Amtrak to St. Augustine (Palatka, FL)

[RedSox68]

We are thinking of taking Amtrak from Philadelphia to St. Augustine to see the Downton Abbey exhibit and visit the city. We'll be getting a roomette. Anyone done it? Tips or suggestions?

 

[LSLS]

I've done a few Amtrak trips (including DC-Tampa, so that general corridor). I really like Amtrak. The last one I was on I got a roomette and I'm now spoiled (can't travel without it). I love seeing the scenery, though admittedly that east coast is the most boring of the ones I have done (don't quite have the views of going over the Rockies).

For tips, as of when I went, you can bring alcohol if you are in a roomette, which is nice. Also, you can bring any snacks you want, so make sure to pack some stuff. In a roomette, food is included, and the food is better than you expect (it's not great, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be). Overall it's a nice relaxing way to travel (I hate planes).

 

[bcla]

For tips, as of when I went, you can bring alcohol if you are in a roomette, which is nice. Also, you can bring any snacks you want, so make sure to pack some stuff. In a roomette, food is included, and the food is better than you expect (it's not great, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be). Overall it's a nice relaxing way to travel (I hate planes).

I'd add that only food in the dining car is included with sleeper accommodations. Sometimes a train can be late past the regular dining car hours, and a meal in the dining car won't be provided although sometimes they might help out with a voucher or something. The cafe counter may still be open though. Also - the Silver Star doesn't have a dining car, but the Silver Meteor does. The sleeper fares for the Silver Star is supposed to be reduced to make up for the lack of included dining car meals.

https://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Sate...M_Snippet_C/SnippetWrapper&ibsref=nodiningcar

No Dining Car is available on the Silver Star (Trains 91 & 92). All meals for Sleeping Car and Coach passengers can be purchased in the Café/Lounge car, which offers a selection of hot and cold sandwiches, snacks and other items. See the Silver Star Cafe Menu for available offerings. Passengers will pay less for Silver Star Sleeping Car accommodations, as a result of the Dining Car being removed.

Passengers have the option to choose traditional Dining Car service aboard the Silver Meteor (Trains 97 & 98), which operates along much of the Silver Star route. Dining Car meals aboard the Silver Meteor are included in the Sleeping Car upgrade charge.​

Anyone can bring alcohol, but consumption of "personal alcohol" is supposed to be restricted to one's own room. Consuming personal alcohol anywhere else isn't supposed to be allowed, but alcohol purchased on board can generally be taken anywhere on the train. I have heard that sometimes Amtrak staff can be lenient about it if one isn't causing any problems, but that depends on the employee.

 

[RedSox68]

Thank you both. I'm debating whether to take one way with the dining car and one without. How is the seating in the dining car -- I read you may be seated with others. Is the dining car really worth the extra money? And how is the food in the dining lounge (cafe) if there is no dining car? Thanks much.

I have very fond memories of taking the train with my Mom from Miami to Rhode Island in the 50's to visit my grandparents. I remember having a sleeper and sitting in the dining car. Can't wait to do it again.

ALSO -- any tips on promo codes or cheaper fares? Thanks again

 

[bcla]

Thank you both. I'm debating whether to take one way with the dining car and one without. How is the seating in the dining car -- I read you may be seated with others. Is the dining car really worth the extra money? And how is the food in the dining lounge (cafe) if there is no dining car? Thanks much.

I have very fond memories of taking the train with my Mom from Miami to Rhode Island in the 50's to visit my grandparents. I remember having a sleeper and sitting in the dining car. Can't wait to do it again.

ALSO -- any tips on promo codes or cheaper fares? Thanks again

Dining car seating works by a dining car attendant going to each room before lunch/dinner and asking passengers when they want a reservation. They ask sleeper passengers first, followed by coach (and business-class if there is any) passengers next. Sleeper passengers have priority and only need to show their ticket instead of paying. A tip is customary. Breakfast is first-come, first-served. If you're a pair, you most definitely will be seated with others. The first time I had breakfast, I was riding coach with my kid, and we were seated at the same table with a couple that had a room. The last time I was in a dining car I was at a table with more or less four solo passengers, including myself. If you ask to be seated alone, it's unlikely they'll allow that. Part of the rationale is that riding the train is supposed to be a social experience, and it helps with efficiency. That last time were chatting up about where we were from, where we were going, and all sorts of stuff. I was seated next to a visitor from New Zealand, while the pair across me were on some business trip where they delivered a vehicle and Amtrak was their return trip home. If you're in sleepers, instead of a reservation you can ask for a meal to be brought to your room.

