Has anyone taken a train from Pennsylvania to Florida?

Question

We're thinking about taking a train from PA to Florida with two children. I checked it out on the Amtrak site, and it seems expensive (about $1,600)! Also, it looked like there were no family bedrooms on a sleeper car (only small bedrooms for 2 people which means we would have to get two of those). Has anyone ever done this trip? Was it enjoyable? We thought it might be a fun experience, but after checking out the website, we're thinking it might be horrible. Also, does anyone know of any way to get a discount other than AAA?

Answer 1

I think It would be horrible

The rates are really high and would take  many hours.

many of the flights from Philly  and Pits are quite inexpensive due to the volume.

Answer 2

Flights would be cheaper on this trip, I had a quick look here and flights are about $150/per person. http://www.cheapflights.com/book-flights...

I did do it by coach, but I stopped at various places on the way sightseeing.

Answer 3

I haven't taken that particular route; however, I have taken first class overnight travel several times over the past few years and found it quite nice and relaxing.  It depends on what your trip is for.  We went via train because my son had seen

"I love Lucy" when they traveled by train and was just dying to do it.  We actually had a blast that time (we went to Boston from Atlanta) and also the 2 subsequent overnighters.  In fact, it is our preferred mode of travel now if time isn't an issue.  If you don't mind spending time with your family in close quarters and you enjoy relaxing, reading and enjoying God's beautiful handiwork - go for it.. BTW, AAA is about the best we could find - as I am sure you know, any train travel is cheap, cheap, cheap IF you purchase well in advance.  It climbs steeply based on number of reservations left to purchase.  God Speed!

Answer 4

you might want to check with an Amtrak agent

(they could tell you more) and some trains do have family rooms

it depends on the train(since when you check for your date

of travel the bedroom might have been booked

(an agent say check and see if the bedroom is booked

all the way  or just to an inter-meditate stop (like DC)

you could for example book coach seats to DC and then sleeper(bedroom) from DC to Flordia (teh agent can tell you for sure)

it aslo

it depends on when you are traveling as well

at least if you got a sleeper the meals are included in the fare

and if you have kids they will LOVE IT  (its a lot more

fun then airplane

(another option you could try out is to take

the auto train but here you will need your car

(it started from Lorton Va and goes to Sanford Florida)

that might another route to go!

its a great experience -there's no hassle with airport

(or the TSA)

go for it!

Answer 5

Trains suck.... They are so over-priced now...

Advance purchase of a southwest airlines ticket is so cheap now that you should be able to fly 3 of you for under 500 bucks....and get there in 2.5 hours...

Why would you want to pay three times that and take as long or longer than if you drove?

There is absoltuly nothing nastalgic about a train...

unless you think nastalgic is something like trying to drive to Florida in a 1967 Rambler Station-wagon without using any interstate highways, like the olden days....LOL