Taking the Amtrak auto train to Florida from the northeast is an option for traveling to the Sunshine State. But is it worth it? What are the pros and cons? Is it really cheaper to take the train? This post explores these questions and shares the author’s experience traveling on the Amtrak auto train from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida.
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Why take the Amtrak auto train to Florida?
The main reason travelers take the Amtrak auto train to Florida is because they prefer not to drive. We go back and forth from New York to Miami every once in a while and the driving can be exhausting. Traffic on the I-95 can be daunting and just sitting in a car for hours on end is exhausting. Friends had taken the auto train and recommended it. “Let’s check out the auto train,” we said. So we began our research and explored options on the auto train.
Auto train cost, tickets and reservations
I have to admit I had a bit of trouble nailing down the price of my ticket. I first identified what I thought was a pretty good price of $89 for coach. A coach seat is one which reclines a bit but not totally flat. You can doze on it but it will be like sleeping on a plane, not very restful. I thought the price seemed reasonable but when I plugged in the date on the Amtrak site, the price shot up. After trying several different dates, I did find a $89.00 coach fare but that was waaaaay in the future. The lesson here is, a good way to save money is to book as far in the future as possible. The $89.00 does not include the price of transporting the car which is an additional $200.00.
The prices for other accommodations also depends on how far in advance you book. The closer the date, the more expensive the fare, similar to what some airlines do.
You can buy your tickets online or at the station.
From a cost perspective, it is not necessarily cheaper to take the train, although it could be. There are many factors to consider. Will you go coach or sleeper accommodation? If you drive, will you linger and take a leisurely, several-day road trip from the northeast to Florida or try to make it in one non-stop drive?
For stark comparison purposes, we were two people in a “roomette” on the auto train. We paid $742.00 for 2 people to go from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida. That’s $542.00 plus $200.00 for the car. We also had a bicycle attached to the back of the car. We were originally coming from New York so we had to drive to Lorton to get on the train. That cost needs to be factored in if you are coming from somewhere other than Lorton. For this comparison, however, we’re just starting from Lorton.
Had we driven from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida, the cost for two people would have been about $350.00 including gas and tolls, one hotel night and food. That’s a $392.00 difference compared to the auto train. Of course there’s the wear and tear of the car and of the passengers. For us it was worth it for the experience but we wouldn’t do it every time we take that route.
Amtrak auto train route.
The train travels non-stop from Lorton, Virginia in the Washington DC area to the city of Sanford, in Central Florida just outside of Orlando, a major tourist destination since that is where Disney World is located. The return route is in the opposite direction, Sanford, FL to Lorton, VA.
How long does the journey take?
The trip takes 17 hours and 29 minutes. That’s just the travel time and does not include the time involved in loading the car into the train at the departure point or unloading it at the destination.
Cars begin loading at 11:30 and loading closes at 2:30. Once you get to the loading area you leave everything in your car except your valuables and a bag or two for what you will need on the train. Then you check-in in the waiting area and are given your ticket to board, dinner menu and dinner time. You wait in the waiting room until boarding. The train actually leaves at 4: pm.
On the other end, it takes another good chunk of time to unload all the cars. Once we arrived in Sanford, it took us an hour and a half before our car was unloaded.
As can be expected, the first cars to load will be the last to unload. For that reason, it makes sense to load your car closer to the loading deadline of 2:30. Just to be on the safe side, being on line at 1:30 to load your car, would mean you won’t have to wait so long to receive it on the other end.
Accommodations on the Amtrak auto train.
Amtrak provides several options for the Lorton, Virginal to Sanford, Florida route. The first is “coach.” This is the most economical option and doable for the almost 18 hour ride but you are still sitting all this time so, if you can afford it, upgrade.
