We stumbled upon the AutoTrain last year. Got a bedroom from VA to FL. Loved it so much we bought a bedroom to go back home after vacation. However a hurricane in Florida canceled our return train trip. Got a voucher refund because we knew we were coming back this year for vacation. I caught a DEAL in January for our trip in the Fall!! Almost 50% off the roundtrip! Woohoo. Our dinner in the dining car was fabulous. Cooked to order steak for my husband. I had salmon with spicy quinoa and edamame.
I saw your husband and you on the news Friday talking about your international travels. I yelled at my husband and said, “Honey, the AmTrak couple are on the news!!” I think he thought it wasn’t for a good reason because he gave me a concerned look 😂😂
Love the autotrain. I would say that it is also important to stress, if you need medications...bring it with you from your car. Sometimes people think that would qualify as an exception for car access.
We have taken Autotrain several times. Very efficient way to go back & forth to Fla. We have driven to Lorton from Ohio, stay in hotel near Lorton night before and board next day. Saves money on rental cars in Fla for longer vacation in Fla.
Excellent presentation, excellent diction, good visuals. I used the Auto Train from VA to Fla while my husband drove down..... After 5 months in Fla, my husband was convinced to return with me via Auto Train. We booked a roomette (2 adults), two vehicles (one regular, one oversize). I have recommended the Auto Train to many of our acquaintances. I was able to speak with a conductor who shared the history with me, and was impressed when he told me this is the ONLY Auto Train in the world. WOW!
Back when the Auto Train was a big deal with singing commercials it was my Dad dream vacation. He looked into the prices . It was doable but his steam mill shut down for 2 weeks at Christmas. This was everyone's vacation time period. The prices at Disney became impossible at Christmas. He kept it in the back of his mind for YEARS. He even got me a N Gage Auto Train set. This was in the late 70's. By the 80's we were all grown. But he still talked about it. In the end he thought we were all past Disney. This became his whit if dream. It would have been a big deal. Our vacations were trips to fish and SeaWorld. In the decade before me they use to do things with my brother and sister but by the time I came they were tired out, 11 and 6 years between me and my brother and sister.
You spoke about the sleeping compartments and meals,not everyone doe’s the sleeping car, people in coach needs to know bathrooms are on lower level and the cafe car are on the top level,
About to go once again in two weeks! I have used this since the 70’s, when it was privately owned, Pre-Amtrak. Auto-Train turns that horrendously boring trip into an adventure. We love it! We usually get the Roomette, but sometimes we get the bedroom. I joke that it’s one time where you can use a toilet and get a shower at the same time! I’ve probably used it over 10 times, and it addition to our upcoming trip, we will be using it next year to take our vintage Thunderbird to a gathering in Carlisle,Pa. Excited!
Great explanation of the auto train process, travelled from Lorton on July 1st, the ride can be bumpy on some of the stretches. Great service by the car attendant and all personnel on the train.
My boyfriend and I are taking the auto train on the 30th of July. We have a roomette but we did bid for a bedroom. It will be my second time on the auto train and his first time. I took your advice Allie and bid the lowest number on the scale.
The funniest thing about my day ago white Hybird off loading was the diesel carbon on it! Out of all the long haul Amtrak trains I have taken, this is the only one besides the NEC and Downeaster, that it wasn’t long enough for a room or a roomette. 16 hours is perfect in a non shared row in the only 4 coach’s on the train! Florence, SC cured me of the nicotine withdrawals!
Great service, but there needs to be one from the midwest(Kansas City?) to Pheonix AZ... there are tens of thousands of people that winter in Arizona from Iowa, Minnesota, etc every year!
I have watched some videos on the auto train. This was very well presented. I'm leaving this Friday on the train. A friend of mine just returned from a different train. One word of caution she gave me was to watch out for movements when walking because the train she was on shifted and she got bruised.
So funny that I happen to be on the auto train right now pulling into Sanford. You put up a Cozumel video a bit ago and we in Florida to go on a cruise to Cozumel. Lol To answer the previous person's question - I just asked out attendee and pets are not allowed in the train but service animals are.
It’s about $200 extra for the car and you have the option of coach, roomette or bedroom booking for the accommodation on the train. Sleeper car includes meals.
