Amtrak's AutoTrain - yes or no?
 

Trying to decide whether to take the AutoTrain up from Florida to Virginia. If we do go, we'd choose to travel coach.
Has anyone recently traveled on the AutoTrain?
Reviews have been very mixed - the worst criticize the toilets as being filthy.
All feedback welcome.
Thanks.

I took the Auto Train, Lorton to Sanford, FL, last February, and plan to do it again this coming February. A single woman traveling alone. I had no complaints at all. I had a rommette - and the facilities in those cars were very clean. I went down to the lower level to check out the showers and also found them satisfactory. Very good service from Debbie, my "car steward". I may try coach this year. When I roamed through one coach car last year, there was only one passenger!

The dining car food is acceptable, not outstanding. I advise taking some snack in the event your train is delayed. Breakfast is a high carb continental breakfast and then there is nothing to buy until the train arrives. Last year we were delayed by an accident on the tracks and I was famished by the time we arrived in Florida. But, skipping a meal won't kill me.

I think the trick is a travel schedule that helps avoid the most crowded times. Don't travel on the last or first day of the month - you are competing with those whose rentals are starting/ending. I am on a Sunday train arriving on Monday near the end of the month.

Thanks, that's very good advise as to what days to travel.

I wonder if the fares I saw for a roomette were per person when sharing? Or were they per person? If the latter, maybe my husband and I should take separate roomettes!
Must look that up.

You'll get more responses if you post this on the United States board. And if you do a search you should find another review there.

The roomette for me was fine. The two facing seats collapse to make up the lower bunk. Worked well. But - I would not want to be the person in the upper pull down bunk - too close to the ceiling. I would get claustrophobic. But I saw lots of couples using the roomettes.

Note that these roomettes are very tiny. No space for luggage other than a very small tote bag in the 8 inches or so between the side of your seat and the glass wall. Also a hanging hook for a couple of things on hangers. I took a change of underwear, a clean tshirt, pjs and toiletries. Will do the same next year.

I think we'll try coach. We may hate the whole experience or we may be happy go again with or without an upgrade.
What's nice is that when we get to VA we'll be staying a few days with family so don't have to drive on for 3-4 hours.

That is my thinking for this coming February. If I don't like the coach experience, it is only one night! And I will do something fun with the money I save. Or use it to book my roomette for the following year!

Hi again!
February is drawing near and I've another question.
Are there times when we will be expected to tip?
To whom and about how much?
We'll be staying in coach.
Thanks.

>>thursdaysd on Oct 14, 16 at 7:49am
You'll get more responses if you post this on the United States board. <<

janisj -

I had- Got less helpful advice there.

I think I tipped my coach caretaker, Debbie, 10 dollars. She was worth it. And I gave the car guy who brought me my car - in perfect condition - a couple of bucks.

MyBaggage-

Did you have a roomette that Debbie made up, etc?
Or were you sleeping in coach?

I was in a roomette and Debbie was awesome. At this point, I Ave booked coach for my late Feb trip. I might upgrade as the date nears.