I just spent over 23 hours aboard an Amtrak train from Florida to New York on the Silver Star. Because I don’t fly, I board an Amtrak overnight train from Florida to New York to get almost anywhere in the U.S.
For this article, there’s everything you need to know to take an Amtrak train from Florida to New York. Or New York to Florida!
Travel along with me, a long-time Amtrak fanatic, to see what it’s really like to stay and sleep in a 23-square-foot roomette aboard Amtrak Silver Star from Florida to New York.
Amtrak Overnight Train From Florida to New York
I was on my way to Chicago for my high school reunion so the Amtrak Silver Star schedule was perfect.
Because the Amtrak Silver Star arrives into New York City in the evening, I planned an overnight stay at Fairfield Inn and Suites.
According to Google Maps, this hotel is right across the street from the new Moynihan Train Hall.
I’d have plenty of time the next day to take a tour and explore the building before my next train to Chicago.
Here’s What It’s Like to Spend 23 Hours on Amtrak
6:00 PM – I arrived early at the small but busy Amtrak station in the heart of downtown Winter Park, Florida. I’ve tried the Orlando and Kissimmee train stations and prefer the one in Winter Park.
My overnight train was scheduled to arrive into Winter Park on time at 7:41pm. I checked-in with the station agent and handed her my large suitcase for checked baggage.
With my small wheeled carry-on bag in tow, I walked across the street to Park Avenue for a coffee, eye on the clock.
READ NEXT: Aboard Amtrak Silver Star without the dining car
7:15 PM – I checked the Amtrak app every 10 minutes for the Train Status. Getting nervous in case the train arrived early, I headed back to the station.
It’s a little scary because if the train arrived early, there would be no way to cross the train tracks to board the train.
7:30 PM – The Amtrak station agent announced the arrival of our train. All the waiting passengers scattered to their designated boarding points along the platform, careful not to get too close to the yellow line.
Coach passengers, bound for various destinations, stood at different places along the platform. Sleeping car passengers, like me, had our own area to congregate.
There were only four of us compared to at least twenty-five coach passengers.
Amtrak makes twenty-four station stops along the way from Florida to New York City. It was anyone’s guess who was going where.
7:41 PM – Amtrak’s Silver Star made its rumbling approach into Winter Park. From the first blast of the train whistle to the slow grinding halt, everyone on the platform felt the energy.
Everyone is always excited to get on a train. I should know…I’m one of them!
RELATED: My Best Advice for Amtrak Sleeping Car Passengers
7:50 PM – My train car attendant checked my ticket, hoisted my small overnight suitcase onto the train and carried it into my roomette. I neatly set it where it always goes; on a ledge next to the oversized seat.
As you can see below, the new Viewliner II roomette is quite different. There is still a sink but no toilet in the room. You have to use one of the public bathrooms in your car.
Tucked away into my little compartment, I said a quiet goodbye to Winter Park. Within a few minutes we traveled from bustling urban sprawl to pastoral rural Florida.
Another Amtrak overnight train ride from Florida was under way.
Dinner in the Dining Car? Not This Trip
A couple of years before the pandemic, in 2018, Amtrak’s president (from Delta Airlines no less) decided that a proper meal on Amtrak was a waste of money, so within weeks, the dining cars on both Florida trains were gone.
On this train from Florida, whether in coach or a sleeper, were stuck with a narrow selection of microwaved meals or snacks from only one café car.
Imagine just one café car for three sleeper cars and at least four coach cars. Several hundred people needing food and drink. The queues were a one hour long wait. What an idiotic idea. That concept didn’t last very long.
Silver Star Dining Finally Resumes…Sort Of
Amtrak’s Traditional Dining with meals cooked in the galley and tablecloths, plates and silverware have returned. But only on westbound Amtrak trains.
However, the two Amtrak trains to Florida and New York (Silver Star and Silver Meteor) have what’s called, “Flexible Dining.”
What is Amtrak “Flexible Dining”?
Flexible Dining is Amtrak’s current solution to improved dining. With the new Flexible Dining menu, there are two options for where you can eat your meal.
You can choose to have your meals in your cozy room or sit in a booth in the bare-bones dining car where meals can be ordered and eaten.
Flexible Dining Only for Sleeping Car Passengers
Complimentary for Sleeping Car customers, Amtrak offers their flexible dining service on several trains. This includes:
- A menu with hot, ready-to-serve choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- A selection of wine, beer and spirits (the first one is complimentary),
- Unlimited soft drinks throughout the journey
- Flexible dining times without the need for reservations
If you reserved a coach seat, there’s a full-service Café Car available for all passengers to purchase meals, snacks and beverages.
Amtrak Flexible Dining Menu
8:00 PM – I knew that our sleeping car attendant was busy running back and forth to the galley to our car, so I was patient for my dinner. I can look out the window for hours, day or night.
Finally, I heard the knock on my door signaling that the attendant had my dinner. My little pop-up table was ready for action.
I was hungry so all the components to my meal were appreciated. Including the complimentary bottle of wine.
This is the Atlantic Salmon and Shrimp with Brown Rice and veg. A side salad, dinner roll with butter and a Manifesto Blonde Brownie rounded out my dinner.
Entrées are prepared in ovens and delivered with tin foil covers, remarkably still hot.
Because I watch my sodium intake, I sort of scraped off some of the sauce and ate about 2/3 of the dinner. But that was fine. I love Manifesto brownies so that made dinner a complete success.
Was it restaurant quality? No. But it was eons better than those microwaved meals from 2018.
9:30 PM – First Fresh Air Break – Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, there’s about a 20-minute layover. A lot of people leave the train and quite a few board here.
Smokers can step off the train and do their thing.
Even if the train is running late, I always try to walk the length of the train back and forth several times.
I’ve counted 35 steps per length of the train car. If there are 10 cars, the length walked each way is about 350 steps and so on.
If you’re going to be mostly sitting on the train, if you don’t have mobility issues, it’s always good to get outside and walk a bit.
9:50 PM – The conductor yells, “‘Board” and everyone scrambles to their respective car door to hop onboard. The train doesn’t wait for stragglers.
When my car attendant asked what time I would like my bed turned down, I asked for as soon as we leave Jacksonville.
Overnight in an Amtrak Roomette
Promptly at 10 PM, Charles knocked on my door. I stepped out into the hallway so he would have enough space to fold out my bed.
The two chairs slid out from the bottom to meet and convert to an almost twin-sized bed. What a thrill it was (it really was!) to see new linens, feel new thicker pillows and especially to have an actual soft blanket.
Just a short while ago Amtrak had dark blue blankets were nearly Army-issue quality. In winter, I’d have to ask for two of them.
Not anymore. This is definitely a major improvement; new thicker mattresses, soft blankets, smooth linens and comfortable pillows.
I like that the blankets are individually wrapped. Several years ago that you never knew if your army-issue blue blanket was clean or not.
My bed turned down, an extra pillow added (at my request), shades closed and the tiny reading light above my bed lent a welcoming glow to the room.
Trusty Kindle in hand, I read for a while, and always peeked out from behind the shades to see where we had stopped. As the passengers stepped off the train, hugs were the norm as families and friends were reunited.
Shades closed again, I went to sleep somewhere around midnight.
The motion of the train doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve heard people say that they fall asleep on an airplane before it takes off. I can do that on the train.
Good Morning From…
7:00 AM – Southern Pines, North Carolina. It was a quiet ride along the tracks, and I slept great. Even though the train makes stops during the night, I didn’t notice it.
8:00 AM – Time to eat again. For coach passengers, it’s either pay-as-you-go in the Café care or brown bag it with food from home.
For sleeping car passengers, the Flexible Dining breakfast selection is minimal, but covers all the bases.
