The onboard WiFi uses 4G LTE towers when possible, but can lose its connection in some rural areas. Children (one child, two to 12, is half price with each adult), and seniors, students, military, and people with disabilities receive discounts on base fare (not sleepers). My goal is to inspire you to seek your own unique experiences and provide useful information to help you on your journeys. Amtraks Auto Train offers fast and affordable rail service, but its only available on a single line that runs from. Roomette prices range from around $500 to over $700. I think youll be more comfortable with one bedroom and one roomette. Learn how your comment data is processed. Youll be glad you did. Tips for enjoying your Amtrak auto train journey, https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/how-to-book-two-roomettes-across-from-each-other.27519/, http://amtrakfoodfacts.com/menu-items-sdg-020620/, https://www.pettravel.com/pet-travel-train.cfm. The Amtrak Auto Train allows passengers to bring their vehicle on the train between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. There is no checked baggage with the Auto Train. At the time of writing, the fare is $89 per passenger and $269 per car. Thanks to 21st-century transportation, there's a way to travel between Virginia and Florida that doesn't require spending 12 hours straight in a car. Passengers on the Auto Train will be sleeping for one night on the train. The only downside to shipping a car by train is buying a passenger ticket and riding along with your vehicle. Jalopnik Advisor content is free to consumers and always will be, however we and our partners may be compensated if you purchase a product or service through the links on this website. There are no train routes offered by Union Pacific or CSX that provide similar auto transport in the United States. For that reason, it makes sense to load your car closer to the loading deadline of 2:30. I wanted to check out the lounge so I went there and had a pre-dinner cocktail. The Auto Trains caf car is available to buy food and beverages. : Theres more demand for car shipping services in January and during the summer months. Motorcycles must have at least 5 inches of ground clearance. Download movies and/or a book. Montway Auto Transport and AmeriFreight can meet your auto transport needs while offering affordable prices for the trip. All meals come with wine, non-alcoholic beverages and dessert. Amtrak's Viewliner trains on the Crescent route are single-level railway cars. Partner content: This content was created by a business partner of Dow Jones and researched and written independently of the MarketWatch newsroom. Wanderu is the best place to score cheap Amtrak Auto Train tickets with the lowest available fares every day. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! Ride Your Car to Florida on a Train: Amtrak Auto Train - Mad Over Exploring No, Amtrak Auto Train does not offer will call tickets. I spent 30 hours in a sleeper car on an Amtrak train traveling from Miami to New York City in 2021. directions Amtrak San Joaquin San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento, Bakersfield/Southern California navigate_next; directions Amtrak Texas Eagle Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, San Antonio, (Los Angeles) navigate_next; directions Auto Train Lorton, VA (Washington, DC), Sanford, FL (Orlando) navigate_next Passenger Fare Categories | Source: Amtrak Vehicle fares The cost of the vehicle loading ranges between $208 and $258. Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. No more cries for bathroom or stretch breaks, stopping to refuel, or searching for a hotel or restaurant. If you spot a sale after buying your ticket, call the Guest Rewards line and ask for the credit. How Much Is A Ticket On The Auto Train Amtrak often runs sales on the tickets for the Auto Train. When you're ready, use the search tool to find the availability and best prices for each travel date. Auto carriers usually offer both enclosed transport and door-to-door transport services, which Amtrak car shipping wont provide. Inside, its much more comfortable than your vehicle; you can choose to sleep in Coach class on a reclining seat or in a bed in one of the sleepers. The price of a coach ticket ($89) and your vehicle fee ($208) will be less than buying airfare and renting a car in Orlando or Washington D.C. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Amtrak's Newest Auto Train Sale Is Offering $29 Florida Fares - TripSavvy Amtrak Auto Train: 12 Things You Need To Know Before Riding On the upper level of the Auto Train youll have a much better view out of the windows than the lower level. Sleeper car accommodations can cost $300 per person or more as amenities increase. Depending on the dates of travel, demand, and how early you book, the saver ticket can be as low as $89 per passenger. On the lower level it could be a little noisier, but youll have access to more bathrooms. If you are arriving at Lorton from a different destination and dont want to be rushed in order to make the loading time, you may want to consider spending the night in Lorton. There are two daily trains, one headed in each direction, that follow this schedule: Can you pick up will call tickets at the station? With only two stops, the Auto Train is a quick way to transport yourself and your car between Virginia and Florida. 