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- Joined
- Jan 6, 2002
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- Pittsburgh, PA
- Vehicle Year
- 2020
- Make / Model
- Ranger
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Ahh, a new forum. All I have to say at the moment is that I've taken the Auto Train to FL and back 11 times now so if anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to help.
The basics are that it runs non-stop between Lorton, VA, which is just south of D.C., and Sanford, FL, which is on I-4 halfway between Daytona and Orlando. Check in by 3:00 I think, train leaves at 4:30 and gets into FL at 8:30 the next morning. Same deal going back north. Nice relaxing trip, watch the scenery go by, movies and beer in the lounge car. Dinner and breakfast are included and the food is great. You ride in a passenger rail car and your car or truck is in another one at the rear, the same type of rail cars that they ship new cars in.
I would highly recommend spending the extra money for a sleeper.
Cost varies on the time of year, summer is cheaper, for two people it's about a wash between flying and renting a car. If you have kids, the summer price for kids is about $25 each, so that's when you start saving money. Car fee is about $400 and up, adult tickets are about $75 and up, and sleepers are about $125 and up depending.
I took the trailer with my jetski once, no problem, I just had to pay for two vehicles.
The last two times we drove down to FL and took the train back home.
This year it was just me and the wife. We went to the NHRA Nationals in Bristol, TN, camped there, and drove to FL after and spent the rest of the week. Bristol has radar cameras that will snap your picture and send you a speeding ticket in the mail.
The basics are that it runs non-stop between Lorton, VA, which is just south of D.C., and Sanford, FL, which is on I-4 halfway between Daytona and Orlando. Check in by 3:00 I think, train leaves at 4:30 and gets into FL at 8:30 the next morning. Same deal going back north. Nice relaxing trip, watch the scenery go by, movies and beer in the lounge car. Dinner and breakfast are included and the food is great. You ride in a passenger rail car and your car or truck is in another one at the rear, the same type of rail cars that they ship new cars in.
I would highly recommend spending the extra money for a sleeper.
Cost varies on the time of year, summer is cheaper, for two people it's about a wash between flying and renting a car. If you have kids, the summer price for kids is about $25 each, so that's when you start saving money. Car fee is about $400 and up, adult tickets are about $75 and up, and sleepers are about $125 and up depending.
I took the trailer with my jetski once, no problem, I just had to pay for two vehicles.
The last two times we drove down to FL and took the train back home.
This year it was just me and the wife. We went to the NHRA Nationals in Bristol, TN, camped there, and drove to FL after and spent the rest of the week. Bristol has radar cameras that will snap your picture and send you a speeding ticket in the mail.
