Auto Train is a privately-owned company that offers an Amtrak service between the East Coast and the state of Florida.
If you live in the northeastern part of the United States, perhaps you’re ready to take your road trip to the next level.
Perhaps you’ve been itching to explore the southwest, or maybe you want to move somewhere warmer and leave all that snow behind.
If so, we have just the solution for you: Amtrak Auto Train services!
The Auto Train leaves from six different locations throughout the East Coast, such as Raleigh, NC; Durham, NC; Norfolk, VA; and more.
The Auto Train departs these locations every fourth day of the month during the peak travel season.
This means you can depart from any of these locations every fourth Monday or Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, or November.
You can also depart on the fourth Wednesday or Thursday of those same months excluding peak travel season months from June to August.
During peak travel season (June through August), there are two Auto Trains per day departing from each location listed above.
And during non-peak travel seasons (September to May), there is just one Auto Train per day departing from each location listed above.
There’s no need to worry about selling your car because you can simply leave it parked at a lot close by with included free parking for up to 30 days after your return date if you book a round-trip ticket.
The Auto Train also provides a stress-free transition for cross-country travelers.
It’s fast, efficient, and an excellent way to get your car from point A to point B while avoiding the congestion of peak hours on the road.
Instead of renting an RV or looking for hotels along your journey, you can simply book one ticket and enjoy your drive in luxury.
The company offers two types of services: one for passengers with personal autos, and another for commercial autos.
This unique train service allows passengers to take their car with them on a cross-country train journey so that they can drive until they get within a few hundred miles of their final destination.
After that point, they simply hop back on the auto train again and continue on with their new life!
Let’s take a look at more details about each service below!
If this sounds like something that might appeal to you, keep reading for more information about Amtrak Auto Train services.
What to Expect on an Amtrak Auto Train Trip from the East Coast?
The Auto Train makes its way through the East Coast making stops in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina before arriving in Florida.
The Amtrak Auto Train route travels from New York City to Florida.
The Auto Train departs from New York City’s Penn Station, and then it heads southwest to Albany, New York.
Here, it makes a turn and heads northeast towards the border with Canada.
It then travels across the border into Ontario and stops at Windsor, Ontario before heading through Detroit.
Next up is a trip through Cincinnati, Cleveland, and then through Columbus, Ohio.
Next, it heads south to Louisville, Kentucky where it turns east towards Jacksonville. From Jacksonville, it travels east towards Miami, Florida.
The Auto Train also stops in Savannah, Georgia.
The Auto Train departs from New York City about every other day. It departs from Florida a few times per week.
The Auto Train also stops in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New Haven, Connecticut, and Boston.
However, it does not go to Boston via the Northeast Corridor.
The Auto Train takes a long way, which means it takes a different route through Chicago and the West Coast.
Although you are riding on a train, you will have access to amenities you wouldn’t normally have on a standard train, such as shower facilities and lounges.
You’ll also be treated to scenic views from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Smoky Mountains.
If you choose to depart in the spring or fall, you’ll also be able to take in the beauty of the changing leaves in many of the areas where the Auto Train travels.
Where Does the Auto Train Go?
The Auto Train travels between the East Coast and Florida, making stops along the way in Raleigh, Durham, Norfolk, Virginia, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and Hamlet, South Carolina.
From there, you can take a connecting train to Orlando, Florida, or Miami, Florida.
What are Auto Train Travel Times and Stations?
The Auto Train takes about 36 hours to travel between the East Coast and Florida.
However, depending on where you depart from and where you are headed, this can vary.
For example, if you are departing from New York City, the train will take somewhere around 24 hours to reach Florida.
If you are leaving Raleigh, North Carolina, it will take around 27 hours.
The Auto Train makes its way through the East Coast stopping in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina before arriving in Florida.
What are the Auto Train Schedule and Routes?
The Auto Train leaves six locations throughout the East Coast every fourth day of the month during the peak travel season.
This means you can depart from any of these locations every fourth Monday or Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, or November.
You can also depart on the fourth Wednesday or Thursday of those same months excluding peak travel season months from June to August.
During peak travel season (June through August), there are two Auto Trains per day departing from each location listed above.
And during non-peak travel seasons (September to May), there is just one Auto Train per day departing from each location listed above.
