Traveling on Amtrak auto train from Florida to Virginia this past March was quite an adventure. Keep in mind, my boyfriend L (now my ex BF and no we didn’t break up after sharing a tiny bedroom on the auto train, although if you want to break up with someone, squeezing him or her into an auto train bed or putting him or her on the top bunk might be a good way to do it! LOL) and I were journeying during Covid-19 before we had our vaccines so we were extra cautious.
Needless to say, I survived (so did L) and am here to share my trials, tribulations and tips for using this mode of transportation. I’ll be frank, even though the ride wasn’t the lap of luxury, considering what bad weather we had during our drive down to Florida from New Jersey, the road trip back using Amtrak auto train was quicker, and for the most part, much less taxing on the physical body. We left Florida at 4:00 p.m. on a Monday and arrived the next day in Virginia a little after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday — about 17 hours.
Book early when traveling during peak season
“There weren’t any spaces available when we tried to take the Amtrak auto train,” said my friend J. “You have to book early during peak season.” That’s why in September 2020 when we decided we were going to take the auto train home from Florida in March 2021, we did our research and secured a spot almost six months in advance. It wasn’t easy navigating the Amtrak auto train website as a first-timer. I recommend calling Amtrak Customer Service 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800- 872-7245) if you have any questions.
Going southbound, the Amtrak auto train station is right outside D.C. in Lorton , VA. Northbound travelers pick up the train in Sanford, FL outside Orlando. We found the Sanford station farther from the highway and more difficult to find.
The Amtrak Auto Train Station in Florida is in Sanford, close by Orlando
Many choices in accommodations
One important aspect is determining your accommodations on Amtrak auto train. There are six different options ranging in price from $140 for a coach seat per person all the way to over $1300 for a Bedroom for two. It’s not an inexpensive way to travel but you do save 900 miles of driving, gasoline and wear and tear on your car on this overnight train passage. Here are the choices:
Upper and Lower Coach Class Seats are the cheapest way to go. It’s like a regular train trip in a coach seat, only the ride is overnight so you’ll have to sleep sitting up. I prefer the upper level seat to see outside, although you will spend about half of the time shut eye.
Roomette is a small private space for two people with seats by day that convert to upper and lower berths by night (which are basically beds). There is no private bathroom. You have access to a bathroom and shower in your cabin that you share with others in that cabin.
Bedroom is twice the size of a Roomette. The big difference is there is a sink, bathroom and shower in your room.
Bedroom Suite is twice the size of a Bedroom and has an additional sink. It’s even more expensive.
Family Bedroom has two sofas by day and two upper and lower beds by night. This is similar to the Roomette in that you don’t have a bathroom in your room, only in the cabin that you share with others.
Accessible Bedrooms are available if you need access for a wheelchair or have a disability.
We booked a Family Room on Amtrak auto train
Which did we choose and what was the cost?
Again because of Covid-19, we wanted a separate room. At the time of booking there was a Family Bedroom available that was the lowest price room for two so we booked it.
To give you an idea of pricing, in March 2021 the Family Room cost was $306 during peak season and the Bedroom with private bathroom inside was more. The rail fares were additional at $140 per person. So we’re up to $586 so far.
Complimentary dinner and breakfast are included. Our dinner was served in our room due to Covid-19. Breakfast was continental pick up in the dining car. During normal times you can have meals in the dining car.
Dinner and breakfast the next morning are included
Remember to book your vehicle
There is a separate cost to take your automobile on the Amtrak auto train — don’t forget to book your car. Prices vary depending on the size and style of the car. The 2020 charge for my sedan was $258. You can also pay $60 extra like we did for priority off-loading which means your car is one of the first 30 cars off the train. The great thing about taking the car on the train is that you can load it up with lots of stuff as if it was a suitcase.
Be sure to read the details about load-on time for the car. The station opens at 11:30 a.m. for passengers and vehicles. All passengers and vehicles must be checked in by 2:30 p.m. on day of travel. The train departs at 4:00 p.m.
Cars must arrive at the loading dock by 2:30 p.m. on day of departure
Trials, tribulations and tips
Now that I’m looking back on my trip, I have several tips for taking the Amtrak auto train:
When booking your trip remember to buy a ticket for each person. “I see my name on the ticket but not yours,” I said to L after we made our online northbound reservation. We called Amtrak Customer Service 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) because we were confused about how to add a second passenger. Sadly we thought the expensive Bedroom cost included the cost of a ticket for two! We had to modify our reservation.
Leave plenty of time to get to the train station. “I think we might miss the train,” I said to L as we watched the clock tick closer to 2:30 p.m. We thought four hours was enough time to get from Naples to Sanford. It wasn’t with all the traffic near Orlando. We spent over an hour sitting in traffic near Disneyland. We were very nervous. Thankfully our GPS rerouted us and we made it to the station by 2:00 p.m. While the train doesn’t leave until 4:00 p.m. all cars must be loaded by 2:30 p.m.
Bring extra food for lunch and snacks. “I’m hungry and there’s mostly candy and chips at the snack bar in the train station,” said L. We had planned to stop on the way to pick up some lunch, beverages and snacks — with delays there was no time to make any stops. I had a few water bottles and some pretzels in my carry-on bag, nothing substantial. Meals on the train were similar to airplane food — not worth writing about except for the ice cream sundae.