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. As can be expected, the first cars to load will be the last to unload. Learn More Experience First Class private rooms Amtrak On Board Experience - Sleeping Watch on Frequently asked questions What's included in a First Class private sleeping room? Thank you for the information about the car train, and all your great tips! in a small carry-on bag. Private rooms are available on 15 routes across the national network: Auto Train, California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Lake Shore Limited, Northeast Regional, Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. This means that you could face higher auto transport rates. : Youll need a passenger ticket and a spot for your vehicle on the Auto Train. A Roomette features comfortable seating, newly-upgraded bedding, pillows, towels and linens, and a dedicated attendant. Along with economy seats, there are both roomettes with shared bathrooms and family bedroom suites with their own bathrooms and showers. Unlike roomettes, our bedrooms also have an in-room toilet, shower and a sofa that converts to a bed. Maximum width: 84 inches, including mirrors, Tire maximum: 7 inches wide, 2 1/2 inches deep. Wed love to connect with you on any of the following social media platforms. In addition to booking way ahead, different seasons and holidays affects how much you'll pay for a Superliner Bedroom. The observation car on the Auto train can be used by all passengers. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. Transporting standard automobiles, which include cars, vans, SUVs and trucks with a maximum height of 85 inches and width of 84 inches, range from $204 to $254 one-way. That answer wasnt correct either. Montway Auto Transport provides both regional and cross-country auto transport services, along with. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! For the same dates in August, I'd be paying $257 for a flight in basic economy. The Lorton station is a pleasant place to wait for your unusual ride. Hi, Greg and thanks for reading my post and commenting. Sleeper car passengers get to enjoy dinner in the dining car which includes a complimentary glass of wine or bottle of beer. https://www.pettravel.com/pet-travel-train.cfm. Here is info on bedroom capacity on Amtrak auto train. While this route is popular among snowbirds, it means most Americans wont be able to take advantage of Amtrak car shipping. Walls of glass make the place bright and airy for the 450 waiting passengers that can fit inside. Our researchers, writers and editors are dedicated to investigating providers and analyzing customer feedback and insights so you can choose with confidence. Those beginning in the Orlando area should drive to the Auto Train terminal in Sanford, Florida. Technically, it makes a brief stop in Florence, South Carolina for rewatering, refueling, and a crew change. For example, a bedroom on the Southwest Chief from Chicago to L.A. in mid-September is $1,299 for the two-night trip. Auto Train | Amtrak Guide With standard shipping companies, what youll pay for a vehicle shipment depends on the following factors: If youre heading from the Northeast to Florida or vice versa, its probably a good idea to consider the Auto Train. Lets check out the auto train, we said. When it comes to using traditional auto transport companies, its slightly more complicated to determine your rates. Its a difficult question to answer, as Amtraks Auto Train provides affordable transport for a very specific group of drivers. Enjoy your trip. The main reason travelers take the Amtrak auto train to Florida is because they prefer not to drive. Riding the Auto Train for your vacation is a good way to save money. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission. Other Amenities Include: You can read, get some work done on the trains Wi-Fi network or just look out the window during your vehicles journey. Wanderu also offers an affordable trip protection option by Allianz Global Assistance that you can purchase when booking your tickets. If you have a roomette, the best views are also from the upper level. Bring your small dog or cat along for a small fee. While pets are permitted on most Amtrak routes in coach class, the Auto Train is not one of them. The prices for other accommodations also depends on how far in advance you book. Passengers and their vehicles must arrive at the station between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM to check in. The best way to sleep on the Auto Train is to get a roomette or bedroom. The price was a reasonable $8.00. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. Friends had taken the auto train and recommended it. Flexible, Business and Premium Fare tickets: No change fees and fully refundable if cancelled or changed before departure. