Autotrain Questions

[Teacher510]

I'm leaving from NJ on a Friday in Aug. for Lorton, Va. I live near Giants Stadium. Anyone driven from that area able to give me an idea on how long it would take? I'd like to get there with time to spare in the event of unforeseen circumstances I was figuring on 6 AM with a stop for breakfast and lunch once we get there.
Also, How many carry-on pieces per person? What size?
Are you able to change clothes easily? Are the coach seats tough on the back for sleeping?
Any other info I've forgotten would be great! Thanks

 

[gofenmom]

Hi! Beside being a 3rd/4th grade math and science teacher, my family and I are veteran AutoTrain travelers. We started using it in 95 and have gone to FL once or twice every year since. Our first few trips were in coach. However now we spend the extra money for a deluxe or family room. We feel more rested when we upgrade to a sleeper.
The coach seats are roomy and comfortable. In fact I have slept curled up on the floor. You have the option of selecting a seat on the bottom floor in the handicapped area for an extra fee. There is a large area in the front of the HC area where my kids have slept on the floor. All of the rest of the seats are on the upper level. You travel from your car to all other cars on this upper level.
We have always taken:
pillows (they give you a small one and collect it early in the am along with a blanket)
a throw for each of us (sometimes it can be chilly)
a small cooler with water, juice, soda, and ice
snacks,gum (They do have a snack bar - prices are higher.)
wash cloth, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste
change of clothes
CD/tape player, hand held games, books (a teacher's delight to be able to read things beside children's papers)
medicine (We always take a survival pack. I can remember on one trip they made an announcement for children's tylenol.)
We travel from New Castle, DE. I takes us at least 2hrs and 30 minutes from 95 in Northern DE. Knowing the way traffic is I allow myself much more time. The worst trip we had was when there was a 15 mile back-up on the beltway around DC. I was on the cell phone to Amtrak-I was sure we would miss the train. We made it with only minutes to spare. How we go over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and take the first exit and use Rt 1 past Fort Belvoir, then right onto 642 to
the AutoTrain station in Lorton. With this route I don't have to do the drop off 495 onto 95 South.
I know this is a long post. Hope it answers some of your questions. Feel free to pm us if you have additional questions..

 

[Teacher510]

Thanks so much! I also teach 4th grade-at least in my full time teaching job-lots of part time ones! When can I request lower seats? When we check in or now by phone? I'm sure that we will have lots of ??? as the time gets closer. Thanks for the pm invitation. I'm about 2 hrs. from you (used to spend part of the summer with my cousin in Newark, De.) so that helps with time. Thanks again!

 

[JudithM]

We take the Autotrain once in awhile to & /or from WDW. I don't have any idea how long it might take you to get to Lorton, VA, but there is a lot of construction in the Springfield, VA area on the interstate. Also, keep in mind that Fridays in the Baltimore/Washington area are "down the beach" days. Ideally traffic should be going in the opposite direction as you.

The Autotrain is two levels. The rest rooms & the handicapped area are on the bottom level. The coach seats, dining car, movies, etc. are upstairs. If you have children, then you will be given seats in the "family" section. They try to put children/families together. When you check in you pick what time you would like dinner. At dinner you have about three choices for an entree - one is usually a vegetarian dish. Food has always been fine. We usually bring a variety of drinks - juices, sodas, water & some snacks.

We usually bring our own pillows; any medication we might need; reading material - books, magazines; deck of cards, etc. People also bring slippers, change of clothes. etc.

 

[JudithM]

If you need seats in the lower section for medical reasons, then you should request that NOW (or when you make a reservation). This is one of my pet peeves with Amtrak right now. I was recently diagnosed with a knee condition & should not do stairs. I made reservations & when I went to pay for them I asked to have seats downstairs & found out it would cost me almost $100 for for two adults. I felt that was discriminating. I am going on the Autotrain with some friends. When I made the reservation, the reservationist tried to charge me more again. I asked to speak to a supervisor. She put me on hold, & when she finally retunred she said everyone was busy, blah, blah, blah. I told her I would continue to hold. Well, all of a sudden she could make an exception "this once" & let me have seats downstairs for the less expensive price I was quoted upstairs. Moral of the story - buyer beware!