There's a 10% discount for AAA/CAA members with 3-day advance purchase. There's also a 62+ senior discount of 15%. You might also watch out for Saver fares, which should be cheaper than the Value fare with a discount. You can't get any additional discount off a Value fare. Along with that, there are often fare specials, including limited booking windows like the last Presidents Day sale. You need to look out for any promo codes. I don't know of any for your trip.

https://www.amtrak.com/seniors-discount

Another thing is that it generally makes sense to book two one-way trips instead of round-trip. If you miss the train and don't cancel or make a modification, they can cancel your whole trip as a no-show. On top of that, if you have a sleeper accommodation, you're allowed access to the lounge before departure and on arrival. There is no lounge in Florida, but there is one in Philadelphia. They have snacks and beverages included.

https://www.amtrak.com/station-lounges

 

[RedSox68]

Dining car seating works by a dining car attendant going to each room before lunch/dinner and asking passengers when they want a reservation. They ask sleeper passengers first, followed by coach (and business-class if there is any) passengers next. Sleeper passengers have priority and only need to show their ticket instead of paying. A tip is customary. Breakfast is first-come, first-served. If you're a pair, you most definitely will be seated with others. The first time I had breakfast, I was riding coach with my kid, and we were seated at the same table with a couple that had a room. The last time I was in a dining car I was at a table with more or less four solo passengers, including myself. If you ask to be seated alone, it's unlikely they'll allow that. Part of the rationale is that riding the train is supposed to be a social experience, and it helps with efficiency. That last time were chatting up about where we were from, where we were going, and all sorts of stuff. I was seated next to a visitor from New Zealand, while the pair across me were on some business trip where they delivered a vehicle and Amtrak was their return trip home. If you're in sleepers, instead of a reservation you can ask for a meal to be brought to your room.

There's a 10% discount for AAA/CAA members with 3-day advance purchase. There's also a 62+ senior discount of 15%. You might also watch out for Saver fares, which should be cheaper than the Value fare with a discount. You can't get any additional discount off a Value fare. Along with that, there are often fare specials, including limited booking windows like the last Presidents Day sale. You need to look out for any promo codes. I don't know of any for your trip.

https://www.amtrak.com/seniors-discount

Another thing is that it generally makes sense to book two one-way trips instead of round-trip. If you miss the train and don't cancel or make a modification, they can cancel your whole trip as a no-show. On top of that, if you have a sleeper accommodation, you're allowed access to the lounge before departure and on arrival. There is no lounge in Florida, but there is one in Philadelphia. They have snacks and beverages included.

https://www.amtrak.com/station-lounges

Wow, thanks for taking the time to post all this. My hesitation to book so far ahead is that as of December, they now charge a 20% cancellation fee -- which would cost us about $200 if we can't go. Wish they were like cruises -- pay a deposit and have a final payment date. I like the suggestion about booking one way fares. I'll have to see how cost effective that is.

Did you like the food in the dining car food? Not sure if it's worth the extra up charge, but I'm sure the food is better than what they serve in the dining lounge cafe.

 

[pryncess527]

I have nothing helpful to add, but your entire post has me considering an Amtrak vacation! Thanks for the unintentional idea

 

[RedSox68]

I have nothing helpful to add, but your entire post has me considering an Amtrak vacation! Thanks for the unintentional idea

Hey, my pleasure -- that's what I'm here for

 

[LSLS]

I thought the food was pretty good in the dining car. Way overpriced (if I wasn't in a sleeper I wouldn't have gone), but pretty good. Also, when I went they let you do kind of a room service if you didn't want to go to the dining car and sit with others (bcla seems to know a ton more than me so he can probably answer if that is still the case).

