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expired Posted by serra | Staff • Jun 3, 2023
expired Posted by serra | Staff • Jun 3, 2023

Amtrak Auto Train Flash Sale: One-Way Coach Fares from Northeast to Florida

(Travel through September 4, 2023)

from $19 + Cost of Vehicle

Amtrak
82 Comments 102,474 Views
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Deal Details
Amtrak has Auto Train One-Way Coach Fares from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida on sale with prices starting from $19 + Cost of Vehicle. Valid for travel from now through September 4, 2023.

Thanks to Deal Hunter serra for finding this deal.

Note, book by June 8, 2023; 1-day advance purchase required. No blackout dates. With Auto Train, your car travels with you (more info here). Vehicle cost will vary by travel dates.

Example itinerary:
  • Lorton, VA (LOR) Auto Train Station to Sanford, FL (SFA) Auto Train Station:
    • Depart: August 8
    • Return: August 22
    • For 2 passengers, price will be $76 (2x $19 each way per person) for coach seats + $480 for a Standard Vehicle = $556 total

Editor's Notes

Written by StrawMan86 | Staff
  • Offer Terms
    • Valid for travel on the Auto Train (52 & 53)
    • Valid for Sale: May 31,2023 - June 8, 2023
    • Valid for Travel: June 1, 2023 - September 4, 2023
    • Advance Purchased Requirement: 1-Day Advance Purchase
    • Class of Service: Coach: $19
    • Blackout Dates: None
    • Valid for coach seating only.
    • Offer is valid for adults and children
    • Discount fares do not include the required vehicle charge
    • In addition to the discount restrictions, this offer is also subject to any other restrictions, blackouts, and refund rules that apply to the type of fare purchased.
    • A 25% cancellation fee may apply
    • This offer is not combinable with any other discount offer.
    • Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice.
    • Once travel has begun no changes to the itinerary are permitted.
    • Space is limited, and not available on all trains at all times.
    • Other restrictions may apply.
  • About Auto Train:
  • Please refer to the forum thread for additional details & discussion. -StrawMan86
  • Get 1%-5% cash back on deals like this with a cash back credit card. Compare the available cash back credit cards here.

Original Post

Written by serra | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Amtrak has Auto Train One-Way Coach Fares from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida on sale with prices starting from $19 + Cost of Vehicle. Valid for travel from now through September 4, 2023.

Thanks to Deal Hunter serra for finding this deal.

Note, book by June 8, 2023; 1-day advance purchase required. No blackout dates. With Auto Train, your car travels with you (more info here). Vehicle cost will vary by travel dates.

Example itinerary:
  • Lorton, VA (LOR) Auto Train Station to Sanford, FL (SFA) Auto Train Station:
    • Depart: August 8
    • Return: August 22
    • For 2 passengers, price will be $76 (2x $19 each way per person) for coach seats + $480 for a Standard Vehicle = $556 total

Editor's Notes

Written by StrawMan86 | Staff
  • Offer Terms
    • Valid for travel on the Auto Train (52 & 53)
    • Valid for Sale: May 31,2023 - June 8, 2023
    • Valid for Travel: June 1, 2023 - September 4, 2023
    • Advance Purchased Requirement: 1-Day Advance Purchase
    • Class of Service: Coach: $19
    • Blackout Dates: None
    • Valid for coach seating only.
    • Offer is valid for adults and children
    • Discount fares do not include the required vehicle charge
    • In addition to the discount restrictions, this offer is also subject to any other restrictions, blackouts, and refund rules that apply to the type of fare purchased.
    • A 25% cancellation fee may apply
    • This offer is not combinable with any other discount offer.
    • Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice.
    • Once travel has begun no changes to the itinerary are permitted.
    • Space is limited, and not available on all trains at all times.
    • Other restrictions may apply.
  • About Auto Train:
  • Please refer to the forum thread for additional details & discussion. -StrawMan86
  • Get 1%-5% cash back on deals like this with a cash back credit card. Compare the available cash back credit cards here.

Original Post

Written by serra | Staff

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Top Comments

FYI, cost of your vehicle:

Standard Vehicle: $480
Extended Vehicle: $550
Motorcycle: $310
Priority Vehicle Offloading: $190
If you're not in a rush & looking for another adventure, the auto train is a nice option. Why? No TSA. Bring your own food/drink. Electrical outlets at your seats. Large, roomy reclining seats. You can get up, walk around to another train car. Car rentals cost more than putting the same size car you'd put on the train. You load your entire car with your luggage and don't need to drag them through an airport.
How much extra does a flight charge to stow my car in the overhead compartment?

