Adventures on the Auto Train
Sherry here and spring has sprung!
My husband and I spent some time in Florida this winter. I dreaded the long ride back and especially driving 95 — so much traffic, so many idiot drivers. I knew someone who’d used the auto train that goes from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida (just north of Orlando). So I explored that option. The first time I looked my husband said it cost to much. The next time I looked the price had dropped $500.00. I looked again and there was a sale which dropped the price another $300.00. So we booked a room!
You have to arrive at the station no later than 3:00 pm so they can load your car for a 5:00 departure.
One thing I found out too late was as soon as you arrive to the station you have to get a physical ticket. The QR code they provide doesn’t do anything. At the time you get your ticket you also book your dinner time–five, seven, or nine if you eat in the dining room or 5:30, 7:30, or 8:30 if you eat in your room. Eight-thirty was the only time left so we ate fashionably late and yes, I thought of you, Barb!
We boarded promptly — here are a few photos of the room. The shower/toilet was tiny! There is a chair on the left by the window.
Watching out the train window was fascinating! We went by an outdoor venue strung with beautiful lights and I saw a bride and groom having their first dance.
Our dinner was good and then the attendant came and pulled out the beds. My husband heroically took the top bunk. The biggest downside of the journey is you don’t get a good night’s sleep. The mattresses are thin and hard and there is a lot of swaying. But I enjoyed watching out the window when I was awake and took catnaps. The woman in the room next to us told me she didn’t sleep at all. Ah, and the walls are thin! If you take the auto train, I’d recommend only planning a short drive the day you reach your destination.
In the morning we woke to fog and rain which made us even happier that we weren’t driving.
The train goes right through the middle of the historic town of Ashland, VA.
We arrived in Lorton an hour early. Then the wait for your car begins. They have slots (that you pay extra for) so that your car comes out early. Those were already filled by the time we booked. It can take up to two hours to get your car. Ours took an hour but we figured it was better than driving!
Here are some facts about the auto train:
There were 280 cars on the train we took. Would we do it again, even with the lack of sleep? Yes!
Readers: Do you like train travel? Have you slept on a train?
