Anyone ever taken the auto train?

[HayGan]

We are considering taking the auto train from VA to Orlando. It would definatley save on gas and lodging expenses. Also, I'm sure the kids would love it! the only thing is that is seems more expensive than I would have expected (~$850 for 2 adults, 2 kids and an SUV). At that price flying seems better.

Anyone have any experiences with the auto train? How was it? Does anyone know if they ever offer any good promo rates?

Thanks

Update: I just priced a 4 person bedroom witht he Orlando pass discount and that came out at $714. Starting to sound much better

 

[blessedby3]

I would love information on this also. I have seen posts on the auto train before, but I am not quite sure what it is. We live in ROanoke VA- does anyone know how far the train station is?

 

[EthansMom]

I looked into the auto train a couple times back when we lived in MD -- it never was the cheapest route. It was always cheaper to drive than anything else. It took DH, who is a bit of a lead foot, 13 hours to drive from Annapolis, MD -- we stayed in a hotel on the way down but on the way home decided not to to bother with an overnight stay and just motored on home.

If you do this, my advice is that you get to bed early the night before you leave and then get up at 3 a.m. and pop the kids into the already-loaded car and get on the road. We're driving to WDW from CT this year -- now that's a drive!

 

[JoannaOhio]

There's an extensive autotrain thread on the transportation board. I haven't taken the train, but my DD, her fiance, and my DGD are taking the train in December. They aren't getting a bedroom, just planning to sleep as best they can in the reclining coach seats. I think the main cost factor for them is that my future SIL is in a wheelchair, and it would be prohibitively expensive to rent a van with wheelchair lift for the two weeks we'll be in Florida. Flying isn't a good option because of all the things he needs, including electric and manual wheelchairs. His electric chair will be great for him when we go to the parks, etc., but he finds it much easier to use his manual chair to get around and make transfers inside the house. (We're staying in an accessible rented villa.) I'm glad we'll have both chairs there, because I'll be able to use his manual chair when we go to the parks. (I don't have a wheelchair yet, but there's no way I could do that much walking. We rented park wheelchairs when we went in 2000.) Anyway, check out the transportation board for more info about the autotrain.

 

[kandeebunny]

I have and will never do it again. I live in NH and was thinking great this will make life so much easier. Boy was I wrong, the worst part of the drive is to VA after that it is a straight shot on 95. It wasn't worth it to us, we just drive now.

But the price isn't a bad deal, flights for 4 plus a rental car plus gas will run you about the same.

 

[Mousenut8]

We have taken the autotrain the past two years and will take it again this year. For six people and a vehicle, $1,100 is a bargain. Plus, the train trip is a real experience for my kids. Sleeping can be a little rough at times but you make due and get to WDW fairly fresh and ready to go. Just my $.02.

 

[minnie1928]

My neighbors have taken the auto train atleast twice to FL and loved it. I can't say from personal experience though, we always fly. It's cheaper since we never rent a car and don't really need one on vacation. Since my DH drives like he's in the Indy 500, not having him driving makes it much more relaxing!

 

[lazarru]

We've taken it twice to go down and have found that there really is now way to get cheaper deals, it will always be cheaper to fly. However I believe when you add up the other things that you can do it can be pretty close to break even.

First of course you have your car, don't need to rent and can go anywhere that you want at any time. With 2 little ones 3&5, younger when it went we found it much easier than having to depend on buses to go somewhere.

Second you have much more room to pack, need to take a case of diapers, not a problem, food for the parks, not a problem packa case of cookies. We even brought down 3 cases of water, just bring a few bottles into the room each night and your ready to go.

Third don't want to do laundry, fine pack exta clothes.

You do also get dinner and breakfast included, granted not a huge expense but you know driving you'll be stopping at least twice.

So if you just look at flying or driving vs the train I don't think you're looking at the complete picture.