The next option is basically two coach seats in a tiny compartment that pull out to form a bed. The shelf above it pulls down to create a bunk bed so there are two beds in this compartment euphemistically called a “roomette.” This is suitable for two people (two people who really like each other because it’s very small) or one person who wants to sleep in a bed vs a reclining seat. The bathroom is in the hall and shared with other passengers.
Another option is a “family room” suitable for 2 adults and 2 kids. It has private bathroom and shower.
The final option is a “bedroom” which is twice the size of a roomette with in-room bathroom, sink and shower. This is for people who want ample space.
It’s difficult to get a good photo of the compartments because they are so small. The dimensions of the roomette is 3’6″ X 6’6″. We chose the roomette and although yes, it’s cramped, we were fine for the length of the trip.
All sleeper accommodation options come with towels, linens, turndown service, meals, access to the lounge and dining car. There is free wi-fi throughout.
Our cabin attendant, Keith, was very pleasant asking when would be a good time for our turn-down service and answering general questions about the journey.
It is a pleasant ride to Florida as you sit by the window and see the marshes, rivers, farms and towns go by. This was certainly more pleasant than driving and constantly focusing on the road and traffic.
Auto train menu, dining car and lounge.
When you check in you are given a choice of different times to have dinner in the dining car. We chose 7PM. I wanted to check out the lounge so I went there and had a pre-dinner cocktail. The price was a reasonable $8.00. The lounge was inviting with good music – Motown -piped in.
At dinner the menu was certainly adequate with options of steak, fish, chicken, and pasta. All meals come with wine, non-alcoholic beverages and dessert. There is also a children’s menu. All meals are included in the price of a ticket if you choose a sleeper accommodation. If you chose coach, the meal must be paid for separately and you eat in your seat although we were told that in future, holders of coach tickets could eat in the dining car.
Breakfast was a “grab and go” affair of coffee, cereal, milk and juice with a little pound cake eaten in the lounge or at your seat. Again perfunctory and fit for purpose.
Tips for enjoying your Amtrak auto train journey,
- Bring your own pillow or blanket, the beds are a bit hard.
- Download movies and/or a book. Remember the journey is over 17 hours.
- Bring snacks. The meal selection is not large so you might want a snack after the food car closes.
- Bring comfy slip on shoes or flip flops to make bathroom runs.
- Needless to say, if you are in a roomette where the seats turn into bunk beds, the person who uses the bathroom the most at night should be in bottom bunk.
Arriving the night before
If you are arriving at Lorton from a different destination and don’t want to be rushed in order to make the loading time, you may want to consider spending the night in Lorton. There is plenty of accommodation in Lorton, Virginia. We stayed at the Lorton Holiday Inn Express which was 7 minutes away from the train station.
There are also tons of attractions in the area. We visited the old Lorton reformatory which has now be transformed into artist studios called The Workhouse Arts Center which you can visit to see the artists at work and performing. The complex also houses the Lucy Burns Suffragist Museum that tells the story of how women fought for the right to vote. The museum is very well curated and interesting. Behind the museum are the cells where the suffragists were imprisoned and tortured for demonstrating in front of the White House. The museum is free but the prison cells have a $5.00 entrance fee.
We visited attractions in the Lorton area because we didn’t want to travel too far from the Amtrak auto train station, but the area around Lorton is packed with things to do. Visit Fredericksburg, Virginia, an hour away if you love Civil War history. Washington DC is only 30 minutes away. DC is a city you could spend a lifetime in and not get bored.
If you ae going further south beyond central Florida to Miami with its trendy and eclectic Miami neighborhoods or South Beach, that’s an additional 3 and a half hours. Of course there are also tons of cool things to do in the national parks and cities near Miami and the beaches in the area.
What are YOUR thoughts on the Amtrak auto train to Florida? Have you been? Was it a good option for you? Let us know in the comments.
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FAQs
Do you get searched before getting on Amtrak? ›
There are some things you need to know when riding the rails, where the rules are a little different from air travel. Amtrak advises passengers to arrive at the station 45 minutes before departure. Unlike commercial air travel, rail passengers do not undergo intensive security screenings.
