autotrain?

[bones]

has ne1 used the autotrain? how was your experience? any discounts on that?thanks
in doing some online search i've seen autotrain let chidren go free during last summer, is this regular thing for them?

 

[TinkerKat]

I just did Auto Train in August. And will be doing it in three 1/2 weeks for
Feb. 7th Cruise!
Usually there isn't a "sale" per say. Especially during peak seasons! However, I get a great discount with my AAA. The Sleeper cars are a very Steep investment. We travel good ol coach.

The trick to Auto Train is to book as far in advance as possible and if it's a busy week or weekend, kids off and such try to be a little more flexible in your travel dates. In order to book at a great price, I am departing a Week before winter break starts here in NY. Then I am returning on Wednesday during the break.
We are a family of six, and aside from driving to Florida, this is the least expensive option for us. Even with great airfares we'd still need a car to get around and as you know it adds up.
You have to know that Auto train will not allow anyone to book without a car.
They give you dinner... think a step above school cafeteria and a continental breakfast. We usually pack snacks for kids in case they don't like the dinner selections.
In August we were pleasantly surprised at the newer accomodations on the train as opposed to back in 2000. Seats were comfy! And there is electrical outlets for DVD players and Laptops. Alas there is no WIFI. I spent most of my trip downloading pictures and fixing them.

 

[Capt_BJ]

all about autotrain
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=402667

I've done it twice to move a classic car! price was much less then trucking the car and that was in a sleepette

I believe the sleepers and coach get different menus because the food I got both times was surprising good. Choice of Steak, veggie laz'gna, a fish and a chicken as I recall. I had beef both times. Included wine and dessert too ....

The sleepette is a closet but the privacy was much enjoyed. Did it alone one time and with my 19 yoa son once. Kinda tight for two big guys but one could also retire to the lounge car....

Prices are dynamic...yes you must travel with a vehicle, but price is also determined by vehicle size. I have a Mini .. so I travel cheap!

(A Mini ... not a MINI)

 

[bones]

Does ne1 know why the station is in Lorton VA? You would think if they had a station a little North of DC they would be right in the center of the NY, NJ, CT, PA and DC areas, be more centrally located, larger customer base. For me to drive from NY the worst traffic will probably be getting thru DC.
PS-It appears that minivans are "oversized" vehicles a bit more expensive and need to arrive earlier. They state 2 hours prior to departure, is that really neccessary?

 

[wuv tigger]

Not sure what you are asking???

 

[DVC_Chris]

Does ne1 know why the station is in Lorton VA? You would think if they had a station a little North of DC they would be right in the center of the NY, NJ, CT, PA and DC areas, be more centrally located, larger customer base. For me to drive from NY the worst traffic will probably be getting thru DC.
PS-It appears that minivans are "oversized" vehicles a bit more expensive and need to arrive earlier. They state 2 hours prior to departure, is that really neccessary?

Hey Bones,

I have done the auto train numerous times, and in answer to your question about why the station is located in Lorton, VA, rather than somewhere further north, the way it was explained to me is that the tunnels going through Baltimore are not large enough to let the car carriers go through them, and without the car carriers, the auto train would be no different than Amtrak's normal train service.

Two hours prior to departure is, at leat IMHO more than just necessary, it is cutting it a bit close. It takes time to load all the cars into the car carriers, there is a siding with room for about 3 car carriers and then they drive the cars into them. When one car carrier is full, they need to use a train to move it out, and put a fresh one in its location. I have heard stories of people arriving before the train departed but not being allowed onboard because the cars have finished loading already.

What my family does sometimes is drive down the night before and stop somewhere in Baltimore or DC for the night. That way you have half a day to explore there before going onto the train.

 

[Capt_BJ]

Changed?

Actually the stations at both ends now have multiple ramps for loading / unloading as you can see in the Google Earth view of the Lorton Station.

But I can assure you that the process still takes at least two hours to load and usually over an hour to unload as well. Here I am waiting to be last in Sanford

 

[bones]

My intent is to disembark get the family in the car and drive to Sanford on the same day. Train leaves at 4PM I need to be there 2 hours prior (2PM), Even if I get off the ship as late as noon, will that fit my time frame? Any problems that you can foresee?

 

[Anal Annie]

Haven't used it but have heard positive things about it. Not necessarily cheaper than flying for us and still need to allow for a days travel time each way.

I just priced it for Sat Aug 15 (arrive on Sun Aug 16 in FL) and returning on Sun Aug 23 (arriving back home on Mon Aug 24). 2 adults, 1 child, 3 regular reserved coach seats (the "family sleepette" was ridiculously expensive), taking one "oversized" vehicle (SUV). It came to $730.50. I think we can fly for a lot less than that and be there in 2 hours. Now...if airfares would jump back up there it might be a choice...but I really think we can fly for closer to $600 for the 3 of us.

 

[bones]

Did you check the amtrak price carefully, that may be a round trip price from what I have seen. Then not only would it be cheaper but I think the kids will enjoy it once in their lives.

 

[Anal Annie]

Did you check the amtrak price carefully, that may be a round trip price from what I have seen. Then not only would it be cheaper but I think the kids will enjoy it once in their lives.

yes, that was for a RT. the price even one way for the sleeper thing with our SUV was well over $800!! i still think $730 RT is higher than what we can fly for. I am sure i can find airfare for closer to $600 RT.

 

[bones]

Family of 5 flying out of Newark or NY and I don't think I can get cheaper than a/t. Even if we saw $99.00 airfare thats over 1k with taxes and all those other security fees, and don't forget parking. I'm not crossing my fingers for $99.00 airfare either. Plus last year Amtrak had special, the kids were free in the summer. Either case I am monitoring all avenues and watching this board.

