Amtrak Auto Train- Is It Worth It?! 

Great analysis of the cost. If you book early, you can get a full bedroom for 2 at nearly the cost of a roomette for 2. Overall, it's a great experience! Remember, the journey is just as important at the destination. When on vacation, everything beats being in the office (just don't tell my boss that).

First time we took the Auto Train we went with just coach seats. Even though our lower level car was only half full, we were unable to get comfortable enough to actually sleep. My husband’s health and mobility was deteriorating so from then on we requested an accessible room, and that was wonderful. We had a toilet and sink in the room and quite a bit of space. Of course, I had to sleep on the upper bunk but I did manage to get some sleep.

answer: YES 10/10 key is to arrive EARLY or as I did, and you do with cruises, arrive THE NIGHT BEFORE. Stayed in their Holiday Inn. ON BOARD TRAIN BY 1PM. LOVED ALL OF IT. Had room on "2nd floor" so much quieter and full bathroom. Did not pay extra for getting car first and still got car within the hour. Please remind viewers that, like any restaurant or cabin, remember to TIP the server and steward.

I've taken the Auto Train to and from Disney with my family of 8 in 2021. It was good. I had no complaints. We were in coach. The seating was comfortable. The ride was fine. We brought a cooler with us onboard with food and drinks to save on cost. We all were pleased with the Auto Train. I will say that I'm an Amtrak employee BUT I'm also a fan and customer. I was impressed by the efficiency of the whole process. I would definitely do it again. I also love watching Amtrak reviews. Especially when they're good ones. I just makes me feel good knowing that enjoy riding with us.

My husband and I have taken the Autotrain many times and have definitely decided that saving a few $$ and just using the regular train seats is the way to go! And I have a bad back! The regular seats provide plenty of room for your legs and you can elevate your legs like a recliner chair. No privacy of course, but the only place privacy was needed was in the bathrooms anyway.

Being snowbirds from New England, we tried the Autotrain once years ago. The loading process was efficient and the dinner was good. Back then, the railbed wasn't in good shape, and with all the lurching we got very little sleep, so we had to head for a hotel rather than continue to our destination. We decided that the Autotrain bypasses the easiest part of I-95 to navigate, and given its cost we were better off to drive. If we could eliminate the Boston to Washington part of the journey, the train might be a better choice!

My family and I took our first Auto Train trip to Florida in the late 1980's back when the passenger cars were single level that were inherited from other passenger railroads when Amtrak was formed in 1971. The sleepers actually had the old "pass through" door at floor level where passengers could leave their shoes to be shined by the sleeper car attendent overnight. That service had long been discontinued by then. The service was impeccable, coach passengers also received meals in a buffet type service and sleeper passengers were in a traditional dining car. We've taken Auto train probably a dozen times since then, in later years just the wife and I and always in the sleepers, the most recent being a few years ago. When we first started, there were flowers on the dining car tables, sleeper passengers received complementary wine in your room upon boarding and there was a wine and cheese happy hour for sleeper car passengers that commenced about 90 minutes before departure. I also believe that there was a movie shown after dinner. Dinners were fantastic and breakfast was pretty informal and pretty decent as well. Beds were made up completely by the sleeping car attendant and you were told in no uncertain terms NOT to touch the bunks to bring them down to sleeping position. It truly is a shame that Amtrak has cheapened the experience since those days, especially since that is their flagship train. The concept is great though. drive on, sleep your way to florida and get off, leaving behind almost 900 miles of highway driving. If you live close to either terminal, say a few hours drive, it is a no brainer in my opinion as to the benefit of using it, especially having your car with you at your destination with the surge in rental car pricing. Being from CT, it's a long drive just to get to Lorton, but just that experience of sitting in the diner having dinner watching the scenery go by, well to me it never gets old. Where it gets messy is if the train is severely delayed. They only have two train sets for this run so if you're late into one terminal, it will be late leaving on it's return run and those delays can cascade to the point they cancel the service for a couple of days to reset everything. I've enjoyed the experience every time we've used it. To me, the trip is part of the vacation :) Oh and the family room will work with two little ones, (don't try it with two teenagers though, those kid bunks ARE small). You just have to keep them occupied for a LONG trip. But that's why they make bar cars :)