How does Amtrak Auto Train work? ›Simply pack your car with everything you need for your trip between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington DC) and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando) and leave the driving behind. Once you're onboard you can break out the cards, enjoy a meal and binge-watch your favorite series.
Can you bring food and water on Amtrak? ›You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges.
How many bags can you bring on the Auto Train? ›Baggage on the Auto Train
Auto Train does not offer checked baggage service, but you may pack baggage inside your vehicle (you may not access your vehicle in route). Each traveler is allowed two carry-on bags.
If the train has been crowded it can take well over an hour until the last car is unloaded. Passengers who chose to pay an extra fee when they made their Auto Train reservations will have their vehicles among the first 30 that are unloaded. On average, expect to wait about 45 minutes before you receive your car.
Do cell phones work on Amtrak trains? ›Your cell phone will work as normal on any Amtrak train. When going through a tunnel you will experience an outage just as you would in a car. On cross country routes you'll go through parts of the country without cell service, and in these parts your phone will not have data or make calls.
What can you not bring on a train? ›The following items are prohibited onboard the train: non-service animals, firearms and ammunition, hover boards, corrosive or dangerous chemicals and materials, incendiaries, martial arts and self-defense items, archery equipment, devices containing propellants, sharp objects, and similar items.
Are there phone chargers on Amtrak? ›There are two outlets at every seat pair. It's located near the window. Aisle seat lovers, if you need some juice for your device, kindly tell your seatmate before you reach over to use it. Also, don't be that person that hogs both outlets.
What should I wear on Amtrak? ›Wear Comfortable Clothing
For the most enjoyable experience, especially during a long-distance journey, you'll want to wear clothing that is super comfortable, along with warm socks. Oftentimes, the train cars can get cold, even if you're not seated by the doors that connect the cars together.
Plan to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart (Auto Train passengers should arrive at the station at least two hours prior to departure).
What are coach seats like on Auto Train? ›
Coach class is offered on every Amtrak train and features wide, reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seat option and at-seat trays, reading lights and electric outlets. Restrooms are located in each car. Amtrak Guest Rewards customers traveling in Coach earn 2 points per dollar spent.
Does Amtrak search your bags? ›Yes, they do. It isn't prohibited by any regulations, and it is a regular occurence, especially on flights to popular shopping destinations. Does Amtrak look through your bags?
Is the food good on Amtrak? ›Don't expect Michelin star quality; this is a moving train, after all. But the meals and service are miles (of train tracks) past what you're used to eating on airplanes or in food courts. Amtrak's signature dishes like its thick-cut Texas French toast and 8 oz.
Where do you put your suitcase on Amtrak? ›Unfortunately, we can't accommodate bags in seats. Any luggage you bring on board needs to be in your custody, stored in overhead racks, under seats, or in designated baggage areas. Travel necessities like pillows, blankets, computer cases or medical devices are allowed.
Do I have to travel with my car on Auto Train? ›Auto Train Basics
The Auto Train travels 855 miles between Lorton, VA, and Sanford, FL, around 17.5-hours of travel plus loading and unloading time. After leaving the stations, the Auto Train follows the same route as the Silver Meteor. Sadly, if you want to ride the Auto Train, you need a vehicle on your ticket.
Luggage should be stored in the overhead luggage racks, under the seats and in the luggage compartments throughout the train. On some longer distance trains, it may be possible to store luggage in a separate area of the train.
Does the Auto Train make stops? ›While there's a stop to change crews late at night, the train makes no stops for passengers to embark or disembark along the way. It's a straight shot that clocks in around 14 hours, though you're likely to be on the train for closer to 17 hours total.
Is there WiFi on the Amtrak Auto Train? ›We've added free onboard WiFi to a lot of our trains and stations! You can check if your favorite train or nearest station has WiFi here. If you're reading this while on one of our trains, wait before setting off to do your surfing.
