Amtrak’s Auto Train: Not the Fastest Mode of Travel But Has Potential
I had not traveled on Amtrak’s Auto Train in more than 20 years. I had never traveled in the train’s “roomette” accommodations. I guess I was feeling adventurous. I know you’re already thinking, “But …” so I’ll beat you to the punch.
Here are the obvious facts:
:: Yes, I could have driven my Hyundai Santa Fe straight down I95 from Florida to Virginia.
:: Yes, I could have booked an airline flight and arrived in Virginia in 2 hours.
So, why would I want to spend almost 18 hours on a train? I can explain.
Trains, Planes, and Automobiles
If I had booked air travel to Virginia, I would have had to drive one hour to the ultra-busy Orlando International Airport (MCO) and pay for parking. I would have arrived at least MCO two to three hours earlier than my flight departure time. I would have had to check in my luggage at a kiosk. I would have had to get on the security line that, at times, is very long. While waiting for my flight to board, I would have no doubt spent a fortune on airport food and beverages. When I landed in Virginia, I then would have had to rent a car for seven days, another hefty added expense in addition to the parking fee from the Orlando airport.
As for driving, I really didn’t want to drive 10 hours by myself in my car. Driving north or south on I-95 is unpredictable and travelers often find themselves in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I would have had to stop every few hours to fuel the car, fuel my stomach, and find a decent restroom. Not to mention, racking up the mileage and wear and tear on my automobile.
So, I booked a reservation aboard Amtrak’s Auto Train in Sanford, Florida. I thought it would be a fun experience.
What is Amtrak’s Auto Train
The Auto Train is exactly what is sounds like. You book a reservation, and the Auto Train transports you and your automobile nonstop overnight from Sanford, Florida to Lorton, Virginia. It’s like going on a road trip yet you’re bringing your auto on the trip, rather than drive it.
The Auto Train offers daily departures, one northbound and one southbound, with a projected travel time of 17 hours, 29 minutes. And when I say a “projected” travel time, I will point out that my particular train was on time. However, train passengers are at the mercy of unexpected delays. Delays can happen because of train malfunction, track issues, and bad weather. I’ve read about Auto Train delays that lasted between four to eight hours! So, when booking a trip on the Amtrak Auto Train, be ready to be flexible with your timing.
Benefits of Riding on Amtrak’s Auto Train
One benefit of riding on the Auto Train is that you can pack your vehicle with all of your luggage and never worry whether the luggage weight is more than the airline will allow. You don’t have to strut around the airport with a heavy duffel bag or backpack that will need to be shoved into an overhead compartment on an airplane.
When I arrived at the Auto Train station in Sanford, Florida, I simply exited my vehicle, and an Amtrak driver drove it onto the special automobile train carrier. I went directly in the waiting room lobby and waited to board. The lobby was clean, nice, and offered a snack shop.
So, while I left my huge, overstuffed luggage in the trunk of my car, I simply carried an overnight bag and small cooler (filled with beverages and my preferred healthy snacks) onto the Auto Train when I boarded. I had a pillow and blanket in my duffel bag that I brought to make me feel a bit more comfortable while sleeping overnight.
Another benefit of riding the train is that I don’t have to do the driving. I can sit down and look out the window for the next 17+ hours, 8 of which are overnight and meant for sleeping. Whether I was catching up reading my book or simply enjoying views out the window, it was a nice way to enjoy the ride. There is free (basic) Wi-Fi throughout the Auto Train.
Amtrak Check-In For You and Your Automobile
On the day of departure, check-in starts at 11:30 in the morning and closes around 2:30 in the afternoon. In advance when you’re booking your Auto Train reservation, you can pay extra for priority offloading so when you arrive at the destination train station, your car will be offloaded as one of the first 30 cars to be removed from the train. I was in no rush when the train arrived in Lorton, so no priority offloading or extra fee necessary.
Note that there are different Auto Train rates for different types and sizes of vehicles. Standard vehicles, extended vehicles (trucks, vans and 3-row SUVs), and motorcycles are accepted on the Auto Train. There are also exceptions for oversized vehicles.
Also note that the luggage and other items left in your vehicle while you’re riding in the Auto Train are your own responsibility. Don’t leave valuables out in the open.