My Late Wife and I used to take this train in a Bedroom twice a year. We enjoyed it. Because when we first started and at 3 pm the Train used to have a Wine and Cheese Party. And the Train also used have a Smoking Room in the Bottom of the Club Car. And of course the Train Stopped that. And the Train used to show movies. But know the Train has Wi-Fi in the Club Car only. But most of all we enjoyed our train ride to and from Va to Fl and back in reverse.

It really is the only way to go if you are living in the northeast. The thought of driving down I95 to Florida brings back memories of how dangerous that road really is. It's like the Indy 500.

Took it a few months ago, decided to go coach. Upper level had people going all through it at all hours, lower level you had to deal with people heading to the bathrooms at all hours. Also had a tool on the phone pretty much all night. Roomette may be different, but coach is going to depend on who else is in there and how well you can sleep through anything!

Very informative. I did it once, about to do it for the 2nd time. It's very nice that u are open to help others with information on central Florida.i lived in the area for 8 years and love it. Keep helping people. That is a blessing to have someone like u .

Fun fact I’ve used the auto train to pick up cars I’ve purchased in Va twice and Pa. Over the years. It was less expensive to fly one way and purchase a Auto train ticket than using a truck delivery service and of course I had the car at my house within 24 hrs. Normally if you have it delivered it can take couple of weeks.

The first year me and my husband drove down to Panama City, Fl. as snow birds leaving just outside of Philadelphia, PA (stopping half way in Charlotte) the drive was horrible. Both days we drove about 10 hours and it felt like it was never ending journey. Not to mention the crazy drivers on the road made us feel like we were taking our life in our hands. Last year we decided to visit Jupiter, Fl and after reviewing the cost of a coach seat/car on the auto train we realized the cost was about the same when you add the cost of an overnight stay at a hotel, dinner out, Gas, tolls etc. to drive the full trip. I booked the auto train. We found the ability to be able to relax, read a book, watch a movie and sleep without the stress of the drive made this decision an excellent choice. And the fact that you are getting closer to you destination is also big perk. You depart Lorton, Va at 5 PM and if all goes well, you get into Sandford, Fl at 10 AM. This changes the trip from 2 full days to 1 day which is something I really appreciated. The coach seating is spacious and comfortable. Sleep can be difficult with all the snoring men, but I downloaded “white noise” on my phone and with the use of ear plugs that resolved that problem. You can bring a cooler with food, drinks and snacks. The seats recline back pretty far and we brought pillows and small blankets for additional comfort. Returning home we booked the roomette. The roomette is very tight space, but allowed us our own space and beds where you can sleep lying down. This is pricier, but felt like I did get a better sleep even with the rocking of the train.

Glad you had a great experience! I also had a great trip a few years ago. I traveled from NY to Miami. But I have heard horror stories of trains being multiple hours late! If you book a bedroom do not get room A. This room is at the end of the train car and has a slightly smaller compartment. It makes a difference!! I was lucky enough to get to do my homework and stayed overnight at the Holiday Inn which is literally 2 minutes away from the Lorton station. There is also a wonderful shopping center also minutes away from the station. I had a great night sleep at the Holiday Inn. Had a very nice complimentary breakfast. Went to the shopping center. Bought a bottle of Irish Whisky and a few snacks as well as a meatball parm hero and a salad. The food and drinks at the station and on board are very expensive! I was able make some ice at the hotel and brought my own cooler. I booked a bedroom, so I had the dinner and breakfast. I was lucky to have a very nice server for dinner and got a lot of free wine! The reason I slept at all?!! It's a very bumpy ride! (A few shots of whisky helped as well)! Bring very little on the train!! Just the essentials. A change of clothes, if you want to clean up or take a shower. Bring some kind of entertainment. I brought my portable DVD player with me and a few movies. The WIFI is spotty! Also bring a plug multiplier, there is usually two in the bedrooms. Take your valuables with you as you walk through the train.! There are no locks on the outside of the room doors! And no secure places in coach!

