opinions on the autotrain

I have taken 5 amtrak trips around the country. Get a sleeper not a roomlette, Take a snack and drink.

 Did it last summer, it was on time on the way down, an hour and a half early on the way home.

We went sleeper both ways, and they had wine and cheese/veggies in the lounge before the train left, Dinner in the dining car was fine, breakfast is just a quick continental spread before you get off.

Bringing snacks or something would help, but the lounge has a snack/drink bar.

They show a movie in the lounge, but its kid oriented. Bringing your own movies/entertainment/reading material comes in handy. If it leaves on time, the trip should be smooth sailing, as it makes no stops.

Getting there early or late has no bearing on where in the order your car comes off. There's no telling which section of the auto racks they put it in. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. If you're one of the last ones off, it becomes a bit of a game and people start cheering when their number is called.

Did it a year and a half ago.   Plan on being late both ways; it's just the way it is.   Best to take it now vs. winter - you'll have more daylight to enjoy the scenery.  We went in November and only had a couple hours of daylight to sight-see.   Coach is comfortable; but a lot depends on how full the train is.   Lots of kids = lots of noise potentially.  I think Amtrak tries to logically separate, but you never know.   Parts of the route are pretty bumpy; they managed to serve dinner over this section which was interesting.  Food was decent - free wine.   Drinks are expensive but not overly so.   Delays can be frustrating - sitting on the track for up to an hour waiting for a CSX freight to clear is not uncommon.  CSX gives Amtrak no quarter - it feels like your the least important thing on the track.  

Seats themselves are comfortable, but I can not sleep sitting up no matter how quiet it is.  If budget allows, get a sleeper.  I will if I do it again.   You can move around at will, but the advice about brining your own entertainment is spot on -  I chose bourbon.  

Worst part of the trip for us was the 4 hour drive to DC.  Not so bad on the way down, while everyone is anticipating fun in Florida, but pretty miserable on the way home when everyone is bleary eyed and cranky.   I don't know how far you are from DC but don't underestimate this aspect.   Of course, I went with kids, which makes a HUGE difference.  If it's just you and the wife, it might not be as big a deal.  

IMO it's something that you should do at least once.  You may love it, you may hate it, but it is an experience.  You definitely feel more "human" at the end of the journey as opposed to an airplane, but then again, you're only "inhuman" on the plane for 3 hours or so 

Like others have mentioned; Amtrak runs late! Also in Florida you must get off at Orlando with your car, as that is the only stop in Florida for the auto train. If you want to travel further south you can but the car stays at Orlando if by train, as the train then goes south to Miami FL.

When me & the wife took Amtrak the other year freight trains would pass by at the sidings while we waited for them and it put us 35 minutes late into Jacksonville FL and almost missed our rental car connection.

The enjoyment or relaxing of not being worried by driving is very good! Lunch meal in the dining car is fair to medium for quality, sometimes half cooked chicken, at least on our train.

Lee Fritz

We've used it (one-way) to return from Fla twice.  We traveled in coach, which was quite comfortable.  An excellent dinner in the dining car was included.  Breakfast was a continental type spread with fresh fruit, etc.  Unlike other posts here, our experience was we arrived almost an hour early both times and waited less than half an hour for our car to be unloaded.

Phil 

thanks to all for the information

I've been to Florida by Viewliner sleeper many times so understand about the delays etc that happen.

Don't fly any more and autotrain seems like a nice option, also I'll get my first ride in Superliner equipment as all of my Amtrak travels are usually in the east.

Scotie

We have taken the auto train many times.. both ways.. Always enjoyable sometimes late(8 hours) sometimes early. Sleeper only. bring a DVD player and a few movies. nice ride. Wish I was going soon!

"If you want to travel further south you can but the car stays at Orlando if by train, as the train then goes south to Miami FL."

this is incorrect.  the auto train is a special consist that runs only between virginia and sanford, fl.  regular amtrak goes to orlando and miami.  the auto train heads back north after it reaches sanford.

when i took it it arrived so early we had to wait for the drivers to get there to unload the cars.  food was adequate.  if i were doing it again, i would bring my own.

be aware, the night passage through south carolina and georgia is devoid of any scenery.  dead black.

My family and I have taken the Autotrain three times down and we have driven back all three times . I won't fly (If i'm gonna die it's gonna be in a train wreck!) We have taken coach each time and have had a great time all three times. when it's daylight its just fun to look out the windows. an you never know what your gonna see with a delay.