Coach Class Seats and Private Rooms
When you book a reservation on Amtrak’s Auto Train, you have seating options:
:: Coach Class Seats – upper and lower level
:: Superliner Roomette
:: Superliner Bedroom
:: Superliner Bedroom Suite
:: Superliner Family Bedroom
Coach class is where the majority of passengers stay as it’s the most economical rate. This section offers wide, reclining seats with ample legroom, at-seat trays, reading lights and an electric outlet. Coach class provides a snack-bar type of cafe service, where passengers can purchase meals, beverages, and snacks.
First Class private rooms include roomettes, bedrooms, family rooms and accessible bedrooms. The good part about booking a room is privacy. I booked a roomette because I was traveling alone and didn’t want others to see I was alone. The room made me feel much more comfortable overnight. When you book your room type, a room number is assigned, showing the actual car and room number on your ticket.
First Class accommodations include:
:: Two comfortable seats by day transformed into upper and lower beds by night
:: Newly upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, and linens
:: Access to shared restroom and shower facilities
:: A dedicated First Class attendant
:: Complimentary lounge access
:: Priority boarding
:: Complimentary meals
First, I will tell you that a roomette is very, very small, 3′ 6′ X 6′ 6′. I had the advantage of travelling alone so it worked out fine for me. The roomette features two comfortable seats by day that provid a great view through the large picture window. At night, those chairs transformed into a convenient bed for sleeping. Was it a comfortable bed? Not really. At night, the train is moving at a rapid rate. Could you sleep on a moving roller coaster? I may have dozed off for a while, but it felt like I woke up every few minutes. Also, staying in a roomette only gives you the option of a public restroom and shower.
The bedroom accommodations are twice the space as a roomette and feature a sofa and separate chair. Plus, in a bedroom, you get a private in-room sink, a restroom, and a shower. The bedroom suites have not one but two adjoining bedrooms plus two sofas and two separate chairs that transform into four beds by night. Each suite has two in-room sinks, restrooms, and showers. If you’re traveling with children in First Class, there are larger family room accommodations. Remember, the roomette, bedroom, suites and family rooms come with a higher rate than coach. You get what you pay for.
It’s nice to see that the Auto Train offers accessible bedrooms as well. These are positioned on the train’s entry level and are spacious enough to accommodate a wheelchair.
Dining Options on Amtrak’s Auto Train
As with my roomette accommodations, all guests in private rooms receive a complimentary dinner and hot breakfast, and access to the First Class lounge onboard. You have the option enjoy room service or can walk to the dining car for a sit-down meal. Your room’s dedicated First Class attendant is there to assist with meals.
One note: You first have to maneuver your way through each train car to arrive at the dining car. That means in and out of doors a few steps between train cars.
The traditional dining menu offers seasonal selections prepared by an onboard chef. This includes many beverages. You can even select beer, wine, and other alcohol drinks but only the first drink is complimentary. The desserts are a nice touch as well.
All entrées include a small salad and dinner roll. I enjoyed the Pan Roasted Chicken Breast with a mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables. For dessert, I had the White Chocolate Blueberry Cobbler Cheesecake and a cup of tea.
Cafe service is also available where you can purchase meals, snacks, and beverages. The café selections are not free but conveniently and readily available to purchase before and after the traditional dinner. The café offers burgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, cookies, chips, candy, pretzels, and much more!
So, Was the Auto Train the Fun Experience that I Expected?
When my train arrived in Lorton, Virginia, I waited a full hour for my auto to be unloaded from the train. The time went quickly as I was in good company with 100+ other Auto Train passengers. When I excitedly went to greet my unloaded automobile, I looked around the outside of the vehicle to ensure no damage occurred, and then, I was good to go. From Lorton, I had easy access onto I-95 north. To give you some perspective, the Lorton Auto Train station is about a 40-minute drive to Washington DC.
I immensely enjoyed the window view and seeing beautiful scenery and a gorgeous sunset and sunrise. It was such a treat riding – and not driving – and enjoying the beautiful views. I truly appreciated the privacy of the roomette. The dinner and breakfast were wonderfully satisfying and delicious. The Auto Train crew were super nice and helpful. However, I must admit that I was extremely tired getting into my car after barely sleeping on the train ride. I was grateful to have just a 90-minute drive to Harbor, Maryland where I took a very long nap when I arrived at the hotel.
All in all, I was happy to have taken the Auto Train, avoiding the traffic from Florida to Virginia. Flying would have been the smarter, common-sense solution, but the train was a FUN experience.