This train will take you and your car to Florida. Here's what to know.
Travelers along the I-95 corridor often think of driving or flying as their primary transportation choices, but a robust rail network along the East Coast means trains are also an option for many journeys.
The Boston-Washington route is one of Amtrak's most popular, but a little farther south the railroad also runs a unique service that caters to travelers who want to bring their car along as well.
The Auto Train runs every day from Lorton, Virginia, just south of Washington, to Sanford, Florida, near Orlando.
"This service provides a one-of-a-kind travel experience – skipping the hassles of driving over 800 miles on I-95 and instead riding the train with vehicles loaded onboard," Amtrak spokesperson Kimberly Woods told USA TODAY.
It can be a great choice for travelers planning a longer trip. Here's how it works.
Amtrak Auto Train route and schedule
The Auto Train runs every day between Lorton and Sanford with no intermediate stops. It departs at 4 p.m. in each direction and arrives at 9 a.m. the next day — a 17 hour trip altogether.
Check in for the train starts every day at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. for motorcycles and 2:30 for other vehicles.
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Amtrak Auto Train accommodations
The Auto Train has two classes of service: standard coach seats with leg and footrests and first-class bedrooms of varying sizes. The train also has a first-class dining car and a lounge for all passengers. First-class passengers are entitled to priority boarding and complimentary dinner and breakfast. Coach passengers receive a complementary continental breakfast before arrival.
How much does Amtrak's Auto Train cost?
Coach fares for the Auto Train start at $95 per person each way for a coach seat, plus base rates of $155 for a motorcycle, $225 for a standard vehicle or $255 for an extended vehicle like a minivan, truck or SUV with three rows of seats. Rooms are more expensive, but the exact price varies by type and availability.
As an example, from Lorton to Sanford on Feb. 18, a coach seat starts at $95, a roomette starts at $402 for one passenger and $589 for double occupancy, with larger rooms up to $886 per room. The vehicle charges on that date are $255 for a standard and $295 for an extended vehicle. Motorcycles remain $155.
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Train to Florida: What to know about Amtrak's Auto Train
