Motion Sickness on the Auto Train?

[lkaanda]

My family and I are thinking of taking the auto train this February, and I am trying to do some research on how it is. I have found a few posts about the room size etc., but am concerned about the possibility of motion sickness. My son does get motion sickness at times in our van so I am wondering if anyone experienced it on the train. We are planning on getting a sleeping car so the kids can get some rest, how is it sleeping on a train? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[flyfan]

We took the auto-train in April, 2006. My 14 year old son tends to get motion sickness, but did not have any problems. Our biggest issue was delays, apparently for track maintenance. We did not get off the train until after 2pm and it was terribly hot inside the train. That being said, even traveling during the Easter holiday, the train was not what I would consider overly crowded; the employees thought it was really crowded, but it was still way better then airline overcrowding.

~angela

 

[Kim&Chris]

I found sleeping on the train to be pretty easy. Bear in mind that the train rocks quite a bit, which actually helped me sleep. However, if you've got a child who's prone to motion sickness, you might want to take Bonine or something similar - just in case!

 

[MdmMim]

I am prone to motion sickness (car and boat). However, I have never felt ill on the train (having been up and down the east coast 60+ times.)

I agree with the previous poster: the rocking motion of the train puts me to sleep!

 

[lkaanda]

Thank you for the help. I think he should do pretty well but I will talk to his pediatrician ahead of time to see if there is anything he can take to help, he is only 7. Also, did any of you get a family room? If so, do you think there is anyway of using our bed rails or something to help keep the kids from falling off the top beds? They are 7 and 4, and I am afraid of them falling off in the middle of the night. We would probably put my daughter on one of the bottom bunks and my son and I would take the top 2.

 

[madhouserobey]

both upper bunks have cargo like nets .had my dd 5 and ds4 sleep on upper bunks last nov no problems .

 

[bdcp]

We took the auto train rt to FL last Nov. I didn't have any problems. After a week in WDW, we boarded a ship and that evening I got sea sick. Everyone has their motion, but I found the train to be very smooth. I've taken Amtrak north to NY and RI and that is a much more rocky ride and that didn't bother me either. I found the Auto Train to be pretty smooth. I think it's really rare that someone gets motion sick on the train. Just have him avoid reading.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I haven't taken the Auto Train but have been across the country on Amtrak a few times. I get terrible motion sickness and the only things that would set me off were trying to read if I looked down at the book (lying back and holding it so I had to look up was fine) and if I looked out the window when another train was passing. Sleeping was just fine.

 

[disneysnob]

Don't do it!!!! We just drove down to Disney from Boston, and then thought we'd take the Autotrain back. We we're literally on the train for 24 hours!!! Instead of arriving in VA at 8:30, we were delayed and didn't get in until 3:00 Our car came off about an hour later. We've driven back and fourth twice before, so we thought we'd try something different. Amtrak is also having a "kids go free" sale, so we gave it a shot. NEVER AGAIN!!!! I'd much rather drive I-95 then be stuck on the train-not moving, or going, at most, 10 mph!!! After about 2 hours, the novelty of the train wore off for my three kids. Our only silver lining was that we'd be off in the morning....but, lo and behold, that didn't happen! It was a very frustrating adventure. Needless to say, we pulled into our driveway at 2:30 am, the next day.It was our first-AND LAST-Autotrain (and Amtrak) trip.....live and learn.

 

[bdcp]

Don't do it!!!! We just drove down to Disney from Boston, and then thought we'd take the Autotrain back. We we're literally on the train for 24 hours!!! Instead of arriving in VA at 8:30, we were delayed and didn't get in until 3:00 Our car came off about an hour later. We've driven back and fourth twice before, so we thought we'd try something different. Amtrak is also having a "kids go free" sale, so we gave it a shot. NEVER AGAIN!!!! I'd much rather drive I-95 then be stuck on the train-not moving, or going, at most, 10 mph!!! After about 2 hours, the novelty of the train wore off for my three kids. Our only silver lining was that we'd be off in the morning....but, lo and behold, that didn't happen! It was a very frustrating adventure. Needless to say, we pulled into our driveway at 2:30 am, the next day.It was our first-AND LAST-Autotrain (and Amtrak) trip.....live and learn.

I'm sorry YOU had a bad experience but most who take the Auto Train love it. Usually the delay is no more than 2-3 hours and it's totally out of Amtrak's control because they do not own the tracks. We never felt "stuck" on the train. Everyone we saw on board was having a good time. And, sometimes I-95 is moving at no more than 10 mph. There's quite a few people who travel the train route every year and have done it many times. We met some great people and enjoyed the whole experience and we're doing it again this fall. I'm assuming you didn't get motion sick? That's what this thread is about, not whether you loved the train or not!

 

[Capt_BJ]

Don't do it!!!! We just drove down to Disney from Boston, and then thought we'd take the Autotrain back. We we're literally on the train for 24 hours!!! Instead of arriving in VA at 8:30, we were delayed and didn't get in until 3:00 Our car came off about an hour later. We've driven back and fourth twice before, so we thought we'd try something different. Amtrak is also having a "kids go free" sale, so we gave it a shot. NEVER AGAIN!!!! I'd much rather drive I-95 then be stuck on the train-not moving, or going, at most, 10 mph!!! After about 2 hours, the novelty of the train wore off for my three kids. Our only silver lining was that we'd be off in the morning....but, lo and behold, that didn't happen! It was a very frustrating adventure. Needless to say, we pulled into our driveway at 2:30 am, the next day.It was our first-AND LAST-Autotrain (and Amtrak) trip.....live and learn.

Yep - good to know ya can't have this happen on an airplane getting stuck I mean.

Nor when driving your own vehicle ... 'cept last weekend when they shut down I-95 to one lane crossing the Wilson Bridge in DC. Or if say, you should have a mechanical problem....

Hey - problems happen everywhere...

I did have a problem sleeping on the Autotrain my last trip. I'm a very light sleeper and luck of the draw my car was the first after the engines... That bleepin' horn went off almost as frequently as the fog signal on my ship in pea soup.... I tried to drown it with headphones but don't have those fancy noise cancelling ones. Next time, ear plugs. Or more libation b4 bed