Florida is a state in the Southeast most part of the United States. It is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama, Georgia, the Atlantic Ocean and the Straits of Florida. The state of Florida is the fourth most populated state in the country. The state capital is Tallahassee.
Also known as "the Sunshine State", the focus in Florida is heavily on travel and tourism. Apart from the theme parks and family-oriented sites mentioned above, the emphasis is heavily on Florida beaches. Other major points of interest are Florida Keys, Everglades, Fort Lauderdale Beach, South Beach, etc.
Amtrak’s Auto Train is an overnight route between Virginia and Florida that allows passengers to take cars, motorcycles and some other special vehicles on the train for a fee (view requirements). 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 café.
Things to Know
- Trip time is about 17 hours, but you need to arrive to the station early for vehicle loading.
- The earliest you can board your vehicle is 11:30 a.m. and the latest 2:30 p.m. at all stations (at 2:30 passenger boarding begins).
- You can only book a ticket if you are transporting a vehicle (if you aren’t bringing a car or other vehicle with you, book a ticket on the Silver Star or Silver Meteor routes to reach Florida)
- Extra large cars, three-wheeled motorcycles and motorcycles with sidecars must purchase two vehicle spaces
- After dropping off your car in Florida for the train ride, you can take a free trolley to historic Sanford Monday through Saturday to sightsee or get food.
Cost
You can reserve coach seats, roomettes or bedrooms on the Auto Train. Coach seats are the cheapest option. Expect to pay around $100 to $200 for a one-way coach ticket. Prices vary depending on how far in advance you book your ticket and other factors.
Roomette prices range from around $500 to over $700. Bedrooms cost over $1,000 and include a private shower, sink, toilet and two beds (one is wider than the other). Maximum occupancy is two adults in both of these room types. There is also a family bedroom for two adults and two children and bedroom suites, which are connecting bedrooms (you’ll need to purchase two rooms). Note that prices for roomettes and bedrooms include meals and coffee.
In addition to ticket fees, you’ll also pay fees for each vehicle you are transporting. Prices range from $150 to $300 per vehicle.
Schedule
The Auto Train schedule is the same each day with one northbound and one southbound train. All trains depart early evening and arrive the next day in the morning.
Amtrak’s Silver Service trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, both travel to Florida from New York City. Miami is the final destination, but there are many other Florida Amtrak stations to choose from. Here’s what you need to know when planning your trip.
How long is the trip from NYC to Florida?
New York City to Florida is an overnight train trip. The first Florida stop is Jacksonville and travel time is 18 hours on the Silver Meteor and 20 hours on the Silver Star. In comparison, drive time is about 14.5 hours.
Orlando is the next most popular stop. Travel time is 22 hours on the Silver Meteor and 23.5 hours on the Silver Star.
If Tampa is your destination, only the Silver Star travels to that city. Travel time is about 26 hours.
Or if you travel from New York City all the way to Miami on the train, travel time is almost 28 hours on the Silver Meteor and over 33 hours on the Silver Star. In comparison, drive time is about 19.5 hours.
How much do tickets cost?
Ticket prices vary based on how far in advance you buy your tickets, how many seats are open, type of seat and distance traveled. Aim to buy tickets at least three weeks in advance to get the best deal. You’ll also have the option to choose a coach seat, roomette or bedroom.
Coach seats are the cheapest option. Expect to pay between $100 and $150 for a one-way ticket. For this price, you will have to sleep in your seat and purchase small meals and snacks in the café car (we highly recommend bringing food on the train).
Roomettes and bedrooms are more expensive, but include private sleeping accommodations and meals. Expect to pay over $600, and in some cases, more than $800, for a roomette (one way). Bedrooms typically cost over $1,000 and include a private toilet, sink and shower.
Taking the Amtrak auto train to Florida from the northeast is an option for traveling to the Sunshine State. But is it worth it? What are the pros and cons? Is it really cheaper to take the train? This post explores these questions and shares the author’s experience traveling on the Amtrak auto train from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida.
Table of Contents
- Why take the Amtrak auto train to Florida?
- Auto train cost, tickets and reservations
- Amtrak auto train route.
- How long does the journey take?
- Accommodations on the Amtrak auto train.
- Auto train menu, dining car and lounge.
- Tips for enjoying your Amtrak auto train journey,
- Arriving the night before
Why take the Amtrak auto train to Florida?
