Auto Train?

[deedeew80]

We are thinking about taking the auto train back home! We are driving from NJ. I use to ride the Auto Train all the time as a kid and teen/young adult. Last time I rode it was probably 2002, so it’s been quite a long time. I know a lot has changed! So I have a few questions!
Do they still try to keep those with children a bit separated from those without children?
Do they still have a lounge car?
Show a movie?
Offer dinner & continental breakfast?
I noticed there is now an upper and lower level, is there a preference?
Thanks for any information or advice!!

 

[MrKnight]

I think that's a great idea and it will make your trip home so much more enjoyable and relaxing! I am huge proponent for Amtrak and train travel in general, IMHO it is sadly one of the most under-rated methods of travel in the US. If you have not ridden it in quite sometime, you will be pleased to find that both the Sanford and Lorton stations are newly renovated with spacious indoor waiting areas and facilities.

To answer your questions;

To my knowledge, I do not believe that there is a dedicated area for parties with children or vice versa. There are two seating options on the auto train, you can either purchase standard coach seats in the main car (similar to airline seating) where you would be sitting with other passengers or your can purchase a private "roommette" or "suite" in a sleeping car which is Amtrak's version of First Class service with sleeping accommodations, dedicated restrooms/shower facilities, and all meals included. If your budget permits, it may be worth considering the sleeping car especially with a family.

Yes there is BOTH a lounge car and a full service dining car. The lounge car is basically an open counter-service type area where you can purchase snacks, beverages, pre-packaged meals, etc. The full service dining car on the other hand is a full service sit-down restaurant with waiter service and meals prepared in a kitchen. Both cars offer meals service for all meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Keep in mind that the dining car requires reservations which you can book with the train staff once you are on the train.

Hope this helps!

 

[Capt_BJ]

190 pages

all about auto train: https://www.disboards.com/threads/all-about-the-autotrain.402667/

 

[deedeew80]

I think that's a great idea and it will make your trip home so much more enjoyable and relaxing! I am huge proponent for Amtrak and train travel in general, IMHO it is sadly one of the most under-rated methods of travel in the US. To answer your questions;

To my knowledge, I do not believe that there is a dedicated area for parties with children or vice versa. There are two seating options on the auto train, you can either purchase standard coach seats in the main car (similar to airline seating) where you would be sitting with other passengers or your can purchase a private "roommette" or "suite" in a sleeping car which is Amtrak's version of First Class service with sleeping accommodations, dedicated restrooms/shower facilities, and all meals included. If your budget permits, it may be worth considering the sleeping car especially with a family.

Yes there is BOTH a lounge car and a full service dining car. The lounge car is basically an open counter-service type area where you can purchase snacks, beverages, pre-packaged meals, etc. The full service dining car on the other hand is a full service sit-down restaurant with waiter service and meals prepared in a kitchen. Both cars offer meals service for all meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Keep in mind that the dining car requires reservations which you can book with the train staff once you are on the train.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much! I loved the train as a kid!! It was so fun! We met a lot of wonderful people. Unfortunately, our budget will only allow us to ride coach. This was a last minute decision to look into doing. Our trip is 11/23-12/1. Does the price to ride include dinner and breakfast? I know it use to. Wasn’t sure if it’s now something you need to purchase separately or not. Thanks again for your response!

 

[deedeew80]

190 pages

all about auto train: https://www.disboards.com/threads/all-about-the-autotrain.402667/

I did see that but I wasn’t sure how up to date the info was. It says it was last updated in 2008! Lol! Thank you!

 

[Capt_BJ]

last post is dated
Sep 21, 2018

https://www.disboards.com/threads/all-about-the-autotrain.402667/page-190#post-59768234

 

[MrKnight]

Thanks so much! I loved the train as a kid!! It was so fun! We met a lot of wonderful people. Unfortunately, our budget will only allow us to ride coach. This was a last minute decision to look into doing. Our trip is 11/23-12/1. Does the price to ride include dinner and breakfast? I know it use to. Wasn’t sure if it’s now something you need to purchase separately or not. Thanks again for your response!

Yes you are correct actually, meals are included for ALL auto train passengers

 

[deedeew80]

last post is dated
Sep 21, 2018

https://www.disboards.com/threads/all-about-the-autotrain.402667/page-190#post-59768234

Yes, I understand that, but the very 1st page of the thread which has all the info hasn’t been updated in 10 years. When I have some free time I will look through the 190 pages of comments!

 

[Capt_BJ]

maybe you should look at the last 2 or 3 pages . . . . these with the most recent info

 

[dromio42]

Dinner and breakfast are still included. You can see the menus at amtrak.com. We always bring water and snacks and sometimes bring our last Earl of Sandwich instead of dinner. We also bring our own pillows (Target $4, throw away when done). Much better than no pillow or mini train pillow.

 

[shafke]

I think that's a great idea and it will make your trip home so much more enjoyable and relaxing! I am huge proponent for Amtrak and train travel in general, IMHO it is sadly one of the most under-rated methods of travel in the US. If you have not ridden it in quite sometime, you will be pleased to find that both the Sanford and Lorton stations are newly renovated with spacious indoor waiting areas and facilities.

To answer your questions;

To my knowledge, I do not believe that there is a dedicated area for parties with children or vice versa. There are two seating options on the auto train, you can either purchase standard coach seats in the main car (similar to airline seating) where you would be sitting with other passengers or your can purchase a private "roommette" or "suite" in a sleeping car which is Amtrak's version of First Class service with sleeping accommodations, dedicated restrooms/shower facilities, and all meals included. If your budget permits, it may be worth considering the sleeping car especially with a family.

Yes there is BOTH a lounge car and a full service dining car. The lounge car is basically an open counter-service type area where you can purchase snacks, beverages, pre-packaged meals, etc. The full service dining car on the other hand is a full service sit-down restaurant with waiter service and meals prepared in a kitchen. Both cars offer meals service for all meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Keep in mind that the dining car requires reservations which you can book with the train staff once you are on the train.

Hope this helps!

One correction here... You select your dining time when you check in at the station. There are usually 4 times to choose from... 4:30, 6, 7:30, 9:00 (I think it used to be 5 7 and 9). For breakfast there is no assigned seating time. The longest I think we have waited to be seated at breakfast was about 10 minutes or so.

 

[kaytieeldr]

maybe you should look at the last 2 or 3 pages . . . . these with the most recent info

Yup. I did exactly this, and not even counting the actual response to the OP's questions, pretty much all of them were covered in the third most recent pages.