I am taking my car to Florida via auto train and I like to know about the trip experience prior to my trip.?

Question

I am taking my car to Florida via auto train and I like to know about the trip experience prior to my trip.?

Answer 1

my sister takes it all the time. she loves it.

Answer 2

Auto Train is AWESOME! The ride is very nice and relaxing! We took it from Jersey to FL and it was the best!! I would definitely do it again!!

Answer 3

I took the AutoTrain from Florida to D.C. and I thought it was great.  My teenage daughter and I drove from Tampa to Sanford where the train embarks.  They loaded the Suburban; we took on overnight bag (I also took snacks and wine!)and we got a sleeper (a tiny room with facing seats that become bunk beds after dinner).  The bathroom is downstairs and that was what I did not like.  Next time I would get a deluxe suite with private bath.  Much more room but a bit more expensive.  Dinner and breakfast are included with your ticket regardless.  You depart at 6p.m. and the next morning you are outside of D.C.  They unload your car and off you go!  It was fun.

Answer 4

Its pretty simple.

You have to be at the station (either Lorton, VA or Sanford, FL) before 3:00pm so that they can inspect (with a video cam) and load your car. *

At check-in you pick your seating time for Dinner (included in price).**

You get either your seat, room or roomette (only 2 seats) & meet your porter - who turns down the beds and is helpful with most problems.***

The train pulls out at 4:00pm (from either station) And arrives at 8:30am at your destination.

* You are warned to remove all valuables from the drivers compartment......Believe it.  I left the ashtray full of toll money (approx. $10:00) and upon arriving in Disney figured out why so much change was on my floor.  I left it there so I blame myself.  That was the only bad thing to happen travelling with them.

** Dinner seatings are on a 1st come 1st serve basis - The earlier you get there the better your chances of getting the time you want.

***You can sometimes upgrade your seat to a room at a discount if you get there early enough (1st come 1st serve basis).

My Family and I Love the AutoTrain!!!  

We get there early for the reasons mentioned above.  We usually book a basic room early and sometimes upgrade to the room with the bathroom when we get there(Its nice not to share).  You are allowed 2 carry on bags each so I usually bring 1 bag with books, laptop (there are outlets in the rooms)and dvds and a cooler with drinks and snacks while my wife brings clothing, toiletries and stuff to freshen up the toilet & showers before use (We use Clorox wipes & bring showershoes or flip flops) and my son carries what he needs to entertain himself.

On the ride down we read, watch movies and enjoy each others company.  At night they usually show a movie in the lounge car and sometimes there is a decent card game going in the view car.

Dinner was  good.  Definately better than airline food.

The ride itself was nice.  During the day the train stops frequently due to freight trains (whose companies actually own the tracks - Amtrack only leases) but at night the train really moves.

I set the alarm for 5:30am which gave us plenty of time to clean up, change our clothes, have a light breakfast and pack before arriving in the station.

All in all its nice to have the use of my own car without putting the mileage on it and not have to contend with the weather, traffic, etc.

Enjoy Your Trip!!!!!!!!!