Amtrak, the national passenger railroad company of the United States, operates 30 routes, many of them are iconic, including the California Zephyr between Chicago and San Francisco, the Empire builder between Chicago and Seattle, and the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and Los Angeles. One lesser-known and unique long-distance route operated by Amtrak is the Auto Train.
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Tickets to Ride Amtrak's Most Unique Train Are Now on Sale
The Auto Train runs daily between Lorton, Virginia (Washington, DC) and Sanford, Florida (Orlando), a distance of 900 miles — non-stop. What makes it very different from other Amtrak train, however, is not the destinations it serves, or the distance it covers, but what it carries on board. You can’t ride on the Auto Train if your vehicle (whether that’s a car, a motorcycle, a small boat, or even a jet-ski) isn’t on board with you, and your vehicle can’t travel on its own on board the Auto Train.
The Auto Train is a unique service that allows travelers to avoid a long and costly drive on the I-95, and until August 29, 2024, it comes in cheap.
The Auto Train fare sale offers Coach Class tickets for as low as $34 for adults and $17 for kids between the ages of two to 12. You have to add the cost of the vehicle on top of that, which varies between $155 for a motorcycle, $285 for a standard vehicle, and $325 for a longer vehicle such as a truck, van, or longer SUV.
A ride on the Auto Train takes 17.5 hours, which is long, but you’ll be relaxing in a comfortable, reclining seat, looking at the scenery out the window, and enjoying not having to drive hundreds of miles. There’s Wi-Fi and a café on board so you’ll be like a pig in clover.
While all Auto Train Coach Class interiors have “new seating cushions, upholstery, carpeting, and window curtains,” says Amtrak, you can book a roomette (starting at $235) or a bedroom (starting at $435) if you want to have more privacy to snooze in comfort during the journey. No matter what class of service you opt for, you’ll get a complimentary continental breakfast served before arrival at your destination.
The Auto Train fare sale applies for travel between September 9 and December 15, 2024. Blackout dates includes November 8, 2024 to November 10, 2024; November 22, 2024 to November 27,2024, and November 29, 2024 to December 1, 2024. 