I absolutely love the auto train. The last time I drove NY to FL, I was almost involved in an accident and was stuck in traffic due to two separate car fires. On the drive before someone rear ended the car in the next lane and I missed it by mere inches. I love not having to deal with that for a large portion of the trip. I also like not having to drive through the night and worrying that something may happen in the middle of the night or trying to find an open gas station when you are driving in the middle of nowhere at 2 AM. I love just sitting back and being able to relax versus worrying about driving in the rain, traffic, etc. I agree that it is SO much less stressful than flying even though I was traveling alone. You really don't need to take that much on the actual train with you since you are sleeping for most of the trip. I have never had a delay on the auto train as opposed to delays almost every trip I've taken on the Silver Meteor or Silver Star. I arrived early for my auto train trips and I was once one of the first cars off and once one of the last cars off - it all depends on where your car ends up on which train - you could be the last car on the first train or the first car on the second train since they are offloading multiple trains at once. I was happily surprised with the meals - they were good (as opposed to the TV dinner type meals that they are serving on the Silver Meteor now that are not tasty) The bathrooms in the sleeper cars were clean each time I used them on the auto train (and also the Silver Meteor). The bathrooms on the Silver Meteor when I was in a coach seat were so disgusting I would wear a scarf doused with perfume before I would enter them. The cost of the roomette was worth it for that reason alone. Oddly my absolute favorite part of the auto train - the in room radio! There was something so great about listening to oldies over the radio on the train. No phone, no ipad, no streaming - just pressing a button and listening to the radio. It was like a step back in time and the only thing missing was Bing and Danny singing with Rosemary and Vera in the cafe car.

Pro tip; There are more sleeper rooms on the upper level than on the lower level. Thus the upper level rest rooms see more people than the lower level. The lower level rest rooms stay cleaner, longer than upper level rest rooms.

A few helpful tips: * Cars first checked in are first unloaded. Check-in begins at 12:30pm; if there is a delay or cancellation, you can modify or alter your travel plans asap. * Download the app. It'll tell you the train status / location, assistance with travel arrangements, etc. * Book/carry what only what you need. If you don't need to bring your car, you can book accommodations on local trains and arrive sooner for less money. * Is bringing your vehicle cost less than using rental vehicles? Take into consideration your vehicle is out-of-state. Accidents, theft, vandalism. Delays with insurance, repairs, police, hotel stays, will derail return trip accommodations and cost more for last minute for auto train return trip. * If using a rental vehicle, consider carpooling to reduce costs / additional drivers to keep the vehicle consistently moving. * Remember the auto train is carrying over 500 passengers, 200 cars. It takes time to load/secure the vehicles, assemble the consist, acclimate the passengers for the trip, accomodate the Auto Train between freight trains, and get underway. If one Auto Train is delayed, the subsequent Auto Trains may be delayed proportionately. * Don't heavily rely on wifi. The onboard wifi is mostly low bandwidth - reading emails and such. Bring along video games, E-books, digital movies, DVD's and portable DVD player, etc. * Book your arrangements as early as possible. Last minute = big money. * Pack a "food duffel" - drinks, snacks, maybe a sandwich from a local deli. It might not be cold, but it'll save you big money and you won't have to wait for onboard meals. * Have a pair of Crocs or similar; take your shoes and socks off and switch to the Crocs while onboard. Gives your shoes time to air out, your feet to breathe. If you use the showers (whether in the room or communal showers), you don't want messes on your walking shoes / feet nor tracking messes throughout the train. Crocs are easy to clean by hand with sanitary wipes and allow adequate time to air dry before storing in a plastic bag to put back into your luggage. * Be courteous and understanding to the staff. Like flight attendants, they get a lot of grief from cranky or impatient passengers too. They can't make the train travel any faster without compromising safety. Also bear in mind, this is practically public transport; its not luxury. They can accommodate passengers, but up to a point. * Don't make a mess of the compartments/seats/bathrooms/dining or lounge areas. Always tidy up after yourselves. Ask the staff what you can do as a passenger to make the trip more pleasant for everyone. Being a courteous passenger helpful to staff reduces stress and delays. A messy train takes longer to clean and longer delays. Nobody likes late, messy trains. * Always bring some sanitary wipes or similar. With the pandemic, flu season, or even regular travel, sometimes the smell of scented sanitary wipes and a clean area is more inviting. (I use them to wipe down the communal shower and/or toilet before and after.) * Tip your staff. Giving them a tip will brighten their day. More frequent travellers might get better service from staff if you're courteous and tip.

