Amtrak Auto Train | What It's Like & Full Review
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- čas přidán 16. 02. 2023
- Join us as we take a ride on the Amtrak Auto Train in a roomette from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL. I took my dad and his car for a ride on the Amtrak Auto Train. It was a great experience and we learned a lot about this train. We also used the priority offloading so we could get our car back quickly. On the Auto Train we had a traditional dining experience and we loved the food. We show you what it's like to ride the Auto Train and give you our full review.
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Thank you so very much for this video. It brings back a lot of fond memories of the yearly 3 week trips my wife took to Florida on the Auto Train. We started in the mid 1990s and continued until 2019 which was our last trip. My wife developed Parkinson's late that year and passed away last April. She had the greatest time on those trips and like you, was a big fan of the Salmon! We got a bedroom accommodations and we found the lower bed was big enough for the two of us so there was no need of anyone having to use the upper bunk! Again, thank you for triggering a lot of great memories!
We are sorry for your loss.
Made this trip with my family of 6 in coach. It is the only trip that all my children equally say they want to do again. We travelled in coach and did just fine.
Pros: 1) The seats are roomy, the recline is fine, and there was enough space and a power outlet to use my CPAP. 2) While it's the same amount of time as driving, you don't have to drive. 3) You have your own car at your destination and don't have to rent one. 4) The coach toilets are very large...the whole family could go and use it as a changing room. 5) With almost floor-to-ceiling windows the entire length of the car, the views are quite amazing, even at night.
Cons: 1) there are constantly people walking through the coach cars and the doors at either end are VERY noisy, so a restful sleep is difficult. 2) Some of the bumps on the rail are downright scary, making sleeping and walking difficult. 3) There are several stops overnight (I think it is a crew change? Letting freight pass by?) and it somehow wakes up everyone. 4) Moving between cars can be dangerous if you don't walk well.
The unfortunate part (which is purely random) was that our car was literally the last one off the train. It was about an extra 2 hours waiting, but thankfully we didn't have much planned our first day.
Thanks for sharing
Always take the auto train, snowbirds. Priority offloading is worth the cost, available if you book early enough. Usually in coach, lower level, bring our own dinner and drinks. Great video!
Loved seeing you with your dad on this journey. I just wish my parents were alive now so we could partake in train trips, which I am a big fan of including the auto train.
Thank you
Yes I know how you feel !
I’m so sorry that you’re not able to experience travel with your parents anymore. My mom is no longer with me and it’s really difficult to deal with, I’m blessed to still have my dad and I’m planning on creating many memories with him. I’m going to plan on taking a train ride with him because this looks so enjoyable 🥰
Very informative and soothing video. I haven’t thought about taking my car on an auto train. Very convenient. Besides the info I enjoyed watching you dad, expecially getting up to the top bunk. Takes a extra special guy, at our age, to do that. Much love and safe travels!
Thank you very much!
Taking my first-ever train ride this coming Tuesday from NYC to Seattle. Your videos have helped prepare me for my travel, I hope and they have helped talk me into taking this adventure.
Have fun! You should live the ride to Seattle, it is very pretty!
5:45....that's the Occoquan River, not the Potomac.
I’m halfway through . This is a great video ❤
Thank you so much 🤗
Thank you for another video my husband and I are going to be first time train travelers and talk about taking an Auto train to take our motorcycle. Watching your videos take the stress out of preparing us for our wonderful adventure by train Thank you
That is awesome! Have a great trip!
I had these videos playing in the background today...THANK YOU!!! Esp, thankful for the food parts!! :)
What a cool thing to do! It’s great that you can travel with your dad. Informative as usual. Your dad is pretty agile! Thanks for bringing us!
Thanks for watching!
Watching this video reminds me of the good parts about taking the Auto Train, sounds like you guys aced this trip. We unfortunately had the absolute worst experience with unscheduled stops in the middle of the night, rude passengers snoring at “8pm”then waking up at 10 pm and talking loud. The person that loaded our car went and turned on the headlights manually and forgot to turn them off which drained our battery and to make matters worse they charged up the battery and the digital display for everything on the dashboard wouldn’t work, so after about almost $2K worth of extra unexpected expenses all we could do was hope for the best on our trip back home. Even though we went thru this nightmare I still won’t discourage anyone from taking the Auto train cuz I’ve seen various videos that show people actually enjoying their trip. Thanks for your awesome video 👍👍 Btw, we still managed to get a full refund once all was said and done…
הסרטון הזה הוא ממש המשך לסרטון ''מה שלא ידעתי לפני כן''... כל האיחורים ובעקבותיהם השינויים בלוח הארוחות... השאלה הגדולה היא איך את מסתדרת עם השינויים.אני חופרת, כי לא נסעתי אף פעם ברכבת הזאת.. וחוץ מזה, הכל נפלא, והאוטו שנסע איתכם... זה ממש חלום. שמחתי ונהנתי מהטיול עם אביך.😍
Your dad must be very proud of his daughter!!