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. Wanderus simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. You should plan on bringing any immediately needed items (medication, snacks, phone, laptop, etc.) Whole Life Insurance: Which Is Right for Me? Thank you for your inquiry. But for the few hours of daylight youre on board, make sure to look out the window; youll see a variety of landscapes, animals, cityscapes, Colonial towns, urban areas, country estates, farms, industrial plants, broad rivers, and swampland. This Amtrak Auto Train Sale Has Private Rooms for Just $109 - TripSavvy While the best car shipping companies offer quality services and efficient transport, drivers often wonder whether Amtrak car shipping could work equally well. Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? The line doesnt stop along the way, either, so youll need to find another option if youd like to drop your car off in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia. Based on the prices we saw on Amtrak's website, a standard vehicle would cost about $466-516, an extended vehicle would be $536-594 and a motorcycle is $292 to transport via Amtrak's Auto Train. Sleeper car passengers on the Auto Train will be delighted to know that the Auto Train has traditional dining for all sleeper car passengers included in the price of their ticket. Unlike other Amtrak routes where no animals are allowed on any route thats longer than seven hours, service animals are allowed on the Auto Train. In addition to 24-hour assistance during your trip and coverage for lost or damaged baggage, trip protection can help you get your money back in case you need to cancel or change your trip. You wait in the waiting room until boarding. Otherwise, enclosed carriers from top car shipping companies make for better choices. Since Amtrak Auto Train might sometimes use replacement vehicles, not all trips are guaranteed to have power points. Extended Vehicles. Amtrak car shipping is often significantly cheaper than other auto transport companies. The station is home to a gift shop, a coffee shop, restrooms accessible for people with disabilities, an ATM, and WiFi. For comparison, driving from Washington, D.C., to Orlando normally takes about 12 hours in total. It takes approximately one hour to get your car back. if you use Amtraks train transport services. Hi, Patti: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Ditch the driving on I-95 and settle in on the Auto Train with a good book, stream a movie on your tablet or grab a bite to eat in the caf. You can use your smartphone to show this eTicket to the ticketing agent as you board. My Experience Taking the Amtrak Auto Train from DC to Florida Passengers start boarding at 2:30 PM and both the Lorton and Sanford stations have high platforms for ease of wheelchair boarding. Can-Am motorcycles, Rewaco trikes and Polaris Slingshots are not permitted. Prices will go up as the train fills up, so as soon as you know your plans you should buy your tickets. The maximum height is 85 inches; the maximum width is 84 inches, including mirrors. For this comparison, however, were just starting from Lorton. The Auto Train will take you and your car nonstop between Lorton, VA near Washington, DC and Sanford, Florida near Orlando for as low as $95*. AmeriFreight is a leading car shipping broker that partners with over 10,000 car carriers to deliver a wide range of auto transport services. The public bathrooms were dirty. Well focus on the cost and overall experience to help you decide whether Amtrak car shipping is right for you. The dimensions of the roomette is 36 X 66. To send your car using Amtrak car shipping, youll need to book a ticket on the Auto Train. We visited attractions in the Lorton area because we didnt want to travel too far from the Amtrak auto train station, but the area around Lorton is packed with things to do. Amtrak Superliner Bedroom Review and Video - Cruise Maven Noise Cancelling Headphones- Perfect to help drown out the sounds of travel. How much does it cost to ship a car on Amtrak? Only the early bird discount, which applies if you schedule a shipment within 48 hours of receiving a shipping quote, can be stacked with other offers. If you ae going further south beyond central Florida to Miami with its trendy and eclectic Miami neighborhoods or South Beach, thats an additional 3 and a half hours. We visited the old Lorton reformatory which has now be transformed into artist studios called The Workhouse Arts Center which you can visit to see the artists at work and performing. The lounge was inviting with good music Motown -piped in. Ticket prices normally go up the closer you get to the travel date, so dont miss out on a good deal when you see one. Type of Room Capacity Toilet Shower The Auto Train departs each station at 4 p.m. and arrives the next day around 9 a.m. Obviously, this isnt an ideal route for everyone who wants to ship a car. Sherpa Auto Transports Price Lock Promise is a major selling point. Check-In by 3:00 pm (no exceptions) Maximum length: 216 inches (18 feet) Maximum height: 85 inches. Learn everything from how to sign up for free to enterprise use cases, and start using ChatGPT . Were riding back to Lorton in a 1-br. Each bedroom has the capacity of two adults (with an option for a third), one to two suitcases and are 66 x 76. Auto Train tickets usually cost $89 for coach class, one way. You can doze on it but