This Amtrak Auto Train Sale Has Private Rooms for Just $109. We needed to travel from Washington DC to Tampa, FL. When airline ticket prices go up, this could be viable, since you wouldn't need to pay for a hotel room during your drive by sleeping on the Auto Train. Amtrak has operated an Auto Train for over 25 years between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida. Wine and cheese and fruit were offered when boarding the train. AT_1021 . They don't have the steep recline or footrests in the coach cabin, and you're also sharing legroom with your companion. Phone agents are more than capable of solving this problem, usually after a healthy hold time. I have a friend considering an auto train run in a week or so. Traditional Dining | Amtrak They were running this menu in November. The shower occupies the same space and is noticeably smaller than the public showers. You can also bring on a small cooler of up to 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches, though there are reports of people bringing larger coolers on without a problem. That means the last to arrive at the outbound station could be waiting up to two hours to retrieve their car upon arrival. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. All in all, we all slept some, but none of us felt well-rested. Amtrak's Newest Auto Train Sale Is Offering $29 Florida Fares. The tables also double as a checkers/chessboard. The Auto Train is the only Amtrak train that runs between Lorton and Sanford, so there's no chance of you booking the wrong train if your travel involves those two stations, but there are still booking challenges. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily, connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces, and reaches 400 additional destinations via connecting bus routes. Additionally, the roomette has a small amount of storage space underneath each seat that would fit a soft-sided bag. Amtrak Dining Car Menu Review: All Of Your Food Options Explained This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At maximum capacity, the Auto Train holds 330 vehicles, so if you're pressed for time, you'll want to seriously consider the $65 fee or arriving very early for departure. There should be better online communication as to the status of the train. Doubt there are any provisions onboard to do a full breakfast. Bring a book, play checkers, watch downloaded Netflix episodes just don't count on good connection speeds. I would definitely do it again. As I mentioned earlier, the Auto Train can hold up to 330 vehicles. If you spot a sale after buying your ticket, call the Guest Rewards line and ask for the credit. If you don't live in Lorton or Sanford (or haven't flown Allegiant to Central Florida) you may not have heard of either town, but Lorton is just south of Washington, D.C., and the Sanford Auto Train station is about a 45-minute drive north of Disney World. Long-distance trains have dining cars and free meals for sleeper car passengers, and all trains have a cafe car open to all. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Superliner bedroom has a maximum capacity of three passengers, though the Amtrak website will only let you book it for up to two passengers, so call if you need three. Auto Train | Amtrak Guide In all of the sleeping rooms, neither the website or the phone agents can book them for more total passengers than the listed capacity. We weren't dining on fine china, but the steak tasted just fine on a plastic plate. Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers. But for the few hours of daylight youre on board, make sure to look out the window; youll see a variety of landscapes, animals, cityscapes, Colonial towns, urban areas, country estates, farms, industrial plants, broad rivers, and swampland. The roomette is a closed-off cabin with a door, so you definitely have more privacy. During the pandemic, all food is served to go. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. The information for the Amtrak Guest Rewards World Mastercard and Amtrak Guest Rewards Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The Superliner bedroom has a great feature if you're not on a tight budget and want extra space: Each Superliner bedroom backs up to another room in a mirror image, which you can use to your advantage. We always bragged to everyone how wonderful our experience was on the auto train. The base fare is roughly equal to the coach price for that segment (whether that's a saver, value or other fare bucket). It would allow my husband and I to avoid a one- month car rental, shipping fees for golf clubs and airline limits on luggage. Passengers are permitted two carry-on bags not to exceed 28 inches by 22 inches by 14 inches and 50 pounds each, as well as two personal items not to exceed 14 inches by 11 inches by 7 inches and 25 pounds each. Family bedrooms can sleep up to four people, specifically two adults and two children. Sleeping cars generally have some storage outside the