Auto train

[Lexie]

Hello! Headed down from CT. We have done the drive dozens of times and train from NYC once. Looking into the auto train from VA.. Any advice, experiences. We will be traveling with a 1 yr old and 3 yr old. TIA!

 

[Monty]

My son and I have taken the Auto Train southbound twice. We booked a roomette rather than coach. I personally had a lot of trouble sleeping on the train, but I almost invariably have trouble the first night in a different bed. I found the train relaxing and the food and service was excellent. I think it beats driving down easily, even with my sleeping issue. You do spend a fair bit of time waiting before departure and depending on where they load your vehicle, it can be a really short wait or a quite long one to get your car back.

By the time you factor in meals, gas and potentially a hotel/motel room driving down, the cost of the train isn't bad.

 

[WLBound]

We took the Auto Train Northbound and we're considering doing it again. I do agree about not going coach. It's the equivalent of sitting in an airplane seat for around 18 hours. We were only two adults and decided it sounded like a pretty bad idea. We also sprang for the roomette but that won't work for four people. You would need to book two. There are some larger units that would probably work better for you. The food was definitely better than we expected. We enjoyed our dinner and the continental breakfast was pretty good too. Our car was in the last carrier to be offloaded and we were stuck in Lorton for about two hours. That probably wasn't as bad as if it had been in Sanford and we were anxious to get to WDW.

 

[cba]

I've been on Auto Train once for my trip in 2011 and I'm doing it again this Thursday! For a family like you I would recommend getting a joining room or a family room. I prefer the joining rooms because it has an extra bathroom and more space. The food is really good for both dinner and breakfast. And my favorite part is that you don't need to rent a car afterwards. But it can take a while for you to get your car, coach can be pretty uncomfortable, it takes a lot longer than flying a plane, and rooms can also be expensive. But I still recommend it because you can take your car and IMO the rooms are better than seats on planes by far.

 

[Lexie]

If I am in a room with the babies where would they sleep?? Has anyone traveled by train with kids that small before?

 

[cba]

If I am in a room with the babies where would they sleep?? Has anyone traveled by train with kids that small before?

They could either sleep on a bed or on a couch.