 

[gofenmom]

I had purchased tickets for mid July and then due to car problems (major car company repurchased our lemon) I am now forced to take our van. Therefore, more money and a van space. Of course none available for our date of travel. So I had to rebook. Well it ended up saving me since there is now a 30% savings on the ticket price through Amtrak. I wasn't charge a change fee I guess because I was upgrading to a van space. By calling back several times one ticket agent saved me another $70 with AAA discount on the van. Going 2 days earlier - oh the pain of spending extra days in Disney. I always call several times and check rates. Often later at night you will get a nice agent that will check rates for you and try to find the best deal.
If you have older children or just adults you can request an adult car. Even when my children were 14 and 9 I would request an older car.
I always asked about the lower area when I arrived. However, we have been doing a sleeper for the last few years. I don't know if they still allowed it but if the train wasn't too crowded we would spread out after the train started moving. We tried to avoid the seats next to the stairs since people will be using them all the time. The earlier you arrive the more choice you have on dining times and seats. When you check in don't be afraid to ask where and what type of car they are seating you. (more adult or young children)
We are near Newark. But we often take 301 on the way to Lorton and then come home by 95.
If you ever want pen pals, my partner (best friend) and I teach 3rd and 4th grade classes. She teaches all the literacy and social studies and I do the math and science. I have a 4th grade homeroom and she has the 3rd graders. We switch students in the middle of the day. Our children are in families, so they stay together for 4 years. Families are clustered together in the same area.
Hope you have a great time.
Georgiana

 

[RustManFan]

I have taken the auto train from Somerset County, NJ about 6 or 7 times. When we go the busier seasons we drive down to the Alexandria, Virginia area the night before and stay at a Red Roof Inn we located the first time. Eleviates the anxiety about getting to Lorton on time ! It is so much more relaxing to have a leasurely breakfast and then head out.

My sister won't fly and often goes with me (and my kids). Great way to have your own car along with you. When my kids were younger I paid $29 round trip for each of them !! Always use my AAA discount.

Like everyone else, bringing your own pillow is a must. Besides that we each bring a backpack on the train. You don't want to be carting too much stuff around 'cause they really want you to hurry and put the stuff in the car and exit when you reach your destination. Oh, and the small cooler if a must !!

Wish I was ready to make some reservations..... oh well, going to Scotland and England this fall so WDW has to wait 'til 2002 !

 

[Teacher510]

Georgiana,
The pen pal idea sounds like fun. I like the family idea, too. I hate letting mine go(most years!).
I'm wondering if I should ask about the 30%. We booked VERY early and got a good rate with AAA ($948 for 3 adults and 1 child including car). Is the discount on the highest price? It might be more than I paid. What do you think?
Thanks again!

 

[JudithM]

When I called Amtrak about two weeks ago they were offering 30% each adult ticket. I don't remember the travel restrictions (like when you could go). At that time I was told the sale was on through June 15. I posted that information on this board at the time. You could call Amtrak & ask about the sale. The 30% off was the best deal I have ever gotten on athe Autotrain!

 

[gofenmom]

I would call them and price a reservation on the same dates with the same number of people. Mention the 30% discount I had a code # H146 . They mention a 30 per person change fee, but as I said the lady at the train station in Wilmington did not charge me the $90 If I had been able to keep the same dates I paid for and added the van instead of a car it would have cost me $410 more. (Difference between car and van.) By cancelling the orginal dates and rebooking 2 days earlier using the 30% discount and 10% AAA discount on the van I only paid $198 more. Believe me that I called at least 5 times just checking on the price with different agents. Just before leaving for the station in Wilmington to get the new tickets I called again. That agent gave me the 10% discount on the van. It pays to call. They will hold reservation(s) for you. I also signed up for Guest Rewards (free and you received 500 points for signing up on line.) Then you get 2 pts for each dollar. Try www.amtrak.com for the link for Guest Rewards.
Georgiana

 

[Disenchanted9k]

Thanks for the tip! I signed up.

 

[Teacher510]

Sorry! Meghan is myDD. I thought that she had logged out! Thanks again!

 

[gofenmom]

bump