Amtrak’s Auto Train Tickets Are Currently Available for Just $34

Growing up, my family and I took the Amtrak Auto Train from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida, nearly every year from the age of five into my teens. This 17-hour overnight trip promised exciting adventures just beyond the station. Many people from the Northeast refer to this as the 'Disney World route,' an affordable way to transport the whole family—and the minivan—down to Orlando, which is 27 miles from Sanford. It’s also popular among snowbirds who prefer not to rent a car.

The Auto Train earns its name: once onboard, Amtrak transports your car, van, SUV, motorcycle, or even small boats and Jet-Skis southward. Instead of enduring 900 miles of driving and squabbling, you can enjoy a private room or spacious coach seats, play games in the club car, savor seated hot meals, watch movies, and arrive early in the warm, sunny climate of Florida. I loved meeting kids my age on the train and spending hours in the club car’s panoramic window seating, engrossed in a good book.

Today, a ride on the Auto Train offers great value: for just $34 one-way plus your vehicle's fare, coach passengers enjoy a reclining seat, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary continental breakfast. While the complimentary dinners are no longer offered, there’s a café where you can purchase hot meals, snacks, and drinks while mingling with fellow travelers. In coach, you can only bring a carry-on bag; your other luggage will be stored in your vehicle. Kids aged 2 to 12 can ride for just $17.

This is a limited-time flash sale exclusively for southbound coach tickets from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida (return fares start at $140). Full-price tickets for private Roomettes, featuring lie-flat beds and access to private bathrooms, begin at $235. A standard vehicle will cost $540.

Purchase your ticket by March 28 to take advantage of these reduced coach fares for travel from April 8 to June 30, 2024. (No blackout dates apply.) For more details and to make a reservation, visit amtrak.com/AutoTrainSale.

This article was first published in 2021 and has been updated on March 26, 2024, to include the latest sale details.