Roomettes and Bedrooms feature couches and chairs that turn into beds for sleeping
Pack a small overnight carry-on bag with toiletries, a tee and comfy leggings or sweat pants for sleeping, loafers or sandals that can be slipped on when you need to leave the room for a potty break, and clothing for the next day. Towels are provided.
Read the details of each type of accommodation and make sure you understand what it includes: “What do you mean we don’t have a bathroom in our Family Room?” I said to our nice attendant Whitney upon boarding the train. “Family Rooms don’t include private bathrooms,” she replied. “Ugh, I can’t believe we paid all this money and we don’t have our own bathroom,” I said to L.
Let the attendant set up the beds. “Turn down service is from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.,” said Whitney. She came at 9:00 p.m. and opened our beds. FYI the two extra beds are for kiddies and kiddie size! Our couch folded out into a double bed. We also had a bunk bed, however I was feeling uncomfortable sleeping above L so we slept next to each other. Squish, squish, squish, my body was close to the wall. Squish, squish, squish, I had to climb over L to get out to the bathroom (BTW the flush button is under the sink) while he was sleeping. Squish, squish, squish, I had to climb back into my corner. Glad I was heavily medicated for sleep.
Charge your phone, Kindle, tablet or laptop before boarding. Or bring extra portable chargers — we found only one outlet in our bedroom and it was for an electric razor. My iPad was fully charged and I downloaded some television shows and a movie for after dinner viewing. There is wifi but it is spotty at best during the trip. Our train made one stop in Florence, SC around 1:00 a.m. to refuel and change conductors.
We could see the Washington Monument when we entered the highway in Lorton, VA
Big question: Was it worth it and would I do it again?
It was expensive to book the auto train with a Bedroom during peak season. Our grand total for the two of us one way was $904.
For comparison purposes, based on my research:
If you have a transport service ship your car up or down the Northeast from NJ to FL during peak season it’s more than $1200 one way plus you have to add the cost of your airfare — and the day of arrival for your car is not guaranteed.
If you drive the entire 1200 miles one way and stay in hotels along the route — in February we took a leisurely southbound drive of about six hours a day, left NJ on a Friday and arrived in FL on a Monday — the cost is similar. Depending on when you go you could hit bad weather during the winter months like we did between NC and FL. The auto train cuts out all those miles.
“Wow, we’re home in less than four hours,” I said to L. “The auto train wasn’t that bad after all.” We both agreed we’d rate it a B or B+ and would definitely do it again.
Have you ever taken the Amtrak auto train? If so, leave a comment and LMK how you found the trip.
Judi
P.S.: If you missed my previous posts about my month-long stay in Florida you can find links below:
Foodies Will Enjoy These 8 Great Places to Eat in Naples Florida
Nurturing Myself in Nature at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Amtrak auto train looks like a nice way to travel. Good to see your tips, too. Nice to be out and about after vaccines!
Cathy, Amtrak auto train was a convenient way to travel and save time.
Reader B said: “ Terrific posting about the Auto Train. Love the cost comparisons, links to Amtrak’s website, and more.”
FYI–the Auto Train leaves from LORTON, Virginia, not Louden. I just don’t others to be confused.
Karen, thank you for correcting me. I will make the change.
We did the auto train with the kids about 15 yrs ago and it was fantastic. We (my husband didn’t go on this trip) did the bunk beds across from each other,….Non Covid time, so for our experience… first they had a bar, for all….meaning kids could get a soda…you could walk around….You could go hang out in a tv room with lots of tables to chat…watch tv, hangout. They had snacks to pick up at the bar offered at night. You went to the dining car for dinner and breakfast, and they were like gourmet meals, you could order from a selection all inclusive…Not sure why your food wasn’t exemplary, maybe they have down graded….I don’t know but when we went the steak was like it came from a high end restaurant. The bunk beds were comfortable. We had 6 kids and two grandparents so once you buy the bunk beds you have the room, so one of the littles we didn’t buy anything but a regular seat, she just slept with her sister in one of the bunks without having to buy another bunk room. They said that was fine, and recommended it but wouldn’t have found that out if I hadn’t called since the on line reservations don’t consider that an option. So please call when trying to figure what deal will work for you. We had a suburban which was expensive to bring, smaller vehicles are reasonable. I saw turtles on small vehicles as they will still fit, but not in a suburban, so put inside for the trip. You leave all your main luggage in your vehicle. I don’t remember a fee for quick off loading which would have been nice, but did find, the last cars in were the last cars off. We got there early, so we waited forever to unload all the vehicles. You go thru so many rural towns, near waterways and see some amazing wildlife. The window watching is enjoyable. Seeing a buck look up in the mist as he watches the train go by…or birds by the waters edge….. quiet rocking of the train is rhythmic and makes sleeping enjoyable.
Amy, so glad you enjoyed your trip on the auto train.
I’ve done it several times and it’s hit or miss. Not the most comfortable sleep but it beats the drive, I always get a bedroom or a roomette (depending on price). I just recently learned that the family bedroom doesn’t have a bathroom–shocked!. And the traffic was Disney World (Disneyland is in CA). The Disney’s are very funny about that point LOL…I’m always surprised that you have to pay per person in the rooms…thank you for your review.
Monica,
I know what you mean about the bathrooms. We also thought that the family room included a bathroom. And absolutely the traffic around Orlando is a bear, but agree that it cuts out a great deal of travel time. Hoping to use it again this winter.