It had been 2 long pandemic years since I last rode Amtrak and I looked forward to what has always been called, “Railroad French Toast.”
So much so that I brought a small bottle of real maple syrup from home just for this special breakfast. As with dinner, I’d eat in my roomette rather than in the bare-bones dining car.
As always, there’s the piping hot “train” coffee. Years ago, Amtrak coffee was so strong it didn’t even need a cup. Now it’s mellowed a bit and your cup doesn’t stay empty for too long.
I also pack a bunch of Starbuck’s Via Decaf packs. If I’m on caffeine overload, I just ask for hot water.
Turns out, these are the same ones that Amtrak now serves if you ask for decaf.
9:30 AM – By the time I returned to my room from picking up my pre-ordered breakfast, we were almost out of North Carolina. Edging into southern Virginia and only ten hours to New York.
In the short span of time that I walked to and from the dining car, my room was already made up. The bed was stowed into the wall and chairs popped back up.
I ate all of my oven-heated Railroad French Toast!
Can You Take a Shower on Amtrak?
In case someone feels the need to shower, there is a public shower room in each sleeper car. No one ever seems to use it and they’re alway clean.
On really long-haul trips, I’ll grab my shampoo and conditioner and head over to the shower room. It’s challenging to take a shower on a train going 80 mph, but fun to try.
Each roomette has two electric outlets, so after your shower, you can use your hair dryer and charge your phone at the same time. Ooh. The simple things in life.
Amtrak Dining and Meal Time Again
Before I knew it, the Dining Chief announced yet another meal; it was time for lunch. I closed up my laptop, put it away, slipped my shoes back on and made the “long” walk back to the dining car. Didn’t I just do this a few minutes ago?
I should mention that, unlike overnight accommodations on trains in Europe, Amtrak rooms do not lock from the outside. Of course you can lock yourself in at night.
While I have never had anything stolen when I’ve left my roomette or bedroom, it’s a good idea not to leave your computer or electronics out in plain sight.
I also always close my curtains that open to the hall so that no one can see in if I’m away.
1:00 PM – Rather than repeat what I wrote about the last two meals, I’ll quickly note that lunch was quite good. There’s a selection of hot and cold meals and sandwiches, a chef’s salad, soup and of course, dessert.
3:30 PM – By mid-afternoon we were well into Virginia. It’s amazing how close the train is to so many beautiful old homes in smaller towns.
Sometimes I try to imagine what it would be like to live in one of these quaint houses and watch the trains pass by ’round the clock.
The next major stop where we could leave the train to stretch would be Washington, D.C. One of my favorite longer stops.
Though both Amtrak trains from Florida takes 19- to 23-hours, the day always seems to quickly pass.
Soon we were in Washington, D.C. En route, the train raced through Richmond,VA as well as a couple of university towns.
It’s interesting scenery, so I probably spent as much time looking out of my window as I did trying to write my notes for this story.
Amtrak Silver Star Route
The Amtrak Silver Star train route from Florida to New York is picturesque. It’s even more beautiful in winter. A dusting of snow and towns look like something in a gently shaken snow globe.
In any season, the train rolls past what looks like Norman Rockwell village scenes. Singularly lit little houses and colorful storefronts are so close you’d think you could touch them.
It’s almost like you were suddenly transported to the middle of a carefully assembled toy train set. It’s all too quaint.
6:00 PM – We were now running about three hours behind schedule. Our 3:04 PM arrival into Washington, D.C. meant getting to New York around 10 PM or so.
At least my hotel was right across the street from the new train station.
The fascinating thing about arriving into Washington is that the train engines are swapped. From Florida to Washington, the engine runs on diesel.
But from Washington to New York, Amtrak engines run on electricity. So it’s off with the diesel and on with the electric engine.
The job is tricky but these guys have it all figured out. I always watch the de-coupling of the diesel engine and watch in awe as the engineer ever so slowly backs the new engine to reconnect with the train.
Mechanics jump down to track level and secure the fittings. I should know the technical terms after all these years, but I don’t.
6:30 P.M. or thereabouts – The bellowing of ‘Board’ by the conductor and it was again a mad scramble to get onto the train.
Washington is perfect for a good walkabout on the platform but as soon as the new engine is connected, off you go!
On the way again, and the arrival into New York getting even later. The original 7:00 P.M.-ish arrival into NYC was now closer to 11 P.M. Ugh.
A new and unfamiliar train station, finding the luggage carousel and the correct exit door for the hotel had me a little on edge.
The good news was that there would still be time for an early dinner. Usually on this Florida to New York train, there isn’t dinner service because of the 7:10 PM arrival.
But because we were late, the café car would be open for early dinner meal purchases. Also, I was hoping to get my “special” dinner that missed the train in Florida.
On this trip, I wanted to try the kosher meals. While I don’t keep kosher, after doing some due diligence with Amtrak Food Facts, I learned that the kosher meals have the least amount of sodium!
Can You Get Kosher Meals on Amtrak?
The answer is yes…but it’s tricky. You have to order a kosher meal at least 72-hours before departure day. Then hope that someone in Amtrak’s commissary (in major cities) remembers to load the kosher meal onto the train.
Unfortunately, since so few people know Amtrak offers kosher meals, quite often these prepared dinners are not loaded on the train.
This was the case from this train’s Miami departure. When I asked the conductor in Winter Park if my kosher meal was onboard, he asked the Dining Manager. The answer was, “No..,they forgot.”
I was told that in Washington, D.C., they’d make sure that a kosher meal was delivered along with the rest of the supplies.
And it worked! My kosher meal was indeed onboard for this last 5-hour segment to New York.
The kosher meals are two separate packages. Your room attendant and/or the galley chef may not have ever seen Amtrak’s kosher meal packages. But there are two; one is cold with salad, roll, butter, and dessert. The second package is your main hot meal.
I was glad to have dinner. An 11:00 PM arrival into New York meant that it would be too late to get any food.
Ready to Arrive into New York
10:00 PM – Finally, the Silver Star was nearing New York. Florida seemed like eons ago.
It was time to organize and pack up my overnight gear. Over the years, I’ve learned to pack specifically for the train so repacking isn’t too difficult.
Stowing all my electronic stuff slows me down. Cords, chargers, phone, camera, batteries…all have to be put away.
If you’re wondering why I have my camera unpacked, it’s because I keep it at the ready to take photos from the train. My camera and my iPhone are always close at hand.
How to Take Photos From an Amtrak Train
I love taking photos and videos from the train. And it’s taken me a few years to get it done with success. It also helps to know the route, where specific landmarks are and be ready to get the photo.
If you are remotely interested in how to do this, just remember to be ready to shoot. Going 70 mph, you have to frame and shoot pretty fast. Lighting is also an issue as is the glaring reflection in the window.
I find it helps to sit in the chair that faces forward, (there are two chairs in a roomette). When you spot something coming up ahead, you quickly jump to the other chair that makes you sit backwards.
The angle of looking back at the glass window diminishes the glare or reflection so you can get a pretty good shot. That’s how I was able to get this shot of the Jefferson Memorial. I was also going from Florida to New York.
You must check for dirt spots on the window. I bring a small spray bottle of windex, (yes I do!) just for cleaning the glass.
It’s important to remember to turn off the lights in your roomette. You can also put the window curtain behind you, just like old-time photographers used to do.
Silver Star Arrives New York
10:45 PM – Our train began its descent under the Hudson River. This takes about 3-4 minutes in the one-way tunnel (built in 1910.)
The ascent begins, your ears pop and the train slows to a halt. My room attendant had already taken my suitcase to the exit door.
All I needed to do was a last-minute room check, grab my overnight pack and walk to the exit. For those with more luggage or needed assistance, Amtrak’s Red Cap service was offered.
This is a free service where you and your luggage are on small golf cart type conveyances, that transports you to the upstairs Train Hall.