I am a Snowbird and rely on Auto train to avoid the grizzly drive between Annapolis, Maryland and Fort Myers Florida. The tracks are awful and there’s a lot of shimming, but that’s what Ambien or Melatonin gummies are for. The drive is BRUTAL! 2 lanes on the Carolina’s with poindexter drivers blocking the passing lanes, exhausting! While the train ride isn’t smooth like European trains. It gets the job done. A couchette is a MUST! I’ve gotten those for a as low as $365 plus $285 for car. Well worth avoiding the dreaded drive.

Slight damage to an undercarriage rear-wheel air deflector on my Lorton-Sanford trip. I could not sleep on the train but did like the experience. I traded not sleeping on the train for the exhausting drive. I would use the auto train again just to avoid the stress of driving-traffic, road rage aggressive drivers, accidents,etc. I would not get the en-suite bathroom again unless traveling with my fiancé (who enjoyed the privacy ). It’s too small and the communal showers seemed clean and spacious. Our sleeping-car porter was great.

Last time I was on the auto train it was 2002. I moved th FL from the Philly area. Packed the car with my belongings. I had a full bedroom and it worked for me.

I taken the Auto Train round trip and one way many, many times both in coach and with the small sleeper. Never been more then a half hour leaving nor an hour arriving late and that was due to freight traffic. I love to travel the auto train, you meet so many interesting people, have a lot of laughs and a great adventure every time. Wouldn't go any other way.

I have taken the auto train 7 times. Every trip has been great.

We rented the Family Car and it was very comfortable. When I drive it takes 2 days - so I also have a hotel charge plus several meals and gas. Auto train is the way to go!

Great report, thank you! This is def a trip I plan on taking.

My family used to take the Auto-Train back in the 70`s... being a kid with my brothers it was a blast and took a lot of pressure off my dad as he did all the driving...but these days my wife and I just can`t justify the cost... in your case it seems to make sense especially if you have to rent a car, but you are making great memories for your children, I`m sure they will remember it like my brothers and I... and my dad loved the club car... not sure if they still have that.

Such a great video! Thank you!

I’m from South Central Florida. Glad you love & live in our Great State. Keep up the great experiences.😎❤️

Great video. Thanks for posting this. Have a nice day.

Thank you for a great informational review of the Audi Train. Great job!

Great informative video and the best I've seen.

I am a person who lived in Naples and I used the auto train a couple of times, and it was well worth it... So thank you for making this useful video. It was well executed and very easy to follow. You covered all of the essential information that people would like to know. So here's a HUGE THANK YOU! VERY INFORMATIVE.👍

Direction of travel can change pricing as well. We did s/b in April (easter weekend) as part of a two week tour of Florida and wanted to do the train one way or another. The s/b was about 25% less than n/b . AmTrak rep told us at that time of year more demand for n/b so prices are higher. This might have changed , this was just our experience . BTW great experience both times , we too did the roomette ( Closette LOL) .

Thank you for this. Doing it for the first time.

