by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:15 AM ET, Wed January 8, 2025
Flying is a popular mode of transportation when traveling up
and down the East Coast of the United States, but Amtrak is offering a viable alternative
with the Auto Train, which just got better.
Amtrak’s Auto Train is a daily, non-stop service traveling
between Lorton, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., and Sanford, Florida, near
Orlando.
In addition to traveling with family and friends, the train
also transports several vehicle types along the journey, including cars, vans,
motorcycles, SUVs, small boats, jet skis and more.
Superliner coach upper level on Amtrak Auto Train. (Photo Credit: Amtrak Media)
To help improve the experience, Amtrak unveiled modernized interiors
for the Coach, Dining, Sleeping cars and Sightseer Lounges, as well as new
seating cushions and upholstery, carpet, LED lighting, tables and curtains.
Amtrak is also looking to help travelers avoid rush hour
when traveling to the station, so the rail company adjusted its Auto Train
schedule by offering an earlier departure time.
From both Lorton and Sanford, the train will now depart at 4
p.m. ET instead of 5 p.m. and is scheduled to arrive the next day at 8:59 a.m.
Superliner lounge on Amtrak Auto Train. (Photo Credit: Amtrak Media)
In December, Amtrak announced that it achieved an all-time
ridership record in fiscal year 2024 of 32.8 million customers. The news
comes after the rail company unveiled an unprecedented $4.5 billion in major
infrastructure and fleet projects.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
