Its also a pretty affordable price compared to the cost of gas and accommodations that come with the drive up and down the East Coast. Check-In by 2:30 pm (no exceptions) Maximum length: 192 inches (16 feet) Maximum height: 85 inches. Taking the Auto Train is cheaper than flying because you wont need to rent a car once you reach your destination. If you arrive at either station after 2:30 p.m., expect to miss your trip. Partner content: This content was created by a business partner of Dow Jones and researched and written independently of the MarketWatch newsroom. The cost for entire trip for two people in a Superliner Bedroom and a vehicle was $742.00 one-way. The motorcycle loading costs $146. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. On the upper level, you have better views of the countryside, more seating, and youre on the same level as the caf car. Amtrak is unable to accept responsibility for these items. No more cries for bathroom or stretch breaks, stopping to refuel, or searching for a hotel or restaurant. : Long-distance shipments come with lower per-mile rates but significantly higher costs overall. Our researchers, writers and editors are dedicated to investigating providers and analyzing customer feedback and insights so you can choose with confidence. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Rob is married to Allie and together they have been traveling the world for the past 5 years. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. in a small carry-on bag. Schedule The Auto Train schedule is the same each day with one northbound and one southbound train. Its never cheap to ship your car over long distances, but very few options beat the rates offered by the Auto Train. Writers and editors evaluate each brand based on industry data and real customers experiences, meeting high editorial standards to keep readers informed. The Auto Train will take you and your car nonstop between Lorton, VA near Washington, DC and Sanford, Florida near Orlando for as low as $95*. Check-In by 3:00 pm (no exceptions) Maximum length: 216 inches (18 feet) Maximum height: 85 inches. : This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and availability of extras like GPS tracking. There are daily, nonstop trips in both directions. On the upper level of the Auto Train youll have a much better view out of the windows than the lower level. If you drive, will you linger and take a leisurely, several-day road trip from the northeast to Florida or try to make it in one non-stop drive? Amtrak's Viewliner trains on the Crescent route are single-level railway cars. Between now and June 30, Amtrak is offering up private roomettes on its Auto Train starting at just $109, plus the cost of your vehicle. Dont schedule your arrival for the same day as a cruise departure or big event. Its easy to get instant. It takes approximately one hour to get your car back. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Taking the Amtrak auto train to Florida from the northeast is an option for traveling to the Sunshine State. With the onboard power outlets, you can charge both a computer and USB devices with a USB power adapter that typically comes with most phones and tablets. : Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact auto shipping rates. Amtrak charges the following one-way rates for the Auto Train: Standard vehicle: $208 per vehicle Extended vehicle: $239 per vehicle Motorcycle: $146 per vehicle Remember that you'll also. The lesson here is, a good way to save money is to book as far in the future as possible. What are YOUR thoughts on the Amtrak auto train to Florida? Type of Room Capacity Toilet Shower An email with password reset instructions is on the way. And now for a limited time, a trip in the comfort of a private room starts at just $99 each way, plus the cost of your vehicle. An upgrade to a Bedroom offers a trip with twice the space as a . The maximum tire width is 14.5 inches and the vehicle must have at least 4 inches of ground clearance. The Auto Train is easily accessible from its two stations in Lorton, Virginia (approximately 30 minutes from Washington, D.C.) and Sanford, Florida (approximately 30 minutes from Orlando) and departs daily from each station at 4 PM with an arrival of 9 AM the following morning. The price was a reasonable $8.00. DC is a city you could spend a lifetime in and not get bored. To ship an operable 2021 Toyota RAV4 from the D.C. area to Orlando using open transport, we received quotes ranging from $829 to $975. BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful,money-saving linksto book your trip: I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. We go back and forth from New York to Miami every once in a while and the driving can be exhausting. $258 plus passenger fare for a standard vehicle. The Sanford station has curved glass walls and seating for 600 passengers. Compared to the average car shipping cost for the route from Washington, D.C., to Florida, Amtrak car shipping comes at a competitive rate. All sleeper accommodation options come with towels, linens, turndown service, meals, access to the lounge and dining car. Amtrak car shipping is an easy way to get vehicles from Washington, D.C., to Florida. : Once the train arrives in either Virginia or Florida, your