Amtrak Is Launching a New Route Between Chicago and Miami This Fall
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Amtrak is launching a new route between Chicago and Miami this fall that will whisk passengers from the Midwest to the Sunshine State in 47 hours.
Called the Floridian, the temporary long-distance Amtrak route will launch daily service on November 10, 2024. It combines the existing Capitol Limited and Silver Star routes, making intermediate stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa.
“Our members have had a long-standing dream of restoring a one-seat ride from the Midwest to Florida, and we’re thrilled that a new generation of American passengers will be able to experience this service for themselves,” Jim Mathews, President & CEO of the Rail Passengers Association said in a news release.
Loyal Amtrak riders may remember the Floridian train that ran between Chicago and Miami in the 1970s. However, the new route won’t look the same this time around—the original Floridian made stops in Louisville, Nashville, and Montgomery, Alabama.
In addition to connecting the Midwest to the Southeast during peak travel season, the temporary Floridian route also serves another purpose: to help alleviate traffic on the Northeast Corridor during the upcoming renovation of New York City’s East River Tunnel (ERT). The four tubes used by more than 450 daily Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and NJ TRANSIT trains were badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy—construction to restore the tunnels is expected to begin by the end of 2024 and continue through 2027.
Reintroducing the Floridian route "will free up badly needed equipment while taking pressure off Northeast Corridor infrastructure during the renovation of the ERT Project,” Mathews said in the release. “We believe riders will flock to this new service.”
How to book
The Floridian train will depart Chicago’s Union Station at 6:40 p.m. each day. Passengers will spend the first night on board, arrive in Washington DC the next day, and then continue traveling south. About 24 hours in, riders will spend a second night on the train and arrive in Florida the following morning. A total of 47 hours after its departure, the train will at last pull into Miami around 6 p.m.
Like with all Amtrak long distance trains, travelers can break up the journey and spend the night in different cities along the way, but that requires booking a ticket for each leg of the journey (which is typically more expensive).
When booking the Floridian, passengers can choose from Amtrak’s typical array of seating options—a decision that’s particularly important if you’re spending the night on board. In coach, the reclining seats are 23 inches wide (by comparison, most standard airplane seats are 17-inches wide) with adjustable footrests and electric outlets. With only window and aisle options, you won't have to worry about getting stuck with a middle seat.
Or, you can choose to upgrade to a private room in first class. There are two options in this accommodation category: a Roomette with shared shower access and two reclining seats that convert into upper and lower beds (for up to two adult passengers), or a Bedroom, which is twice the size of a roomette and has an in-room restroom and shower (for up to three adult passengers). For the most spacious arrangement, you can combine two adjacent Bedrooms to form a suite.
For passengers traveling in first class, the Floridian will offer Amtrak’s traditional dining service in the dining car with several enhancements, according to the news release. These include chef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; table service with glassware, cutlery and linen tablecloths; vegetarian and vegan menu options and special selections for children; and a complimentary alcoholic drink with dinner. The Café service available to all riders regardless of seat class will also feature an updated menu, Amtrak says.
Coach fares start at $113 one-way with first class rooms priced upwards of $1,500. You can book Amtrak Floridian tickets here.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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