Tips for Taking Amtrak’s Auto Train
Getting your car to Florida needn’t come with the stress of driving
If you’re traveling south to Florida, perhaps to go to Disney World or to winter somewhere in the Sunshine State, one transportation option will eliminate almost 900 miles of driving and still bring your car with you. Amtrak’s Auto Train allows passengers to board with their cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles and sometimes even personal watercraft like Jet Skis. The route takes 17.5 hours, running overnight between Lorton, Virginia (just south of Washington, DC) and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando).
Not only does the Auto Train save mileage and wear and tear on your vehicle, but you can move around, dine in the café car and sleep in a bed while continuing to gain ground.
Tips for first-timers on the Auto Train
Understand the fares
Your passenger ticket is separate from the fee to bring your car on board. Both fares fluctuate, though the fee to bring your car averages in the $200s one way for a standard-size vehicle. Passenger tickets in coach are typically $95 one way. (Note that you must also be paying to bring a vehicle along.) Sleeper cabins range from a few hundred to more than $1,000, but all meals are included—plus you’ll arrive better rested.
Consider paying for priority offloading.
The deboarding process can be lengthy, but you can pay $95 to be among the first vehicles to come off the carrier.
Start looking at fares early.
This train fills up, and fares may increase closer to your departure date, especially around major holidays and during the winter months. Amtrak also puts coach fares on sale—sometimes as low as $19 one way—so sign up for email alerts.
Pack as much as you want in your vehicle.
It’s much easier to bring your boogie boards on the Auto Train than on a plane. This is especially key when traveling with young kids, who need lots of toys and gear, including car seats.
Bring a carry-on.
You won't have access to your car while you’re on board, so pack your medication, electronic devices, chargers and other important items in a bag to keep with you. If you have dietary restrictions, bring some back-up snacks just in case the café car can’t accommodate you.
Depending on which amenities you select, taking the Auto Train may be more expensive and take more time than driving or flying, but many passengers consider the experience to be far more pleasant. And, by keeping nearly 178,000 vehicles off the road each year—the number of vehicles the train carried last year—it’s preferred by the planet, too.