Are there TVS on Amtrak trains? ›Movies are shown on the TV at various times during the day. Sit on the north side of the car for the best viewing unless there's some particular sight you know will be on the south. Why, you ask. The sun will be south of the train and the sights you view from the north side of the train will be lit better.
Is it OK to talk on the phone on a train? ›Don't have loud conversations
According to etiquette coach William Hanson, when it comes to talking on the train, whether it's to your friend or on the phone, you need to check if you're in the quiet carriage first.
Are headphones required on Amtrak? ›
Phone calls are not allowed and all portable electronic devices must be muted or used with headphones (passengers using headphones must keep the volume low enough so that the audio cannot be heard by other passengers).
Do you get reception on a train? ›The train acts as a faraday cage, and so blocks radio waves. The train is moving too fast for a clear signal to be received.
How much does food cost on an Amtrak train? ›Meals in the dining car on Amtrak are included for sleeper car passengers. You are provided with breakfast lunch and dinner, whichever apply to your journey as well as water, soft drinks, juice and coffee. Other meal and snack options are available in the cafe, prices range from $3 to about $10 per meal.
Is water free on Amtrak? ›50+ Year Amtrak Rider
Yes, Potable Water is Available in the Coaches but as you say putting a Flavor Additive in it helps overcome the less than Thrilling Taste! In Sleepining Cars Bottled Water is Avaialble for Free and if you Eat in the Diner Meals include Coffee,Tea,Milk or Water!
The best place to sit in Amtrak Coach Class is on the upper level. It's all about the view on the upper level. This is the biggest advantage of sitting in the upper level. You can also move from car to car more freely as there is access from each car on the upper level.
Can you charge your phone on the Auto Train? ›Bring a long charging cord for your phone and/or tablet. In coach, the outlet is under the window, so if you're in the aisle seat, you'll want to be able to access your device while it's charging. In the roomette, a single outlet is above one of the seats.
Should you charge your phone on a train? ›You can charge your phone. But it sometimes leads to damaging the battery. This is because, proper earthing. Because power for plug points in train is generated internally through third rail power.
What is the best seat on Amtrak? ›The most comfortable seat is the one all the way up front in the locomotive. Yes, some of Amtrak's trains are Superliners, and they do indeed have two levels. However, only the upper levels connect between the cars. A reserved seat is not an assigned seat.
How do you prepare for a train? ›- ARRIVE EARLY. ...
- CHECK EXCESS BAGGAGE. ...
- BE COMFY. ...
- MOVE AROUND AND EXPLORE. ...
- GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP. ...
- KEEP YOUR CAMERA HANDY. ...
- BRING SNACKS. ...
- UNPLUG (BUT BRING A CHARGER)
Some coach passengers also bring pillows, as the pillows Amtrak hands out in coach are quite small. Sleeping car passengers are furnished with a full set of blankets and pillows, so don't need to worry about it.
How does Amtrak boarding work? ›
1) How do you board a train? In general, once one knows on which track a train will arrive, one goes to the adjacent platform and waits. When the train arrives, the doors will open and people who need to disembark will get off. Then you go through the open door and hop on the train.
Are there bathrooms on Amtrak trains? ›If you want to get up and stretch your legs, there's plenty of room to walk around, with restrooms conveniently located in every car. On shorter train journeys, Amtrak's Coach Class seats provide a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the view.
Can you get off a train before your stop and get back on? ›Yes, you can break your journey while travelling with an Anytime Single or Return ticket. This means you can get off the train at any connecting stop and leave the station, before boarding a later train to complete your journey.
Can you sleep in coach on the Auto Train? ›It IS possible to sleep in a coach seat. Our wide reclining chairs with tons of legroom and adjustable footrests will have you sleeping like a … well … you know. This gives you that warm and cozy feeling even as you're traveling across America!