vehicle will be unloaded and youll be ready to head out. Maximum width: 84 inches, including mirrors, Tire maximum: 7 inches wide, 2 1/2 inches deep. : Youll need a passenger ticket and a spot for your vehicle on the Auto Train. We were originally coming from New York so we had to drive to Lorton to get on the train. https://www.amtrak.com/auto-train-101. Sherpa Auto Transport has an. Learn everything from how to sign up for free to enterprise use cases, and start using ChatGPT . Book your ticket as soon as you can for best selection and fare. For an additional amount, you can book sleeping accommodations instead of spending the night on a reclining seat. Sherpa Auto Transport has an A+ rating from the BBB and receives 4.9 stars out of 5.0 on the platform. You cant go without it and it cant go without you. How much does the Amtrak Auto Train cost? While this route is popular among snowbirds, it means most Americans wont be able to take advantage of Amtrak car shipping. I do hope you subscribe and maybe travel with us in the future. AMTRAK.COM Unlike many long-haul Amtrak trains, theres no observation car because most of the scheduled 17-hour trip is done at night. 3. For stark comparison purposes, we were two people in a roomette on the auto train. Be prepared to tip the Amtrak employees who help you. Outside are benches and an enclosed childrens play area. There are also tons of attractions in the area. Dogs and cats up to 20 pounds (combined weight of pet and carrier) are welcome on trips up to seven hours on most routes (some restrictions apply*). It only takes about 12 hours to drive from one city to the other, making Amtrak car shipping a somewhat slow process. Thank you for reading and commenting. When riding the Auto Train youll have to factor the cost of your car into the price of your ticket. Private sink and vanity Thank you! The onboard WiFi uses 4G LTE towers when possible, but can lose its connection in some rural areas. Then you check-in in the waiting area and are given your ticket to board, dinner menu and dinner time. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Amtrak's Auto Train onboard sleeping accommodations Amtrak's Auto Train is a Superliner, therefore, it has all room types available as well. Those beginning in the Orlando area should drive to the Auto Train terminal in Sanford, Florida. Even if Amtrak car shipping isnt the right option for your needs, there are plenty of ways to quickly and effectively ship your car. With only two stops, the Auto Train is a quick way to transport yourself and your car between Virginia and Florida. Routes from the Northeast to Florida and back are known for lower costs. Since Amtrak Auto Train might sometimes use replacement vehicles, not all trips are guaranteed to have power points. Even with passenger tickets included, Amtrak car shipping comes at an affordable price. Inside, its much more comfortable than your vehicle; you can choose to sleep in Coach class on a reclining seat or in a bed in one of the sleepers. Had we driven from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida, the cost for two people would have been about $350.00 including gas and tolls, one hotel night and food. That cost needs to be factored in if you are coming from somewhere other than Lorton. Transporting standard automobiles, which include cars, vans, SUVs and trucks with a maximum height of 85 inches and width of 84 inches, range from $204 to $254 one-way. Arrive early, as no vehicles will be loaded onto the train after 2:30 p.m. , with the Auto Train leaving each station at 4 p.m. and arriving at its destination around 9 a.m. the next day. With its affordable rates and simple shipping process, it makes sense for many people. : Youll need to purchase a passenger ticket as well to reserve a space for your vehicle on the Auto Train. in coach class, though rates on Amtraks website may increase as spaces fill up. If you spot a sale after buying your ticket, call the Guest Rewards line and ask for the credit. Was it a good option for you? Midwesterners, West Coast residents, and those in between should instead look into the best auto transport companies. You can buy your tickets online or at the station. We recommend to bring a power bank to charge your phone for all trips over 2 hours, just in case. Complimentary meals. I have a 14 pound pup. Boston Amtrak stations: Which station is best? The final option is a bedroom which is twice the size of a roomette with in-room bathroom, sink and shower. Hi, Greg and thanks for reading my post and commenting. Of course there are also tons of cool things to do in the national parks and cities near Miami and the beaches in the area. When you're ready, use the search tool to find the availability and best prices for each travel date. This blog was created to inspire your travels and to explore experiences in fascinating locations. Its only available on one route: from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Florida, and back. Maximum width: 84 inches, including mirrors. The shelf above it pulls down to create a bunk bed so there are two beds in this compartment euphemistically called a roomette. This is suitable for two people (two people who really like each other because its very small) or one person who wants to sleep in a bed vs