 

[bcla]

I thought the food was pretty good in the dining car. Way overpriced (if I wasn't in a sleeper I wouldn't have gone), but pretty good. Also, when I went they let you do kind of a room service if you didn't want to go to the dining car and sit with others (bcla seems to know a ton more than me so he can probably answer if that is still the case).

You can always ask for food to be brought to the room.

The prices used to be reasonable for lunch or breakfast when beverages were included. The cheapest breakfast item is two scrambled eggs, some sort of biscuit or toast, and home-fried potatoes or grits. It's between $7-8 depending on route. It used to come with coffee, tea, milk, and juice. I asked for coffee, milk and juice together and got it. Beverages are now priced a la carte, but of course included for sleeper passengers. Sleeper passengers can also get beverages between meals. The other thing is that if you have coffee in the dining car, you can ask for an additional cup of coffee to go.

I guess one in-joke is that sleeper passengers get tired of ordering the steak (most expensive item) every dinner.

As far as the difference in food goes, the last time I rode long-distance on Amtrak, I had the lunch Angus burger in the dining car, and the cafe version of the Angus burger for dinner. The lunch burger was fine, although they don't have fries since deep frying is impractical on a train for safety reasons. The cafe version (you could order it for breakfast if that's what you want) came out of the refrigerator in a plastic bag. The cafe attendant cut the plastic and popped it in a convection oven, bun and all. The meat was not as bad as you'd think for a reheated, fully-cooked burger, but you can imagine how soggy the bun got.

Another problem with the cafe is that they may not be stocked well enough. I've been on the train when an announcement was made in the evening that all breakfast items were sold out and wouldn't be available until the next restocking point. The full menu is available at any time. I've asked if anyone orders alcohol for breakfast, and I've been told yes. However, breakfast items are the cheapest, so a lot of people order them for lunch or dinner, especially on routes that depart in the morning but don't serve breakfast in the dining car until the next morning. Another thing you can do is bring your own instant noodles and buy a cup of hot water. The water is essentially free, but you're paying for the cup. They generally won't fill your own container with hot water.

 

[bcla]

Wow, thanks for taking the time to post all this. My hesitation to book so far ahead is that as of December, they now charge a 20% cancellation fee -- which would cost us about $200 if we can't go. Wish they were like cruises -- pay a deposit and have a final payment date. I like the suggestion about booking one way fares. I'll have to see how cost effective that is.

Did you like the food in the dining car food? Not sure if it's worth the extra up charge, but I'm sure the food is better than what they serve in the dining lounge cafe.

Well - you can always get your money back as a 100% value voucher good for future travel (up to maybe a year). I know coach can usually be done up to the point of travel, but there's an advance notice for sleeper tickets without some sort of penalty (might be 10%).

It is possible to reserve by phone and pay at any station with a ticket office, or by phone. However, I think they can only hold the reservation for up to 7 days before it has to be paid or the reservation is canceled. That's often done by people who are unsure, or if they want to pay with cash.

As far as the one-way fares go, it rarely makes sense to book round-trip because of the newer cancellation policies. There may be a few examples, like using a free companion coupon that can be used one-way or round-trip. There's typically no cost savings to booking round-trip. Each way is priced individually, yet a no-show cancels an entire itinerary.

You can even bring your own food on board, although Amtrak employees aren't authorized to heat outside food. I mentioned that you can ask for hot water. Coach passengers can't ask for a container to be filled, but I believe sleeper passengers can ask their attendant for it. You can also ask for ice.

 

[RedSox68]

Thank you LSLS and bcla for all this valuable information and tips and taking the time to post.

Now I am suddenly full of more questions:

It may sound like a silly question -- but at our age maybe not. The upper bunk, do you get a feeling that you might roll or fall out or is it wide enough? Especially with the moving train, I was wondering about that. Is there a ladder to get up there?

While they allow you two suitcases and two carry-ons, where do you store them in the roomette since they don't check bags?

Since you are playing seat buddies with the toilet, are there problems with odor (like the bathrooms on the cruise ship) when not in use?

AND final question (I hope) - is there a specific side of the train we should try to get our room on?

 

[bcla]

Thank you LSLS and bcla for all this valuable information and tips and taking the time to post.