I've travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak became nationwide (formerly individual railroad passengers companies became no longer confused with many transfers) for over 55 years. I hopped once or twice a year acrossing any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because train travellings are blasting with wonderful socially different people from all over the places and a beauty by looking views passing different areas too. And I'm using mostly sleeper car that is including no extra cost eating in dining car is the best! And their real foods are great! Able to walk entire each cars or standing out of train car on platform if stop for 10 or more minutes (don't wonder away from platform then the train will left by catch up on schedule or be on-time a minute or two before). While monitoring the completely refueling in locomotives, done by exchanging suitcases in baggage car, finishing filling up water each car and less passengers hopping in or hopping out will be leaving early as a schedule. I used took Southern Pacific (SP) Peninsula Commuter trains for years. SP ran between San Francisco and San Jose, now called Caltrain extended to Gilroy (south of San Jose). For you guys are taking a short trip on any long distance Amtrak to see if you like the train before taking longer trip. Also, check train status (keeping repeating if a train is catch up) for the arrival to save your waiting. Enjoy!

I've taken the Auto Train in both a roomette and coach seating and have enjoyed both very much. It's a great way to travel without having to worry about traffic, fuel, and being stuck with kids in the car for long periods. Just the access to a bathroom on demand and the ability to stroll around was a real blessing. One important lesson: If you have a larger vehicle such as a full-size pick-up, Amtrak is SERIOUS about the max width requirement! I had to actually unbolt one side mirror in order to have my truck accepted for loading. Fortunately I had tools and experience to do this, but just don't let this take you by surprise.

Thanks for this great tutorial and for the helpful tips!

My wife and I used the AutiTrain many times and loved it. Usally in April.

Back in the 80's I was living in NJ and wanted to take the auto train to Miami, when I added up the cost of 3 people plus a car and the fact that I had to drive 6 hrs to Va and then 4 more hours to Miami, it made more sense to fly and rent a car.

Great review very informative thank you

Be aware that the train is not always on time. Because of a medical problem and a mechanical problem on the train north, our train south was delayed. We didn’t board until five hours later than scheduled.

I do the roomette and I bring snacks, drinks, sandwiches and breakfast stuff. The dining is nothing special and if you get stuck in "group three" you will have a very late dinner. I do love the ride, love sleeping on the train and the roomette is perfect for the solo traveler. Now that I have cars that stay in Florida for the summer, I fly first class to RSW......its cheaper :)

We've taken the Auto Train quite a few times. When you factor wear and tear on your car, plus hotels, plus rental car, plus wear and tear on YOU, the Auto Train is roughly a wash, cost-wise. It's even cheaper if you do not get a sleeper, but I highly recommend the sleeper. Down sides: you will have an hour or more to kill at the boarding end. In VA, there is nothing to occupy your time except a playground. There are numerous restaurants within a short cab ride - which is what we did our last trip south. In Sanford, at least certain days of the week there is a free shuttle bus that goes to the tourist / restaurant area of town. You likely will NOT sleep well on the train - but it's still less fatiguing than the drive would be.

Very interesting - thank you.

I love and track I've been riding Amtrak since I was a little girl and I'm 60 now took it from Florida out La Florida to San Francisco and numerous of times from Pittsburgh to Tampa and Miami love it

Lucky you. My wife and I tried it last year. We come down from from north of Boston, to make sure we get there on time we left early because people who know the traffic between Boston and NYC can be horrible. Got there at 12:30 pm. Early yes but I’m thinking at least the car will come of early, wrong. The train continuously had to stop to let CSX freight trains ( they own the tracks ) go bye. We choose not to take a sleeper because for over a thousand dollars we could not justify the expense, maybe if we had two small ones the option would have been different. The ride all the way down was horrible. Finally came into Sanford. At least the car will come off early, wrong, it took 1 1/2 hours to get our vehicle. Now we still have to drive almost two hours to our home in the Ocala area (Dunnellon). Right after we took the train , I heard on the news that the train broke down on the way , no air conditioner on board, finally arrived over 12 hours late. We can drive down , get a good nights sleep in a hotel and still be at our home sooner than this trip took. So thanks, but no thanks.

