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Be sure to also visit our extensive Amtrak Travel Tips which are applicable to travel on all Amtrak trains. |
Introduction
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Amtrak's Auto Train is a one-of-a-kind service in the U.S., enabling travelers to take along their car, small van, or motorcycle when they travel along the east coast. Passengers ride in either wide coach seats or private first-class sleeping compartments while their vehicles are safely carried in enclosed auto carriers. Originally a private venture, the Auto Train is now operated by Amtrak, the Federally chartered corporation that operates interstate passenger trains in the United States.
The author of these "Auto Train Hints" is Don Weinstein, an occasional passenger who is not associated with Amtrak or the Auto Train. The material contained herein is not an official publication of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). It was written to help fellow travelers who are considering a trip on the Auto Train.
The Auto Train operates every day of the year non-stop between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Florida. THIS IS ITS ONLY ROUTE. All passengers must have a car, van or motorcycle with them. Auto Train can also handle trailers, travel trailers, boat trailers with boats, and trailers that handle jet skis and motorcycles, with conditions. Contact Amtrak for details at its reservation number, 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or at the Amtrak website, www.amtrak.com.
Lorton is about a half-hour drive south of Washington, DC, just off I-95. Sanford is about a half-hour drive north of Orlando, a short distance from I-4. Both the Lorton and the Sanford terminals are used exclusively by the Auto Train.
Residents at both ends of the train will be pleased to note that the Florida SunPass and northeast EZPass now cross-honor each other.
The Auto Train is arguably Amtrak's finest train. Since it is a great revenue generator, Amtrak's management treats the Auto Train with "kid gloves", using some of their finest train attendants and best-maintained cars. (The retiree snow birds would complain loud and clear about bad service!) The Auto Train is very popular and is often crowded, particularly during the months when the snow birds travel. It's also used by quite a few families traveling to Disney World (which is a 40 minute drive from Sanford). Many people from Pennsylvania, New York and the New England states also use the Auto Train as a way of knocking 900 miles off their time on the Interstates.
If traveling during peak periods, it's best to book several months ahead. Sleeping car reservations can be difficult to get on short notice. Keep trying though, right up to when you arrive at your departure terminal, since there are typically last minute cancellations and the occasional "no-show".
Click the buttons below to see our Auto Train Travel Tips:
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Auto Train stations and details about what vehicles can be shipped |
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Boarding the train, food, entertainment, and some tips for traveling with children. |
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Fares and charges, deals and discounts, and how to make reservations. |
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Information for serious railfans and your comments. |
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Amtrak does not endorse this page and other associated On Track On Line pages, nor does it sponsor this or any other On Track On Line page. Amtrak sources were used to compile or confirm some of the information here, but this does not represent official Amtrak information, nor is this information endorsed by Amtrak.