The Amtrak Auto Train schedule varies.
The Auto Train stops at different stations each day, so the exact schedule depends on which stations it stops at.
The Auto Train also makes stops at other Amtrak stations, which means it can take longer to arrive at a particular station depending on the other schedules that it has to work around.
The Auto Train also stops in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New Haven, Connecticut, and Boston.
The Auto Train schedule changes seasonally, and it’s important to check the Amtrak Auto Train schedule online before you travel.
However, it does not go to Boston via the Northeast Corridor.
What are the Auto Train Travel Times and Stations?
The train travels over 2,000 miles per trip, which takes about 48 hours to complete.
It takes Amtrak Auto Train passengers about 14 hours to travel from New York City to Florida, and vice versa.
It takes an extra three hours to travel to or from Miami because of the need to change trains.
The onboard staff provides information on upcoming stations, food service hours, and entertainment options.
Amtrak passengers can board the Auto Train at Albany-Rensselaer, New York, Wilmington, Delaware, Baltimore, Maryland, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New Haven, Connecticut, or Boston.
Florida passengers can board the Auto Train at Jacksonville, Florida, Savannah, Georgia, or West Palm Beach, Florida.
How to Book a Ticket on Amtrak’s Auto Train?
You can purchase your ticket in advance or at the last minute.
Tickets can be purchased online or at any of the six stations where the Auto Train departs from.
Keep in mind that you can only purchase a ticket that goes to Florida, and not one that goes to New York City.
Note: Be sure that you are booking the “Amtrak Auto Train”; Amtrak offers other routes as well, but they do not go to Florida.
You can also purchase your ticket by calling the Amtrak Auto Train service team.
You can book a ticket on Amtrak’s Auto Train at Amtrak.com.
Amtrak offers discounted Auto Train tickets, but they’re limited.
Amtrak offers $29 one-way tickets during certain times of the year, but the dates vary depending on which direction you’re traveling.
Amtrak also has special Auto Train promotions throughout the year, so it’s important to check for these before booking your trip.
Amtrak passengers can book their tickets online at Amtrak.com.
Alternatively, passengers can call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL to book their Auto Train tickets over the phone.
Amtrak passengers can also book their Auto Train tickets at a nearby Amtrak station.
What are Auto Train Dining Options?
Amtrak’s Auto Train offers several dining options to its passengers.
Passengers can choose from an open-seating dining car where they can sit with other passengers, or they can choose to dine in the privacy of their stateroom.
The Auto Train’s dining car menu varies depending on the time of day.
The dining car offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, and passengers can also order room service.
What are Auto Train Amenities and Services?
Auto Train has several amenities and services for its riders, including:
- Free shuttle service between the various Amtrak stations where the Auto Train stops
- Free WiFi onboard the train
- Showers on the train
- Lounges on the train with comfortable seating areas
- Baggage storage area onboard the train
- Restaurant and bar onboard the train
- Stateroom options
- Fresh and clean linens and towels
- Baggage handling
- Onboard food and beverage services
- Quiet cars, where passengers can read or nap
- Accessible bathrooms
- WiFi access
- Access to onboard ticket sales, where passengers can purchase tickets for other Amtrak routes or tour packages
For more information about the services that Amtrak’s Auto Train offers, visit Amtrak.com.
What are the Auto Train Stateroom options?
Amtrak offers staterooms on the Auto Train that provide passengers with extra privacy and comfort.
- Sleeping berths
- Single-level berths
- Double-level berths
- Quad berths
- Dining Options
- Dining car
- Café car
There are multiple types of staterooms available including:
- Larger rooms with two lower beds
- Single rooms with one lower bed
- Double rooms with two lower beds
- Family rooms with one lower bed and bunk bed staterooms on the Auto Train typically cost $199 per person per night.
However, passengers can save money by booking staterooms that include an upper bunk.
Staterooms with upper bunks are cheaper because they’re smaller, but they’re still comfortable and private.
Staterooms on the Auto Train also stop at Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New Haven, Connecticut, and Boston.
Final Words: Should You Take the Auto Train to Florida?
Amtrak’s Auto Train is a convenient way to travel to Florida during the winter months.
The Auto Train departs from New York City and travels through New England, the Midwest, and into the southern United States.
The Auto Train is a great way to travel with ease to visit family and friends.