As the train slowly came to a halt, the transom opened, the stairs unfolded and an extended arm from the attendant helped all of us alight from the train. Now to find my way upstairs to the new Moynihan Train Hall.
To get your bearings, Moynihan Train Hall is directly across the street from the original Penn Station. It opened for service on January 1, 2021.
For one night, I booked a room at Fairfield Inn and Suites, directly across from the new train station.
The next afternoon, I’d board the Lake Shore Limited for Chicago.
Cost of an Amtrak Ticket with Roomette From Florida to New York
For my Amtrak ticket from Florida to New York, I paid $546 plus a $20 tip for my room attendant. This included my roomette, bottled water and four meals.
The deluxe bedroom was double the price of a roomette. For a one-night trip, a roomette for me was fine.
Bottom Line
Is Amtrak worth the time and money? I’d have to give a resounding “Yes!” Even though I don’t fly, I love to see all the places in the U.S. that you just can’t see on a road trip. And definitely not from 40,000′ in the air.
I always tell people that for me, my vacation begins the minute I set foot on a train. Yes, it’s a slower pace and at times frustrating when you arrive late.
But airlines cancel flights all the time. They also arrive late. And unless you’ve paid for Business or First Class, you’re crammed in like cattle in a pen.
RELATED AMTRAK READING FROM CRUISE MAVEN
- Complete Amtrak Guide to Plan Your Train Trip
- My 15 Best Tips for a First-Time on Amtrak
- How to Bring Your Dog on Amtrak
- Amtrak Coach Seats Travel Tips and Advice
I’m the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath…stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Kim,
Thank you so much for your kind words! Much appreciated. You’ll be glad you splurged on a bedroom! Plenty of space and the best part is having your own bathroom. Do take a peek at the roomettes though, just in case sometime you might want to try one. Enjoy the train ride and congratulations on your son’s upcoming marriage! Exciting times for sure.
Kim says
I loved reading this! My son and his fiance’ are getting married in Fort Lauderdale next year. I’m planning on going via Amtrak and splurging on a bedroom. I’m claustrophobic and a roomette would be stressful for me. I’ll be on the Silver Meteor out of Baltimore.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Noemi,
Thank you so much for finding my site! Sounds like we are in the same boat, so to speak, about not flying to Europe. Yes, the easiest way is the train to NYC, maybe an overnight in the city and then QM2 across in a week. I’ve done the 14-night crossings (Holland America, NCL, MSC etc) and while it was great to see new ports in Europe, that wasn’t always my goal, especially if I was rushing to get to a river cruise. QM2 is really a lux-bus across the Atlantic…transportation in a pinch.
I’ve done this trip in every month that QM2 sails transatlantics (22 crossings so far and always an even number, lol). On my Europe trips, I always hope to do the one suitcase and backpack (I criss-cross the backpack straps over the extended suitcase handle for easier maneuvering in train stations, crossing cobblestone streets etc.). Unfortunately, with camera equipment and laptop and drives, I also have a small carry-on size suitcase. Including my crossbody purse/bag, it’s four bags total.
For the train, in my small carry-on along with my electronics, I’ll include my overnight toiletries, makeup, sleep shirt, and next day’s clothes for boarding the ship, so I do sort of dress nice!
You can check your big suitcase with Amtrak or there’s a small luggage storage area on the train in your car. There’s not really room for all three or four pieces in a roomette. There is room in the deluxe bedroom, though that is pretty pricey these days.
If you don’t have a lot of electronic equipment to lug, you should be able to do one suitcase and a backpack and maybe a cross-body messenger or purse bag. That way, with your backpack securely criss-crossed over your suitcase handle, you can wheel that set-up while keeping your other arm on your cross-body bag.
Pack a sweater to wear on the train as sometimes it’s quite cool in the dining car in any season. For dressy nights on QM2, I usually bring just one cocktail black dress, a nice pair of shoes (a low high heel in case of bad weather), and then a nice pair of black pants that I can wear with different dressy tops and scarves. Then I can get double-wear on everything but the dress in Europe.
I need to mention that at times when I’ve overpacked for QM2 dress-up nights or just too many clothes in general, I usually end up mailing clothes home from Europe. It’s very easy to do from Germany or the Netherlands with DHL. Italy and France are a little slower with language sometimes being a barrier. If you find yourself in this situation, just look for the nearest DHL office.
I hope this info is helpful. I’m excited for your trip! It will take a little planning to match up QM2 crossings to give you enough time in Europe to accomplish your travel goals.
Thank you again for your kind email; I really appreciate hearing from readers and offering whatever help I can, as a solo traveler who doesn’t fly! Happy travels!
Best regards,
Sherry
Noemi says
Hi Sherry – I can’t believe I didn’t stumble upon your site until today…it is so informative; thank you! I have not flown since 1996 although that has not stopped me from going on about 65 cruises all crazy enough in the Caribbean (the perks of living in South FL always a port within a short driving distance!)
I am a TA that is not a fan of flying have been trying to plan a solo Absolutely NO flying trip, to Europe for the last 6 years, unfortunately, each time I thought ok I am finally going to make it something happened and so here I go again planning, dreaming, and hoping 2023 or 2024 will be it…Thanks to this post on the Overnight Amtrak WP-NY train I think this will be my way to get to Europe quicker instead of doing a 14 night transatlantic from FTL or MIA, I will just hop on the train end in NY and do the 7-day NY-SH on QM2 have almost two weeks in Europe before heading back on the QM2 SH-NY have a quick visit with my sis who lives in NY before heading back to So FL on the train. I was wondering have you ever done the trip via train in April/May as this is probably when I will be traveling, how is the weather around that time? I’m sure you have written a post on what to pack as a travel agent myself I know what to bring on a cruise to the Caribbean, Alaska, etc. but as a first-time solo traveler on train, transatlantic, and Europe how do you pack for the dressier nights on QM2 and bring that everywhere with you? I am hoping to keep it down to one suitcase and 1 backpack although I think I am probably going to need more. Again, thanks for all this information, I am looking forward to reading further posts on your solo travels.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your comment and reading the article. Enjoy your train trip!
Lisa S Conforto says
Thankyou for all this useful info! It gives me a good idea of how my trip will be. I’m super excited. I’m usually always flying, but I’m thinking a train will be a better choice. Happy traveling to you on all your upcoming excursions!
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Paisley,
You’re very welcome! I’m glad that I was able to help. I’m sure you already know, but just in case, if you have a lot of luggage, be sure to tell your car attendant in advance, that you’d like Red Cap service in Philly. It’s not a terribly long walk but with a lot of luggage and going the one flight up and across the station to the taxi area, Red Cap service can really come in handy. Best of luck in your new city! Thank you again.
Sherry
Paisley McClellan says
Thank you so, so much for all of this! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the time and thoughtfulness of your reply. My mom and I are planning to move to West Chester, PA this summer, so it’ll just be one way and we won’t have to worry about the parking situation in WP (I’ve been to that station and know what you mean about the parking there). I hope you get to do your trip! Thank you again!!! You really helped!
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Paisley,
Thank you so much for reading my article…I’m in the process of updating it soon. I totally understand your travel anxiety – that’s the reason why I stopped flying 25+ years ago. For your Winter Park to Philadelphia trip, the only section that is maybe an 8-10 second bridge is, as you mentioned, over the Potomac. I’ll admit that the first time I rode the Eurostar from London to Paris, the 21 minutes under the English Channel were ghastly! But after that first time, I was fine and stopped counting the minutes. I think you’ll do just fine.
The Philly station isn’t underground really…it’s more sort of like a basement. You’ll take the escalator or elevator up to the main hall, but the train doesn’t really go into any tunnel. It’s a brightly lit station where you leave the train. Other than Philly, I can’t remember any tunnels except going under the Hudson River into New York Penn. That used to freak me out, too, but I’ve gotten used to it.
