Amtrak Auto Train...

[monmouth]

Son just called from Sanford, Florida after his trip south from Jersey. Says it was the most wonderful and relaxing thing about his vacation north. What would have been cost for food, gas, one motel stop would exceed what the train cost him. I mention this because many people will stay home this summer due to gas prices. I looked at Amtrak's schedule and the auto-train goes to numerous points north, mid-west, etc.

To quote him.."What he$$ have I been missing?". Just thought I'd throw this OP out there for info purposes. I had not thought about this way of travel in ages...

[liberal N proud]

1. I can only wish it traveled any where near where I travel

[monmouth]

5. I went to google and typed in Amtrak auto train. From there you have

numerous sites to choose from. He traveled from Jersey to outside of DC to board. The close you board to your destination the less the price. He could have boarded in Jersey but saved a few dollars by traveling south. The schedule appeared to me to be very inclusive..

[Schema Thing]

2. now that's a program that needs to be expanded!

[BlueIdaho]

3. Good idea!

Unfortunately the nearest train station is 40 miles away and since I'm in podunk nowhere - Amtrak stops in the middle of the night. Boy do I miss Britrail right now...

[monmouth]

4. Son is a person who rarely gets "enthused" about much, kind of a

stoic person. He said he had a steak dinner last night, the food was great along with the service, a comfortable "bed" to sleep in. He woke up early and coffee was available if he wanted it. Friendly group of travelers who enjoyed each others company and a positive experience all round. Amtrak should if they don't already, push this mode of travel. Son lives in Stuart, FL, so it's about a 2 hour ride from Sanford. However, he's rested with a full stomach so the travel home was just the icing on the cake.

[SoCalDem]

6. When I was a travel consultant, ages ago, my clients LOVED auto-train

in fact one family said their kids liked it BETTER than Disneyworld:rofl:

[RebelOne]

7. Love Amtrak even though I haven't traveled on it in many years.

Once I traveled from Miami to Philadelphia by Amtrak. I got a sleeper room. It was great. All the comforts of home, even a toilet. I could have flown for the same price, but I hadn't been on a train since I was a kid of 10 years old and wanted to experience it again.

[YOY]

8. Is there anything that Amtrak could have done to make his trip better?

n/t

[monmouth]

9. Not according to him. It went way beyond his expectations. He is

in the restaurant business and went on and on about the great steak dinner, baked potato, strawberry dessert thingy, etc. and the professionalism of the wait staff. That's the kind of stuff he looks at and is rarely over the top impressed. This experience impressed him...LOL.

[KoKo]

11. That's amazing....Last time I took Amtrak from NJ to SC...

the food was stale ham & cheese sandwiches. But, it wasn't the auto-train and it was about l6 years ago. Glad to hear they are now serving decent food.

[YOY]

12. We are indeed but you have to go to the dining car!

The cafe car sells ham and cheese sandwiches...not stale as I have had them but not as good as real food.

[KoKo]

24. I was on that train for 15 hours...with a 10 year old...believe me if there was a Dining Car

I would have found it! It wasn't there at that time. :D

[monmouth]

10. I believe his fare was $146. I'm sure there was tax but that's still

pretty reasonable. Had he boarded in Jersey the fare would have been much higher I'm sure.

[YOY]

13. Someone just told me that we lowered fares again...

Maybe only select routes.

[monmouth]

17. Do you work for Amtrak? Please feel free to mention his enjoyable

trip. Bosses always love to hear the good stuff...LOL.

[YOY]

20. Yup. Sure will!

n/t

[lpbk2713]

15. Wow! That was $146 for your son AND his car!?

I'll definitely look into that. They ought to do more advertising. That is a deal that just can't be beat.

[monmouth]

16. I don't know if that included the dinner he raved about, and the other

poster may be correct that this was a "summer special" or something like that. He boarded just outside of DC and departed in northern Florida. Still not a bad deal. The point is he enjoyed it so much and didn't expect to.

[YOY]

21. Sanford, VA to Lorton, VA.

n/t

[whistler162]

14. Amtrak has its problems but it is a great way to see

the country.

As I plan my November vacation on Amtrak to Santa Fe, the Grand Canyon, Santa Barbara, and then back via the Texas Eagle(maybe).

[dysfunctional press]

18. our neighbors just returned from their amtrak trip to glacier national park...

they had a fantastic time, and loved overnighting on the train.

[bluesmail]

19. I am going to be homeless, literally soon and one of my options

was to ride the rails. (After seeing the Aurora Borealis)! It's been a scary notion and this thread has alleviated some of that fear.

[faithnotgreed]

22. sending hugs bluesmail

not one creature should be without shelter (or food or love ....)

i have no idea your situation but please know im thinking of you

[david13]

23. Amtrak is subsidized by the federal government. Take a ride

and pay only a small part of the cost of the ride. It is your tax dollars at work. And it's a lot of fun, also.
dc

[Wednesdays]

25. K&R

:kick: