Can I ride Amtrak Auto Train without a car?

Can I travel on the Auto Train without a car, because if I even need to go Florida, I prefer superliner cars, and could catch a ride to Lorton/Sanford. Also I want a non-stop train experience. Also, max speed? No, you must have a vehicle for the auto train.



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Many of the lines don't make any money or are operated at a loss. To accommodate the money-losing routes, Amtrak uses profits from its popular lines, such as the Northeast Corridor. Since this is one of the most popular routes, Amtrak can charge higher prices and send those profits to other, less profitable lines.

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Plan to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart (Auto Train passengers should arrive at the station at least two hours prior to departure).

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We often get the question “Is Amtrak safe for single woman”, the short answer is yes. You are in a train car full of people. One of the great things about Amtrak is the space. On airplanes the seats are so close together that it's hard to avoid touching your seat mates.

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Riding the Rails: A First-Hand Look at Amtrak Auto Train's Dining and Service. Amtrak's Auto Train travels the rails of the southeastern U.S. on an 855-mile journey between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. Traveling in both directions daily, each train carries a maximum of 650 passengers and 330 cars.

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Beware that you likely won't get quality sleep on the Auto Train. The ride is bumpy and beds not comfy. M and I made do sleeping opposite ways but didn't get much shut eye.

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In almost all cases, Amtrak seats are not assigned. The exception is Acela Express route seats and business class seating on the Northeast Regional, Carolinian, Palmetto, and Vermonter. Otherwise, Amtrak has a first-come, first-serve seating policy for coach seats.

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General Guidelines: Tipping is NOT required, but is considered correct for the service crew personnel on the train.

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When choosing a seat on a train, try to get one in the center-most car, or one of the central cars. This will put you as far as possible from the most common points of issue for collisions or derailment, namely the front and end of the train.

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Baggage on the Auto Train Auto Train does not offer checked baggage service, but you may pack baggage inside your vehicle (you may not access your vehicle in route). Each traveler is allowed two carry-on bags.

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The Auto Train is easily accessible from its two stations in Lorton, Virginia (approximately 30 minutes from Washington, D.C.) and Sanford, Florida (approximately 30 minutes from Orlando) and departs daily from each station at 4 PM with an arrival of 9 AM the following morning.

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