If you use Google Maps while you’re on the train, you can monitor where there’s water ahead and simply close your eyes. You can also hear a difference in the sound of the train on the tracks as you cross a bridge so when the sound changes back, you’ll know when to re-open your eyes.
Try not to have too much anxiety over this trip. I hope to do a round-trip Winter Park to NYP this summer just to see how and what has changed. If you plan to park at the station, I would suggest calling the station and asking the staff if they have any advice for securing a parking spot for you. While it’s restricted parking for only Amtrak customers, people shopping in Winter Park think they’re special and park there anyway.
Thank you again for taking the time to read the article and send your question. Have a wonderful train ride!
Sherry
Paisley McClellan says
Hi Sherry 🙂
Sorry to comment on such an old post, but I just found your blog and it’s so helpful! My mom and I are tentatively planning to take the Silver Meteor from Winter Park, FL to Philadelphia this May. We’ll be getting a deluxe sleeper room (my mom is 77).
I’ve ridden Amtrak, but not that long a distance. I used to be a big flyer but about five years ago started having serious anxiety issues that now, sadly, make flying unbearable (even with medication).
Unfortunately, I also now have some anxiety about trains because of tunnels and bridges. I’ve watched a gazillion YouTube videos to try to get a sense of where we’ll go through long tunnels (I already know about the tunnel just north of Baltimore Penn), and over bridges (I’m guessing Potomac and the bridges between Maryland and Delaware).
Could you tell me where the Silver Meteor goes through tunnels (anything where you’re underground, in the dark, for longer than, say, ten seconds … ten seconds is an eternity when you’re claustrophobic and have severe anxiety) and over bridges between FL and PA?
I know in another comment you said the bridges were all pretty low to the ground (I’ve been over the MD-DW bridge, and it’s definitely low to the ground), but crossing the Potomac looks like it might be kind of high? It would be really helpful to have a heads up about when to expect that. Same with the tunnels.
Thank you so, so much and thanks for this blog!
Sherry Laskin says
Sounds like a good idea to me. While the experience won’t be the same as pre-pandemic, it would still be fun.
Jose Lopez says
I’m thinking about jumping on the train just for the heck of it never have I taken such a long train ride but I sounds like a fun experience.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Joe,
Thanks for explaining how the magic works! I’ll be on the Meteor (I like the schedule better) mid-summer so it will be quite a change to not have the dining car. Not looking forward to the box of chemical food, so I will bring some of my own. Good for you for getting the Amtrak card. It’s in my future, too. Have a terrific train ride (and flight home!) Thank you again for all the great info. Travel safe!
Sherry
Joe Hohmann says
Hi again! You asked how I found out about the web-cams…well, I play with electric trains, and some other nut on our on-line forum mentioned it (we have a section devoted to “real” trains). You asked why I’m taking the Silver Star this time. I know the trip is 4 hours longer, but I’m usually twiddling my thumbs waiting for the 4:54 Philadelphia departure of the Meteor, so I may as well get on the Star at 12:35. Another reason is daylight. It gets dark on the Meteor March 4 at Baltimore. On the Star, I have daylight through most of Virginia. Also, once in Florida, I’ll have the new experience of traveling to Tampa and back. Actually, the Star gets to Ft.Lauderdale about a half hour before the Meteor. The big plus for the Meteor was the dining car. The Star only had a cafe car. Starting May first, they will both have the same TBD “food service”. So…I’m dropping my wife and her sister off at the airport at 6 am, driving the 15 minutes home, then walking 8 minutes to our RR station, taking the local into Philadelphia, and getting on the Star. We are all flying home after 3 weeks in the sun. BTW, I’ve had a Amtrak credit card for the past 10 months, and this Roomette trip is free.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Joe,
For 77 you sure know more about taking videos of videos than I do! How did you discover the Ashland webcams? I’m going to print out your instructions to use on my summer Silver Meteor trips. Why Meteor and not Star? I like the arrival times into Florida better on the Meteor.
Thank you again for a new fun project for the train.
Sherry
Joe Hohmann says
Sherry, I’ve been taking “videos” since 1973, so I just point my digital video camera at my laptop screen, after getting the Ashland image full-screen (symbol lower right). To select a camera, there are symbols you can get to appear along the bottom of the Ashland image. You want the one with the opposing arrows . Then hit the middle one for the best view of southbound trains, especially at night. Do not try to do this and look out the window at the same time. Sorry if I’m not clear on the jargon…I’m 77.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Joe,
That’s hilarious! Thank you for sharing and the play-by-play instructions. I’m going to guess that you tethered your laptop to your phone? I found the Ashland webcam YouTube channel but where did you go to find where you can select from three webcams? I will try this in the summer.
Sherry
Joe Hohmann says
A fun thing to do on your trip is to actually see your train zipping through Ashland,VA. The Ashland train station has 3 “live stream” cameras operating 24/7 as a YouTube setup. What you will need to do is get the site on your laptop or other device before your train travels through town (approx. 4:48 pm for the Star, 9:15 pm for the Meteor, assuming it is “on time”). No, they do not stop there. I have taken my video camera and recorded it so that it’s part of my vacation footage. Try it at home first, to get the hang of this. You can select one of three cameras. The center one is best, especially after dark.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Joe,
Thank you for the update. I was looking into this over the weekend so thank you for reminding me to do a new article…asap. I hope to “experience” the flex-dining this summer. Not excited to try it as the meals are not much more than a chemical slurry, but hopefully better than the first round of microwaved food that they serve on the Silver Star. At least the trains west of the Mississippi still have a dining car (knock on wood). Have fun train trip anyway.
Thank you for taking the time to write and I look forward to hearing from you or your friend after the train trips.
Sherry
Joe Hohmann says
Update on the NYC-Florida dining car situation. As of now, the Silver Meteor is now on “flexible” dining. These are “First Class airline type” meals, served to sleeping car passengers only, in some type of special car. The usual cafe car will also be on this train. On the Silver Star, cafe car only up to May 1, then “flexible” dining as per the Meteor. Menus can be found on the Amtrak site. (I’ll be taking the Star on March 4, so will not be able to comment. I will have comments from a friend, who is taking the Meteor in early Feb.).
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the kind words. For your trip, the one-way Boston to Miami ticket does not allow stopovers. It’s all aboard to Miami, lol. You might want to take a look at Amtrak’s rail pass. It’s available in 15- and 30-day travel. There are a certain number of stopovers allowed on each and some particular rules apply. But that would be your best and most flexible option. Check out their website for rules and restrictions. Sounds like you and your wife will have a terrific train ride. Thank you for writing.
Sherry
Rob Wright says
Hi Sherry. Great blog. My wife (Sara) and i are planning a Boston to Miami rail trip next Fall- 2020. Our plan is to hop on and off at various stops (NY, DC, Charleston, Savannah etc) on the way. We expect the excursion to take us about 3 weeks. We are not looking to overnight on the train so won’t need a sleeper. We will stay in hotels/motels all the way down and explore the areas we disembark at places we fancy – maybe a few days at a time. So, slow and easy. What would you suggest is the best ticket to purchase? Does the $200 one-way (33 hrs) from Boston to Miami allow hop on hop off? Or is there some sort of flexible hopper/rover ticket that more suits our needs? Kind Regards. Rob
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Katherine,
I totally get what you’re saying, although I don’t mind mountain roads as long as there isn’t a steep drop-off! About your train ride…no, there isn’t anything scary at all. All flat terrain. There are a couple of bridges in Maryland and just before Washington DC but they are low and the train doesn’t zoom across. They are also parallel to the highway and so there’s nothing scary. All flat.
Have a wonderful train ride. Thanks for reading my articles.