a reclining seat. We named it the Best Overall car shipping company for 2023. Tips for enjoying your Amtrak auto train journey, https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/how-to-book-two-roomettes-across-from-each-other.27519/, http://amtrakfoodfacts.com/menu-items-sdg-020620/, https://www.pettravel.com/pet-travel-train.cfm. Amtrak car shipping isnt a great option for drivers who value speed or require an origin or destination outside of the Northeast or Florida. To cancel or change your booking online, simply go to www.Amtrak.com and click on the Modify Trip tab in the upper right corner. Amtraks only auto transport route is the Auto Train, which runs from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Florida. The next option is basically two coach seats in a tiny compartment that pull out to form a bed. The dimensions of the roomette is 36 X 66. Sometimes, you want to take a road trip, but don't want to . Prices will go up as the train fills up, so as soon as you know your plans you should buy your tickets. : Our research team considered availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score. The company also offers a Clean Car Guarantee that reimburses customers for a car wash if their vehicle is dirty on arrival. Yes, there are bathrooms on the Auto Train. 2. All Amtrak Auto Train tickets can be cancelled for a full refund within the first 24 hours after purchase. You would not be comfortable in a roomette. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks. AmeriFreight is a leading car shipping broker that partners with over 10,000 car carriers to deliver a wide range of auto transport services. The bathrooms are pretty basic and include a toilet, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. https://www.pettravel.com/pet-travel-train.cfm. This allows for you to drive your vehicle right up to the station for pick-up, and meet your vehicle at the exact time it arrives at your final destination. All of these vehicle transport options hold strong reputations and can move your car nearly anywhere across the country. Term vs. Even if you opt for higher-end accommodations, you could find outstanding rates for cheap car shipping if you use Amtraks train transport services. Auto train cost, tickets and reservations. Washington DC is only 30 minutes away. Friends had taken the auto train and recommended it. Alternative IDs, such as a college ID, wont work. There is free wi-fi throughout. The meal selection is not large so you might want a snack after the food car closes. Any other vehicles, including modified standard vehicles, require picking up the phone. Ill be subscribing! Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. You can generally find one or two sockets per row of seats, so be a good traveller and check if your seat neighbor might want to charge up their devices as well. Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. Since there is no standard of what extra legroom is, the extra space you get may vary between train lines, but getting extra is always good. Wanderus simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Pack your vehicle with possessions before driving it to the Amtrak terminal, where your car will be placed onto the train. If youre looking for long-distance car shipping services, consider Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, and Easy Auto Ship. How much does it cost to ship a car on Amtrak Auto Train? Travel with pets in Canada not available on Adirondack, Maple Leaf and Amtrak Cascades; not available on Auto Train, Keystone Service, Pennsylvanian, San Joaquins, Capitol Corridor or Thruway Connecting Services. The station is home to a gift shop, a coffee shop, restrooms accessible for people with disabilities, an ATM, and WiFi. First of all, you and your vehicle (car, motorcycle, van, small trailer, or SUV if it meets the measurement limits) must both be on board. Traveling by train takes the hassle out of traveling up and down the East Coast. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission. The Auto Train runs daily from the Washington, DC area (specifically Lorton, Virginia) to the Orlando area (specifically Sanford, Florida). Is $200 the standard cost for a van? The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list. 4. If you want to drop your car off in North Carolina, South Carolina or Georgia, youll need to look for another shipping option. For comparison, driving from Washington, D.C., to Orlando normally takes about 12 hours in total. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. Its a difficult question to answer, as Amtraks Auto Train provides affordable transport for a very specific group of drivers. Its also a great option if you are someone who doesnt enjoy driving long distances, or if your traveling party needs the extra space. I thought the price seemed reasonable but when I plugged in the date on the Amtrak site, the price shot up. Read the FAQs on this page to learn more about how the Auto Train works. Do you know if Amtrak would allow us to have our family of 5 in the family sleeper room? If you have a roomette, the best views are also from the upper level. Factory-model standard vehicles, extended vehicles (trucks, vans and 3-row SUVs) and two-wheel motorcycles are accepted on the Auto Train.