The main reason travelers take the Amtrak auto train to Florida is because they prefer not to drive. We go back and forth from New York to Miami every once in a while and the driving can be exhausting. Traffic on the I-95 can be daunting and just sitting in a car for hours on end is exhausting. Friends had taken the auto train and recommended it. “Let’s check out the auto train,” we said. So we began our research and explored options on the auto train.
Auto train cost, tickets and reservations
I have to admit I had a bit of trouble nailing down the price of my ticket. I first identified what I thought was a pretty good price of $89 for coach. A coach seat is one which reclines a bit but not totally flat. You can doze on it but it will be like sleeping on a plane, not very restful. I thought the price seemed reasonable but when I plugged in the date on the Amtrak site, the price shot up. After trying several different dates, I did find a $89.00 coach fare but that was waaaaay in the future. The lesson here is, a good way to save money is to book as far in the future as possible. The $89.00 does not include the price of transporting the car which is an additional $200.00.
The prices for other accommodations also depends on how far in advance you book. The closer the date, the more expensive the fare, similar to what some airlines do.
You can buy your tickets online or at the station.
From a cost perspective, it is not necessarily cheaper to take the train, although it could be. There are many factors to consider. Will you go coach or sleeper accommodation? If you drive, will you linger and take a leisurely, several-day road trip from the northeast to Florida or try to make it in one non-stop drive?
For stark comparison purposes, we were two people in a “roomette” on the auto train. We paid $742.00 for 2 people to go from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida. That’s $542.00 plus $200.00 for the car. We also had a bicycle attached to the back of the car. We were originally coming from New York so we had to drive to Lorton to get on the train. That cost needs to be factored in if you are coming from somewhere other than Lorton. For this comparison, however, we’re just starting from Lorton.
Had we driven from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida, the cost for two people would have been about $350.00 including gas and tolls, one hotel night and food. That’s a $392.00 difference compared to the auto train. Of course there’s the wear and tear of the car and of the passengers. For us it was worth it for the experience but we wouldn’t do it every time we take that route.
Amtrak auto train route.
The train travels non-stop from Lorton, Virginia in the Washington DC area to the city of Sanford, in Central Florida just outside of Orlando, a major tourist destination since that is where Disney World is located. The return route is in the opposite direction, Sanford, FL to Lorton, VA.
How long does the journey take?
The trip takes 17 hours and 29 minutes. That’s just the travel time and does not include the time involved in loading the car into the train at the departure point or unloading it at the destination.
Cars begin loading at 11:30 and loading closes at 2:30. Once you get to the loading area you leave everything in your car except your valuables and a bag or two for what you will need on the train. Then you check-in in the waiting area and are given your ticket to board, dinner menu and dinner time. You wait in the waiting room until boarding. The train actually leaves at 4: pm.
On the other end, it takes another good chunk of time to unload all the cars. Once we arrived in Sanford, it took us an hour and a half before our car was unloaded.
As can be expected, the first cars to load will be the last to unload. For that reason, it makes sense to load your car closer to the loading deadline of 2:30. Just to be on the safe side, being on line at 1:30 to load your car, would mean you won’t have to wait so long to receive it on the other end.
Accommodations on the Amtrak auto train.
Amtrak provides several options for the Lorton, Virginal to Sanford, Florida route. 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.
The next option is basically two coach seats in a tiny compartment that pull out to form a bed. The shelf above it pulls down to create a bunk bed so there are two beds in this compartment euphemistically called a “roomette.” This is suitable for two people (two people who really like each other because it’s very small) or one person who wants to sleep in a bed vs a reclining seat. The bathroom is in the hall and shared with other passengers.
Another option is a “family room” suitable for 2 adults and 2 kids. It has private bathroom and shower.
The final option is a “bedroom” which is twice the size of a roomette with in-room bathroom, sink and shower. This is for people who want ample space.
It’s difficult to get a good photo of the compartments because they are so small. The dimensions of the roomette is 3’6″ X 6’6″. We chose the roomette and although yes, it’s cramped, we were fine for the length of the trip.
All sleeper accommodation options come with towels, linens, turndown service, meals, access to the lounge and dining car. There is free wi-fi throughout.
Our cabin attendant, Keith, was very pleasant asking when would be a good time for our turn-down service and answering general questions about the journey.