 

[Capt_BJ]

My intent is to disembark get the family in the car and drive to Sanford on the same day. Train leaves at 4PM I need to be there 2 hours prior (2PM), Even if I get off the ship as late as noon, will that fit my time frame? Any problems that you can foresee?

They really want you off the ship around 9 ... typically they are boarding the next trip b4 noon.... Sanford AMTRAK is about 65 miles from the port. A little over an hour drive depending on the route you take. Plenty of time to get up there and grab lunch b4 heading to the station by 2.

 

[caitlinsdad]

We done the AutoTrain 3 tims to Fl, 2005,2006 &20007

Faimly Bedroom twice and double sleeper last time, Each time for 2 adults and 1 child plus car. Higherest 1 way was $830

Cheepest for the 3 of use to fly is around 600 and then need to rent car We normaly spend a week or longer in fl before driving home

So flying or Autotrain and driving works out about the same, and we get to see the sites on way home.

It was fun when our daughter was small, but we may drive both ways this time

 

[bridgemanva]

We've done the autotrain several times over the years. Have had a moxed bag of experiences mostly good. We prefer not to travel on Peak times spring break etc. they have been the most challenging experiences.

If you reserve as soon as the fares are released and use discounts AAA/Veteran/Student the fares are generally a wash when you factor in vehicle rental extra luggage charges and the convenience of overnight travel. The best thing about it is the refundability of charges if cancelled 7 daysout with sleeping cars and tickets a & vehicles up to day before departure.

 

[bones]

Refundability is important to keep in mind.

 

[yazee1]

We are a family of five and have taken the Autotrain several times over the past six years. As mentioned before, for a family of a certain size and who live close enough to Lorton, it's cheaper than flying and having to arrange for ground transportation. Given last October's gas prices, it was even cheaper than driving. Last year, the cost for the five of us (in coach) and our mini-van (check your minivan's dimensions, you might qualify as a regular sized vehicle, our Sienna does) was $594.00. I booked the tickets in May for our September trip and we were able to take advantage of the kids-ride-free program. I'm guessing it's not when you travel but when you book that matters.

We find the Auto Train the most hassle-free and comfortable way to travel to Florida. Our children have always enjoyed the experience, even when they were very little. Our daughter was a toddler the first time we traveled by train. If you can enjoy travel with a toddler, that's saying something. We don't have any electronic hand-held games or personal dvd players, but we bring books, cards and games (a small round serving tray is great keeping dice from rolling off a table). Usually, we wind up making friends with other families who want to play too. It really passes the time quickly.

Sleeping on the train isn't so bad even if you don't rent a sleeper. We've done both. I can't say I slept better in the narrow berth than in the reclining seat in coach. When the kids were really little, we booked two sleepers, one in which the two youngest shared the lower berth and I would sleep in the upper berth. The other, dh and oldest ds would use. Now that all the kids are old enough to sleep in coach, we do just fine there. The seats are wide and recline. I think I remember pillows and blankets onboard but we bring our own pillow and little blankets. I also bring ear plugs and my eye shade. So far, we've never arrived in Florida feeling tired or fatigued like we do the times we've driven or keyed-up and weary from the airport experience the times we flew. We get off the train feeling like our vacation began the minute we set foot on the train.

As for the food, maybe we don't have refined palettes, but we thought the dinner was pretty good. By the way, coach passengers have the same menu as those in other categories. We've eaten steak, salmon, lasagna, and chicken as coach passengers. Maybe the difference was the complementary wine with dinner. I don't remember if that was offered when we booked coach.

If you haven't already, check out the transportation board for posts about the Auto Train. People have posted a lot of good advice about how to make your kids and yourself most comfortable on the train, pictures and accounts of their trips on the Auto Train.

P.S. We found out the hard way that tickets are refunded up to the time of travel. With several hours to kill between getting off the ship and boarding the train, we decided to go to the movies and have lunch in Orlando. We underestimated how long it would take to get to Sanford from that part of Orlando and wound up missing the check in deadline by fifteen minutes. I didn't expect a refund would be granted and was surprised when the agent, almost in the same breath in which she informed me that we were too late to check in, told me the tickets would be refunded. It took a few days to show up on my credit card, but all the money was refunded.

 

[bones]

Thanks Yazee, your predicament sounds much like mine. I'm a bit surprised about the Sienna though, I have an Odyssey and thought they would be around the same size, yet according to Honda specs my Ody does not meet A/T standards for regular size. Not only is regular size cheaper but it seems like you can arrive later with vehicle and not endup standing around so much. I'm gonna go and check back.

 

[yazee1]

I booked the tickets in May for our September trip and we were able to take advantage of the kids-ride-free program. I'm guessing it's not when you travel but when you book that matters.

I spoke incorrectly about the deadline for travel. I stumbled across an article, written in a travel magazine, in April of 2008, which said, " Reservations can be made now through June 6 for travel between June 1 and Sept. 30 in sleeping car accommodations. The promotion allows two children to ride free with each full-fare paying adult. To use the offer, you must book at least seven days in advance. Some blackout dates and seat restrictions may apply.

I'm not sure about how strict Amtrak is that sleeping car accommodations are necessary since we didn't book sleeping car arrangements but still didn't have to pay for the kids.

 

[bones]

I just checked Toyota and Honda websites, are vehicles are practically Identical in dimensions and going back to A/T website I believe they should be oversized. Did anyone actually measure your vehicle? Did they look at your ticket and see what you paid for vehicle? I'm thinking you may have paid regular sized and they didn't even look and just put vehicle onboard??