When I started working for Amtrak (Onboard Services) I started working on AutoTrain October 1995 when I started they were phasing out the old Heritage Equipment Sleepers were already replaced with the Super liner Equipment The Coach section was changed within a few months after I started Coach still had the dome car as well as the Buffet Car
Looking forward to trying this one day, but man it is so inefficient compared to the Eurotunnel. You’re off that train within minutes of arriving and it’s all self driven
Yes; I took Auto Train from FL to VA last year. I did see a few motorcycles being loaded. They secure them in a special carrier and then load the carrier on the train.
Unfortunately I would have to drive about 3 and a half hours on a good day north-north-west to get to Lorton Virginia. So it seems it would only be good for northerners coming from New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, but not from Southeast Virginia. We've driven to Florida several times and we're going to have to drive there again. The airlines have just become too unreliable and too many angry passengers. I wish the US had a better train system, and there doesn't seem to be any intent to improve passenger train travel. I'm sure the oil and gas companies are thrilled
The roomettes with the toilets in them are found in the single-floor Viewliner I sleeper cars. The auto-train uses the double-decker Superliner II cars. The Silver Star and The Silver Meteor trains use the Viewliner I cars, but those are slowly being replaced with brand new Viewliner II cars which have no bathroom in the roomettes. All that being said, I would much rather use my own private toilet in my roomette than have to use a communal toilet shared by everyone in the car.
Ok so questions: do you need to purchase tickets before getting there? Or can you purchase there?, also if you do coach, I heard in the video something about a sleeper lounge, are there sleepers there for people using coach? Thanks!
@jbayron05 You need to make reservations as far ahead of time you're planning your trip! I just booked ours June & one of the days we were looking at from FL to VA, they were full as they can haul 300+ vehicles only! Also, if you're looking to get a roomette or bedroom, the agent said the price increases the closer to trip, just like airfare!! If you get a coach seat, you sleep in that seat.
Excellent video. I’m taking the auto train from Lorton next March to go to Daytona bike week. Question: I’m a big guy (6-5) do you think the coach seats are large enough or should i get a “roomette “? I feel I’m going to be cramped either way and it’s only for overnight. Thanks!
Hi. Seriously considering using the Auto Train for my next visit to Florida. Are the Coach seats comfortable enough to get a couple hours of sleep on during the night? Didn't really want to purchase a Sleeper or Roomette. And are the dining cars available to the Coach seating as well? I wasn't clear if you stated that during your excellent presentation. Thanks.
Last time we took the Auto Train was in 2018. We're using it again in September 24. Found out they no longer offer meals to coach. So bummed about that! Stuck with buying something from the overpriced Cafe car.
Technically you might be able to do that but you'd have to buy a ticket for yourself. But I would think that there would be a problem when they realized they had a car without a passenger.
@ronroth5347 Priority offloading is an extra $95 for the 1st 30 people who purchase it. As for coach dining, I'm not sure if you are able to purchase hot meals in the Dining room or if you use the Cafe where they have sandwiches, salads, snacks, etc. You can call Amtrak or the station you'd be departing from.
Maybe I missed it they used to show a movie at 7 and 9pm in the lounge car. My mother was a snowbird for a number of years and used the Auto Train both ways. In the spring she was comfortable enough to drive to Sanford and I would meet her in Lorton. I would take Amtrak from Syracuse to VA the day of her trip and meet her in the morning at Lorton.
Unless you are priority cars come off at random order. my car was the fourth one on the train without priority and came off 2 1/2 hours after we arrived
For us ( 2 people ) & 1 car was about $720-ish dollars (round trip from Lorton, VA to Sanford, Fla. And back to Lorton, VA.) NOT worth it!! Uncomfortable seats, poor air circulation, a/c barely worked, other passengers rattling bags, passengers moving seats back & forth, noisy kids, smelly & poorly cleaned restrooms, passengers not properly bathed & you could smell them, half frozen food given to passengers, very bumpy ride, and workers wearing dirty clothes & gloves & muddy hand prints all over my dash & door. And after watching me clean it off before I left the station, not 1 of the employees standing around watching me clean it all off, offered to help. Not an exaggeration. We did this about 3 weeks ago from Lorton, VA to Sanford, Fla. NEVER AGAIN!!
Alot of the passengers don't get that a person should be properly bathed & not smell like butthole & armpit juice & keep your unruly, heathen kids quiet & under control either! And to not rattle bags, cups, etc.. at night when people are attempting to catch some shut eye as well!
We will NEVER take another Amtrak Auto Train, ever! 3 weeks go we took it from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida. Very uncomfortable seating, poor air circulation & air conditioning & the train food was terrible. Not properly thawed, and yet still given to passengers. And their restrooms were terrible too! They smelled & not cleaned very well at all. And also the train was very noisy, and bumpy. Just an overall bad experience. For the price we paid for the round trip, we will drive to wherever from now on.
