Q, re: Taking the (NOT Auto-) Train to Orlando...

[Therinian]

Most people like to fly or take the AutoTrain, and those are wonderful choices, but my family and I (there are 4 of us) are seriously considering taking the regular train from the closest station to our home all the way into Orlando (which, according to Amtrak, will be the same time/distance as the AutoTrain, lol).

My question: Has anyone ever travelled into the Orlando Amtrak station and rented a car that WASN'T from Hertz? I understand there is a counter (and shuttle service) for Hertz at that location, but I'd like to rent from another company. Have you done this? Did you take a taxi or town car service to the car rental location? What was the cost?

Thank you for reading--and answering!

 

[NJRRK]

Enterprise will pick you up from the Kissimmee station (been there done that) but I don't know about Orlando.

Last time we used regular Amtrak we taxied from Kissimmee, didn't bother with a rental.

 

[Therinian]

I'm finally updating the answer to my own question. I took the Amtrak train to Orlando in April 2011, and when I had difficulties renting a car from Hertz (no surprise there, but I did try!), I discovered that Amtrak has van-shuttle service from the station to anywhere in the Orlando-Kissimmee area.

For $10 a person one-way, my sons and I were able to get a lift from the train station to our hotel in Kissimmee. We didn't use the return service (my cousin, who was in the area at the time, gave us a ride), but it, too, was $10 per person, and could be scheduled the day before by calling the driver directly (he'd given us a card when he dropped us off at the hotel). If I take the train to Orlando again, I'll be sure to use the Amtrak's shuttle service.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Is there something about Hertz that I should know?

We have two rentals scheduled this summer. Thanks!