Autotrain one way Questions

[AnnaS]

Sorry guys - search is down.

We are still considering driving down but are now also considering taking the autotrain back from Sanford, FL to Lorton, VA. Any feedback/comments, recommendations would be appreciated. (I took amtrak last year from NYC to West Palm Beach - I said if I ever do this again I would get a sleeper).

Do you feel we would still need one for a shorter ride? Are there stops every 30 minutes or less frequent? Restrooms were almost unbearable toward the end of my trip last year. Is the Sanford, Fl station the beginning of this route so that there would not be others already on this train before us (another words, restrooms still clean?). (On the way down, there was never any type of clean-up from the staff, restroom or seats).

Again, I appreciate any info.

 

[DVC Chris]

The Auto-Train ONLY travels between Sanford, FL & Lorton, VA. As such, there are no other stops where passengers get on or off. The train is 'non-stop' between Lorton and Sanford. The train does make a scheduled stop in Florence, SC to change the engineer crew and service the engine. This stop is usually sometime around 11pm and passengers are not allowed to get on or off.

We have always used the sleeper accommodations and agree that this is 'the way to go'. The Auto Train uses 'Superliner' equipment which is a two level train car as opposed to the Viewliner, single-level, train cars which you traveled in from NYC to West Palm. I've heard that the Superliner cars are much roomier.

I have always found the sleeper car restrooms to be clean on the AutoTrain. Furthermore, the train is cleaned at each layover (Lorton or Sanford). In each sleeper car, there are anywhere from 5-15 'standard' bedrooms which share 4 bathrooms (1 upper level, 3 lower level) and a shower room. I've never had to wait for a restroom or to use the shower.

I think that AutoTrain is a great way to go. Unfortunately, I've never taken other long distance Amtrack trains so I don't have anything to compare it to.

If you have any other questions, about the Auto-Train, feel free to ask. We've taken it four times in the last 4 years.

 

[AnnaS]

Thanks DVC Chris. I also was able to do the search this am.

I have convinced my dh to try the autotrain. I wanted to drive down and use the autotrain on the way back. He is actually telling me to book it both ways - my reasoning is - what if we really don't like it and have it already booked.

We are now trying to decide if we should do it both ways (I definitely want to do this on the way back) and if we should get a sleeper (more for the restrooms - less people using them, the cleaner). Like I said on my original post, the restrooms were almost unbearable towards the end (not so much dirty but the smell when flushed).

We also definitely had plenty of room/space on coach. I would not even get a sleeper if the space was the same and bathrooms were better - they should be too with a shorter ride. Thanks a million again.

 

[DVC Chris]

Glad to be of help!

As you probably have read, the fares seem to be the lowest the earlier (farther out) you book. The seem to get more expensive the closer to the travel date.

You may want to consider getting a standard sleeper and then asking for an upgrade (for a fee) at the station on your day of departure to a 'deluxe sleeper'. The deluxe sleepers have their own bathrooms.

I think that Amtraks refund policies are better than the airlines. If I remember correctly, based on your fare, they allow you to cancel or change a ticket and only incur a small fee (maybe $30/ ticket). But you should check this with the ticket agent.

Enjoy & good luck!!!

 

[Credit Man]

Hi, Anna,
I sent you a PM. If you are a AAA member you can get a discount on the AutoTrain. There is also an article about the AutoTrain in this months AAA magazine.

 

[AnnaS]

Yes, Credit Man, I am a AAA member. Did you get your magazine already. Looking forward to receiving it.

My dh wants us to actually do it both ways - still considering a sleeper. We are four, two adults and two children, my oldest will probably fly.

Are the meals included only when you get a sleeper? Which bedrooms have private restrooms? Thanks again.

 

[skoi]

Meals are included with all tickets. We (dh, dd 9, ds 5) have travelled roundtrip on the Autotrain 3 times in the past 3 years, twice in coach. The bathrooms were in good shape-- didn't notice any smell-- the whole trip.

We were in a family sleeper the last time. We liked that much better for the privacy, etc. The deluxe rooms are the ones with the bathroom in the room. I don't think they sleep four, but Amtrak has all that on their website.

Have a good trip. We'll be driving this year.

Julie

 

[DVC Chris]

4 people in a deluxe sleeper would be tight. You would probably do better with the family room, but would not have a private bathroom. However, with the family room, you are on the lower-level, which is where there are 3 out of the 4 bathrooms.

You could also get two deluxe sleepers and have them open the door between the two to create a 'suite', BUT that would be very pricey.

 

[AnnaS]

Thanks everyone, I have just reserved our trip home for 9/1. We decided to go with two standard(?) sleepers across from each other.

We are still planning on driving down, if we change our minds, we can also take the autotrain down coach and if in any way dh is not too thrilled, we have the sleepers coming back. Decisions, decisions - could be worse

Thanks again.