The third rehash of this service I've watched. Again, a worthless overview with absolutely no details about accommodation options and price structure. I know it's not cheap but some details would be nice.
We stumbled upon the AutoTrain last year. Got a bedroom from VA to FL. Loved it so much we bought a bedroom to go back home after vacation. However a hurricane in Florida canceled our return train trip. Got a voucher refund because we knew we were coming back this year for vacation. I caught a DEAL in January for our trip in the Fall!! Almost 50% off the roundtrip! Woohoo. Our dinner in the dining car was fabulous. Cooked to order steak for my husband. I had salmon with spicy quinoa and edamame.
I saw your husband and you on the news Friday talking about your international travels. I yelled at my husband and said, “Honey, the AmTrak couple are on the news!!” I think he thought it wasn’t for a good reason because he gave me a concerned look 😂😂
Love the autotrain. I would say that it is also important to stress, if you need medications...bring it with you from your car. Sometimes people think that would qualify as an exception for car access.
We have taken Autotrain several times. Very efficient way to go back & forth to Fla. We have driven to Lorton from Ohio, stay in hotel near Lorton night before and board next day. Saves money on rental cars in Fla for longer vacation in Fla.
Excellent presentation, excellent diction, good visuals. I used the Auto Train from VA to Fla while my husband drove down..... After 5 months in Fla, my husband was convinced to return with me via Auto Train. We booked a roomette (2 adults), two vehicles (one regular, one oversize). I have recommended the Auto Train to many of our acquaintances. I was able to speak with a conductor who shared the history with me, and was impressed when he told me this is the ONLY Auto Train in the world. WOW!
Back when the Auto Train was a big deal with singing commercials it was my Dad dream vacation. He looked into the prices . It was doable but his steam mill shut down for 2 weeks at Christmas. This was everyone's vacation time period. The prices at Disney became impossible at Christmas. He kept it in the back of his mind for YEARS. He even got me a N Gage Auto Train set. This was in the late 70's. By the 80's we were all grown. But he still talked about it. In the end he thought we were all past Disney. This became his whit if dream. It would have been a big deal. Our vacations were trips to fish and SeaWorld. In the decade before me they use to do things with my brother and sister but by the time I came they were tired out, 11 and 6 years between me and my brother and sister.
You spoke about the sleeping compartments and meals,not everyone doe’s the sleeping car, people in coach needs to know bathrooms are on lower level and the cafe car are on the top level,
About to go once again in two weeks! I have used this since the 70’s, when it was privately owned, Pre-Amtrak. Auto-Train turns that horrendously boring trip into an adventure. We love it! We usually get the Roomette, but sometimes we get the bedroom. I joke that it’s one time where you can use a toilet and get a shower at the same time! I’ve probably used it over 10 times, and it addition to our upcoming trip, we will be using it next year to take our vintage Thunderbird to a gathering in Carlisle,Pa. Excited!
Great explanation of the auto train process, travelled from Lorton on July 1st, the ride can be bumpy on some of the stretches. Great service by the car attendant and all personnel on the train.
I thought that was so wonderful that you took your dad. What a nice ride.
My boyfriend and I are taking the auto train on the 30th of July. We have a roomette but we did bid for a bedroom. It will be my second time on the auto train and his first time. I took your advice Allie and bid the lowest number on the scale.
Bidding? What is this? I've traveled the auto train with my vehicle and a bedroom. Is this new?
What does that mean, lowest number on the scale?
So, how was your trip? I just used the bid process last week, so hopefully we get a roomette for our trip home to Florida.
We plan to do this sometime in the next year or two, thanks for the great tips!
The funniest thing about my day ago white Hybird off loading was the diesel carbon on it! Out of all the long haul Amtrak trains I have taken, this is the only one besides the NEC and Downeaster, that it wasn’t long enough for a room or a roomette. 16 hours is perfect in a non shared row in the only 4 coach’s on the train! Florence, SC cured me of the nicotine withdrawals!
Thanks! I can’t wait to try book this train and have this experience!
Great service, but there needs to be one from the midwest(Kansas City?) to Pheonix AZ... there are tens of thousands of people that winter in Arizona from Iowa, Minnesota, etc every year!
Also, I was surprised to see you on the CBS Evening News last week!