Regards,
Sherry
Katherine Frank says
Hello,😊first let me start off by saying that I really enjoyed reading your articles,👍thank you!❤️So this might sound silly but this will be my first time taking a long distance train🚂 (from Tampa to New York) and I was wondering what the route 🛤was like? See, having a fear of flying,🛩🥺 (hence taking the train)and like staying as close to the ground as possible, I was wondering if there is lot of points where the train is up high, or is there a mountainous region 🏔that you go through, anything scary I should know about🐓🙄…or is it pretty much like the drive,🚙mostly low and straight? Thank you so much for your time…😊Katherine.💖
Joe Hohmann says
Sherry, in answer to your recent response to me: No, we are taking the “always late” Cresent from Phila to New Orleans.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Joe,
Thanks so much for your comment. And good for you and your wife to each have a roomette. So much more comfortable. It’s interesting how the train can make up for lost time but I’ve seen it happen quite a bit.
I’ll guess that you are flying to New Orleans to pick up the Sunset Limited?
Have a wonderful train ride out west! Thank you again for writing.
Sherry
Joe Hohmann says
Hi Sherry, My wife and I just completed our second Philadelphia to Ft. Lauderdale trip. Like last year, we “old folks” each had our own roomette. We were on-time all the way down, but near Sebring, FL, a passenger had a medical emergency. A ambulance was called, and the person was taken to the hospital. Somehow the train was able to make up the lost time, and we arrived 4 minutes early. I need to point out to those reading this that trains are often NOT “on time” . This is usually due to freight train traffic (Amtrak does not own most of the rails). We will be flying home. A rail trip to Arizona, via New Orleans, is booked for May.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for reading the post…there are more article there for almost all of Amtrak overnight trains. Okay to answer your questions…
1. I have priced out every possible angle for Amtrak and if only for peace of mind to be sure to get a sleeper, I think I would buy individual segments and the sleeper ahead of time. I think the rail passes are great especially for coach travel but I don’t know how far in advance you can upgrade to a sleeper and they are usually sold out in advance.
2. As a travel agent for 25 years, I can honestly say that using a travel agent to book a cruise is by far the way to go. However, not all travel agents know how to book Amtrak nor are they familiar with the routes or all the complexities, as you discovered. I’ve been using Amtrak since day one of its existence but I don’t book travel anymore. Travel agents that book Amtrak don’t get any particular perks or amenities to pass along to their clients, unlike the cruise lines.
If you have time, please drop me a note and let me know if you have found someone. Fingers crossed!
Thanks again and have a fantastic cross-country trip. (I also have how to pack for an overnight Amtrak article, too).
Best,
Sherry
Natalie says
Hi Sherry
Thank you so much for your article. I am planning a cross country train trip for the fall of 2020 and have been reading all I can to be sure I as prepared as possible.
I will be taking the Empire Builder West from Chicago then the Coastal Starlight south to San Francisco and finally the California Zephyr back East. The trip will be a total of 19 days getting on and off the train at various stops. I have put a lot of work into the planning the itinerary and plan to buy the tickets as soon as possible roughly a year in advance in hopes of getting the best deals.
I have two questions for you. 1) Any recommendations or experience purchasing an Amtrak Rail Pass and paying the upgrade cost for a roomette or is it recommended to just buy each leg individually since you have to pay for the the roomette upgrade anyway? 2) Given the complexities of the trip, I have heard people mention the benefits of using a travel agent to book. Apparently they possess some insider benefits/recommendations. Do you have any thoughts/recommendations on using a travel agent? I have been challenged with locating a travel agent in the Chicago area that has an expertise in rail travel. Are you familiar with any?
Thank you so much and really enjoyed reading your post!
NB
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Scooter,
Good question. Most Amtrak stations have free, overnight parking for their passengers. You would need to tell the Amtrak station attendant that you’re leaving your car overnight and the dates. You could also call the station and ask for information. It’s always tricky to park at an Amtrak station because the long-term parking places are not reserved and sometimes locals use Amtrak’s lot, even though they can be towed. If possible, could you Uber or Lyft to a nearby station? I’ve also done one-way car rentals from my hometown to the departure station and the car rental place drives me to the station. I’ve done this in several cities. Best bet…call the station first and see what you find. Good luck.
Sherry
Scooter Duncan says
After 1M Flying Miles, in retirement I only travel by train! I’d love to depart to DC from either Winter Haven (preferred) or Kissimmee station, but I require a park-and-ride for 5, 7 up to 9 days. I’m not worried about fees, I just don’t want to come home to find my car was towed & impounded (for those that suggest I leave it at the Winter Haven Wal-Mart and cross my fingers!). There are a couple parking spots at the Winter Haven Amtrak, and a huge new garage at the Kissimmee SunRail upgrade; but do they allow overnight long-term parking? If not, do you know any legal parking within a few miles (I can walk or Uber over to the station). I want to rest assured my car wont be stolen or towed. Thanks for the help. This is just crazy, I can’t be the only one needing 7-day park-and-ride.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Mo,
Your best bet would be to contact AMTRAK (1-800-USA-RAIL) and discuss your preferred travel plans. There is only one set of tracks on the route from NY to Florida. You could take either the Silver Meteor (with a dining car) or the Silver Star (no dining car) and make overnight stops along the way. Some points worth stopping at would be Washington DC, Charleston, SC., and Savannah, GA. Tell the Amtrak reservation person what you are trying to put together and see what he or she might suggest. Whatever you choose, have a fabulous trip.
Sherry
Mo says
I am looking to make a Multi-City ride from NY to FL, does anyone know what would be the best route for it?
I would like to split up the trip
Thanks
Sherry Laskin says
Barbara,
Your comment is perhaps the most poetic account of past and soon-to-be train trips that I’ve ever read. Free-flowing thoughts and feelings. Thank you so much for sharing this with my readers and me. Happy Birthday to you and many more happy train rides. I’d be thrilled if you’d send a follow-up upon your return. Have a wonderful birthday train ride.
Thank you again.
Sherry
Barbara Grant says
I am about to embark on my own Birthday Celebration from MIA to NY Penn. Traveling is not for everyone, I seem to be the one that enjoys it the most in my family, therefore even if alone… All Aboard, I am ready. Having cut the cake with family, neighbors and friends, another cake with co-workers. Dined with hubby and immediate family. Gotten all pretty up and everyone back to their weekly routine. Riding Amtrak on Halloween Day and to close my October Birthday Celebrations for this fall baby is where I’d be. I am hoping for lots color, changing leaves, or just relaxing is more than enough. My first USA train ride was in May 2018, and this will mark 6th in a few short months. The train, the whistle, meals, laid back atmosphere, the personnel all helped make me a train lover from the very first trip. My husband and I commute to see each other and have been doing so for the most part of 2018. He prefers coach; I am more mellow, selfish of my time, surroundings and submit to the bedroom accommodations. This will be my first overnight on the train and attempting to shower in cabin before train arrives to NY. I would had rather given full accounts after return train, but too excited to postpone the response opportunity. Another night at home, carefully packing for a longer train trip, foreseeing various temperature changes all in a small carry-on. Hoping to recount upon my return celebratory train trip on Amtrak.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Shela, you will likely have to present ID when you purchase your ticket. Contact your transportation office for complete details.
Sherry
Shela says
If I travel Miami to New York by trail or bus , it is need ID or passport?