it will be like sleeping on a plane, not very restful. Of course there are also tons of cool things to do in the national parks and cities near Miami and the beaches in the area. Stops Lorton, VA Sanford, FL More Information Passwords should be at least 10 characters long and include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. Manage Settings _ @ " $ # ,). I first identified what I thought was a pretty good price of $89 for coach. First Class Accommodations and Service for Acela Passengers, Auto Train Boarding and Vehicle Requirements, Amtrak Thruway Connecting Services Multiply Your Travel Destinations, San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California, California Thruway Buses Reach Hot Vacation Spots. : Our research team considered availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score. In addition to this cost you'll need to pay for your vehicle. . Amtrak Viewliner Sleeper Car Roomette Review - Insider Select Executive Amtrak Guest Rewards members get one free priority offloading coupon per year. Our check-in process is simple, making traveling with your four-legged friend easy and enjoyable. The Sanford station has curved glass walls and seating for 600 passengers. : Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities scored highest in this category. The Amtrak Auto Train is a non-stop train. Each one-way trip takes 17.5 hours in total. Insider's reporter spent 30 hours in an Amtrak bedroom while traveling from Miami to New York. Content on Jalopnik Advisor is commercial in nature and independent of Jalopnik Editorial and Advertising. Grand Canyon National Park. Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel in North America and Europe. This is especially true if youre willing to drive to the terminal from cities like Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia or New York. Amtrak's Auto Train is one of the cheapest ways to ship a car across the country, as long as the travel is along the Eastern Seaboard. In this article, we at the Guides Auto Team will take a look at Amtraks Auto Train service and highlight a few of its pros and cons. What are YOUR thoughts on the Amtrak auto train to Florida? You can also view current schedules via Google Maps or when booking your tickets. The car has a domed ceiling with great views out of both sides and includes seats that face out and tables where 4 passengers can sit together. Private Rooms on Amtrak Auto Train Now Available for as Low as $99 We recommend using Amtrak to send your vehicle to Florida using a train. Keep in mind that these average costs are placed on top of the price for your own ticket on the Auto Train: The Auto Train has a limited number of spaces available for specialized vehicles like limousines, trailers, jet skis, trikes and choppers. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . : Even including the cost of passenger rail tickets, youll have a hard time finding cheaper auto transport rates between Washington, D.C. and Orlando. Cookie Notice. Unlike many long-haul Amtrak trains, theres no observation car because most of the scheduled 17-hour trip is done at night. Prices range from $150 to $300 per vehicle. It took about an hour for our car to come out. You can reserve coach seats, roomettes or bedrooms on the Auto Train. Hi, June. This route is the only one in the United States that transports cars, and on-board amenities include WiFi, a dining car for sleeper car passengers and a caf. Well focus on the cost and overall experience to help you decide whether Amtrak car shipping is right for you. Amtrak offers car transport between Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Florida, via the Auto Train. It basically means that your originally quoted price wont change or have fees added to it mid-shipment, which can occur with other car shipping providers. Pick the ticket thats best for your budget, schedule, and preferences, and complete the booking right on Wanderu to secure your great deal. This price occasionally goes higher when availability is scarce or when booking at the last minute. After trying several different dates, I did find a $89.00 coach fare but that was waaaaay in the future. terms and conditions The first is coach. This is the most economical option and doable for the almost 18 hour ride but you are still sitting all this time so, if you can afford it, upgrade. Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car shipping companies. Visit Fredericksburg, Virginia, an hour away if you love Civil War history. At the time of writing, the fare is $89 per passenger and $269 per car. Amtrak car shipping comes with extremely straightforward prices. : Youll need to purchase a passenger ticket as well to reserve a space for your vehicle on the Auto Train. Passengers are not allowed to bring pets on the Amtrak Auto Train. Its also a great option if you are someone who doesnt enjoy driving long distances, or if your traveling party needs the extra space. Unlike standard car carriers, Amtrak is still very much a people mover, so you are able to ride the train the entire distance with your vehicle. Maximum tire width: 14.5 inches. The number you were given when you checked in will be called when your car is ready.