Autotrain Veterans --- how do you get a good deal?

[MinMouse]

We've driven to WDW 5 times and are thinking that's what we're doing for our upcoming November trip (Just flew PHL to MCO SW earlier this month for $120 rt). I've priced the autotrain and I could probably fly for the price I was quoted. Over $600 for our family of four. That's one-way in coach seats. We thought we would drive down and are considering auto-train for the return. Anyway I can get it cheaper?

 

[MinMouse]

Any autotrainers out there?

 

[MeggerasMa]

We are driving down and returning via the Autotrain. This will be our first trip doing it that way. What the folks from Autotrain told me was that the farther out you book the less expensive. They explained it this way - there are so many slots for vehicles at the cheapest price level, so many at the next higher price level and so on. When the least expensive level is sold out, they move to the next level. I had been watching the prices prior to booking and this seemed to be accurately reflected on-line. They do offer several discount programs such as AAA, senior and student rates I think. We are very excited about trying the train, especially because the drive home after a great vacation(and back to real life)is such a let down and sooooooooo long! Wishing you well with your trip planning!

 

[MinMouse]

So what's a good deal? Since it's our first time considering it I don't know what's considered cheap. It will be our family of four -- DH, DD12, DD9 and me. Thanks!

 

[J/T Gramdma]

WE got our tickets in January for November. We got our suv on for $135.00 and it is different prices for people and coach seats or rooms. Each is an add on price. you can go to amtrak and try different ways to get the cheapest travel. for our four it is about $1100 round trip but we added first class but coach is definitly cheaper.

 

[fac]

I have never tried Autotrain, but have been checking the price. I love trains but DH does not, with the cheap air fares now it is difficult to sell the idea to DH.

From what I found, Autotrain has summer promo for kids ride free, hence if I were to go in the summer, it would be around 600 to 700 with a car. you may want to try http://www.flyertalk.com under "miles and points" for discussion on discount quote.

 

[MeggerasMa]

For DH and I with sleeping quarters and a regular size car the total was $444.00. I don't think that is too bad considering the dinner and breakfast are also included. We'd have spent that easily w gas prices, eating on the road and a hotel for one night. (We don't do the drive anymore without stopping at least once). Also, since we've never traveled by train for any length of time, it will allow us to see if this would be a mode of travel to investigate for future trips. (Another thing - DH refuses to fly).

 

[Cupmom]

I agree with booking early. I booked in April for our Aug. 2006 trip. There are 2 adults/2 kids 13,5. We also have a SUV. We wanted our own bathroom so we had to book 2 one bedroom sleepers. I think the wall can be moved so it is one larger room. The price when I booked was $894. that was only $26 more then the family bedroom and then we would have no bathroom. I just checked the website today and the cost was $300 more. Thank God I booked when I did.

 

[QueenGoblin]

If the free kids promo is still going on that would be a good deal for you. We got our tix in May for a September trip. Two adults and one child, coach, regular sized car, round trip and it came out to a little over $600. That was better than any of the airfare deals we were finding at the time out of PHL (especially when you start figuring in things like extended parking costs, etc.). When you calculate mileage/gas, a hotel, and meals on the road it came out to be kind of the same as driving, but we get to sleep through most of the trip and put our feet up. There is a promo code on the amtrak website for the kids ride free promotion. The AAA rate is pretty good too.
This will be our first autotrain trip and we are kind of looking forward to the adventure!
Have fun!

 

[MinMouse]

Thanks so much for all the helpful tips. I guess I didn't mention that we're driving a minivan so that raises the price a bit. I checked out the kids ride free promo . . . it ends Oct 3 and we're traveling in early November Trying to check out the AAA discount by Amtrak site is having trouble this evening. Guess I'll try again later.