in the world would I care about some stranger's mode of travel?

I was only expressing MY opinion.

 

[disneydaveb]

 

[skoi]

We love the train. I've been cross country twice myself, then took the Autotrain with dh and the kids three times- fourth time is in less than 2 weeks. I find flying stressful- and feel like I'm being constantly rushed for no reason, and herded around like I'm in a round up. It's become very unpleasant to fly IMO- seats all squished together, so many people being surly, even on short flights. I find train travel much more civilized.

As for the bathrooms- the bathrooms on all of our train trips weren't any worse at the end of the trip than the bathrooms on our flights to and from China from the US, or our flights to and from Italy. In fact- in the Amtrak sleeping cars- the bathrooms were cleaner.

Sorry you had such a miserable trip

 

[bdcp]

I was only expressing MY opinion.

Um, me too.

But, since you said "you can count on a greatly delayed arrival". I thought I'd let everyone know that that is not factual a lot of the time so they could make an informed opinion.

 

[jima53]

KPaRC, you are not alone in your thoughts! We used to drive one way & autotrain the other way, but not any longer. We used to be fans of the Autotrain until three years ago when it rocked back & forth so much more than normal. We said not any time in the near future! I wonder how much of the same tracks the Autotrain & the non-Autotrain both use? Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Can guarantee you that they use the same tracks in FLorida. I see the amtrac and auto train on a daily basis on the n/s section through Jacksonville.

Jim

 

[beccasmom]

We had a similar experience on our trip from MCO to PHL some years back. Loud passengers talking on cell phones in the wee hours of the morning, not enough food on the train, broken lavatories, a surly conductor... ..Going south was a breeze and our conductor was a sweetheart! I love trains, but the Amtrak experience seems inconsistent at best. I take Amtrak to NYC and Washington D.C. fairly regularly and rarely have significant issues. Long distance trips are often problematic, but Amtrak does use freight rails, which have priority. We haven't tried the Auto Train yet.

 

[ilovegoofy38]

i think what it boils down to is people who like the train enjoy a slow pace of life .taking time to enjoy it ,were as most people in todays society are always in a rush. if they would just slow down they would enjoy it .remember that,s what vaction is for to slow down and unwind