Otherwise, once the train leaves the station, no other passengers or vehicles board or depart the train. When fully booked, the Auto Train holds 650 passengers and 330 vehicles in 18 passenger cars and 33 auto rack cars.
People Also Ask
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.
Pack your car like your suitcase. But be sure to bring acarry-on bag for your trip. The Auto Train has no checked baggage service and you will not have access your car during the journey.
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.
You may bring aboard your own private stock of alcoholic beverages subject to the following limitations: You may consume private stock alcoholic beverages only in Sleeping Car accommodations for which you have a valid ticket. You may not consume private stock alcoholic beverages in any public areas.
For shorter trips, it is definitely cheaper to take Amtrak than it is to fly. There is also a much smaller chance your Amtrak trip will be negatively impacted by bad weather.
How Long Is The Auto Train Ride. The Auto Train takes 17 hours to travel from outside Washington D.C. to outside Orlando. You could drive this route in 12 hours, so taking the train does not save time. It does save having to deal with driving on I-95 and provides a more peaceful way of getting to and from Florida.
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.
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.
If price is the deciding factor, the car trip will usually be the cheaper one for anything more than a single passenger or a single passenger with infant child in tow. (Kids under two generally ride the train free.)
Nationwide Amtrak DiscountsBefore you start clicking links, make sure to check Amtrak's Weekly Specials, on sale between Tuesday and Friday each week. These are deeply discounted fares (often up to 80% off) that can be for any train in the country. It's a grab bag, but you might get lucky. Check them out here.
Coach class is offered on every Amtrak train and features wide, reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seat option and at-seat trays, reading lights and electric outlets. Restrooms are located in each car.
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.
Baggage on the Auto TrainAuto 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.