Auto Train - Price Question

[goofygal531]

We're debating driving down or taking the Auto Train.

Is $808 a good price for 2 adult, 1 infant and an SUV?

 

[Ms. Belle]

Yes, that is a very good price. The lowest I've ever paid on the Auto Train is $1200, which was for two adults and one child in a sleeper car, and my SUV. Are you going coach or did you get a sleeper?

 

[DisneyPoly]

That sounds like a coach price to me. We've traveled 2 adults, 4 children and a minivan for $770 roundtrip in the summer -- usually they have kids travel free -- you have to shop early for the best prices.

 

[goofygal531]

That's a coach price. The sleeper car was a LOT more expensive. I'm just so mad that we don't have a car anymore - the price with a car instead of a SUV would have been under $600!

Now I'm just debating if it's a good idea to do with an infant. I'm not sure I can bring his stroller on board. There's no way he'll stay 16 hours on our laps!

Any suggestions??

 

[Ms. Belle]

I would definitely bring your stroller. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff people bring on the train. I've ridden in coach several times and you will get alot of noise. I've had some extremely inconsiderate fellow passengers who insisted upon talking until 3am, smoking in cars where they shouldn't be, playing radios loudly, etc. With an infant it might be worth the money to book the sleeper car, just for the privacy.

 

[lkc0538]

We were on the auto train 7/2004. My advice is to book lower reserve coach seats-if not, you have to go down a tiny staircase to the bathroom. There is a door that closes off the lower reserve seats from the bathroom area, so you don't have to worry about smell and noise. We saw several families down in the lower reserve with infants. There is a lot of extra room down there and they all had port-a-cribs for their infants. You won't have to lug things up and down the stair case that way too-it gets a bit cumbersome!

 

[goofygal531]

Thanks so much for your responses. We've been on traditional Amtrak trains before but never the Auto Train. I didn't think there would be any room for a stroller let alone a port-a-crib!

I'm still wondering if it's worth the cost. DH says it beats driving all the way down.

Still debating........