Thank you so much for this video ! I am very interested in trying the auto train ! We love all your youtube channels and are so informative
Ohhhhh! I thought it was an automatic train, like a Tesla! Haha! Love your videos!!!
We cant wait for our Auto train trip next month. Thanks Grounded Life Travel for the great tips.
I have watched some videos on the auto train. This was very well presented. I'm leaving this Friday on the train. A friend of mine just returned from a different train. One word of caution she gave me was to watch out for movements when walking because the train she was on shifted and she got bruised.
thanks for this video i'm trying to understand how to make this a winter getaway
So funny that I happen to be on the auto train right now pulling into Sanford. You put up a Cozumel video a bit ago and we in Florida to go on a cruise to Cozumel. Lol To answer the previous person's question - I just asked out attendee and pets are not allowed in the train but service animals are.
Tried the AutoTrain in April heading north, and i loved it. saved me all that solo driving and hotel/gas expense. Would do it again!
Thanks for explaining the procedure!
Thank you for this video. I was thinking of using the auto train option if I go to Florida. This video is very helpful.
It’s about $200 extra for the car and you have the option of coach, roomette or bedroom booking for the accommodation on the train. Sleeper car includes meals.
I have intention to use the Auto train in the future. The info was well explained.
Thank you for another very informative post
When I started working for Amtrak (Onboard Services) I started working on AutoTrain October 1995 when I started they were phasing out the old Heritage Equipment
Sleepers were already replaced with the Super liner Equipment The Coach section was changed within a few months after I started
Coach still had the dome car as well as the Buffet Car
This was very helpful, thank you!
I took the auto train about 2 years ago to attend a conference in Orlando and had a great experience and would definitely consider it again.
Very informative thank you
The Virtual Railfan Channel for Ashland Virginia watches the AutoTrain go by twice a day. Once in either direction
this is great
Looking forward to trying this one day, but man it is so inefficient compared to the Eurotunnel. You’re off that train within minutes of arriving and it’s all self driven
Does it allow motorcycles?
Yes; I took Auto Train from FL to VA last year. I did see a few motorcycles being loaded. They secure them in a special carrier and then load the carrier on the train.
Yes! We used it to go to the BMW International rally in West Virginia. Flawless trip.
Good to learn about this. Can you take pets in this train? It sounds like fun!
Only if a service (not comfort) animal. Only one potty stop.
The conductor gave a woman a very hard time last month and threatened to put her off so be sure you have whatever paperwork they require.
Thank you for sharing
Unfortunately I would have to drive about 3 and a half hours on a good day north-north-west to get to Lorton Virginia. So it seems it would only be good for northerners coming from New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, but not from Southeast Virginia. We've driven to Florida several times and we're going to have to drive there again. The airlines have just become too unreliable and too many angry passengers. I wish the US had a better train system, and there doesn't seem to be any intent to improve passenger train travel. I'm sure the oil and gas companies are thrilled
Do you know if there are any restrictions on EV’s.
How does the car check in work? Do they keep your car unlocked with your keys inside? I’ll be going alone and riding for the first time.
Nice and thorough review!
Just a question: Do the smaller sleeper Compartments still have the toilets in them or did they finally get rid of them?
Tia
The roomettes with the toilets in them are found in the single-floor Viewliner I sleeper cars. The auto-train uses the double-decker Superliner II cars.
The Silver Star and The Silver Meteor trains use the Viewliner I cars, but those are slowly being replaced with brand new Viewliner II cars which have no bathroom in the roomettes.
All that being said, I would much rather use my own private toilet in my roomette than have to use a communal toilet shared by everyone in the car.
Wow, just found out about this.
Ok so questions: do you need to purchase tickets before getting there? Or can you purchase there?, also if you do coach, I heard in the video something about a sleeper lounge, are there sleepers there for people using coach? Thanks!
@jbayron05 You need to make reservations as far ahead of time you're planning your trip! I just booked ours June & one of the days we were looking at from FL to VA, they were full as they can haul 300+ vehicles only! Also, if you're looking to get a roomette or bedroom, the agent said the price increases the closer to trip, just like airfare!! If you get a coach seat, you sleep in that seat.
Great Video- are coach seats assigned or do you get on and choose your seats ?
You pick up or downstairs when you book, and your seat is assigned when you check in at the terminal
Excellent video. I’m taking the auto train from Lorton next March to go to Daytona bike week. Question: I’m a big guy (6-5) do you think the coach seats are large enough or should i get a “roomette “? I feel I’m going to be cramped either way and it’s only for overnight. Thanks!
