Did you know that there’s a way to get away from that horrible holiday traffic jam by actually bringing your car with you on a train? If you are one of those travelers who like to hit the road for thanksgiving or Christmas on the east coast, this will be of interest to you, especially if you will travel between Washington and Florida.
Amtrak has recently announced an appealing limited-time sale for travelers who want to skip the I-95. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation is offering customers coach seats for as low as $29 plus the cost of the vehicle for non-stop services between Lorton, Va. (near Washington, D.C.), and Sanford, Fla. (near Orlando).
Guests can pack their cars and leave them on the wagons and then enjoy their trip on their comfortable seats. Amtrak is offering these seat fares until November 29:
- Coach: $29 for one seat, $58 for two travelers.
- Roomette: $229 for one seat, ·$329 for two travelers.
- Bedroom: $429 for one seat, $529 for two travelers.
Travelers interested in taking advantage of this promotion must book fast for travel from November 30, 2022, through March 23, 2023. Blackout dates apply, and the cost of the vehicle is extra too. We explain more about this interesting service and the sale below.
About Amtrak Auto Train
Amtrak is the only company in the United States offering this Auto Train service. “Simply pack your car with everything you need for your trip between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington DC) and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando) and leave the driving behind,” the company states on its official website.
The service is not only for cars; travelers can also get a spot for their vans, motorcycles, SUVs, small boats, jet skis, and other recreational vehicles. These are arranged on wagons before departure, and travelers get to seat inside the train.
The train departs at 4:00 pm from each station and arrives at 9:00 am the next morning. Guests can relax, get private rooms to sleep more comfortably, and eat, drink and get snacks at the Café services available.
Coach service includes reclining seats with comfortable legroom and a large window to enjoy the view. All passengers get a continental breakfast prior to arrival at the final stop.
There are also different types of private rooms, Amtrak offers family bedrooms for 2 adults and 2 children, Bedroom suites for up to 4 adults, Roomettes for one or two travelers, regular rooms, and more. Certain options include private restrooms and showers.
Is it Worth It?
Amtraks’ promotion represents a considerable discount. The usual lowest seat fare is $98, so the deal saves travelers $69 on Coach. Some travelers consider this travel method to be cheaper than driving and paying for gas on those 900 miles.
A 17-hour trip by train sounds like a lot of time, but it’s just a few hours longer than driving nonstop and less stressful. Travelers can sleep or enjoy personal entertainment on the Auto Train while they move miles away and reach their destination.
Depending on the number of travelers, the final destinations, and the alternative options at the moment —like low-cost flights— this could be a better option, especially for those who hate airports. But every traveler is different. Some might love the views and calmness, avoiding TSA and traffic jams, and others might find this option too long, tiring, or might feel anxious. It’s just an alternative worth considering that many probably didn’t even know existed.
In any case, train services are getting more and more popular in Europe, in Mexico —with the Maya train— and now in the United States as well. This year, Amtrak also resumed its routes to Canada and keeps making improvements and interesting sales to attract more travelers.
