Auto train feedback

[mlayton14]

Hello all, considering the auto train this summer. All in, for coach plus your car it’s approx half the price as 4 RT air tickets including airport transfers etc. plus we would have access to a car on property. If anyone has any feedback about recent trips would love to hear it.

PS - the Amtrak room options are double or more the price of coach , for that we would just fly

Thank you

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

We have taken the autotrain 10+ times. I have only done coach once. I did not sleep much in coach but there was a sale and it was $19 per person so we didn't mind too much. Our kids did not mind being in coach at all. Our trip in coach was August of '23, our next auto train trip is next month.

The train has been late here and there recently, much more than usual. This was due to a cargo train derailment (auto train shares the same tracks as cargo trains) and the bridge collapse in Baltimore (resulting in heavier than usual rail traffic on the east coast).

Definitely bring a small cooler with your own food and drinks. There's food for sale on the train but there have been times when the registers were down and no one could buy food or there was a staffing issue and they didn't open the cafe until 8 or 9pm. Strange things happen and you don't want to be stuck on a train for 20 hours without some sort of backup for food. Bring plenty of extra snacks in case you are delayed on the train.

There's little to no wi-fi so download shows and movies to your devices ahead of time. Bring a pillow and blanket (the train can get cold with the AC running), noise cancelling earbuds/headphones and sleep mask if you are sensitive to lights at night.

 

[jormom1030]

We went coach in March 2020. On the way down we were on the bottom. I liked it better than on the way back when we were on the top. There was a light that was so bright that shone right in my eyes. On the way back in the top there were people walking back and forth between cars all night long. You could hear the doors swish open and closed. I did not get good rest either way.

 

[mlayton14]

Thanks both for your feedback

 

[jec6613]

If you can sleep in a recliner with dozens of other people around you and feel rested in the morning, coach is fine. Otherwise, fly, or take a sleeper compartment.

Amtrak also offers the Silver Meteor/Silver Star that come into Orlando with sleeper service that's usually less expensive than the Autotrain. You don't have your car at the end, but depending on your dates it can be substantially cheaper than flying.

 

[easyas123]

If you can sleep in a recliner with dozens of other people around you and feel rested in the morning, coach is fine. Otherwise, fly, or take a sleeper compartment.

This is a good point - I've only taken the auto train twice, both times we had a sleeper compartment and even with that it wasn't exactly super restful sleeping.

 

[bdcp]

We just booked a rt for Mar/Apr and only had enough points to pay for the car. We use our Amtrak MC for everything we can. No mortgage so it's just everything except taxes, home projects and a couple of auto pay utility bills, but it does add up using it for cruises, hotels, groceries, restaurants, etc. We have stayed in bedrooms for the last 6 or 7 trips and had the entire trip on points, but since we're also going this Nov, we didn't have enough points. Also, the AT now gives a senior discount for 65+ on the rail fare portion, but not the room or car. DH will be 67 in July and I'll be 65 by March next year so we both qualified which in a way sucks lol. While we have enough airlines points to fly for free, we'd need a rental car and since we're doing cruises before, we'd have to get to Port Canaveral also. It's just less hassle to go on the train. We're also staying at Shades of Green after both trips.

As for wi-fi, it works pretty well most of the trip considering the train is a moving target and cell towers are spread out, but there are holes in spots.