sleeping rooms. The SOU. The Lorton station has minimal amenities. Auto Train: Viaje Junto a Su Auto | Amtrak After you check in and surrender your car, you are at Amtraks mercy. Arlington, MA (near Boston) Jun 8, 2020. Built in 1912, the train station is a historic landmark and trains on the Silver Star Amtrak route stop here. Outside are benches and an enclosed childrens play area. And you're free to walk the platform while you wait you may even catch an engineer to ask questions. One of the biggest changes to the menu comes in the form of lunch. We turned it into a fun family journey with checkers made out of Play-Doh and family games of Uno. Clarendon Hills, IL (BNSF Chicago Sub; MP 18.71), Brightline Trains LLC (formerly All Aboard Florida and Virgin), California Commuter, Rail Transit, and High Speed Rail (HSR). Well, maybe neither. Note that Amtrak has frequent sales and promotions if you want to snag a deal on your future Auto Train journey. Traditional dining features seasonal menus with a variety of entree selections. While meals are included for all right now, coach passengers will lose free dinner in 2020, moving to a buy-on-board program. TPG values Amtrak points at 2.5 cents each, making these bonuses worth $1,000 and $300 respectively. You are using an out of date browser. The Auto Train transports you and your car (or van, motorcycle, SUV, small boat, jet-ski or other recreational vehicle) nonstop from the Washington, DC area to Florida, just outside of Orlando. The Superliner bedroom has an overhead bunk that folds down with protective restraints to keep you from falling out while sleeping. Amtrak Sale on East Coast Auto Train Roomette, Bedroom - Insider Customers traveling in Coach class on the Auto Train who request a kosher meal will be charged a $40 fee. The Auto Train measures more than three quarters of a mile, making it the longest passenger train in the world! It might cost just about the same as the raising prices on the auto train. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Also, trackage is shared with Florida state trains so as we neared Sanford, our train had to give priority to local lines compounding our delay.As another viewer noted, the cabin attendants, porters, dining room staff, etc. There's really no room to get dressed or undressed in the shower, at least not without risking getting all of your clothes wet. Amtrak is registered service marks of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Specialty vehicles are accepted no later than 2 p.m., while standard vehicles are accepted no later than 2:30 p.m. As my wife put it, the Auto Train helped avoid a lot of the stress of travel. We probably brought one or two too many bags. There is also hot water and plenty of teabags and hot chocolate, along with an ice bin and buckets. Is the Auto Train worth the price to avoid the hassle of driving? Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. The sleeping rooms need upgrading as well as the bathrooms. Otherwise, once the train leaves the station, no other passengers or vehicles board or depart the train. Amtrak dining options vary depending on your ticket and train route. However, if you live in Boston or Albany, New York, it's still feasible to reach the Auto Train without getting up when the sun is still sleeping. If your family is like ours, you'll want to pack a power strip to charge all your devices at once. Also the train was five hours late leaving so we sat in the very uncomfortable station from 2pm until boarding at 9pm which got us into Sanford at 3pm the next day.I vowed to never ride it again but my husband talked me into the third time. Even though the staff moves the cars off at a brisk pace, there are only about 10 slots for people to load their luggage, hop in their car and hit the road. Check here before booking an award fare. Then you have the mountain route I-77, I-26, I-95 to east coast and I-4 from Daytona to FL west coast. AMTRAK AUTOTRAIN - 461 Photos & 215 Reviews - Yelp Amtrak's New Auto Train Sale Features Fares Starting at Just $39 Yes, you may bring food on the auto train and it may be breakfast food, and you may eat it at breakfast time. Amtrak Traditional Dining Menu and Guide | Grounded Life Travel When fully booked, the Auto Train holds 650 passengers and 330 vehicles in 18 passenger cars and 33 auto rack cars. Amtrak's Auto Train is offering a limited-time deal on northbound fares between Sanford, Florida, and Lorton, Virginia, for trips that take place between September 6 and December 15. The sale is for travel from March 7 to June 30, 2022, and there aren't any blackout dates. Messages. Lorton Station is nearly 25 miles south of Washington, DC. The seats are in a 2-2 configuration and recline quite generously, similar to the slanted lie-flat business-class seats common on international flights in decades past. Please note that Amtrak says it can limit ticket sales to allow for physical distancing. Each coach car has bathrooms on the lower level. Noise