Nice taking dad.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us! Your dad is a very handsome gentleman!
Thank you so much!
My wife and I just got off the Auto Train from Lorton this morning; I love trains have always wanted to this one. We had a bedroom. The meal and service were great, but holy moley what a sleepless night! The CSX tracks the train travels over have to be the roughest ride I’ve ever taken on a train! In addition, if you’re over 6’ tall you’ll be cramped in bed; forget about trying the upper bunk.
We’ve now done the Auto Train. Won’t be doing it again. Priority unloading, however was great, our car was the 8th one off.
Allie, you are the greatest. You have two nice and caring men in your life. Your Dad is such a good man to go up on that top bed as did your husband Rob so you could be more comfortable on the bigger bed on the bottom. You explain everything to us folks so well to make us understand how these small sleeping quarters are when made into beds. I want to travel on these wonderful trains with my wife but she is very hesitant but your explanations of the rooms, meals, and so many other things to see on these great train trips you are changing my wife’s mind as I get her to watch video after video of places she would like to visit. Thanks so much Allie for your nice input. Take care and hello to your pleasant Dad.
My boyfriend and I are going on the Auto Train this summer. It will be his and my second time. We are getting a roomette. The first time I was on the Auto Train my daughter and I was in coach. I love the Auto Train. I recommend it to everyone.
I’m Considering using the auto train with my family how is it in coach
Very nice!! I've learned the cars on The AutoTrain were specifically designed for that particular route & there are no other sleeper & lounge cars similar in Amtrak's system. I live on the West Coast & not capable of driving cross country in my car. I've heard Amtrak allows only privately owned vehicles on their trains-no rentals. Kudos to your Dad for sleeping in the upper berth!
Yes it is a really cool train! We've been wanting to do it for awhile now
They don't ask for your registration or anything so they wouldn't know and I wasn't asked when I traveled
Sold everything so you could travel. Respect. I couldn't do that. I like having a home base. I have no problem relocating my home base but I couldn't be happy with a moving base. ;)
Good stuff!
You guys look great as an AmtrK lover I'm going to treat myself to a trip to California and back to NC so.e time in the near future
Have fun!
I did this in Coach a couple months back. It was a nice experience to cover the miles without driving. Coach was fine, brought enough food/drink/entertainment to sustain me, but really sucks if others in the coach are inconsiderate (like that one dude on my return trip, on the phone until 4am).
I find it really sad that the announcer has to ask passengers to please not get angry when staff has to remind passengers to follow the rules. What is wrong with people these days?
I assume you ask rhetorically. I live in NYC where right turns on red are not allowed. I saw a Honda driver pull through an intersection and block pedestrian access during a red and a man with a baby stroller confronted him with raised voice and anger and hit the vehicle twice. It's unfortunate that breaking the law is so normalized
Your dad is just too cute what a trooper!❤❤❤😊😊😊
Nice video! That was kind of your father to sleep in the top bunk!
It's nice to see you travel with Dad. He's a good sport! I took the Lake Shore Limited and the California Zephyr between New York and Denver with mine when he was 85. Ever since riding troop trains in the army in WW2, he wanted to experience a sleeper car and a dining car. He took the lower bunk, however! AutoTrain is a useful and popular service. Too bad it hasn't been replicated elsewhere in the U.S.
Awesome, thanks for sharing
So I’m actually a café worker or you could say a dining attendant basically I work the café bar on the trains I’m actually qualified for the auto train. And yes I’m an employee with Amtrak so it’s funny you say that I was actually on the train one day dead, heading down to DC and one of the auto train supervisors was there and I was talking to him because when I had orientation one of the superintendents from Florida told us in class that the auto train is the biggest profit maker basically the second biggest profit maker for the entire company and that was in my head so I asked him why not have another one if it makes so much money and it’s so successful. He said they actually wanted to try it maybe Chicago Texas but a lot of plans just didn’t work out as statistically as they tried that’s why they haven’t done a second Auto Train .
@@ryandarko2115 I didn't know that - thanks.
very nice blog!!!! That is one big train!!!! you and Rob (Thats my name too!) have THE BEST Amtrak blogs.. HAPPY TRAVELS!!!!
I LOVE the fact that the pace is so calming! Thank you for the thorough video! 🥰
Your dad is so cute! I'm glad you got to take a trip with him. Love all your travels so much. ❤️
Thank you so much!!
