Auto train feedback

[mlayton14]

Hello all, considering the auto train this summer. All in, for coach plus your car it’s approx half the price as 4 RT air tickets including airport transfers etc. plus we would have access to a car on property. If anyone has any feedback about recent trips would love to hear it.

PS - the Amtrak room options are double or more the price of coach , for that we would just fly

Thank you

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

We have taken the autotrain 10+ times. I have only done coach once. I did not sleep much in coach but there was a sale and it was $19 per person so we didn't mind too much. Our kids did not mind being in coach at all. Our trip in coach was August of '23, our next auto train trip is next month.

The train has been late here and there recently, much more than usual. This was due to a cargo train derailment (auto train shares the same tracks as cargo trains) and the bridge collapse in Baltimore (resulting in heavier than usual rail traffic on the east coast).

Definitely bring a small cooler with your own food and drinks. There's food for sale on the train but there have been times when the registers were down and no one could buy food or there was a staffing issue and they didn't open the cafe until 8 or 9pm. Strange things happen and you don't want to be stuck on a train for 20 hours without some sort of backup for food. Bring plenty of extra snacks in case you are delayed on the train.

There's little to no wi-fi so download shows and movies to your devices ahead of time. Bring a pillow and blanket (the train can get cold with the AC running), noise cancelling earbuds/headphones and sleep mask if you are sensitive to lights at night.

 

[jormom1030]

We went coach in March 2020. On the way down we were on the bottom. I liked it better than on the way back when we were on the top. There was a light that was so bright that shone right in my eyes. On the way back in the top there were people walking back and forth between cars all night long. You could hear the doors swish open and closed. I did not get good rest either way.

 

[mlayton14]

Thanks both for your feedback

 

[jec6613]

If you can sleep in a recliner with dozens of other people around you and feel rested in the morning, coach is fine. Otherwise, fly, or take a sleeper compartment.

Amtrak also offers the Silver Meteor/Silver Star that come into Orlando with sleeper service that's usually less expensive than the Autotrain. You don't have your car at the end, but depending on your dates it can be substantially cheaper than flying.

 

[easyas123]

If you can sleep in a recliner with dozens of other people around you and feel rested in the morning, coach is fine. Otherwise, fly, or take a sleeper compartment.

This is a good point - I've only taken the auto train twice, both times we had a sleeper compartment and even with that it wasn't exactly super restful sleeping.

 

[bdcp]

We just booked a rt for Mar/Apr and only had enough points to pay for the car. We use our Amtrak MC for everything we can. No mortgage so it's just everything except taxes, home projects and a couple of auto pay utility bills, but it does add up using it for cruises, hotels, groceries, restaurants, etc. We have stayed in bedrooms for the last 6 or 7 trips and had the entire trip on points, but since we're also going this Nov, we didn't have enough points. Also, the AT now gives a senior discount for 65+ on the rail fare portion, but not the room or car. DH will be 67 in July and I'll be 65 by March next year so we both qualified which in a way sucks lol. While we have enough airlines points to fly for free, we'd need a rental car and since we're doing cruises before, we'd have to get to Port Canaveral also. It's just less hassle to go on the train. We're also staying at Shades of Green after both trips.

As for wi-fi, it works pretty well most of the trip considering the train is a moving target and cell towers are spread out, but there are holes in spots.

 

[Lisa75]

We just booked a rt for Mar/Apr and only had enough points to pay for the car. We use our Amtrak MC for everything we can. No mortgage so it's just everything except taxes, home projects and a couple of auto pay utility bills, but it does add up using it for cruises, hotels, groceries, restaurants, etc. We have stayed in bedrooms for the last 6 or 7 trips and had the entire trip on points, but since we're also going this Nov, we didn't have enough points. Also, the AT now gives a senior discount for 65+ on the rail fare portion, but not the room or car. DH will be 67 in July and I'll be 65 by March next year so we both qualified which in a way sucks lol. While we have enough airlines points to fly for free, we'd need a rental car and since we're doing cruises before, we'd have to get to Port Canaveral also. It's just less hassle to go on the train. We're also staying at Shades of Green after both trips.

As for wi-fi, it works pretty well most of the trip considering the train is a moving target and cell towers are spread out, but there are holes in spots.

When you say you only had the points for the car were you somehow able to book with a combination of cash + points? I’ve never seen that option.

 

[bdcp]

When you say you only had the points for the car were you somehow able to book with a combination of cash + points? I’ve never seen that option.

Yes, we've done it before also. We call to make our reservations so if you're doing it online, it probably doesn't have that option. Just call the Amtrak Guest Rewards number to make your reservations. They can tell you how many points each piece is. The only thing you can't use points for is priority unloading so we pay for that every trip. We also have bought points in the past if we're a little short, but it wasn't worth it for this trip.

 

[Lisa75]

So glad I asked thank you!

 

[mouserrificmom]

We will be taking the AutoTrain in August with our daughter who will be doing the College Program so that she can have her car there - I am wondering for those who have traveled before with your car, how far ahead of leaving are the cars loaded so we can plan when we would need to arrive for a 5:00 pm scheduled departure. Thanks!

 

[MikeF;NJ]

according to https://www.amtrak.com/auto-train-experience#what-to-expect

Check-in starts at 12:30 pm and closes at 3:00 pm for all vehicle types on the day of departure. No exceptions can be made, so be sure to plan your arrival to the station accordingly.

When you check in, you leave your car with the attendants, and have no access to it until after it is unloaded in Sanford.

For more information, see also https://www.amtrak.com/route-content/auto-train-boarding-and-vehicle-requirements.html

 

[hertamaniac]

I did the sleeper, by myself, many years ago when I moved to Florida (I loaded my car up to the hilt). I found it to be very comfortable and the shower(s) in the car were clean, hot and made me feel refreshed for dinner, etc. The stop and go didn't allow me to have the best night's sleep, but it would be better than a recliner.

 

[bdcp]

We will be taking the AutoTrain in August with our daughter who will be doing the College Program so that she can have her car there - I am wondering for those who have traveled before with your car, how far ahead of leaving are the cars loaded so we can plan when we would need to arrive for a 5:00 pm scheduled departure. Thanks!

Everyone on the auto train has to be associated with a car. They do not take passengers without a vehicle associated with them.

 

[mouserrificmom]

Everyone on the auto train has to be associated with a car. They do not take passengers without a vehicle associated with them.

We are taking her car - I am wondering when we would need to be there to be sure that our car is loaded and we can board with a 5 pm departure. It's a 4 hour drive for us to the station, so I am trying to plan out when we will need to leave.

 

[mouserrificmom]

according to https://www.amtrak.com/auto-train-experience#what-to-expect



When you check in, you leave your car with the attendants, and have no access to it until after it is unloaded in Sanford.

For more information, see also https://www.amtrak.com/route-content/auto-train-boarding-and-vehicle-requirements.html

Perfect! Exactly what I needed, thank you!!

 

[bdcp]

We are taking her car - I am wondering when we would need to be there to be sure that our car is loaded and we can board with a 5 pm departure. It's a 4 hour drive for us to the station, so I am trying to plan out when we will need to leave.

I understood she'd have her car. I was replying to your part of the post that sounded like you didn't know that the AT requires a car attached to a reservation. Unlike other Amtrak trains, you can't just show up 15 minutes before the train departs. In fact, it usually departs about 15 min early. You have to have the vehicle there and be checked in between 1230 and 3 pm. Also, that info is on the reservation/e-ticket.