It is a pleasant ride to Florida as you sit by the window and see the marshes, rivers, farms and towns go by. This was certainly more pleasant than driving and constantly focusing on the road and traffic.
Auto train menu, dining car and lounge.
When you check in you are given a choice of different times to have dinner in the dining car. We chose 7PM. I wanted to check out the lounge so I went there and had a pre-dinner cocktail. The price was a reasonable $8.00. The lounge was inviting with good music – Motown -piped in.
At dinner the menu was certainly adequate with options of steak, fish, chicken, and pasta. All meals come with wine, non-alcoholic beverages and dessert. There is also a children’s menu. All meals are included in the price of a ticket if you choose a sleeper accommodation. If you chose coach, the meal must be paid for separately and you eat in your seat although we were told that in future, holders of coach tickets could eat in the dining car.
Breakfast was a “grab and go” affair of coffee, cereal, milk and juice with a little pound cake eaten in the lounge or at your seat. Again perfunctory and fit for purpose.
Tips for enjoying your Amtrak auto train journey,
- Bring your own pillow or blanket, the beds are a bit hard.
- Download movies and/or a book. Remember the journey is over 17 hours.
- Bring snacks. The meal selection is not large so you might want a snack after the food car closes.
- Bring comfy slip on shoes or flip flops to make bathroom runs.
- Needless to say, if you are in a roomette where the seats turn into bunk beds, the person who uses the bathroom the most at night should be in bottom bunk.
Arriving the night before
If you are arriving at Lorton from a different destination and don’t want to be rushed in order to make the loading time, you may want to consider spending the night in Lorton. There is plenty of accommodation in Lorton, Virginia. We stayed at the Lorton Holiday Inn Express which was 7 minutes away from the train station.
There are also tons of attractions in the area. 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 complex also houses the Lucy Burns Suffragist Museum that tells the story of how women fought for the right to vote. The museum is very well curated and interesting. Behind the museum are the cells where the suffragists were imprisoned and tortured for demonstrating in front of the White House. The museum is free but the prison cells have a $5.00 entrance fee.
We visited attractions in the Lorton area because we didn’t want to travel too far from the Amtrak auto train station, but the area around Lorton is packed with things to do. Visit Fredericksburg, Virginia, an hour away if you love Civil War history. Washington DC is only 30 minutes away. DC is a city you could spend a lifetime in and not get bored.
If you ae going further south beyond central Florida to Miami with its trendy and eclectic Miami neighborhoods or South Beach, that’s an additional 3 and a half hours. 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.
What are YOUR thoughts on the Amtrak auto train to Florida? Have you been? Was it a good option for you? Let us know in the comments.
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
- Research and book your flight with Skyscanner. I have found them to be the best because they list all airlines including the budget ones. You are always sure of having researched all options. You can also book your car rental through Skycanner.
- For car rental in Europe that has flexible pickup and drop-off options, I recommend Auto Europe.
- Book your accommodation with Booking.com. I find they have a wide selection and a nice, user-friendly, transparent website.
- Protect your trip and, more importantly, protect yourself with travel insurance. I use Travelinsurance.com and have been very happy with them.
- Looking for a small group tour to unforgettable destinations with top professionals? Intrepid Travel is your choice.
- For more general tours to any destination or attraction, book with Viator. Check them out.
- Need a visa? Get your visa for all countries with iVisa.
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
Talek Nantes
In college I determined that whatever I studied would have to lead to the ultimate goal of traveling. Over the past years, through personal travels and as an international business professional, I've traveled to over 110 countries. My goal is to inspire you to seek your own unique experiences and provide useful information to help you on your journeys.
20 thoughts on “AMTRAK AUTO TRAIN TO FLORIDA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO”
Elizabeth E Bart
December 2, 2021 at 9:20 pm
Thank you for the information about the car train, and all your great tips!
Reply
Talek Nantes
December 4, 2021 at 10:38 am
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you found the information useful.
Reply
Debbie H
December 10, 2021 at 10:57 am
A question….can TWO roomettes be booked but with only one car? The reason is so each individual in a couple can sleep on a lower bed. Climbing into that top bunk is tricky when you are 70+.