How comfortable are the coach seats on Amtrak? ›Amtrak seats are much larger and more comfortable than those in airliners or motor coaches (intercity buses), and they recline comfortably with full leg rests somewhat like home reclining chairs.
How big are the coach seats on Amtrak? ›Seat width on those four carriers ranges from 17 inches to 18.5 inches. In contrast, Amtrak's coach seat offers pitch of 39 inches (50 inches to 52 inches on Superliner sleepers) and width of 23 inches. It is a significant plus in comfort that the vast majority of Amtrak trains have no more than two seats abreast.
What can you not bring on a train? ›The following items are prohibited onboard the train: non-service animals, firearms and ammunition, hover boards, corrosive or dangerous chemicals and materials, incendiaries, martial arts and self-defense items, archery equipment, devices containing propellants, sharp objects, and similar items.
Do your bags get searched on Amtrak? ›If you're traveling by train and a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent asks to search your bags, you have the right to refuse.
Does Amtrak check your carry-on bags? ›You + Two Bags = No Extra Charge
Unlike many transportation options, traveling with Amtrak is twice as nice with our generous baggage policy. When you travel with us, you can carry-on two free pieces of luggage. Each item should not exceed 50 lbs. (23 kg) and needs to be 28 x 22 x 14 inches in size.
Additionally, Amtrak does not allow you to drink alcoholic beverages you've brought on board, however you may drink alcoholic beverages purchased in the Café Car throughout the train. Read more about food and beverage policy on Capitol Corridor.
Where do you put your luggage on the train? ›
Carry-on baggage must be stowed either overhead or under the seat in front of you (standard Amtrak trains usually have rather large overhead areas for storing luggage).
What should I wear on Amtrak? ›Wear Comfortable Clothing
For the most enjoyable experience, especially during a long-distance journey, you'll want to wear clothing that is super comfortable, along with warm socks. Oftentimes, the train cars can get cold, even if you're not seated by the doors that connect the cars together.
At the baggage car, hand your luggage to the Amtrak crew member and you'll receive a claim check to retrieve your luggage at the destination station.
How early should you arrive at Amtrak? ›Plan to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart (Auto Train passengers should arrive at the station at least two hours prior to departure).
How early should I get to the train station? ›As a general rule, it's a good idea to arrive 20-30 minutes before your train's scheduled departure time so you can get familiar with the station, find the information monitors as well as find your platform without being in a rush.
Do you have assigned seats on Amtrak? ›Your seat will be automatically assigned when you complete your reservation. You may change your assigned seat and choose a different seat at any time after your booking is complete by viewing your reservation in the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.
How does Amtrak boarding work? ›1) How do you board a train? In general, once one knows on which track a train will arrive, one goes to the adjacent platform and waits. When the train arrives, the doors will open and people who need to disembark will get off. Then you go through the open door and hop on the train.
Does Amtrak provide pillows and blankets? ›Some coach passengers also bring pillows, as the pillows Amtrak hands out in coach are quite small. Sleeping car passengers are furnished with a full set of blankets and pillows, so don't need to worry about it.
Does Amtrak give free water? ›50+ Year Amtrak Rider
Yes, Potable Water is Available in the Coaches but as you say putting a Flavor Additive in it helps overcome the less than Thrilling Taste! In Sleepining Cars Bottled Water is Avaialble for Free and if you Eat in the Diner Meals include Coffee,Tea,Milk or Water!
A wide selection of wine, beer, and spirits (the first one is on us), plus unlimited soft drinks throughout the journey. Complimentary room service provided by the Sleeping Car attendant. Exclusive onboard lounge space for Sleeping Car customers to dine and socialize 24/7.
Does Amtrak check water bottles? ›
If you're planning to take a trip on Amtrak, you might be wondering if you can bring your own water bottle. The answer is yes, you can! Amtrak allows passengers to bring their own water bottles on board, as long as they are sealed and labeled.