Has anyone used Auto train?

[Camping Griswalds]

We live in MD and are looking at various ways to travel to WDW. We can drice (about16-18 hours) fly (expensive, but quicker, but no car at WDW) or newly suggested the Auto Train. Has anyone tried this? Th anks

 

[lsayd]

We also live in MD - about 1 hour from Lorton (depending on traffic of course!). On our last trip in August we considered the auto train home (we drove down) since the relatives we were vacationing with in FL were taking the train home. Well, after weighing the extra time it would take by train (we figured it would take approx 21 - 22 hrs. since it's an hour to Sanford, then you must be there 2 hours early so they can load your car, 16.5 hr. train ride, and hour to unload the car and an hour home - we can drive in at most 15 hours) and the expense (it was about $800 - we were 3 adults and 2 children, and this was with a deal where the children went for free) we decided to drive and skip the train. Granted we were tired driving home, but with 2 drivers we took turns, and we were home to sleep in our own beds that night (we left FL at 7 am). They got to sleep in their seats on the train (they opted not to get a sleeping car due to cost). Well, they all said it was an experience and they would NEVER do it again (the only one who enjoyed it was a 5 year old). They did not find it enjoyable at all. I know others find it fun, but I was certainly glad we skipped on the train after hearing how much they disliked it!

If you search for airfare and rental car deals (check out mousesavers.com) it may be cheaper to fly and rent a car than to take the train. We are flying on SW out of BWI (got a ding rate of $625 for 6 tickets) and renting a car (National $238 for 6 days) for our next trip in Dec, which comes out less that we would pay for 6 of us to take the train.

 

[heathriel]

When I moved to Florida from Annapolis, I totally took the Auto Train. It was so fun!

Had a sleeper car, though, and there was a private lounge. There is absolutely nothing worth seeing out the window through the entire trip.

The round trip AAA rail fare though, for two adults and 3 children (random guess) is $444 and car is $353. It was another $550 for the Family Bedroom roundtrip.

(If you wanted to go the train route and don't have AAA, get it.)

 

[Matt'sMom]

We love the Autotrain! Will be taking it both to and from FL this October.

FMI, check out the Autotrain thread (sticky) on the Transportation Forum.

 

[NjRon]

Yes, twice. It's cured my fear of flying.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I am a huge fan of the AutoTrain. I am not too fond about the thought of flying, so the train is just the most wonderful thing to me! It can be expensive, if you travel in the same direction as the "snowbirds" - generally costs alot if you are going South in the Fall, and North in the Spring. On most of my trips, I will usually drive one way and take the train the other. On my upcoming October trip, I am only taking the train north from Sanford to Lorton, since it was FAR cheaper than going south! Recently I been going coach which is just fine by me, but this trip I saved up some $$$ for the sleeper.

I know the train is not for everyone, but I love it! I see the train as part of the adventure. I even traveled with my sister and her two DDs last time (ages 10 and 8) and they loved the train, too! It's great just relaxing, watching the scenery and passing through all these little small towns. You can even meet very interesting people on the train - once I ate dinner with an author (named C.W. Bowie) who wrote some children's books (which is VERY cool since I am a librarian!).

Have a great trip, however you get to Disney!