Cancelling Headphones - Perfect to help drown out the sounds of travel. There's one electrical outlet near the door of the family bedroom not the best location. They also showed a movie twice each evening. Amtrak menus often change quarterly, and some trains have specials, usually new items they are . When the train pulls into each station, there's a process to get your car back and get on your way. Train review: Amtrak's Auto Train from Virginia to Florida Amtrak Traditional Dining: What You Need To Know - TWK - Travels with Kev Now, riders can pick from six options, with three of them vegan and . #5. However, that's only on the base fare, even in a sleeping car. Amtrak AutoTrain (Lorton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go On the other hand, you have to navigate a steep stairway with two tight 90-degree turns. Amtrak Auto train Phone Number: +1 800-872-7245. Special Menus & Dietary Requirements | Amtrak Superliner bedrooms range from $500 to $725 for two passengers. Our suggestion here is to be thoughtful about what you really need for the train ride, leaving the rest in your car. We had received a text message that the train would be two hours late. View the list of Amtrak routes and explore major stops, nearby attractions and schedule information. The bunks are at right angles to each other. Learn more at Amtrak.com. We hope this will help you choose once were all ready to start booking trips again. What I failed to consider was that when mechanical problems occur(as they probably will) there are no options. Auto Train Meals | Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum And, you wont have to dine or breakfast on gas station food the caf provides you with sustenance while the train keeps putting on the miles. National Caf Menu; Regional. Payment options for Amtrak cafe cars. Unlike the family bedroom, the Superliner bunks are all longer, at least 6 feet, 6 inches. The roomettes make up quite a bit of the total inventory in the sleeping-car sections. Amtrak dining options | Amtrak Guide Amtrak Onboard Dining It's not as big as a full-size bed, but if a small child wanted to cosleep, that could be an option. This review, part of TPGs coverage of train travel, has been edited from the original. JavaScript is disabled. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Earplugs - A cheaper alternative to headphones to help you sleep. All that said, adult coach seats on the Auto Train generally range from $105 to $140 per seat, though Amtrak is running a promotion on certain days where you might be able to snag a seat for $89 one-way, though with limited availability. In the coach cabins, the lights are extinguished overnight, and it is truly dark inside the car other than light from outside. If the train is in your future and budget is your primary option, booking in coach and stalking a cheap upgrade to a roomette could be a consideration. Driving from New York City to Orlando: $320**, An up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years, Up to $400 annual credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required), Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required), Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection, International Airline Program and Cruise Privileges Program, Difficulty meeting $15,000 welcome offer for smaller businesses, Limited high-bonus categories outside of travel. The curtains also did a reasonable job shutting out light in the morning, but the announcements were loud enough that I wish I'd worn headphones to sleep. PDF DINING CAR MENU - Amtrak Such a lovely way to travel! Weve taken the auto train to Florida at least twice a year for over 20 years. It's hard to find a card that competes with the mile-long list of benefits that come with the Amex Business Platinum. Given the low ceiling height, the shower probably would not have passed the TPG shower test. Only got sests. At 60+ somethings, driving for 14 hours was going to be painful. The cheesecake and molten chocolate cake weren't award-winning, but they beat any dessert I've had in domestic first class in quite some time. Find the right card for you. They can bring or buy food. At some point in the recent past menus have been updated for the Auto Train, both Coach and Sleeper. For my kids it was just another part of our Florida adventure. Lastly, the larger of the two lower bunks is actually a bit wider than the others. Other than that, we treated it like a flight-attendant call button. Much like Southwest or JetBlue, the reward prices are roughly tied to the cash cost of the ticket. The terminal works every day from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. Sleeping on board the Auto Train is possible for sound sleepers, troublesome for light sleepers. This means, if I am counting correctly, that fewer than 50 Superliner sleepers are in non-Auto-Train service, out of 119 built and about 100 still on the roster. An attendant places plastic sheets in the drivers footwell and on the drivers