The Auto Train is part of your vacation
You and your car can get a lift from Amtrak's Auto Train to Florida.
Photo courtesy of Amtrak
Last winter my wife, Fyllis, and I, along with our 2015 Honda, headed for warmer weather. Rather than navigating the car, though, we watched a movie and then enjoyed an excellent dinner with a fine wine.
We were able to savor this pleasant journey to Florida because we were passengers on the Amtrak Auto Train. While we relaxed in our comfortable sleeper compartment, our car was riding with us elsewhere on the train.
In addition to being a convenient way to travel, the Auto Train from Lorton, Virginia — less than an hour from Washington, D.C. — is more than just a mode of transportation. The train ride becomes part of your vacation experience, a transition from everyday life to a warm getaway.
Before deciding to ride the rails, Fyllis and I did a bit of research. Driving 900 miles meant hours of traffic tension; the cost of meals, hotels, gas and tolls; and wear and tear on our vehicle. Plus, we’d save on the cost of renting a car in Florida.
While our total expenditure would have been less than the train, we concluded that the benefits of train travel exceeded any monetary savings.
As we arrived at the station in Lorton, metal palm trees provided a hint of what awaits passengers at the end of the journey.
As vehicles were loaded into two-level train cars, I glanced around the waiting room and concluded that the majority of passengers were people who, like me, were older adults who choose to avoid the long drive to Florida.
A conductor later explained that most Auto Train riders in the winter are middle-aged and older snowbirds seeking to escape frigid weather.
During the spring and summer seasons the train is known as the Disney Train, whisking families to Orlando to visit Disney World and the other amusement parks.
Hands-on help available
When we reached our sleeper car, Debbie, a congenial on-board cabin attendant, greeted us, directed us to our cabin and asked if we needed help with our carry-on luggage. We didn’t because our larger suitcases remained in the car.
Fyllis and I could have stretched our dollars further by choosing to ride coach and sleeping in a reclining seat. Instead, we decided to splurge on a bedroom. When we were ready to turn in for the night, Debbie transformed the seats into comfortable upper and lower beds.
If we had more questions or required assistance, we could press the call button in our bedroom, and Debbie would show up to answer or help. She told us that she and the conductors stroll through the car during the night in case anyone needs anything.
Our roomette was compact but had enough conveniences for our basic needs, including a private bathroom with a shower and miniscule sink. We also had ample storage space for our luggage, adequate lighting and temperature controls.
Dinner and a movie
While we could have dined in our room, Fyllis and I chose to sip an adult beverage in the lounge before being seated in the dining car.
Talk about a moveable feast! The white tablecloth was decorated with a vase of fresh roses, the silverware was immaculate, and the food — I devoured a steak, Fyllis chose salmon — rivaled that of a first-rate restaurant.
Dinner seatings are available at 5, 7 and 9 p.m., and continental breakfast is offered between 6 and 8 a.m.
While a conductor occasionally described over the intercom what town or interesting site the train was rolling past, we thought there could have been more announcements about practical matters, such as why we made sporadic stops.
When we asked, we were told that because there are stretches of single track, we were literally side-tracked to allow another train to pass.
When we awoke and looked out the window, we saw sun and palm trees rather than the snow flurries and dark sky we spotted at the beginning of our journey.
We arrived at the Sanford, Florida station at 9:30 a.m., well rested and ready for a vacation. We had avoided many hours of driving, staying in hotels and scarfing meals at restaurants along the way — and were ready for all the sun and fun that Florida offers.
If you go
The Auto Train isn’t cheap, but passengers 65 and older receive a 10% discount on all Amtrak travel. Our total fare, including our bedroom, automobile transport and meals, was $1,871. We guesstimated that the cost of hotels, food, fuel and wear-and-tear on the car would have been about two-thirds that much.
While the bedrooms are comfortable for most people, they’re not suitable for very tall folks (basketball players, take note).
Also, our train encountered countless bumps and lurches, so the ride was very different from the much smoother rail trips I’ve experienced in Japan and Europe.
For more information, visit amtrak.com.