The Sanford station has cool features for northbound travelers. There’s usually a food truck, in addition to the store in the station. And Amtrak runs a shuttle bus to downtown Sanford, to give more options for dining and activities between dropping off your car and the train departing.
Thanks!
Since when?? I did this trip December 2022 and they didn’t have any of that🥲 doing it again December 2023 I hope they have those options
They had them in April 2023 and the fall of 2016. Maybe it’s a seasonal service?
Thanks for the info and tips! Love seeing you share time with your dad…so special! 💕🥰
Thanks for watching!
Great video and your dad is very handsome
You are so kind
You did a very nice video, made me take it. Thank you. Or should I say booked it, I go Monday with my wife.
Have fun!
Thank you😎
Enjoyed your trip nice to see your dad😃Thank you for sharing . Diane 🇬🇧
Glad you enjoyed it
I love how you and your dad get along. He's quite handsome. Looks like a great trip
Thanks so much
I've always heard about the auto train but never quite got it. Thanks for this video. And it's great you got to travel with your dad. My best memories are traveling on the train with my mom.
Thanks for watching!
This is the one and only Amtrak rode so far. I took the trip in 2014. I enjoyed it, but wished I had access to some of your videos before hand.. my bucket list is a cross country trip.
Thanks, the cross country trips are our favorite
So impressed with your dad. In honor of him I will sleep at least one night in the upper bunk. At age 74 (almost 75) I will try this too.
Concerning the wifi: an attendant said that there is only one router on the long haul trains and that it is usually closer to the front or in the middle. Since the autotrain was so long (3/4 of a mile?! 3,960 feet or 1,207 meters?!) I can imagine that the signal would be extremely weak in certain sections. Great video, nice to see your dad.
Thanks, yes that's interesting. We usually just use our phones, that's a good explanation, thanks.
I found some of the announcements quite funny lol
Loved it!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
You are so welcome!
Is there a video where you talk about your decision to sell everything to travel? That is so interesting to me.
I don't think there is yet, good suggestion!
This is a refresher course. I will be taking the Autotrain next week. Like why take a plane and get cancelled or delayed and a cramped space when you can ride in style! But maybe I am missing something.
This best trip I ever had love its thank you guys
i booked a roomette and the conductor was wonderful.
Your dad has good taste in soda. I love ginger ale!
Haha thanks!
I wonder why Amtrak doesn't do this everywhere? Chicago to Mobile (Beach destinations) would be heavenly instead of that 18 hour drive.....
I have been waiting for this one, glad you got it done.
Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks!
Beautiful trip…so great to meet your handsome father & looks young & fit 👍enjoy
Thanks so much
You have such a young good looking dad! I envy you !❤❤❤
Always a fresh and creative idea!
Thank you! 😊
Enjoyed watching your video. I am sure this trip was memorable doing it with your dad.
Yes, thank you!
I’ve been looking forward to you guys doing the Auto Train. Great video. Thanks.
Thanks!
thanks for sharing your journey! I'll be taking the auto train with my friend later this year for our move up north, so that's exciting!
My better half and myself were on the NYC Subway yesterday and saw a couple that reminded us of the two of you. We said to each other: “Look! It’s Rob and Allie” 😂 Your Dad is 10 years older than me. I hope I look half as good as him in 10 years!!
Thanks! Haha, we were in NYC in December, but back in Georgia now.
Love you guys so informative!! ❤️
Thanks so much!!
love the auto train....so much fun to travel on a train and your car
It really is!
Thank for the information on the auto train was very interesting and enjoyable traveling with your Dad missed Rob was great meeting your Dad
Thank you!
Wow awesome video! i could watch the scenery all day.
Glad you enjoyed it!
So fun to travel with your Dad!
It was!
Thank for the video. You are lucky... Of the 4 trips we took on the Auto Train, we were early only once. The other times, we were 30-90 minutes late. On our most recent trip, a month ago, I was on the platform at Lorton when the locomotives were coupled to the train. It was neat to watch and I got to capture the process on video.
Oh wow!
When ever my husband and I travel on I95 and I see the Auto Train sign I say Look the Auto Train. I don’t know why I say it. We’ve never traveled on it. It’s become a bit of a laugh. I think when I first saw the sign many years ago I thought the idea of your car traveling by train was very unique. 😂
What a lovely trip and memorable opp to travel w your dad.
Yes it was!
We took the auto train this February both ways. We departed early and arrived early both ways, too! Very enjoyable trip!
Very cool!
