Amtrak's AutoTrain Priority Vehicle Offloading.
 

I just read on an Amtrak Trains Forum that Amtrak is offering Priority Vehicle Offloading on the AT for an extra $50 for the first 20 cars starting on April 29, new option for sale started April 9. There is a page on the website describing the new extra cost option.

Necessary Expense?
 

I guess if you are in an enormous hurry or have money to throw away, I can't see where this is necessary. When I returned to Lorton, VA last November, my car was #2 so that was a bonus I wasn't expecting. However, the last 5 times that I've used the autotrain (& will be using again next Sunday), I have never had to wait more than 45 minutes. By the time you get off the train, maybe use the rest room and mosey out to wait, the time has flown by and you could use the $50 for a nice dinner for two.

Just throwing my 2 cents in the mix.

Undoubtedly, this offer is not for everybody. Common sense tells us that, and to be honest I probably wouldn't use it myself considering it to be unnecessary... at least for me! But let's at least give Amtrak a little credit for trying to be creative in providing this service for those who can afford it and like having it available, while while at the same time making an effort in trying to improve revenues a bit. After all, isn't that what Congress has been pressuring them to do for years now? Anyway... nothing ventured - nothing gained!

Well said. :thumbup:

Any innovation and/or options toward making Amtrak more self-supporting...is a good thing in my opinion.


Out of curiosity, do you know what it costs to take the Auto Train.....and how that compares to driving?

I had heard that the least expensive round trip is around $800.

Even with a motel stay each way and a vehicle getting only 20 miles to the gallon, a person could drive the round trip for about 1/2 that cost.

Don't get me wrong though, as I love trains (:D).... and would much prefer taking it over driving.

My point is that the extra $50, doesn't sound like its "wasting" money at all. :shrug:

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The price varies considerably based upon the travel dates and when you make your reservation. As you might expect their peak season is January thru May. We've also found the closer you are to your departure, the higher the fare. The best deals are made six months out. If you have an oversize vehicle they charge you a $35 premium ea way. It's still a great deal and eliminates 855 miles of driving, gas and as you say a motel. We've seen fare's as low as $425 and as high as $650 one way coach.

Thanks for the info. :thumbup:


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Since gryoung has pretty much answered your question, I'll pass on being redundant and trying to answer it again. However, here is a link that has pretty good information on the AutoTrain: Auto Train Transports You and Your Car - Lorton, VA - Sanford, FL | Amtrak

For those that may be interested, here is another link to an Amtrak forum where someone made a lengthily post describing their AutoTrain experience: Your experience on the Auto Train? - Travelogues / Trip Reports - Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum

http://www.rkpackersandmovers.co.in/images/vv.jpg
Photo Shown Loading the Vehicles.

Here is a 22 minute YouTube video taken at the Sanford Station. Near the end of the video you'll see just how long the AutoTrain is. It shows a consist of over 40 train cars as it begins it's trip toward Lorton VA: Amtrak Auto Train Loading And Going - YouTube

Thanks. :thumbup:

I'm actually pretty familiar with the operation of it, I just haven't ever priced it out.

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We paid $1300 ONE WAY the day after Christmas for two of us with a sleeper. This year we made our reservations as soon as we could, 11 months out. They no longer charge extra for an oversized vehicle. Certainly not a plush experience, but pleasant. Beats taking 95 the whole way.

I paid 355$ for 2 passengers and 1 regular car on May 31 forthcoming. No sleeper car. Just coach.

Autotrain . . .
 

Hi, I saw your post wanting to know the price of the Auto Train, booked round trip for myself and my companion and it was $157 each way for a seat in coach and the car is $175. You can make it more expensive with the addition of a sleeping compartment and the type of compartment, the most expensive being $444 each way. Of course this comes with Happy Hour when you get on the train, dinner and breakfast plus a movie in the lounge. We coming down in July which may be the low season for Florida, but we paid aroudn the same amount when we came down in February as well. It's a great way to travel. Hope this helps.

Good to know....thanks. :)

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another cost comment
 

and of course the auto train saves on renting a car - that was the clincher for us

We have reservations for August 20th and then return on August 28th. For two adults and one normal size car it is $750 roundtrip. I think if we wanted a sleeper it would be $300 extra each way. In 2011 we traveled one-way northbound in April, the peak time for snowbirds to leave. We paid $904 for two adults and one over-sized car, at that time they charged $100 extra for the car. I remember waiting about 45 minutes for our car to unload, as someone else posted, it's not that big a deal after you've been sitting for 18 hours.


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so where are you coming from using the train?