seat to prevent dirt and its driven to an Autorack railroad car. Dining Options & Sample Menus. gluten, wheat and peanut content . For an additional amount, you can book sleeping accommodations instead of spending the night on a reclining seat. This is a requirement even if you checked in online and received a boarding pass with a barcode. This guarantees that your vehicle is one of the first 30 vehicles offloaded upon arrival. Meals & Dining Onboard - Trip Planning | Amtrak Vacations Typically, its $5 for a seated meal and $10-15 a night per person in a sleeper. While it's certainly not the caviar you would find in Lufthansa First Class, the quality of the meals on Amtrak generally exceeds most domestic U.S. airline first-class meals. None of our bags were weighed or measured on either voyage. Then, just settle into the gentle rocking of the train and enjoy not being behind the wheels of your vehicle. Amtrak should offer all the passengers who were subjected to this fiasco a voucher toward future travel. It has a ticket counter, restrooms, gift shop, and caf, all accessible. You're free to bring on any snacks or drinks you purchased prior to arrival. The roomette is the smallest of the sleeping car options. The Ultimate Guide to Amtrak Auto Train (Transporting a Car by Train) There are four different sleeping arrangements in sleeper cars: Roomettes, Bedrooms, Family Bedrooms, Accessible Bedrooms. As an exclusive, complimentary offering for customers traveling in private rooms, traditional dining service is provided in the Dining Car on the Auto Train, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle (between San Antonio and Los Angeles).. A few years ago they dropped the reception. On the return, we went for the chicken and cod. There's a narrow closet that would fit a suit bag or a few coats but not much else. For our Amtrak examples, we used half-priced fares for children, assuming both kids were between 2 and 12. DC - Maryland - Virginia Area Passenger Rail: MTA(MARC), VRE, WMATA(Metro), Florida Commuter Rail: Metrorail, Sunrail, Tri-Rail and Proposals, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), MTA Metro-North Railroad and CtDOT Passenger Rail, New York City Area Wide Rail Transit Issues (Cross-Agency), New Jersey Transit NJT Rail and Light Rail LRT, Railroading and Railfanning by Region and State, General Discussion: Fallen Trolley and Interurban Lines, Anthracite Railroads - CNJ, L&HR, LNE, LV and RDG, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF), Baltimore & Ohio|Chesapeake & Ohio|Western Maryland, Burlington Northern, GN, NP, CB&Q, SP&S, SL-SF, Granger Railroads - C&NW, Rock Island, and MILW, New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad NYNH&HRR, Norfolk & Western, VGN, WAB, NKP, P&WV, ACY, IT, BNSF Railway (Burlington Northern Santa Fe), Canadian National-Illinois Central and Grand Trunk Western, Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Class II & III Lines, New York, Susquehanna & Western - Past and Present, Pan Am Railways (formerly Guilford Rail System), Reading, Blue Mountain, and Northern Railroad, Class III: Short Line, Industrial, Military, Terminal and Railroad Holding Companies, General Discussion: Short Lines, Industrials, and Military, Central Maine & Quebec Railway (formerly Montreal, Maine & Atlantic | Bangor & Aroostook), Genesee Valley Transportation Family (DLWR, FRR, MAN, DL), Livonia, Avon, & Lakeville Family (LAL, BH, WNYP), Manufacturers: Locomotives, Rolling Stock, and Equipment, General Discussion: Locomotives, Rolling Stock, and Equipment, Kawasaki Rail: Global and Kawasaki Rail Car Inc, Books, Magazines, Music, TV, and Movies, and other Media, Museums, Tourist Lines, and Historical Organizations, Operations, Facilities, Maps and Resources, Toy Trains, Model Railroading, Outdoor and Live Steam. Each station has a small shop with sandwiches, drinks, snacks, magazines and other sundries. The Sleeper "BEEF PETITE TENDER FILET" redefined the meaning of the word "petite". This includes alcoholic beverages, though those can only be consumed in your sleeping car. However, we did have plenty of hot water and solid water pressure. Keep in mind that certain Amtrak fare categories will pay a penalty if you're looking to get a refund. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The breakfast, lunch and dinner options on the Amtrak dining car menu are the same each day. I think not. The Auto Train doesn't just allow you to bring your car on the train but actually requires you to bring a vehicle on the journey. The Auto Train runs between Lorton, Virginia (about 20 miles south of Washington, DC), and Sanford, Florida (about 25 miles north of Orlando), a distance of 855 miles that lets you avoid 900 miles of driving on the I-95. There is direct service to cities including Miami, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville . Love Is in the Air: Amtrak Just Dropped a Valentine's Buy One, Get One Free Sale. A complimentary continental breakfast is provided. Before boarding. Moderators:GirlOnTheTrain, mtuandrew, Tadman, Discussion forum related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp. Iirc, weren't two of the derailments from wheel cracks in their cars? Surely, Amtrak can develop a relationship with a local caterer to deliver a healthier more balanced meal under the circumstances.They had at least 24hours notice that the train would not be departing as scheduled.. We, too, booked a sleeping car which was already made up when we boarded.. Because most of the route runs over freight trackage, the ride is nowhere as smooth as the Acela. You also have a modest amount of climate control and an easily accessible electrical outlet (only one outlet, so consider packing a small power strip). At some point in the recent past menus have been updated for the Auto Train, both Coach and Sleeper. Due to the rural nature of parts of the route, even the hotspot dropped from time to time. The sleeping car portion of the fare is the other portion and wasn't discounted on our voyage or any of the test bookings we tried. The Auto Train transports you and your car (or your van, motorcycle, SUV, small boat, jet-ski, or other recreational vehicles) nonstop from the Washington, DC area to sunny Florida, just outside of Orlando. No more cries for bathroom or stretch breaks, stopping to refuel, or searching for a hotel or restaurant. Why? The Baked Potato was larger than I expected and was good as well. And theres only one scheduled stop: a short 15 minutes just south of Florence, South Carolina, for a crew change and refueling. Got into Sanford at 4pm .Many people love this train. And yes, you can bring your own food and drinks on board. The Superliner bedroom is a smaller capacity than the family bedroom but has a hidden feature if you're not on a strict budget. Amtrak Is Offering $100 Off Its USA Rail Pass in New Sale. Push-button coffee and decaf are readily available. I tried running speed tests but mostly got this message: When I was able to get connectivity, it was really poor. As part of the booking process, you need to note your vehicle type and whether you want priority vehicle offloading. The January 1, 2020 departure from Lorton was my first experience with taking the autotrain. All rooms have a small pull-up-and-out table for game-playing and dining. Leave your key in your unlocked car. Get 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Children (one child, two to 12, is half price with each adult), and seniors, students, military, and people with disabilities receive discounts on base fare (not sleepers). Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel tips. This card is similar to the consumer version that Amex offers, but with more business-oriented perks around statement credits and earning rates that are a better fit for business owners. Breakfast for us consisted of a banana, a bowl of cereal, orange juice and bagels. Didnt feel like we needed a sleeper car and it was just fine. You'll have plenty of space during the day to lounge in the cabin, and everyone will have their own bed in the evening. If we assume a benchmark price of $300 per airline ticket from the D.C. area down to Orlando, Florida, that's $1,200. You also select your dinner seating on a first-come, first-served basis. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021. Any other vehicles, including modified standard vehicles, require picking up the phone. What to Bring on the Amtrak Auto Train (The Essentials) 1. Unless you're a very small adult, you won't be able to fit in the shorter beds. arrival at 1 pm or even 2 pm into Virginia). Breakfast on the Autotrain - Trainorders.com Discussion Every family sleeps differently, but I would imagine most families struggle to get a good night's sleep in coach. The seats are cushioned and wide enough such that sleeping is possible, though you'll want to bring items such as pillows, blankets and eye masks if you need them, as there are no amenity kits. Above the individual seat in the cabin is a small shelf that can fit a small suitcase. The showers were more spacious than we were expecting, with plenty of space to get changed and shower without bumping into walls. There were no lines at airport security, no beverage cart blocking the aisle when a kid urgently needed to use the restroom. A third passenger would add anywhere from $60 (child) to $140 (adult). 337. **For driving from New York to Orlando, we assumed 1,080 miles at an average of 24.7 miles to the gallon and a price of $2 per gallon. View Amtrak service changes to learn more. The American Express Global Lounge Collection can provide an escape at the airport. California Zephyr Passengers on train vacations boarding the California Zephyr (Photo: Amtrak) There's a third option you've probably heard of, but also probably haven't seriously considered: the Auto Train, where you can ride the rails with your car. Amtrak performs a video walkaround of each vehicle, recording the current condition of your vehicle.