PA to WDW...train versus plane?

copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
Just curious if anyone in the middle atlantic states has ever done a cost comparison of plane versus train travel to the world? Obviously the extra time it takes is a drawback but I thought it might be a different fun way to travel and was not sure if anyone had input into having done this. We may even take a train down and then fly home just for a different experience.
 
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zefroim

New Member
We have taken the autotrain from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL twice and are doing so again next year. We'll never fly to FL again. We love it for so many reasons. The price has always been cheaper than flying (we're a family of four) when you consider the cost of tickets, parking at the airport, checked bags and a rental car (I love having my own car at WDW, not a fan of WDW transportation at all). Plus the convenience of being able to pack whatever we want without worrying about weight and/or cost and not having to arrive at the airport two hours early to get through security, no worries of delayed or cancelled flights.
We always get two sleeper cars right across the hall from each other. We pack whatever we want into our car, which usually includes bottled water and lots of snacks for the parks, and drive to the train station, check-in and we're officially on vacation. The dinner they serve has always been good (and includes wine). After dinner we hang out in our rooms, the kids watch a movie, DH and I read and relax. The porter comes by to make up the beds when you're ready. In the morning we grab breakfast and get ready to get off the train. We've always gotten to FL by 9:30 am and had our car by 11:00. Sanford is a 30 minute drive from WDW. Like I said I'd nver fly to FL again with the autotrain being available. It's a much more relaxing way to travel. Yes, you do need to add two days to your trip for travel, but fortunately that's not a problem for us.
 
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hankhill

hankhill

Active Member
Two Opinions Here: My Sister and her family took the Auto Train this past summer and loved it. Easy on and easy off. Dinner, Sleep and your there. Personally I cant see driving to VA to get on and then having to drive off the net morning. Saying that you can pack more, dont have to rent so ostensibly it is cheaper than flying in the long run.

Saying all this my family (Southern Pa near the DE border) have driven each of the past three years for stays from Dec 23 to 30. WE LOVE THE DRIVE. Get up at 3, get past DC before rush stop for packed lunch in SC, dinner outside of Jacksonville about 6ish and we check in about 8. No muss no fuss. We pack the car to the hilt so we have everything we need (breakfast and snack and drinks for the week) and it costs about 3 tanks. Our kids started this at 12 and 10 and we never heard a complaint or a peep. Now each of the first two trips were a surprise but.....

Your call but each of these is better than flying. Cost, inconvenience, security etc.
 
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copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We would not be doing the Auto Train as I agree that driving all the way to Virginia is not for me. We would leave out of 30th Street Station in downtown Phila and then use a car service from Orlando to the resort. Still on the fence with this but we have a good bit of time before we need to make our decision.

Thanks everyone for the great info and ideas!
 
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K

Krcarson13

Member
That's exactly what we did and believe me when I said it wasn't all that comfortable unless you can sleep in a chair that slightly reclines and sleep with the isle lights on. It makes a lot of stops along the way for passengers and for smokers and at night they blow the horn all night long. We had left at 12:30pm and arrived the next day at 12:00pm which it was one hour behind of schedule. Coming home the train was delayed for 4 hours due to the amount of rain Florida had got the day before and there was an investigation on one of train tracks. Apparently there are a lot of delays when you take the train. I just wish someone had told me about the train because I wouldn't have taken it.
 
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Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
I looked into it for our last trip (upstate NY to Orlando on Amtrak). The cost of taking the train was within $100 of what it cost for us to fly -- but only if we slept in our seats (a sleeper car would have made the cost of the train double the cost of flying), and it was going to take 20+ hours each way, instead of the 2.5 hours our direct flight took.
 
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zefroim

New Member
Krcarson13 said:
That's exactly what we did and believe me when I said it wasn't all that comfortable unless you can sleep in a chair that slightly reclines and sleep with the isle lights on. It makes a lot of stops along the way for passengers and for smokers and at night they blow the horn all night long. We had left at 12:30pm and arrived the next day at 12:00pm which it was one hour behind of schedule. Coming home the train was delayed for 4 hours due to the amount of rain Florida had got the day before and there was an investigation on one of train tracks. Apparently there are a lot of delays when you take the train. I just wish someone had told me about the train because I wouldn't have taken it.
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You must not have been on the autotrain. The autotrain is a nonstop trip, they don't stop for passengers and definitely not for smokers...weird you would think that. As far as the seats are concerned, that's why you purchase bedrooms. We've never been delayed on the autotrain. In fact we've always arrived ahead of schedule.
 
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Z

zefroim

New Member
copcarguyp71 said:
We would not be doing the Auto Train as I agree that driving all the way to Virginia is not for me. We would leave out of 30th Street Station in downtown Phila and then use a car service from Orlando to the resort. Still on the fence with this but we have a good bit of time before we need to make our decision.

