Be careful with what choice you initially make. For our trip this upcoming winter we are riding coach, and chose the “flex” option. That allows changes with no penalty.
I think we did. It isn't my responsibility. I take care of "boards" and my husband does the booking.
Unless you need the bathroom in your room, you could also price out 2 roomettes. That way you each have a lower bunk - it can be a better sleeping arrangement than a bedroom. You can call and ask for the roomettes to be across from each other (join guest rewards - it's free, and use their phone service). These may be cheaper. You can also keep looking for price drops after you book. They do happen and then you can call and rebook at the lower price.
Only you can decide. As you may have noticed one direction is cheaper than the other. That’s usually the case and we try to take advantage of that. We take AutoTrain in the ‘cheap’ direction, drive the other way. Since we often head to a destination 90minutes west of DC, we prefer taking I 95, 77, 81. It’s maybe an hour longer for us but so much better than 95.
Thank you!
Having never ridden the Auto Train, is the numbering scheme similar to that of other long distance trains with the car line numbers ascending based on proximity to the diner? With the 41 car being closer to the diner than the 42 car?
Awesome Sauce - glad it worked out.
Thanks for the reply - we have been snow-birding for a few years now, and I just still can't bring myself to pay the SouthBound prices when they are at peak levels. I have caught a deal twice, during Black-Friday sales. We always have a hotel in NC and SC booked, and will drive down if unsuccessful in getting a better price. Northbound has already been booked on points!Just for fun, after booking my initial AT reservation I periodically check how much my train ride would be. Thinking that if the rate would go down, I would call Amtrak to adjust the rate. We have taken the train for 3 round trips in the past 3 years and I have never seen the rate go down. One year the rate between when I booked and the day before was almost $800 more round trip! Even when there is a flash sale, it doesn’t affect the bedroom tickets. I would recommend to book it now to lock in the current rate for January. If a sale pops up, call Amtrak for a fee adjustment.
And we have done Disney trips in January. Bring a heavier coat and long pants just in case. One year there was actual ice on the lakes and people were stuck wearing shorts because that’s all they had. Disney made a lot of money in sweatpants and coffee that year.
Me too! I booked the northbound tickets but can't bring myself to book the super expensive southbound. Fingers crossed for lower buckets!Awesome Sauce - glad it worked out.
We are also "Disney Crazy"
I'm still holding out for a better rate on our Southbound trip in January
Have you had any luck waiting for the "Black Friday" sales on AutoTrain ??
We usually travel in November, so I haven't looked at Black Friday sales. Is there a history of auto train sales that day? (that would be awesome).Have you had any luck waiting for the "Black Friday" sales on AutoTrain ??
That's our strategy for this winter...........
I caught a sale last year, but sometimes there is little-to-no availability for the December dates if you wait that long.
Some employees at Amtrak do go the extra mile.
