Please tell me about your personal experiences with the Autotrain..

[C.Ann]

I'm considering going this route next January as I'm planning an extended stay in Florida - far too long to consider a rental car..

I would have to drive down to VA from Albany, NY and according to map quest, it would be about a 6 and a half hour drive..

My big concern is motion sickness as I have heard that this particular train sways far more than normal.. Several years ago I had to ride a regular train for a distance of 200 miles or so and did fine with that but now I'm wondering just how bad the autotrain is..

And for anyone who has a tendency towards motion sickness, what is the BEST medication one can take for it?

Thanks all!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

When I moved here, I took the Autotrain down. It was my first time on a train, and I loved it. I splurged, and got a private berth area, which was very very small, but it was nice to have a comfortable place to sleep -- which is what I did for most of the trip. I was on the top floor, and I never noticed any swaying... but *shrug* I imagine if you get a lower floor area, theres less swaying.

I never took advantage of the movie car or the lounge car, but I did have dinner. It was actually very good food.

 

[Ms. Belle]

I've taken the autotrain several times. The swaying motion doesn't cause me to get motion sick, but at times it does scare me because it can really start swaying from side to side. At night, I have to take a tylenol PM or I won't get to sleep at all. I also reserve a bedroom with a bathroom in it for privacy. The autotrain is fun, you meet alot of nice people.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I have taken the AutoTrain solo many times. I am afraid to fly, so I think the AutoTrain is absolutely wonderful! I never notice the swaying much, unless we are going fast over a switch in the tracks. I see the train as part of the vacation. If I have the money, I love getting the little two-seater bedroom. I have also gone coach several times. Luckily I had no one assigned next to me so I could spread out. I usually read a good book, eat dinner, hang in the lounge, and then sleep! When you wake up, you're almost there!

Also, you can meet some neat people on the train! One time I ate dinner with an children's book author named C.W. Bowie, who wrote a book for young children called "Busy Toes", which is quite cool, since I now work in a library and we have her book!

I love the train, and have tickets for my next trip in April.

 

[FLPrincessMom]

We took the auto train in September and had a great time! I got the family room which is on the lower level of the train. The only real problem I had wasn't from the swaying but from the bumping!! A couple of times during the night I thought we hit a cow but my husband and my 3 year old twins slept all night long without any problem. Overall it was a great experience and we are going to do it again!