Hi Stephanie. Just came across your channel. My wife and I took the Auto Train, and our experience was less pleasant than yours to be quite frank. 1. Departure from Lorton VA was 2 hours late and we were never informed why. 2. We had the bedroom which, although generally clean, was dingy, all fabrics were frayed, and metallic surfaces were worn and scratched. 3. The air conditioner controls did nothing in the room, and the attendant could not resolve it, so we were uncomfortably hot throughout the trip. 4. The cost of our ticket was substantially more than it would have cost to fly to Florida, more than double the price. We could have opted for the roomette as it was just the two of us, but we wanted an upper-tier experience so we decided to splurge a little. 5. Dinner service was delayed and chaotic, and the food was lackluster at best, although this could have come down to our meal selections. 6. Wifi was spotty at best, disconnecting constantly. 7. As you stared, the beds were not very comfortable, contributing to a less than pleasant sleeping experience. 8. Instead of arriving at 10 AM as scheduled, we arrived in Florida a little after 1 PM. Would we consider taking the Auto Train again? The only convenience of the entire experience was having access to our own vehicle after arriving in Sanford and not having to drive ourselves, but this, in and of itself, did not make up for the frustration of everything else, including the cost for what we received. It was a unique experience, but not one I would look forward to again.

Outstanding video

This is a fair and balanced review. Worth the $$$. Swaying and train noise a negative. Overall a good value.

I went to the AMTRAK site just tonight and clicked on the auto train link to see what it was...never heard of it. Now a few hours later, without searching for it, there are multiple AMTRAK Autotrain videos in my feed.

Thank you so much for information. smile.

Auto train isn’t for everyone but for someone who needs their car its a fantastic option! I like Amtrak, it’s relaxing

Nice report. Considering taking my motorcycle from Sanford to VA then riding it back down the Skyline Drive and Blueridge Parkway on the way back to Florida skipping the long ride up to VA.

Great video

I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH AMTRAK GOING TO FLORIDA BROUGHT MY OWN LUNCH

Yes I took the auto train loved it

Thanks for the review. Unfortunately Amtrak has been downgrading this service over the last few years. I took it a few years ago in coach and we were served a nice dinner like you mentioned and continental breakfast the next morning. Now no diner for coach passengers and you have to buy mediocre food in the Cafe. I hope someone at Amtrak reinstates the perks of old. This has aways been a profit making train.

I can drive from VA to FL in 12 hrs. If the price of gas is $3.50 gallon and 800 miles (20 mpg =40 gallons = $140 !!! so much cheaper to drive.. stop when you want to , eat where ever you like ...no waiting and waiting. Cheaper to drive and I love to drive. If I was older, I would consider it. I am a night person , so driving at night ... its less traffic and cooler in the summer.

As a 42 year old native Floridian (originally from Ft. Pierce but have lived in Sumter County for 35 years), I always, always wanted to take this Auto Train. My late mother and I always talked about getting a room on there and traveling to Virginia just for the heck of it. We sadly never did, but I still like watching videos and reading articles about this train.

We have taken Auto train a few times and really like it. We have had both a roomette and regular seats and we prefer the roomette. Its not very big and sleeping on the top bunk is tight so you can't be a large person or you won't fit comfortably. Regular seats are larger than airplane seat and they recline a bit. They also have an electric plug so you can use electronics devices. Coach seated passengers use to get a free dinner however since Covid I heard that is no longer the case. Check with Amtrak before you go because you can bring food onto the train such as subs and sandwiches. The train is very full November thru April with Northerners go south and than heading back after the winter. The prices are also higher at this time. You can walk the train if your legs get restless and they do have a lounge car that sells adult beverages and snacks. Off loading of your car can take awhile depending on how full the train was. However in my opinion it really beats driving especially if you are going south. Just board the train go to the club car get a drink and as the train starts to leave look at all those car's on I-95 stuck in traffic not moving. Enjoy a relaxing trip.

I'm not good at flying so when my husband decides he wants to go to Vegas we go from Virginia to Vegas by train and it's nice.

Florida to Virginia is an easy drive. It's when you get to DC. NJ, NY , CT and MA that the drive becomes horrific. The auto train needs to go all the way to Boston before I would consider using it.

Priority is now up to $90. Surprising it sells out fast

Done this a few times years ago when it was affordable, now out priced itself

Moved years ago and had to move 3 automobiles, this train was easy however the delays were many.

It was meant for the snowbirds who are mostly much older and many are little old single ladies to have a way to get themselves and their car to Florida. Everyone else is just a bonus for Amtrak. That is why the prices have gone up the little old ladies don't have much choice because they can't make the drive to Florida.

You are a talented rail advocate.

I’ve been taking the auto train for over 20 years. It’s gotten to the point where the cost for a one bedroom is utterly ridiculous. It is almost 3 times what I used to pay just 10 short years ago. Since their new president, they have eliminated complementary wine and cheese, they have eliminated free newspapers, food choices have shrunk along with portion sizes, free coffee used be available in every car but now you have to walk upstairs then 3-4 cars on the second car level to find a coffee machine. to book on the website and modify your dates is an absolute disaster, and hold times on the phones, well you better order lunch first before you get on the hold time. They now charge $60 if you want to be a priority de-board of your car, at those numbers you should seriously run the numbers of flying and renting a car versus autotrain. No complaints about the staff, really nice people, but the current management has turned this into the equivalent of a mediocre airline experience.

i can set up a transport from VA to FL for way less this time of year, it is seasonal this time of year "door to door" depending on sedan, suv, pick up, van 500 it is more if you are going from FL to VA snowbirds heading north

In 19o0s my coworker and his mom took the auto train to Florida. I thinknk he's taken it before.

If you have creation 2020 and later vehicles like Tahoe’s , beware, they won’t tell you they don’t fit until after you checked in , no one in the reservation process will say squat. Guy says” oh yeah, we’ve known for years”. You have to take mirrors off completely, and they won’t do it or help you, nor does many have tools on hands, we said F U , git refund and splurged on trio and drove and got there sooner.

At present, it costs over $3000 round trip for a family bedroom and a car. That's double what it costs to fly to Orlando from Philly, for my family of four. I could literally fly and rent a car for cheaper, even including airport parking and a meal at my connection. That's crazy.

I been on the Auto Train 3 times. Calculate gas, food, and motel, etc. vs. airline ticket and rental car, and gas. With the Auto Train, it's all about the accommodations, coach seat, roomette, or sleeper. It's sad because i could do round trip first class and it's cheaper than one way on the train in a roomette or sleeper. All a matter of time of travel. I like trains.

PRO TIP- if riding in a coach seat bring your own dinner. There’s a pizza place just on the other side of I-95 and a restaurant (Glory Days) across from the Lorton station.

I never found it cost effective, but I have been taking Amtrak from Providence to NY and Providence to Richmond, Va ( Short Pump/Staples Mill) lately because I just don't enjoy the driving any more. As others have stated Boston to DC is the worst part of the drive (at least until you get to Florida and have to battle the trucks) :-) Costs have changed quite a bit since the last time I ran the numbers and of course you also have to take into consideration convenience and preferences.

Curious about the assumptions that made it comparable with air travel. Can you explain what classes you compared? Looks like a fun trip!

If you apply for the Amtrack preferred credit card the reward points offset the cost significantly!!

I, as a Dane twice used a, rented in Germany by the Swedish Railroads, auto train from Malmö to Umeå and Luleå in the north of Sweden. It was special to look at the growth changing to arctic during the 1500 km ride. I dont know far this American train goes?

Hello. I will be taking the Amtrak Auto Train from Virginia. At what time should I get there to register my car? Its my first time. Thanks.

I wish I had bought a bunch of land around Orlando in the early 1970s, but alas, I was only two years old.😢

I have taken the auto train with the roomette accommodations and find that the lower level rooms have less movement than the upper rooms.