Reply
Talek Nantes
December 10, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Hi, Debbie:
Thanks for reading. I did a bit of research, and this is what I came up with. But to be sure, just call Amtrak. I found them to be very helpful. //www.amtraktrains.com/threads/how-to-book-two-roomettes-across-from-each-other.27519/Reply
Mary
December 11, 2021 at 8:59 am
Does Amtrak list food ingredients for those of us with allergies?
Reply
Talek Nantes
December 11, 2021 at 11:08 am
Hi, Mary. Thanks for your question. I did a bit of research and this is the closest I came up with. //amtrakfoodfacts.com/menu-items-sdg-020620/ I hope it helps. Happy travels!
Reply
Dean
December 14, 2021 at 11:41 am
A question regarding a scheduled dinner in the dining car: Can we bring the meal to our roomette, due to concerns about the more contagious virus?
Also, is there a door to close in the roomette so that we wouldn’t be sharing air with an occupied roomette across the aisle from us?Reply
Talek Nantes
December 14, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Hi, Dean: Thank you so much for reading the post and commenting. To answer your questions, yes, you can ask to have your meal in your roomette. In fact, most people do. The roomette has a sliding door that closes pretty tightly. It keeps the noise out and provides privacy. The stereo inside has a volume control and plays some nice music. It is an enjoyable trip.
Thanks again for your comment and I hope you subscribe to our site, so you don’t miss the tips and destination guides.Reply
Grace Terzian
January 15, 2022 at 10:36 am
Very helpful information. Thanks! I’ve subscribed to your newsletter…
Reply
Talek Nantes
January 15, 2022 at 11:30 am
Thank you, Grace! I know you will enjoy it.
Reply
Ellen
February 18, 2022 at 5:53 pm
Thank you! A very enjoyable read packed with great information & advice. Everything I wanted to know to make an informed decision.
I’ll be subscribing!Reply
Talek Nantes
February 18, 2022 at 8:46 pm
Hi, Ellen: Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I do hope you subscribe and maybe travel with us in the future. Stay well.
Reply
June Kennedy
March 3, 2022 at 3:51 pm
I have a 14 pound pup…. If I get a bedroom can I bring him with me??
Reply
Talek Nantes
March 3, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Hi, June. Regarding pets on the Amtrak auto train, this link will answer your questions. Thank you for reading and commenting. //www.pettravel.com/pet-travel-train.cfm
Reply
EMERY
March 3, 2022 at 11:29 pm
Hi How much does the bedroom cost? Is $200 the standard cost for a van? Thanks.
EM.Reply
Talek Nantes
March 4, 2022 at 8:56 am
Hi, EM: You can find answers to all your auto train on this site. //www.amtrak.com/auto-train-101. Thank you for reading and commenting and I hope you have a nice time.
Reply
Tim
March 14, 2022 at 11:53 am
Hi, thank you for the great info! Do you know if Amtrak would allow us to have our family of 5 in the family sleeper room?
Reply
Talek Nantes
March 14, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Hi. Thanks for reading. Here is info on bedroom capacity on Amtrak auto train.
Bedrooms
If you’d like a bit more space on your journey, try booking a bedroom for your next trip with us. Each bedroom has the capacity of two adults (with an option for a third), one to two suitcases and are 6’6” x 7’6”. Unlike roomettes, our bedrooms also have an in-room toilet, shower and a sofa that converts to a bed. Travelers looking to stretch out and upgrade from our roomette should explore our bedroom option.Other Amenities Include:
Everything in the roomette plus…An Armchair
An even bigger landscape window
Private sink and vanity
Toilet and shower
Just to Recap:
Type of Room Capacity Toilet Shower
Roomette 2 Adults *None None
Bedroom 2-3 Adults 1 1
I think you’ll be more comfortable with one bedroom and one roomette. That way the folks in the roomette can use the bedroom shower and bathroom.Reply
Greg
November 2, 2022 at 9:01 am
I have clostrophobia … do you think a roomette will be a problem?… I am also 6 feet tall and weigh 330 pounds…
Reply
Talek Nantes
November 2, 2022 at 10:47 am
Hi, Greg and thanks for reading my post and commenting. You would not be comfortable in a roomette. Spend a little more and upgrade to the next level. You’ll be glad you did.
Reply
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This blog was created to inspire your travels and to explore experiences in fascinating locations. What you will find are thoughts on how to immerse yourself in local culture, food, history and people. On your way to these adventures I hope to provide you with useful information to help you get there. Come see the world with me!