Auto Train

highland3

Member
This Amtrak train runs direct between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington) and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando).

Trains depart each end at 4:00pm and arrive at the other end at appr. 8:00am.

You arrive at the station, and take your overnight bag (or whatever you need) with you while an Amtrak employee takes off with your vehicle. ; They videotape your vehicle when you arrive, in case of any damage claims.

You can sit in coach, or in a variety of sleeping accomodations. ; Coach is pretty spacious and comfortable (for a train).

We slept in coach.... and would never do that again!!! ; None of us, except the 7 year old, got much sleep. ; Seats weren't all that comfy. ; There was also the noise of people wandering back and forth and the inter-car doors banging open and closed.

I recommend getting at least the roomette.

The food was pretty good and the service was excellent.

Auto Train http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&cid=1081256321200&c=am2Route&ssid=134

The train cut a lot of time out of the driving, but... it wasn't cheap. ; We paid about $600 for the trip (oversized vehicle and four people).
 
From our hotel in Kissimmee it was about 45 minutes to an hour.

From Lorton to home was about 9 hours. ; We were on the road by 9am and home just after 9pm (including meal breaks).

I would do it again. ; It was great to have the truck with us... ; BUT I would never travel in coach again.

I think next time we'll just drive. ; I wanted to try the train, more out of curiosity.
 
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