Infant on Auto Train

[allaboutthemouse]

Hello,
If I am taking an infant on the Auto Train, would I need to hold the infant the entire trip? Do car seats fit onto the seats? I would assume if they did, I would pay for a ticket just like on an airplane? Also, are the coach seats two on each side of the train for each row? Trying to decide how to configure ourselves (family of five) 7 year-old, 4-year-old, and 13 months...Is it better to book two roomettes, one adult per room, or coach seats for all? If you book two roomettes, do they put you next to each other? Help!
Thanks!

 

[allaboutthemouse]

anyone?

 

[nono]

Call the autotrain reservation number. If you book the roomettes, they will do their best to put you next to or across from one another. But, it depends on how the train is already booked. I say call because you can discuss it before committing.

I haven't done coach, so can't help you there.

 

[skoi]

Will they let you do a family room? It's supposed to be for 4 people, but maybe with the two littler ones you can do that? We've done it and it's nice. Four bunks they turn down at night, then put up in the morning when you go to breakfast. I think there were six or eight seats. I'll have to look for my photos.

We've also gone coach with young kids, though our youngest was 27 months at the time. It was September, and the car was nearly empty. We had plenty of room and the trip was pretty good.

 

[bicker]

If I am taking an infant on the Auto Train, would I need to hold the infant the entire trip?

Only if the train is fully-booked, and you don't buy a separate ticket, I suspect.

Do car seats fit onto the seats?

They're big seats, compared to airlines... very big.

I would assume if they did, I would pay for a ticket just like on an airplane?

I think that's a good assumption.

Also, are the coach seats two on each side of the train for each row?

Yes.

Trying to decide how to configure ourselves (family of five) 7 year-old, 4-year-old, and 13 months...Is it better to book two roomettes, one adult per room, or coach seats for all?

If you can afford the upgrade to sleeper accommodations, I would definitely do it.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We traveled on the AT when DS4 was 14 months. We did get a seat for him. There are no seat belts on the AT seats so you can not strap a carseat into the seat. IF you travel in coach you can have you youngest sleep next to you on the seat. Just take the foot rest and pull it all the way up. It will come up and look like a wall. We had ds sleep on a pillow and used the foot rest to keep him on his seat during the night.

we just returned Wednesday from an AT trip. DS 4 is finally able to sleep comfortably on the seats (well the lower part of the seat and foot rest). On our southbound trip we did get a 2 roomettes for 5 of us. I was able to sleep on the lower bunk with ds4 at one end and me at the other. He slept 12 hrs at night both ways on the train! You can always ask if they will allow you to fit 3 in a roomette esp since they youngest is so young. DH works for Amtrak so I am not sure if that is why we were allowed 3 in the room. You can also ask for the rooms to be near each other too. I know on our southbound trip they had 2 rooms available but they were different levels and I couldn't leave DS12 and DS10 by themselves a floor away from me. They were able to get us a roomette for them on the other side of the car.

Call and ask- that would be the best way to find out. If you have any other ?'s let me know. We are returning on the AT in 4 wks for our 8th AT trip! We have traveled with children as young as 14 months - 20yrs old.

Good luck!

 

[musical2]

Will they let you do a family room? It's supposed to be for 4 people, but maybe with the two littler ones you can do that? We've done it and it's nice. Four bunks they turn down at night, then put up in the morning when you go to breakfast. I think there were six or eight seats. I'll have to look for my photos.

We've also gone coach with young kids, though our youngest was 27 months at the time. It was September, and the car was nearly empty. We had plenty of room and the trip was pretty good.

When my twins were 2 years old and my other daughter was 5, they put is in a family room with the five of us. The twins slept on the small bottom bunk, the 5 year old in the top bunk. Me on the Adult top bunk and DW on the bottom adult bunk. It worked great for us.

 

[jodifla]

Hello,
If I am taking an infant on the Auto Train, would I need to hold the infant the entire trip? Do car seats fit onto the seats? I would assume if they did, I would pay for a ticket just like on an airplane? Also, are the coach seats two on each side of the train for each row? Trying to decide how to configure ourselves (family of five) 7 year-old, 4-year-old, and 13 months...Is it better to book two roomettes, one adult per room, or coach seats for all? If you book two roomettes, do they put you next to each other? Help!
Thanks!

There are no seat belts on trains to secure the car seat, though.