Autotrain from Lorton Va

[cottontail]

Hello:

Has anyone had experience with taking the autotrain to florida. Just wondering how you found the experience and if there are discounts around. I do not fly so I am looking for ways around the long drive for hubby.

Thanks,

Deb.

 

[highland3]

We just took the Auto Train in the other direction.

One word of advice.... DO NOT GO COACH!!!!

Trains in both directions leave at 4:00pm and arrive at the other end by 8:30-9:00am. It virtually cut the drive in half for us.

The service was excellent and the food was great.

But... I would definitely recommend you look at roomettes (cheapest upgrade) or a bedroom. How many family members do you have?

DS and I took a tour and the roomettes seemed perfect.

The coach seats recline and there are leg rests... but it's just not very comfortable. When people would be travelling between cars, it was quite noisy when the doors were open. None of us got much sleep (other than the 7 yr old who could still curlup in the seat.

If you have CAA there is a discount. You can also get a discount if you get an Orlando Magicard, through the travel and convention centre. It's free and it gets you some excellent discounts around Orlando and Kissimmee.

 

[cottontail]

Hi: We just drove back and forth to wdw the last week of feb and first week of march. So did you drive one way to wdw and take the train back. What are the washrooms like on the train?

We were thinking of some type of room that will sleep three adults but with a washroom. I bet though it will cost us a fortune.

We are not sure whether we would take the train both ways I guess it depends on what it costs. This will be for our next trip probably a year november.

Any other tips are appreciated.

Thanks,

Deb.

 

[highland3]

We drove down on March 1st and took three days to get to Orlando. Then we left Orlando on the 14th and were home the next day.

The bathrooms were typical train/airplane bathrooms, athough they did have a couple of larger rooms, allowing for people to get changed. All bathrooms are located on the lower level of the coach cars.

I think you're right... a bedroom big enough for 3 might be pretty pricey. You might be better off booking two roomettes, adjacent or across the corridor from each other.

The Auto Train is not a cheap option. We paid appr. $600 for our vehicle (considered oversized), two adults and two kids.

I had read about it and decided to try it. It would really pay off if you gt a good night's sleep.

Make sure to take your own snacks and drinks, take extra blankets and definitely take your own pillows.

 

[cottontail]

Hi: What type of vehicle did you take that was oversize. Just wondering if a minivan is considered oversize?

We drove from hamilton to columbia sc 12 hrs then 7 and a half hours to orlando the next day
. Coming home we were trying to beat the big snowstorm we drove 15 hrs from orlando to grove city, pa stayed over then left on the friday of the snowstorm at 8.30 a.m. the storm was just beginning there and we were home in four hours, no storm in hamiilton til supper time.

My hubby hates the drive home so maybe that one is the one for us to try, then it is eight hours back to hamilton from lorton va.

Deb.

 

[highland3]

We drive a GMC Canyon... a small pick-up truck. If you go to the Amtrak website it gives you the breakdown about vehicle size. (Search Auto Train from the main amtrak site).

I agree... driving down was okay, but WDW, Seaworld and the rest of this type of vacation aren't very relaxing and I wanted a more "restful" trip home.

Our 1st day we drove from the Ottawa area to Richmond, VA. The next day we drove (almost) to Savannah, GA (with a major side trop to Myrtle Beach) and the third day it was just a few hours to WDW.

 

[Vijoge]

We were thinking of some type of room that will sleep three adults but with a washroom. I bet though it will cost us a fortune.
Any other tips are appreciated.

Thanks,

Deb.

I think you're right... a bedroom big enough for 3 might be pretty pricey. You might be better off booking two roomettes, adjacent or across the corridor from each other.

There is no bedroom on an Amtrak train that will sleep three adults. An economy bedroom sleeps two adults, a deluxe bedroom sleeps two adults, and a family bedroom (on trains that have them) sleeps two adults and two small children.

 

[Marcy Mouse]

I did a return trip on the auto train and had a blast. It was a girls trip so we spent most of the night in the bar car listening to music and drinking.

This was three years ago and at the time there were some great savings.

I go either 20 or 25% off with the orlando magic card. you can call and see if they still have that deal - the card is free and you can print a copy off the web site. Just search orlando magic card.

Now we did go coach but I did my research and booked the bottom level at no extra cost. I remember the guy giving me a bit of a hard time but when I told him there was no extra charge if I booked on-line he gave the seats to me for the same price.

If cost is a factor try those two suggestions. The bottom floor is much better. You don't have people walking by you to get to the bathroom which is right outside your bottom floor coach seats. The door is solid with black out glass so no light or noise gets through.

Just note that it can get a little bumpy at times. On the way back I was awaken from a pretty deep sleep because of a big bang.

I know that for three of us in a car return was around $500.00 us that was with the discount - worth every penny. It includes a nice dinner and a not so nice breakfast.

Hope that helps PM me if you have any more questions.

Regards,
Marcy from PEI now living in Ontario

 

[Stittsville]

Here is the website:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321200&ssid=136

Prices vary a lot even from week to week.

Keep in mind that there is always an upper bunk, so someone needs to be young enough -- or spry enough -- to get up there.

We went there sleeper class, and return coach (due to price difference). Did not like coach and would not do it again.

 

[Vijoge]

Keep in mind that there is always an upper bunk, so someone needs to be young enough -- or spry enough -- to get up there.

I'm nearly 60 with very bad hips and knees and I can still get up there. It's pretty easy.

 

[Scornelius]

We're taking the auto train for out September trip. It's costing $800 for the return trip with a regular car in a superliner roomette both ways. Apparantly when you upgrade from coach your food is included in the price.
The auto train was the perfect choice for us. We get a mini road trip, a private train ride and well have our own car in Florida so we can actually tour around some. And the cost is WAAAAAY less than anything I found flying out of toronto. We paid nearly that much to fly out of Buffalo last time.

Oops, I forgot one thing. That price is with a CAA discount.

Only a hundred and seventy some-odd days to go!!

 

[highland3]

Dinner and breakfast are also included with the coach fare.

 

[Stittsville]

Dinner and breakfast are also included with the coach fare.

Yes, but the food is better in sleeper class. We also had a welcome wine and cheese when we got on (sleeper class). I'm not sure if this is usual, or was just something special that day/week.