Every year, many Floridians travel north to visit Washington DC. All the museums & history, it’s easy to see why it’s a must see at least once. Our family went for the Smithsonian Museums (which we LOVED), but we also went for one special ride back: The Amtrak Auto Train.
Amtrak has a service from Sanford, Florida (outside of Orlando) to Lorton, VA (outside of DC) where you can travel overnight, and your car gets to come along. You can start from either location, and our family chose to take the train back to Florida.Â
Yes, You Can Take Your Car on the Amtrak Auto Train
First, let me say my husband explained it well when he said, “there are no other forms of travel where you leave your vehicle and are basically walking inside the lobby or waiting area.” Not airports or even bus terminals offer such a thing. We dropped the truck off after they measured to make sure it would fit, grabbed the few things we needed for the night, leaving the rest in the truck, and walked into the terminal. Inside the train terminal was a cafĂ© with snacks, magazines, books even a few train related toys. Basically, things you might need for the ride. From the amount of people waiting, it was a pretty packed train.Â
Choose Your Room/Seat Type
On the train you have four ticket options. Coach Class, which is a comfy seat a little bigger than an airplane seats and reclines a little that also has access to a lounge car for snacks and such. Second is a Roomette. These are small “rooms” but basically the size of a twin bunk bed. During the day, you have 2 chairs to sit in, a small table, large window to watch the world go by and couple spots to put your backpack and such. At night, the top bunk comes down and the two chairs are transformed by your attendant into another twin bed. There is a small door you can close for a little privacy and access to a bathroom and shower area for all roomettes. Next, you have a bedroom. This is larger than the roomette and includes a private “wet bath”  (basically a small area with a toilet and all water proof so you can shower there as well). During the day there’s a couch, table, large window and small chair. There is more storage and leg room as well. At night, the couch folds into a double sized bed and a top bunk comes down. The last option, is the Family Room. This takes up the entire width of a train car. You’ll enjoy windows on both sides and much more legroom. There is a larger couch that stretches the width as well, a small sink and toilet area and some storage. At night, 2 bunks are lowered, one above the couch that becomes a bed, and one over the small chair. It is, in theory for a family of 4, but to us, the bunks looked better for smaller kids, rather than adult sized teens. The last three-room types, all include dinner and breakfast in the dining car and access to a lounge just for these “first class” room option guests.Â
For our family, we decided on 2 bedrooms to split ourselves up. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived and saw our awesome attendant had opened a sliding wall between two rooms, so we basically had one large area with two bathrooms for our family. As the train left the station at 4pm EST, we relaxed and watched the views we passed in Virgina. Then we decided to explore. We saw the dining room was already set for dinner and explored the lounge car where the wonderful staff had setup some card games. My youngest and I decided to hang there, play some card games and we could even have snacks or drinks while relaxing (and yes, alcoholic drinks are available).
Enjoy the Dining Car and Lounge on the Train
When it was time for our dinner spot, my oldest and I sat with a nice couple traveling to Florida looking to move here, enjoyed our included meal. They had many options, but we both chose the steak and got a salad, roll, glass of wine (included and she didn’t get that since she’s underage) and for dessert I had always heard the Amtrak brownie or chocolate cake is the way to go. We didn’t have a brownie option, but the chocolate cake was amazing. My husband and youngest had dinner served to the room, but had all the same options as we did.Â
After dinner, we relaxed in the room, then went back to the lounge car for a bit so our beds could be turned down. We played a few more games before heading to bed. The beds were clean, but it reminded me of sleeping on the back of a couch bed in an 80s conversion van. There was more movement than I’m used to and more noise from the train. I do think though, if I had a second night I may have slept. The rest of my family felt the same, so needless to say we were a bit tired in the morning.Â
Wake Up at Your Destination
That morning, we woke up to find we were in Florida already! We went and got breakfast in the dining room, enjoyed a morning coffee and packed up. We arrived at Sanford at 8am, and though you can pay extra to have your car be one of the first cars off, we didn’t do that so we did have to wait an hour for it to get unloaded.
Overall, I would definitely say I would do it again. I could possibly do a roomette if I went with just one other person, but I may have been spoiled by the bedroom too much and I know I couldn’t do coach as I like my sleep. If you have a train loving family member and an interest to visit the Virginia or Washington DC area, plan a trip on the Amtrak Auto Train. Plus, you know you won’t have to rent a car when you get there.Â
Melody is a graduate of Jacksonville University, married a Jax Beach resident, moved away for 12 years, then returned to the area in 2016. Together they have two girls. Melody works as owner/photographer of Melody Coarsey Photography, she loves yoga, family, traveling, dining with a view and the ocean.