That's some good motivation for not smoking on the train lol
Guess where I am?!? About to board in Lorton and car 5344! My elder mom and I are headed to Florida for March! Thanks for your great descriptive videos and was thrilled to see your recent Auto Train review. Alas, I had thought we would have a family bedroom but I booked the wrong direction...needed Lorton south so thankfully discovered my error at 10:30 last night!! We both wanted to be on lower beds...I too don't care for small spaces, but we'll see what happens later. Wondering if there's a way to make use of the seat and stretch out my legs. Lol. On my return trip, I'm trying the Bidup to score a bedroom. We just have coach seats for now. Likely some of their busiest bookings for those of us renting for March.
Have a great trip!
Another great video glad your Dad came along for the ride he is a trooper he took the penthouse that Rob always gets glad you had fun, last year we took the Empire Builder to Seattle from Chicago this year we are taking it to Portland from Chicago in June thanks again for another great video.
The trip to Portland is very nice we've heard!
I took the Auto Train back in 2003. The station wasn't nearly as nice as it is now! I remember queuing up outside in a gravel lot. Things have really changed for the better!
I'm happy to see you finally got the chance to ride the Auto Train! I rode it the other direction in October with my family of 3. Our experience was very similar to yours. We also paid for priority unloading, and I was surprised how quickly our car was ready.
The priority offloading was so good and fast!
I work there
love to see more travels with your dad !:love your dad already ! blessings from south africa !
Thank you!
I am doing this for the first on July 27th, this was very nice I know better now what to expect 👍The music you played was also very nice as you arrived in Sanford, FL.
I didn't know these auto trains existed. Pretty awesome. It was so nice to see your dad 🥰
Thank you 🤗
Great video. We have ridden AT several times. Saves money on Fla. Rental cars
Totally agree!
I live in Sanford, Fl, the station is about 15 minutes from my house. I've always wanted to travel overnight by train.
Very cool idea!
Thank you! Cheers!
A nice venture with your Papa! I did this in December (reverse) with my Gramma! I SPLURGED for the big room- wish I did priority off loading! That’s the key! I would recommend AutoTrain to everyone but priority car is a must no matter the room! Thank you for the VA to FL viewpoint!! xoxox GD Bless!!
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
This is great. I’ve been wanting to try the auto train for years.
I used the auto train 24 years ago. My nephew and I took coach.
Your dad is incredible! 😊
Thanks
This is my bucket list trip. I want to do this so much
Yay! I was the one thousandth like! Good to see your videos again!
Yay! Thank you!
Wonderful dad!!!
Thanks!
Question? If you and your husband sold your car and home where do you live?? Do you have a apartment? How does that work?
From what I've seen online via CZcams and reviews, the Auto Train is rarely on time.
I work in Lake Mary, which neighbors Sanford FL. I’m going to have to investigate this trip further!
Awesome!
Hi, thank you for posting. My family and I are planning an auto train trip next month, God willing. Your video provided good information. Looking forward to it. Can you post the link to the buddy phone charger that you used? Thanks
I am definitely taking train After watching this video! Thanks ☺️
really nice to she you and your father traveling together, you should do that more often. sad to say my daughter has not said one word to me in well over 10 years :(
i'm so sorry to hear that
I really like your videos and I cannot wait to see where you go next! By the way, I live just south of the Lorton Auto Train Station not to mention that you actually passed my neighborhood just before you passed Quantico. If you were on the other side, you would’ve seen a lot of construction as it is a newly developed neighborhood and a luxurious one at that
That priority offboarding is a must. My wife and I did it once without that and we waited close to 2 hours for our vehicle.
Very true
Very nice to meet your Dad. Hope Rob was alright on his own
Thank you!
To your dad from one "old" man to another: You are great!
Looks like Amtrak needs an upgrade on that Auto Train Service, a Continental Breakfaet, for what they charge, and that Diner, stuff stacked all over the place at the Tables..
3vyears since Covid begain, it's over let's move on, stop the excuses for bad service..
Good reporting as usual, useful information.
I have one other comment regarding the WIFI on Amtrak. Connect your computer to your cell phone's wifi ( web connection). You bypass Amtrak's system and for most travels I've seldom had interrupted service, even watching Netflix. Why didn't we ever think of this? When you don't have cell service, no computer connection either but that happens so much less often than simply no service with Amtrak's shared wifi.
It is usually better that way, thanks for pointing it out!
Wish my parents were still here to travel with me. Hope you enjoyed your trip! We hope to make this trip someday since we live near Sanford.
Thanks!
We would like to do this trip, your Dad is a great sport, we really enjoyed this video.
Thanks so much
How do you avoid being called to dinner as a '3'? I saw another video on this trip where they didn't get called until 11:30 PM
nice music. great shots
Thanks a lot!
Thanks!
Welcome!