Thanks everyone for the great info and ideas!
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We make it to Lorton, VA from Montgomery County in 2.5 hours.
 
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luv

luv

Well-Known Member
Earlier in the thread I said I'd like to try it at some point...but I'd get a sleeper section/room like Laverne and Shirley had when Shirley had to wear a suitcase. That is actually the show that made me want to ride on a train as a kid, lol.
 
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K

Krcarson13

Member
zefroim said:
You must not have been on the autotrain. The autotrain is a nonstop trip, they don't stop for passengers and definitely not for smokers...weird you would think that. As far as the seats are concerned, that's why you purchase bedrooms. We've never been delayed on the autotrain. In fact we've always arrived ahead of schedule.
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No we took amtrak because it would had been a 8 hour drive to get to Virginia and another $400 to get a sleeper which we would need 2 because they only sleep 2.
 
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DizneyPryncess

DizneyPryncess

Well-Known Member
I've taken the Amtrak train several times from PA to NY. I liked traveling that way because I'm a terrible flyer, and it was an alternative to driving everywhere. It was relaxing. So I too looked into taking a train from PA to Florida, and also found that it was no less expensive than flying and in some cases more expensive. The length of time was long, but that didn't bother me since I drive anyways and it takes long. But we would have wanted the sleeper room for such a long trip, and we just couldn't swing it.
 
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MorganKelly

MorganKelly

Active Member
My mom and I did this about 10 years ago from Philly. Amtrak had a 2 for 1 price deal ( although I don't remember the fare). We traveled in mid-March. The train left 30th Street Station around 3:00 pm and arrived in Orlando at around noon the next day. It was okay. A little too slow for me, but otherwise it was uneventful and basically fine. Bring snacks and water and items to pass the time (books, puzzles, etc.) as the train travels on freight tracks and the scenery is not that exciting most of the time. Take a small pillow and blanket; the seats recline and are wide and comfortable. We did not book a roomette; it was pretty easy to sleep or at least nap. It can get a bit noisy traffic-wise depending on your location in relation to the dining car, so headphones or ear plugs would be a good item to bring if you are easily awakened.
 
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J

jbird327

Member
I will be taking my 9th AutoTrain trip this coming October. There will be 9 of us on the train this trip (3 bedrooms and 2 roomettes). Cost wise, much more expensive than flying (we are out of Phila), and we usually leave the day before and spend the night at the Comfort Inn a few blocks away from the Lorton station. But the expense is necessary for my group to actually make the trip - two non flyers, and my youngest daughter (fragile x syndrome) can't deal with the sensory issues that flying presents (can't even ride the monorail for the same reasons).
One major difference between Amtrak and Amtrak AutoTrain is that the AutoTrain travels on freight lines. There are no stations to stop at and aside from a midnight stop for a crew change, it is non stop. The freight lines can vary in ride quality from time to time but are generally smooth.
If considering a room it is best to book as soon as possible as the rates can jump up considerably very quickly, at least on the ride down. Use amsnag.com for a rate overview for a range of dates. For example, I booked this years trip last month, a room was $307 ( at exactly 11 months out from my travel date) and later that morning the room rate jumped to $440.
 
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copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We would not be doing the Auto Train and in light of cost vs experience I think we have decided to just go with the plane. It is a nice idea but to arrive after a day and a half of travel less than rested just does not bode well for our usual plan of heading into the parks right after dropping our bags. Staterooms are way too expensive on the train and are really only designed for sleeping two and we are three.
 
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Figgy1

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
copcarguyp71 said:
Just curious if anyone in the middle atlantic states has ever done a cost comparison of plane versus train travel to the world? Obviously the extra time it takes is a drawback but I thought it might be a different fun way to travel and was not sure if anyone had input into having done this. We may even take a train down and then fly home just for a different experience.
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This would probably depend a train ride would be so cool. Maybe auto train, I have friends who have done this and said it was a fun part of their vacation (major fear of flying). I drive from pa it's at least 2 1/2 hours to an airport with nonstop at least 2 hrs fot tsa and Ican bring home snowglobes without worry. Also outlet shopping no cab or car rental YEA!
 
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LambertLion

LambertLion

Member
With no transfers and a good fare, I might do it again. I've done the train from Philly 30th to Albany a few times, and didn't like it. In coach, I *really* didn't like it. The biz class upgrade made it somewhat better. I've also found some lines (Acela, Auto-train routes) are much nicer trains than others.
 
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copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
figmentfan423 said:
at least 2 hrs fot tsa
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WHA??????o_O

Never had two hours for TSA. At Phila they even have an express line for families with kids to help you get through security screening double quick. If you had two hours at TSA I think it must have been just post 911...they have streamlined the process quite a bit since then. I am always the poor slob that gets nailed for random laptop check and it takes an extra five minutes or so but even with that it is like 15-20 minutes max.
 
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