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Christina,
What a wonderful comment! I’m so glad you are enjoying the train. Everything you mentioned is so true. Sadly, and this is my opinion, our nation is based on cars, highways, airplanes and oil. Trains take a back seat, unlike in every other developed nation. The new President of Amtrak came right from the airlines (Delta I think) and is already slashing two dining cars; from the Capital Limited and Lake Shore Limited, both absolutely fabulous routes with amazing scenery. The Silver Star has also lost its diner. Many smaller stations are being changed to unstaffed, too. If I had any answer to a solution…even a partial remedy…I’d be on the next train to Washington! Til then, we just have to keep supporting our trains. At least several states are kicking in money so their residents aren’t left without a means of transportation. Not everyone can afford to fly, for financial and even medical reasons. OKAY! I’m off my soapbox! Thank you so much for your thoughtful note.
Happy ‘rails!
Sherry
Christina H Carlee says
Hi, Sherry. Thank you so much for your train blog. My sister and I traveled on the Silver Meteor last year from Orlando, FL to Savannah, GA and got totally hooked on train travel. This year we traveled again via Silver Meteor from Orlando to Charleston over the Christmas holidays, and just recently last week to Savannah again. The dining car is such a neat experience and the food is surprisingly good. Also, she is 6 feet tall and I am 5’9″, so the VERY generous leg room on a train is so much more comfortable than being crammed like a sardine into an airplane seat. Also, there is a lot more room for carry on bags in the overhead area of a train than there is on a plane. Airplane travel is getting worse and worse as far as leg room goes, i.e. they are cramming more seats into the existing space on the planes. My sister now lives in Atlanta, GA and I live in Clearwater, FL. How I wish that Amtrak had tracks and trains that went up the WEST coast of Florida from Tampa to connect to Atlanta. And yes, there are sometimes delays with train travel, but it’s still not a deal breaker when you consider all the other positives about it. How can we convince the Federal Government to beef up Amtrak, build more tracks, and give us more trains!
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Angela,
Thank you for your email question. I would suggest that you phone Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) and let one of their agents advise you about the Auto Train. It only runs between Herndon, VA (just outside of Washington, DC) and Sanford, FL. Once in Sanford, you’d have a couple of hours drive to Brooksville, plus the long drive from NH to Washington.
I hope this is helpful.
Sherry
Angela says
After a Horus trip by car in January, from NH to FL. I am interested in the AutoTrain , for next winter. Would be going from NH to Tampa, then north to Brooksville. Will be by myself and am elderly, any advice? Suggestions.
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Richard,
No, the maximum amount of time that you can have your dog aboard with you is seven hours and only in coach. There are also very strict carrier sizes. You can find more information at Amtrak.com.
Happy travels.
Sherry
Richard Mellini says
Can pets travel with you from NY to Florida?
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Joe,
Thanks for your comment. I am happy to hear that each of you had your own roomette. Two in one roomette can get a bit tight, and maneuverability isn’t easy! I’ve taken the Silver Star sans dining car twice. Whenever possible, I opt for the Silver Meteor. Even if I don’t go to the dining car and get room service instead, I enjoy it more than the microwaved food in the Amcafé. I’m so glad your trip was enjoyable. Have a wonderful train ride next year, too!
Sherry
Joe Hohmann says
We took the Silver Meteor from Philadelphia to Ft. Lauderdale last week. My wife and I are in our 70s, and we each had our own roomette. We are glad we did. Also, the Silver Meteor has a dining car, and the earlier Silver Star does not. The Silver Star trip is 4 hours longer (which is not a big deal since they both arrive around the same time). The trip was great, as were the station red caps, and our sleeping car porter named Sonny. Meals were included, and they were very good. We are going to fly home, but will most likely take the train down again next year.
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for your comment. The only overnight train without the dining car is the Silver Star. I’ve added a notation in the article. The Silver Meteor still has a full-service dining car. Thanks again for pointing out about the update about dining.
Sherry
Brenda says
Amtrak no longer has a dining car. The have discontinued that on the N.Y. to Florida trip. Very disappointed, I taken this trip before and the dining car was one of the best things.
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Anne,
Your best bet would be to contact Amtrak directly at 1-800-USA-RAIL. There is a train that can get you as far as Tampa, but Amtrak might offer dedicated bus service to points south. Have a great train trip!
Sherry
Anne O'Brien says
i WANT TO TRAVEL FROM NYC, NY TO MARCO ISLAND FLORIDA. COULD YOU TELL ME WHAT TRAIN AND WHAT TRAIN STOP I WOULD GET OFF IN FLORIDA THAT IS CLOSEST TO MARCO ISLAND, FL.
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Dinorah, I hope your relatives are safe and sound and out of Florida. About your question…yes. Amtrak has a lift to help someone in either a wheelchair or who might have difficulty climbing up the steep train steps. There is also a sleeping compartment designed for someone with a physical disability and/or a wheelchair. The bedrooms are very comfortable, although compact. The compartment that I mentioned above is very spacious for a train compartment. They are fine for any age. If you have any more questions, please ask.
Sherry
Dinorah says
Hi, Sherry,
I just found your blog while trying to find information regarding service from Miami to NYC for relatives as they are attempting to leave Florida before Hurricane Irma hits. Aside from this, my question is: Have you seen any passengers with physical disability and/or wheelchair on train? Would you consider it would be comfortable in bedroom for 13 year old? Thank you!!
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi John,
You’re welcome! I hope you both have a wonderful train ride and a happy birthday celebration!
Sherry
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi John,
You’re welcome! I hope you have a wonderful train ride and a very happy birthday!
Sherry
John says
Thank you for your insights. My wife and I are taking the train from Boston to Flordia for my 65th birthday this fall. I just wanted to do something different. We will be taking the Silver Meteor for what we hope will be an enjoyable experience.
Sherry Kennedy says
Thanks very much, David. I agree with you about the Star…such a shame…but on a positive note, it does make it possible for some people to experience an overnight train ride at a reduced rate. Thank you also for subscribing to my newsletter.
Sherry
David Dweck says
Hi Sherry:
Thanks for the blog, I should have thought to do this since I have not done planes since 2002. I have enjoyed taking the Silver Meteor and Star over the past 13 years, my parents would sometime take the train intead of flying when I was under five so it brings back lots of memories. I now avoid the Star since it does not have a dining car anymore, my last trip wa on the Meteor in October of 2016. I will definitely subscribe to your newsletter.
David
Sherry Kennedy says
Congrats! Have a wonderful train ride and vacation. Car should be fine. Thanks for the update.
Sherry
Al Beck says
Sherry
Tickets are bought!!! Roomette.
Booked for May and will be arriving in Winter Haven…….Looks like we will rent from Avis, which is just about a mile away.
Praying this car rental works out. Will be spending a week in Clearwater Beach and then a week with friends in Naples.
Al
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Robyn,
You’re welcome! Winter Haven is nice, too. I’d leave from where it’s most convenient for you.
Sherry
Robyn says
Thank you so much for your reply. This is great news! Is Winter Haven a better train station to return home? thank you so much!!!
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Robyn,
Thank you for your nice comment! About your question, yes, you should feel safe to travel aboard Amtrak. Your roomette locks from the inside. The sleeping car attendant is pretty vigilant and the arrangement of the sleeping cars makes walking through them a one-way trip, so only those in the sleepers need enter. When you leave your roomette, the door does not lock (as they do in Europe) so take your purse with you. About arriving into Penn, I’m guessing you will be aboard the Silver Star (note: it does not have a dining car) you should get there about 6:50pm. I don’t know your departure time for the train up to Hudson, but I’ll assume you are in coach. Again, I can’t see any reason why you should not feel safe aboard the train.
Both Lakeland and Kissimmee are popular train stations and well lit and staffed. I’m assuming that the Hudson station is staffed at night and that you either have a ride, or your car is there. You can always call an Uber or taxi to meet the train…just call before your train arrives so it’ll be there waiting for you upon arrival. Have a wonderful train adventure! Enjoy the view and solo experience and thank you for reading my blog.
Sherry
Robyn says
Sorry Sherry! I mean to say, Are you safe traveling alone on the train? Thank you.