 

[maxaroni]

No personal experience but my neighbors took the autotrain and said never again. They are a family of 4 and the dd's didn't think it was that bad and it was a fun experience. However, the adults hated it and the husband has a bad back. They only way they'd do it again is to get the sleeper car but that puts the cost prohibitive for many. Prior to them going, we had checked it out and thought for the money, we'd fly. We are driving this year and actually, looking forward to it in a strange way.

 

[weregoingtodw]

I would love information on this also. I have seen posts on the auto train before, but I am not quite sure what it is. We live in ROanoke VA- does anyone know how far the train station is?

The AutoTrain station is in Lorton, VA - probably about 200 miles from Roanoke. Lorton is right off I-95 between Fredericksburg and Springfield.

 

[Chris]

We're driving to WDW from CT this year -- now that's a drive!

What month are you going? We're driving from MA in June! We're PLANNING on driving straight!!

 

[Mary Anne]

I have and will never do it again.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I did it in 1976 and let me tell you, I have never, ever again did it.

 

[Debs5angels]

We have taken the Autotrain 3 times now and are going to take it again this August.I agree that sleeping in the coach section of the train can be a little rough, but if the train is not crowded you can move to a seat that has no one sitting next to you and you can sleep across the 2 seats. They do have a movie playing that you can go see. I just bought my DD's portable DVD players so they can watch it at their seats. There are 3 dinner seatings that you can choose from. I think they are 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm. You tell them when you check in which one you want. Breakfast is a continental(sp?) on a come when you want basis. What we do is drive to Lorton the day before and stay at the Comfort Inn, which is just up the block from the station. If you tell them you are taking the Autotrain you get a discount on the room. We go the day before and stay overnight so this way we don't have to worry about getting stuck in traffic and not getting there in time. If you want the phone number just ask me. We take snacks and drinks with us on the train. The pillows they give you are very small so we bring our own. The best part is that you can pack your car with everything you need for your vacation and not have to worry about it. Also the greatest thing is you can buy all the souveners(sp?) you want and you don't have to worry about it getting broke on the plane. If you have any questions just pm me and I will be happy to try to answer them. Have a great trip!!!!

 

[Matt'sMom]

We've taken the auto-train South before, and will probably be taking it both directions during our WDW trip later this Fall. Our personal experience is that our family thoroughly enjoyed the train ride, and the food we were served on our trip was excellent.

We have done price comparisons, and with the current cost of gasoline, it is looking like the auto-train round trip will cost us pretty much the same as if we drove the entire distance (once we add in the expenses that would be incurred for meals and lodging). It also gets us home a day earlier (one overnight train ride vs two days of driving), allowing everyone some additional time to relax & recoop prior to returning to work or school. And, the train allows us to arrive during the early AM hours, so that we can spend most of our arrival day at the parks. Plus we can spend up until about noon of our departure day in the parks too.

 

[garydeb]

We LOVE the autotrain. We take it about twice a year to WDW. We love that we don't have restrictions on want to take with us (except car size ) We like that we can bring alot of fresh veggies and fruit back with us. We catch the train in Lorton,Va. just south of DC and get off the train in Sanford, just north of Orlando. Which allows me to stop at Belz Outlet for the Disney outlet Stores.

Just my .02......
Debbie

 

[Kristi1357]

What month are you going? We're driving from MA in June! We're PLANNING on driving straight!!

We are driving straight through from NH, leaving tomorrow night around midnight! Well, not totally straight through (although we have in the past). We will most likely stop in southern GA at exit 3 - about 3 hours from WDW. There's a great hotel with an indoor pool & awesome continental breakfast - for about $60. That way we wake up refreshed and ready for our first day in FL at my grandparents' house - we get there about lunch time.

I keep looking into the cost of the auto train, just for the return trip and it is always way too expensive. Maybe someday...

 

[georgeat]

Have used the auto-train twice. The second time ask for an upgrade at the counter to a full sleeper with bath and it was only $100 extra. Always a good idea to ask about upgrades at the time of check in. They are usually much cheaper. (Was told this by an Amtrak employee)