Categories: AUTOMOTIVE

Amtak’s Auto Train – Worry-Free Travel on the East Coast

Are you travelling from Florida to the Washington, DC area? Or are you travelling from “up north” to “down south”? Do you dread crowded airports and having to find a rental car? Do you like to drive…and drive…and drive?

Amtrak’s Auto Train offers a viable alternative for people travelling between Metro DC and northeastern Florida. The premise is simple: Arrive at Lorton VA or Sanford Florida’s Amtrak Station between 12 and 3pm. Check in, show picture ID, and choose a mealtime. At about 2:30 you can board the train. Amtrak loads your car into a car carrier on the train. Don’t lose your claim ticket! You, your car, and your luggage will arrive at the opposite station approximately 18 hours later.

Tickets are generally inexpensive (a recent trip was $111 per person, plus a fee for the car – most trips run between $180-$380). The train can accommodate cars and most compact SUV’s (less than 65 inches tall). For an additional fee, you can arrange for vans, larger SUV’s, and even trailers. Some people actually bring U-Haul trailers on the Auto Train! You can even bring a motorcycle on the train.

Amtrak offers a variety of discounts, including options for AAA, Senior, Military, and students. They also offer free/reduced rates for infants and disabled passengers (documentation IS required). If you will need extra space (such as for a wheelchair) or need an accommodation such as an electrical outlet, accessible sleeper, or anything else you need to tell Amtrak three times: at booking, when you get to the station and check in, and when you board the train. Don’t assume the conductor will know because it’s part of your reservation. They have hundreds of passengers boarding – it will help them greatly if you simply ask for what you need.

There are two basic ways to travel on Amtrak’s Auto Train – coach or sleeper car. Most people travel coach – much like travelling on an airplane, but with more room and more comfortable seats. The seats recline, there is a large pull-down tray, and abundant foot room – even larger passengers will be quite comfortable. One note of caution – if you put something spill-able or breakable on the tray, and the person in front of you puts their seat up or down, it may spill or fall – so be careful!

Sleeper cars are available. They are quite expensive, but many people consider the ability to stretch out worth the luxury. Sleeper passengers are treated as “first class” with their own lounge, upgraded meals, and special opportunities. The day we travelled, they had a wine tasting!

At the beginning of the trip, complimentary snacks are served. Coffee and tea is freely available at all times. The lounge car offers a variety of snacks, sandwiches, soft drinks, and alcohol for sale. Most passengers have a drink or two, but if you run into a passenger who’s overdone it, let the conductor know (find the conductor, not the lounge attendant). If the person is unruly, they will find a train station and drop them off!

On the Auto Train, meals are included. (This is not the case for other Amtrak trains) Several options are offered at dinnertime. While not exactly gourmet meals, the food is delicious. Wine is offered with the meal, and dinner is a fine opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers! Breakfast consists of juice, coffee, muffins and bagels. While it’s light fare, it is still quite nice meal. You’ll arrive at your destination shortly after breakfast.

Travelling by train does take a long time – the Auto Train is about 18 hours, which includes a short stop in the middle of the night. No one is allowed on or off the train – it’s basically a refueling stop. The train also has to share tracks with other trains, so it’s not uncommon to stop and wait! However, Amtrak says that delays are fairly rare on this particular route.

Travelling by train is also bouncy! It takes a little getting used to the bump, sway and bounce of train travel. While nowhere near as bad as turbulence, it can upset the tummy if you’re prone to motion sickness. A dose of dramamine is a good idea!

Many people think, “Gosh! 18 hours on a train! I’ll be bored!” – but really, it’s not so bad. On the Auto Train, you have the time between boarding and dinner (4-6 hours). If you chose an early dinner-time you’ll have a little while afterwards to fill up. Once it gets dark outside, most people get sleepy in a hurry. Wake up between 6-7am (earlier is better for breakfast) and before long you’ll be pulling into the station!

Passengers avoid boredom by watching scenery, reading, using a laptop, playing cards, and talking. Believe it or not, the time passes quickly!

When you pull into the station, be prepared to grab your overnight bag quickly. (Be very sure you don’t leave anything!) You want to be one of the first people off the train. This is because there is limited seating available in the train station, and you have to wait an hour or so for them to unload your car. Listen carefully for the number on the claim ticket you were given at boarding. When they call it, head out the door, load your items in your car quickly, and follow directions as many cars are leaving at once – you do not want to end up in the wrong line or cause a collision!

If you’ve never been to Lorton, VA or Sanford, FL before, pick up a map before you leave the station. Both stations are located on main highways and although we had never been to either city before, we had no trouble finding our way around. From Lorton, you can easily travel to Washington DC and the surrounding area. From Sanford, Daytona Beach and Orlando are both close by. So, whether you want to visit our nation’s capital or Disney World – or hit both Busch Gardens in a week – the auto train is the way to travel!