Now I am suddenly full of more questions:

It may sound like a silly question -- but at our age maybe not. The upper bunk, do you get a feeling that you might roll or fall out or is it wide enough? Especially with the moving train, I was wondering about that. Is there a ladder to get up there?

While they allow you two suitcases and two carry-ons, where do you store them in the roomette since they don't check bags?

Since you are playing seat buddies with the toilet, are there problems with odor (like the bathrooms on the cruise ship) when not in use?

AND final question (I hope) - is there a specific side of the train we should try to get our room on?

This picture should be mostly self-explanatory:

It would be more like two carry-ons and two personal items. If you were using stations with baggage service it would be two pieces checked-in on top of that. Amtrak carry-on size is similar to an airline check-in size. There should be room for maybe two large pieces in the roomette. I think there are also luggage racks downstairs for any "overflow".

As for side, I have no clue. Might not do you any good to pick a particular side when reserving since the car could always be reversed.

You don't get your own toilet with a roomette.

 

[RedSox68]

This picture should be mostly self-explanatory:

It would be more like two carry-ons and two personal items. If you were using stations with baggage service it would be two pieces checked-in on top of that. Amtrak carry-on size is similar to an airline check-in size. There should be room for maybe two large pieces in the roomette. I think there are also luggage racks downstairs for any "overflow".

As for side, I have no clue. Might not do you any good to pick a particular side when reserving since the car could always be reversed.

You don't get your own toilet with a roomette.

Great picture, thanks. Actually, the line we are going on does have an in-room sink and toilet, but no shower.

 

[bcla]

Great picture, thanks. Actually, the line we are going on does have an in-room sink and toilet, but no shower.

That's a Viewliner roomette? I was thinking Superliner, but I guess they can't get those through the tunnels in NYC.

 

[RedSox68]

That's a Viewliner roomette? I was thinking Superliner, but I guess they can't get those through the tunnels in NYC.

It's the silver line from Philadelphia.

And THANK YOU ALL, because of your recommendation to call instead of book online, we got second level roomettes. One are going one way without a dining car and coming back with the dining car.

 

[RedSox68]

This is the room we will have round-trip: https://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Sate...C/SnippetWrapper&accomm=Viewliner Roomette NM

 

[bcla]

It's the silver line from Philadelphia.

And THANK YOU ALL, because of your recommendation to call instead of book online, we got second level roomettes. One are going one way without a dining car and coming back with the dining car.

Not sure what second level roomette means. Silver Service uses Viewliner cars, which are single level. The route starts at New York Penn Station, which means they have to be able to fit through the North River Tunnels. Traditional bilevel cars won't fit in the tunnels, so Amtrak mostly uses single-level Viewliner and Amfleet equipment. They also use electric locomotives since diesel exhaust underground and in tunnels generally isn't acceptable. They should switch the locomotive on Silver Service trains at DC to a diesel locomotive (usually a General Electric P42DC) since there are no catenaries (electric lines) from there down to Florida.

Amtrak has a few dual-mode diesel and electric locomotives, but they don't use them on your route. They look like the ubiquitous GE Genesis that Amtrak uses for Silver Service where electric lines aren't available, but are equipped to take electricity from a third rail or generate it via diesel.

Here's video of a Viewliner roomette:

You'll use the toilet seat and a ledge as stairs to get to the top bed. They also use webbing as a net if you're worried about falling out.

 

[RedSox68]

Maybe a different route? They told me that these trains with Florida routes start and end in Philadelphia. Maybe there is another set of trains from NYC to Florida?

 

[bcla]

Maybe a different route? They told me that these trains with Florida routes start and end in Philadelphia. Maybe there is another set of trains from NYC to Florida?

Both the Silver Star and Silver Meteor have New York-Penn Station and Miami as their endpoints. Those are the only trains that have service between Philadelphia and Florida; there is no other Amtrak train between Philadelphia and Florida. They use Viewliner equipment, which is single level. The only equipment change during the route is a locomotive switch in DC. They may switch locomotives in Philadelphia in some cases. The Silver Star and Silver Meteor take different routes along the way, but take the same route through Georgia.

Here's the schedule for trains 91/97/98/92:

https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/616/295/Silver-Service-Palmetto-Schedule-110216.pdf