Idk if you're stuck yet but I've lived in fort Pierce from Vero Beach Palm Beach Jupiter St Lucie Palm City Jensen. 24yrs. If you have assets home family people that love you a good life somewhere else stay there! I kno you might be bored but don't fall for this! don't do it to yourselves it will destroy your family line one way or another. It'll degrade and destroy everything you've worked for. On top of that it's getting ready to change for the extreme worse and you'll never get out of here then. ❤🤙 Great video ... I'm taking my jeeps and going the other way😊 #GrassNOTgreener

We wanted to do this a few times, thank you will try this soon. 😊

Won't use again. Travel to Lorton from the Boston area is the most "taxing" part of the trip. The trip through the "Northeast corridor" (Boston to Fredricksburg/Richmond) is the hardest part. After that it's just mundane, with plenty of road stops/motels/restaurants along the way. The train doesn't eliminate that.

Well I did a search and the ONLY AUTO train is this ONE... from Virginia to Florida.... funny seeing how this is the ONE PROFITABLE route for AMTRAK..... GOBBERMENT 4 YA!!!

Good Morning America how are ya? Don't you know me I'm your second Native Son. I am called the Amtrak Auto Train I'll be eight hundred miles down by the day is done. When I was in Germany in 1984. They had something similar to this I was watching the guys load up the cars. The train was going to go from Stuttgart to Milan. And I saw the traffic it was jam-packed on the Autobahn. They still run the auto racks but they don't run the overnight train anymore kind of sad. Because my grandfather worked from Stuttgart to Hamburg and vice versa. I my grandmother told me that he would always pick up the new Mercedes-Benz from the factory. Or go to the BMW Factory. If you get to go over there it's a lot of fun. And if you get to go to the steam Fest your son will say hey that's Thomas the Tank engine's Big Brother. Because if you see the 05 or the 50 that was my grandfather's engines. Before they switched over to Electric. And he drove a 193 Siemens one the first Electric locomotives post-war. And she still running strong today.

Is there a benefit to arriving early putting the car on to get it off sooner?

I wish they had more trains with different routes. Or, had stops in between the route.

As a Canadian, and also live in WestPalmBeach FL........I look Amtrack Auto Train and is to much a wasting time........The plane is better option.....3h30 and it's done... Uber from home....car is in the driveway......pool 85F....beach 82F......no waisting time... Also I have a choice of (3) airport for departure and (4) airport for arrival........and the whole familly (4) can travel for $650 total.......

I've watched 4 videos from different people on this and not a SINGLE person uttered the ONE THING everybody wants to know. HOW MUCH DID IT COST !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey hun,I planning on moving out to Miami,soon.

Did you happen to see any cars with small trailers (uhaul) attached?

Stayed in the quarters with your own shower and it was nice but a first class trip on a airline was 3 times more.

Driving 850 miles one way is $200 in gas. A room for 2 adults is $600 and up. Plus you have to hand your car to a stranger. Not to mention it will take up to 2 days to get there. I would prefer to drive in one day or stay in motel midway.

The worst part of the drive up the east coast on 95 has got to be South Carolina. Counting the billboards till South of the Border.

Just wanted to know what is considered Central Florida; and is this area safe from storms and flooding? What are the homes going for like ranch style 3br 2 bath rooms

I have been on that train many times the bottom of the cars are for handy cap people an onefamily bed room the showers our down there also if your incoachor a roomat

I took the Auto Train from VA to FL. We booked a Roomette. NO WAY EVER AGAIN. The top bunk is way too uncomfortable. I couldn't move the whole night and couldn't even sit up to make myself comfortable. Horrible. Maybe a coach seat would have been better. It would have been cheaper.

Can you put your vehicle on this train with you actually taking the train. Is there other towns or cities besides Virginia ??

Don’t forget to tip your Sleeping Car Attendant

What is the cost and time difference if you just drive? Please include when you arrived at the station until the time you left the station at your destination.