82 Comments

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Jun 6, 2023
1,496 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
Jun 6, 2023
Turbotalon
Jun 6, 2023
1,496 Posts
Quote from burntorangehorn :
Not sure about that time estimate, but this is absolutely a blast. I was a single father with a toddler and a 6YO, and I simply packed everything but our overnight backpacks in the vehicle. Didn't have to lug any bags or a stroller through the terminal, go through long security lines, or anything. We just drove to Lorton, loaded up, and the girls and I watched movies and ate snacks on the train until bedtime. Then we went to our roomette to sleep and woke up in the morning with only half an hour to go until we reached Kissimmee. No baggage claim, shuttle, or car rental pickup at the other end, either. It was great!
How long after getting off the train did you get your car?
Pro
Jun 6, 2023
1,454 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
Jun 6, 2023
burntorangehorn
Pro
Jun 6, 2023
1,454 Posts
Quote from Turbotalon :
How long after getting off the train did you get your car?
It took them maybe 20 minutes to start pulling cars off the train, and then it took less than half an hour for us, without priority. It was 2011, so I suppose things could've changed since then.
Pro
Jun 6, 2023
1,454 Posts
Joined Dec 2018
Jun 6, 2023
burntorangehorn
Pro
Jun 6, 2023
1,454 Posts
Quote from GetMaxCashBack :
Also anybody have experience with this trip? Curious if you have access to your car during the trip. Someone mentioned leaving luggage in the car. Would keeping a pet in the car be feasible? Would need access to the car for it to work.
No access to vehicles during trip, and no pets in vehicles during trip. Apparently there's a way to bring pets on the train with you, though.
Jun 6, 2023
1,025 Posts
Joined Dec 2005
Jun 6, 2023
candelabra
Jun 6, 2023
1,025 Posts
Quote from ronswanson :
Some of us are on the no fly list
Haha got drunk during COVID did ya? Be nice to fight attendants!
Pro
Jun 6, 2023
366 Posts
Joined Oct 2004
Jun 6, 2023
Eltoroz00m
Pro
Jun 6, 2023
366 Posts
Someones' recent travel w/ Auto Train, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C16UYeOj62E
Jun 6, 2023
1,679 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
Jun 6, 2023
h0va4life
Jun 6, 2023
1,679 Posts
Quote from bohnrz :
Does that include checked bags? TSA? Retrieved luggage? Taxing?
Yep I took those out of my price comparison as well, which should be included making the airplane ticket cost even more.
Jun 6, 2023
1,058 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
Jun 6, 2023
PriapisX
Jun 6, 2023
1,058 Posts
Quote from Eltoroz00m :
Someones' recent travel w/ Auto Train, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C16UYeOj62E

He was not a fan.

Over $1000 for one way sleeper car, and they wouldn't feed him dinner until after midnight. Also no WIFI.

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Jun 6, 2023
88 Posts
Joined May 2018
Jun 6, 2023
UniqueDirt654
Jun 6, 2023
88 Posts
We did this twice. The first one to go camping at Fort wilderness and the second one to take my song parents for a week long Disney vacation. It has its benefits, but certainly not for everyone. If you're just gonna fly and spend time at Disney resort, then this is not for you.
Jun 6, 2023
3 Posts
Joined Mar 2021
Jun 6, 2023
JollyJuice900
Jun 6, 2023
3 Posts
I used the Auto Train when I was moving from DC to Florida. I packed my car to the absolute limit — turned it into a low-rider with all the extra weight. The only space in there was the driver's seat and a little tunnel to see through to the back window.

Loaded it up on the Auto Train, got into my sleeper car and 22 hours later was at my new place in Vero Beach.

I can't honestly think of any other reason (ie, you have a car + lots of stuff to transport) anyone would want to take this trip, and I definitely wouldn't do it without a sleeper car.
Last edited by JollyJuice900 June 6, 2023 at 09:03 AM.
Jun 6, 2023
2,757 Posts
Joined May 2008
Jun 6, 2023
pony
Jun 6, 2023
2,757 Posts
Quote from mkwho :
How much extra does a flight charge to stow my car in the overhead compartment?
It won't fit. You have to check it.
Jun 6, 2023
2,757 Posts
Joined May 2008
Jun 6, 2023
pony
Jun 6, 2023
2,757 Posts
Quote from bohnrz :
Does that include checked bags? TSA? Retrieved luggage? Taxing?
Does this car train include exercise? Is it free?

Walking is better.
1
Pro
Jun 6, 2023
366 Posts
Joined Oct 2004
Jun 6, 2023
Eltoroz00m
Pro
Jun 6, 2023
366 Posts
Quote from PriapisX :
He was not a fan.

Over $1000 for one way sleeper car, and they wouldn't feed him dinner until after midnight. Also no WIFI.
Yeah, but there are some who actually liked it, specially the roomette vs suit. For that guy, all the delays added to the unpleasant trip.
Jun 6, 2023
74 Posts
Joined Nov 2008
Jun 6, 2023
JaMon101
Jun 6, 2023
74 Posts
Wish I had this in the west coast, I'd take this to drive up and down the Pacific coast. Jealous
Jun 6, 2023
1,058 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
Jun 6, 2023
PriapisX
Jun 6, 2023
1,058 Posts
Quote from Eltoroz00m :
Yeah, but there are some who actually liked it, specially the roomette vs suit. For that guy, all the delays added to the unpleasant trip.
Agreed; It was delayed 7 hours- was supposed to get there at 10 AM, he was driving off the train after 5 PM.

They also completely cut off food after breakfast- this guy was a diabetic, and they offered him nothing to eat (let alone lunch) after his breakfast.

Amtrak definitely needs to get its act together.

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Jun 6, 2023
62 Posts
Joined Jan 2006
Jun 6, 2023
themicah
Jun 6, 2023
62 Posts
We took the Auto Train early in the pandemic when we were taking isolation pretty seriously and wanted to spend a couple months in a family member's big empty Florida home instead of our small NYC apartment, but didn't want to get on a crowded airplane or use a million public restrooms on a roadtrip.

I can't comment on the coach seats, as we got a double cabin for our family and had a private room with four beds and two little en suite bathrooms all to ourselves. But we were able to bring our own car, and stuff it full of all the stuff we'd need for an extended stay (including a ton of computer equipment for working and schooling remotely).

The Auto Train isn't cheap and you don't take it if you're in a hurry. There is a LOT of waiting around at both ends while they load and unload all the cars, and there can be delays because Amtrak trains have to yield to freight trains on most of the tracks they use. The food was just so-so.

But it was perfect for our needs and we really enjoyed the whole experience (watching them load the autos and hook up all the train cars, watching the scenery fly by, sleeping on the gently rocking train, etc.). I'd definitely do it again (even now when we're perfectly comfortable flying again) if I was going to Florida for a long enough period where the ability to have our own car and fill it up with all our stuff would justify the extra time and expense of taking the train vs. flying.

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