Hi. Seriously considering using the Auto Train for my next visit to Florida. Are the Coach seats comfortable enough to get a couple hours of sleep on during the night? Didn't really want to purchase a Sleeper or Roomette. And are the dining cars available to the Coach seating as well? I wasn't clear if you stated that during your excellent presentation. Thanks.
They're more comfortable than on a plane, but you won't get much sleep wherever you are. The tracks are pretty rough. Beats driving.
And coach riders do not have access to the dining cars, but some food is sold in the club car, which is a good place to hang out.
Last time we took the Auto Train was in 2018. We're using it again in September 24. Found out they no longer offer meals to coach. So bummed about that! Stuck with buying something from the overpriced Cafe car.
Grab takeout before y'all drop the car off.
In Europe owners drive self on and off the train
Were you in a private room instead of Coach? I'm curios to know what Coach was like
Can you leave the car, fly into Orlando and pick it up? Or do you need to be on the train?
I think you need to be on the train.
Technically you might be able to do that but you'd have to buy a ticket for yourself. But I would think that there would be a problem when they realized they had a car without a passenger.
Great information. Question. Does the auto train allow pets?
There's only one break stop, and the trip is longer than 7 hours, so no, unless the animal is a service (not comfort) animal.
Just paid 853 for two people and a car from Florida to Lorton.
How much does priority off boarding cost?
If you’re riding coach, can you still purchase a dinner?
Thanks!!
@ronroth5347 Priority offloading is an extra $95 for the 1st 30 people who purchase it. As for coach dining, I'm not sure if you are able to purchase hot meals in the Dining room or if you use the Cafe where they have sandwiches, salads, snacks, etc. You can call Amtrak or the station you'd be departing from.
How do I know if my jeep is standard or other?
Maybe I missed it they used to show a movie at 7 and 9pm in the lounge car.
My mother was a snowbird for a number of years and used the Auto Train both ways. In the spring she was comfortable enough to drive to Sanford and I would meet her in Lorton. I would take Amtrak from Syracuse to VA the day of her trip and meet her in the morning at Lorton.
If I don’t have priority off loading, would it be better to arrive earlier or later to get the car off sooner?
Unless you are priority cars come off at random order. my car was the fourth one on the train without priority and came off 2 1/2 hours after we arrived
Do we have to give them Keys? I have Tesla
How much is it to do this trip with your auto?
For us ( 2 people ) & 1 car was about $720-ish dollars (round trip from Lorton, VA to Sanford, Fla. And back to Lorton, VA.) NOT worth it!!
Uncomfortable seats, poor air circulation, a/c barely worked, other passengers rattling bags, passengers moving seats back & forth, noisy kids, smelly & poorly cleaned restrooms, passengers not properly bathed & you could smell them, half frozen food given to passengers, very bumpy ride, and workers wearing dirty clothes & gloves & muddy hand prints all over my dash & door. And after watching me clean it off before I left the station, not 1 of the employees standing around watching me clean it all off, offered to help.
Not an exaggeration. We did this about 3 weeks ago from Lorton, VA to Sanford, Fla. NEVER AGAIN!!
The problem is the site is very difficult to buy a ticket
Just proper human behavior to wear shoes and not run in a train, but of course some ppl do not get it 🤦♂️
Alot of the passengers don't get that a person should be properly bathed & not smell like butthole & armpit juice & keep your unruly, heathen kids quiet & under control either! And to not rattle bags, cups, etc.. at night when people are attempting to catch some shut eye as well!
We will NEVER take another Amtrak Auto Train, ever! 3 weeks go we took it from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida. Very uncomfortable seating, poor air circulation & air conditioning & the train food was terrible. Not properly thawed, and yet still given to passengers. And their restrooms were terrible too! They smelled & not cleaned very well at all. And also the train was very noisy, and bumpy. Just an overall bad experience. For the price we paid for the round trip, we will drive to wherever from now on.
And prices? This Service should run from NYC - Fla,NYC-Chicago -LA Calif, LV NV ,North/ South,West/East,it’s a Sad and a Shame.
I've been hearing on the news about a lot of train accidents does that not worry you
No 😂
The third rehash of this service I've watched. Again, a worthless overview with absolutely no details about accommodation options and price structure. I know it's not cheap but some details would be nice.
Auto train charges you for rooms size going both ways 3600$ round trip was my estimate for family of 4.
I will pass
What's the price for the veh transport & passenger