[angel222]

I've checked the past posts and none seem very recent commenting on the auto train from FL to VA. Has anyone made this trip recently? I have to get my car to NY and transport company has quoted me $900...looking for an less expensive way to get it there. Would really like to know about the auto train experiences good or bad and any tips to make the trip more enjoyable...thanks!

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by angel222

I've checked the past posts and none seem very recent commenting on the auto train from FL to VA. Has anyone made this trip recently? I have to get my car to NY and transport company has quoted me $900...looking for an less expensive way to get it there. Would really like to know about the auto train experiences good or bad and any tips to make the trip more enjoyable...thanks!

Trudy does it everytime she comes down here. Call me and I'll give you her #. She loves it.

[janmcn]

I just checked their website and found that one person and one car on a week-day in June was under $350. This was before taxes and any fees.

[Paulz]

Right now the prices north to south are inexpensive. However traveling north can be expensive.

[Philip Winkler]

We were very pleased with our trip on the Auto train from Va in March of 2011; that was how we moved to TV with our 2 cars.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by janmcn

I just checked their website and found that one person and one car on a week-day in June was under $350. This was before taxes and any fees.

Prices are dependent on when you travel (it's called a bucket pricing system) and how many accommodations are left in the category selected, and the differences can be considerable. I priced one person for early October and got the following prices:

Coach Seat Minimum: $288 (no meals)
Sleeping from low of: $714 (meals included)
Sleeping to high of: $1033 (meals included)
All include vehicle cost

BTW, the scheduled travel time is 17 hours and 30 minutes. They do a good job of keeping to schedule since it's a non-stop trip with little commercial traffic to slow them down.

Also, if a second person is added, one needs to be able to climb to an upper bunk or birth, with the possible exception of a Family Room.

Here is a virtual tour of sleeping accommodations: Amtrak - Traveling With Amtrak - Onboard - Sleeping Accommodations - Superliner Sleeping Car Virtual Tour

[luvmagic2]

The major factor in cost is when snow birds are traveling..... Considerable price difference during off season. I've done it 6 times, always with a sleeping compartment, and think its a wonderful, relaxing way yo go.

[villagetinker]

I have used the autotrain several times, I like it, am wife does not, she cannot sleep on the reclining chairs, we will try a sleeper compartment next time.

[Burnerboy]

I've used the auto train 10 or 12 times. If I buy tickets for northbound first week of June..southbound early September.. I always buy the small sleeper room and vehicle In Feb.. Price is around $500 each way. This includes meals. If I want to and an extra person later it just the passenger ticket price around $80 each way. If I were to wait till a month b4 trip same deal would be $700+ each way.

It saves about 900 miles a hotel and dinner and breakfast from the drive option. My wife can't take the sleeping on the less than smooth Amtrak ride so she flies.

[John_W]

We took the Autotrain in April 2011 on our LSV. For 2 adults and one large car was $904 each way. That was for a seat, which you can recline for sleeping and dinner and breakfast.

Last year we took the train again but in August 2013. The entire trip with two adults and one compact car was $750 round-trip. We had dinner and breakfast and seats that recline for sleeping. A small pillow and blanket is $15, so we brought our own.

There was one big negative on the return to Florida trip last August. We had breakfast at 6am and when returning to our seats they announced the train was ahead of schedule and would arrive in Sanford about 8am, it's normally 9:30 arrival on both ends. Just a few minutes later the train stopped and local police cars came swarming along side the train. Apparently the local dope hangout in Palatka is the railroad tracks, and they like to lay on the tracks when they get high. Our train ran over two people, one was alive and one was dead. They had to bring in a reserve crew to drive the train. CSX had to send inspectors to inspect the tracks, The local and state police had to file reports. An ambulance and medivac was needed for the survivor who went to Gainesville and a coroner for the deceased. By the time everything was completed, the new crew got us to Sanford at 1pm, five hours later than we had anticipated.

[shcisamax]

Charming John W.

As for my experience, I went north in November and it was around $200 or less. If you go on the opposite schedule of the snowbirds, it is pennies. I thought the food was awful but most seem to find it fine. It was on time. For $200, I would do it again. If it cost me $700, probably not.

[bargee]

We have used the Auto Train for the past 10 trips up and back.We are leaving Sanford on May 27.The cost on that date is$ 368.00.That is for two adults(Reserved Coach Seats)and our Small SUV.Meals are included(Supper and Breakfast)I would suggest that you bring regular pillows and light blankets plus a small cooler with water and what ever other beverage of your choice.We also bring a change of clothes and toiletries in a small suitcase.There is no WIFI but there is a 110V outlet at each seat so download a couple of movies(earphones please) and you should have a nice trip.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Originally Posted by John_W

We took the Autotrain in April 2011 on our LSV. For 2 adults and one large car was $904 each way. That was for a seat, which you can recline for sleeping and dinner and breakfast.

Last year we took the train again but in August 2013. The entire trip with two adults and one compact car was $750 round-trip. We had dinner and breakfast and seats that recline for sleeping. A small pillow and blanket is $15, so we brought our own.

There was one big negative on the return to Florida trip last August. We had breakfast at 6am and when returning to our seats they announced the train was ahead of schedule and would arrive in Sanford about 8am, it's normally 9:30 arrival on both ends. Just a few minutes later the train stopped and local police cars came swarming along side the train. Apparently the local dope hangout in Palatka is the railroad tracks, and they like to lay on the tracks when they get high. Our train ran over two people, one was alive and one was dead. They had to bring in a reserve crew to drive the train. CSX had to send inspectors to inspect the tracks, The local and state police had to file reports. An ambulance and medivac was needed for the survivor who went to Gainesville and a coroner for the deceased. By the time everything was completed, the new crew got us to Sanford at 1pm, five hours later than we had anticipated.

OMG, quite a horrible story/experience.

[Single Track]

Angel222,
Kathie is correct in that I've taken the autotrain about 11 times now and as recently as 3 weeks ago. For me as a single woman traveling back & forth from the Philly area, it is the easiest and safest way for me. BTW everyone gets dinner and a continental breakfast at no additional charge. I have always enjoyed the food as have all of my tablemates. No it's not gourmet but for what it is, it's just fine. I have always managed to sleep in the comfortable reclining seats. I bring a pillow and lightweight blanket and wake refreshed. The cost for either direction has been from $250 to $350 each way. They no longer include wine with their meals but the lounge has wine and other cocktails for sale. There is a movie showing each night. ON my trip south in April it was "Gravity". If you have other questions, ask away. Also the price quoted on the Amtrak site is the only price you pay. It includes tax. I think they do a great job.

[Villageshooter]

where does this travel from an to? are there any other routes to get to Florida on car/train