Robyn says
Hi Sherry, Thank you so much for this blog. I am going to be traveling from Hudson Ny to Penn Station then on to Lake Land Florida. I was hoping you could give me some help. Are you safe traveling on the train, I do have the roomette? Also do you know if Lakeland is a good station to go into? I will be coming back from Kissamee, Florida. Any thoughts on that train station? And sorry, one final questions? Do you know, or do you know how to find out, I will be coming in to Penn Station from Florida late at night, is the train safe from Penn Station to Hudson, NY traveling along late? Thank you, I am so hoping you will put my mind at ease.
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Georgia,
Small dogs and cats, under 20 pounds including carrier, are allowed to travel with their human in coach class for up to 7 hours. You can read more about traveling on Amtrak with pets here. Thanks for your comment.
Sherry
Georgia says
Are small dogs allowed ?
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Al, Thanks for reading my blog. I’ve used Avis at Winter Park for years. They will pick you up at the Amtrak station, which is about 1 mile away (they recently moved.) Same with returning the car. You can call them directly and they’ll tell you to call when you pull into the station. I used Enterprise once just to try it. I might try the Deland station sometime…but Winter Park is really convenient and easy and parking is free if you can find a spot! Have a wonderful trip.
Al Beck says
Hi Sherry
I see you traveled from Winter Park. We are trying to figure out which train station in Florida has a car rental agency within walking distance? Looks like Winter Park has an Enterprise Rental just a couple of blocks away……..any suggestions??
How about Deland Station…….
Our plan is to take the train down to Fla, rent a car and then drive down to the keys.
Thanks
Al and Kathy
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Peter,
Thank you for the glowing review. Much appreciated. I too have taken the train between London and Glasgow (and then onto Gourock and ferry to Dunoon!) and it is a great train ride. The location of your hotel in NYC put you right in the midst of the action – so much fun. When you plan your Amtrak trip from Miami to NYC, if you can budget for a bedroom (not a roomette) and also to go on the Silver Meteor (with the dining car) vs. the Silver Star without a dining can, you will enjoy your trip even more. Thank you again for reading my Amtrak articles and taking the time for such a nice email. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Sherry
Peter McDade says
Hi Sherry,
I really enjoyed reading your fascinating story of your journey on AMTRAC. We are from Scotland and regularly travel from Glasgow to London first class, If we book well in advance we pay only a few pounds more, and sometimes the same cost as a second class ticket. We both love train journeys and travel this way as often as possible.
The Journey time is between Glasgow and London is only approx 6 hrs and sounds like a breeze compared to the journey which you undertook.
We have just retuned from a cruise from New York to the Caribbean and stayed 3 nights in NY at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on 48th Ave and 34th Street diagonally across from Penn Station and Madison Square Gardens. We had a the wonderful opportunity to meet up with relatives in NY.
Next year we hope to take a cruise from Miami to different Islands, and then travel to NY to meet up with family again. The information that you have given will be very useful in helping us plan our trip. Your story has been invaluable and will certainly help us to plan and make the most of our journey.
The photographs are also very good and give us an idea of the scenery countryside
Once again, thank you for such a wonderful travelogue.
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Tara, Lucky you! It’s a very nice train ride, especially in December when all the little houses near the railroad tracks are decorated for Christmas. From my experience, the coffee station is at the other end of the car near rooms 11 and 12. Room 1 is usually just past the deluxe bedrooms and not over the wheels. Even if you are near the coffee station and door, this shouldn’t present any negative experiences. You didn’t mention if you were on the Silver Star or Silver Meteor. If it’s the Star, keep in mind that there is no dining car, only a snack bar, but your car attendant can go to the snack bar for you. Be sure to take cash with you and tip him/her for snack delivery if you use this added service. Have a great ride and thank you for your questions. Sherry
Tara says
HI Sherry,
My mother and I plan on taking Amtrak this December from Palm Beach to New York. We are in VIEWLINER ROOMETTE, room 001. I am worried that this is right by the doors and coffee station and may be noisy. By chance would you know the best areas to stay in or the areas to definitely avoid?
I loved reading your story and look forward to our trip.
Thank you
Tara
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Asaf, thank you for reading my Amtrak article. Keep in mind that the Silver Star no longer offers a dining car. There is a snack bar of sorts with microwave pizza, cold sandwiches, and a big selection of chips, nuts, beverages etc. Since you are traveling with your children, I’d suggest packing a cooler with foods and drinks for your kids, if possible. While you can get by with the selection Amcafé menu, it may not be the best for kids as sometimes the wait for service can be a while. However, because you are in a bedroom sleeper (with lots of room for a cooler!) your car attendant can and will head to the snack car for you and bring back whatever you’d like. It’s a good idea to bring cash in small bills to give to your car attendant because he or she will pay the snack bar server for your room service order. If it gets chilly, you can always ask for an extra blanket (they’re pretty thin) but you might consider bringing a small throw blanket from home. Chances are your room will be warmer than colder! Have a terrific train trip!
Asaf says
Sherry — thanks for the wonderful article. I plan to take my wife and our kids (9 and 5) from New York to Orlando on the Silver Star bedroom cars on DEc 31st. Any tips for traveling with children, we always fly to Orlando and this will be the first Amtrak trip. I hear the temperature in the rooms can vary (cold to very hot). Thank you!
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your email and your nice compliment about my photo. I must congratulate you for knowing (and taking!) the Winter Park boat tour. I’ve taken that boat ride many times over the years and it’s so much fun. Okay, about the train ride. You said you planned to take the Silver Star from NYC to Miami. Be aware that the Silver Star does not have a dining car. The only food option is from the Amcafé car, cold or microwaved food. Now because you’d be in an accommodation, your car attendant can take your food order and go to the café car for you and bring it back to your room. However, if you want the dining car experience, then your other option is to be aboard the Silver Meteor (NYC-MIA) which has the iconic Amtrak dining car for three complimentary meals a day.
About what to reserve for compartment(s). You have two options: 1. Reserve two Roomettes right across from each other or 2. Book a bedroom suite, which is two adjoining bedrooms, each having it’s own en suite bathroom. The roomette has a sink and toilet (it’s in your room but not in an enclosed space) and the shower facility is down the hall.
About what side of the train is best. If you get two roomettes (definitely the lesser expensive option) then no matter where the scenery is, you can hop back and forth between compartments! If you opt for the two attached bedrooms then it’s not easy to predict which side of the train you’ll be because the car can be coupled from either end.
I don’t know what season you will travel but in order to get a really clear view of the Memorial, it can’t be during the summer as trees and leaves obscure the view. However, there’s my trick. Looking out the window while sitting on the right-hand side of the train as you head southbound…you’ll pass a lot of official Washington DC buildings and go over a couple of highways. If you are looking forward and see where the river and bridge begin, (it’s tricky) the Jefferson Memorial will be on your right side IMMEDIATELY before your train starts to cross the 14th street bridge. So you need to be ready with your camera BEFORE you reach the bridge or it’s almost too late. Here’s your clue: When you see a marina with small boats on your left, you’ll cross a very tiny bridge. Then there’s a small stretch before the 14th street bridge and that’s where the Memorial is located.
I hope this info is helpful! Thank you again for your email and have a wonderful time! P.S. Feel free to send me YOUR Jefferson Memorial photo!
Best regards, Sherry
Paul says
Hi Sherry,
We are from England, UK and have pondered on doing this journey a few years now but the other way from New York to Miami.
We plan on getting a plane from UK to Manhatten and staying at the New Yorker which is just opposite Penn station for 3/4 nights before taking the Amtrak silver star to Winter Park.
We’ve been to Winter park, Park ave many times whilst staying in Orlando and just love the shops on Park Ave with its squirrels and its scenic boat tour.
We were planning on hiring a car from Winter Park for the remain of our two week vacation in Florida!!!
Do they do cabins for 2 adults and a child(13 yrs)?
Also, what side of the train is best for views?
Is it best to sit on the left or on the right or does it not really matter?
Just wondered so I could get a shot of the Jefferson Memorial like you did and any other good shots.
Obviously, we will be travelling the opposite direction to yours so will need to take that into account!!!
Beats flying any day!!!
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Tracey,
Welcome to the non-flyers club! Amazing that you are able to get a running start for your trip to Miami. Have a wonderful trip. I don’t know which side of the train you will be, but if you’re on the right side going south, be sure to spot the Jefferson Memorial just before the bridge from DC and keep an eye out (either side) when you cross the Chesapeake…it’s beautiful. Have a wonderful train ride and thank you for taking the time for your comment. Great domain name! Happy travels!
~ TheCosmoGal / Tracey says
Hi Sherry~
Loved your account of the trip and all of the positive information and posts listed here. Traveling this weekend from BOS>MIA for work and now I know I made the right decision. I am just not a “flyer” anymore, but really do want to travel more, and thought this was a great way to get to and from. Look forward to reading more about your trips – and will be posting about my own trip this upcoming week. I also appreciate you saying that you are a “travel writer who does not fly…. I hope to inspire you to travel without flying.” I think those of us who do not fly should also be seen as confident for the modes of transportation we do choose to use and that’s what I felt when I read your description. Sometimes its more about the journey than the destination (and yes, you may quote me on that 😉 Safe travels to all!
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Jane, I hope your trip went well. I had replied right away to your comment, but now I see that it didn’t appear. My apologies as I sensed you were leery about your train ride and I hoped to have been able to put your mind at ease. Sherry
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Jen, it could be a tight fit depending upon how much and the size of your luggage. Unfortunately, checked baggage is usually only available at major hub train stations (they’d need a baggage cart and someone to operate and load it.) In your roomette, there is a small overhead storage bin, but it’s tough to get a heavy bag up there. If this is an extended trip with tons of luggage, you might look into a luggage delivery service. Otherwise, you could ask your car attendant if there is any place to stow your extra bags. Sometimes there’s an empty room or I’ve known times when the attendant will wheel an excess piece of luggage to the baggage car. I hope this is helpful. Happy travels! Sherry
Jen says
My son and I will be traveling from Trenton NJ to Savannah GA on the Silver Meteor this month. I was curious how to deal with our baggage. According to our departing station there isn’t any checked baggage service. What do we do with our baggage when we get to station? Do they have to fit in our Roomette?
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Tara,
Sure! Amtrak has two daily trains between New York City and Miami. Just call 1-800-USA-RAIL or check their website for details.
Tara says
I’m looking for a train ride from NY to Florida. I do not fly. Is this something for me, are there stops? Thank you
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Sophia,
Thank you very much! Please note that the Silver Star no longer has a proper dining car. The only food offerings are in the Café Car and while there is a fairly decent selection, the crowds can be overwhelming at times. Be sure to ask your car attendant to bring your meal to your room. He or she can expedite the service. Also, once you decide if you are going to take Amtrak, make your reservation sooner rather than later as sleeping accommodations sell out quick and the price goes up. Have a wonderful time. Thank you for your comment. Sherry
Sophia says
Sherry, i am so delighted to read your vivid account, i really enjoyed it. In fact my husband and i are planning a trip to Miami for a graduation this year and i hope we can go also use the Silver Star?
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Alan,
Glad to hear you’ll try our trains! If you are reserved on the Silver Star (there are two trains between NYC and Orlando) and not the Silver Meteor, be aware that more than likely, there will not be a dining car on your train. This means there is only the café car and it gets crowded. I’m going to assume that you have reserved a roomette or a deluxe bedroom for your journey. If you are on the Silver Star, your car attendant can go to the café car for you and bring your order to your accommodation. Sure is better than waiting in line for 30n minutes on a bumpy train! Have a wonderful time and remember…Amtrak isn’t like the TGV or Virgin trains. It’s all we have and despite the aging equipment and rough rides from time to time, it’s a wonderful experience.
Alan says
Thanks we look like doing Orlando to NY and return in May this year. We are from Australia, the train looks great.
Jane says
Sherry: I made the reservation on The Silver Meteor before I read some of the comments that were not satisfactory, especially that the trains are usually late. Before I cancel those reservations, please help this 82Yr old that was so excited before, and now I’m anxious and worried about the Claustraphobic situation. Thanks for any help.
Jane says
Sherry: PS: I am scheduled on the Silver Meteor. 2/21, coming back 3/17 Waiting for your reply. thanks
Jane says
Sherry: I am 82yrs old, going to Delray Beach,fl from NJ with a Sleeper with a toilet. However I see how small the rooms are and I sometimes have Claustraphobia. Will I be ok? I am going alone. I’m trying to decide on a train ride or a 3 hr plane trip 1st class as I do’nt like to fly, but am also anxious with the train ride. . Can someone help me decide…Jane
Brian says
Thanks for sharing this experience. I’m moving to Sarasota next month, and have been thinking about taking this trip to NYC, I guess from Tampa. I need to figure out the best starting point. It seems there’s a shuttle from Bradenton, but I may want to drive to the station and leave the car there. It looks like an excellent trip for taking photos.
Chris says
Just wondering if the prices you mentioned were round trip. That would be the price of dreams not including you probably scheduled early and got a deal in that as well. Would be nice if you had amtrack ads for pricing instead of a cruise ad[get some affilate traffic for you to ride what you like]
Also my question would be are those food prices accurate still or have they changed drastically in the last 3 years. I can only hope having an amtrack membership helps bring some prices down or at least get you “on the right track” for saving later.
Thanks for the article I hope I find more 😉
Sherry Kennedy says
Thank you for pointing out the errors. Corrections have been made.
Sherry Kennedy says
Thank you for pointing out the errors and the corrections are complete.
Barry O'Brien says
A couple of corrections. Winter Park may have a commuter rail station, but it’s not Tri-Rail. Tri-Rail runs from Miami to Mangonia Park, just north of West Palm Beach. Also….Quantico is a MARINE base, not Air Force!
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Don,
Thanks for reading the article and hope you’ll have a better time with your Amtrak photos. Yes, I recently visited the Winter Park station. It looks great!
Sherry
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Cetow,
Thank you for reading the article. No…there isn’t any issue with odors eminating from the toilet in the roomette. They are kept very clean for each new passenger in the compartment. Have a wonderful cruise (on one of my most favorite ships) and a terrific train ride to get to NYC. If you haven’t seen the new Winter Park train station, you’re in for a treat!
Hint: To get through the immigration line more quickly after your QM2 cruise, hire a porter. They will whisk you and your luggage right through in no time at all.
Sherry
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Kevin,
So glad to know you had an excellent Amtrak trip. Thanks for reading my post.
Sherry
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Tom,
Thanks for reading the post. Amtrak offers a USA Rail Pass which you can purchase for 15, 30 or 45 days of travel. Similar to a Eurail Pass, you also need to have a seat ticket. Sleeping accommodations can be purchased in conjunction with the Rail Pass. You can call 1-800-USA-RAIL and when “Julie” answers, say, “Agent.” Eventually, you’ll get a real person. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!
Sherry
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for your comment. There’s something addictive about train travel. Have a good trip next year!
Bruce Gibbins says
It was early october, 2010, I traveled on the Silver Meteor from, Miami to Palatka, Fl., to visit with friends there – well, Melrose, Fl., actually, but Palatka was the closest station to Melrose. I rode coach, bought a snack lunch to take back to my seat. Coach seating is comfortable and accomodating being of a similar size to an airliners Bussiness Class seats.
As the train neared Palatka I felt dissapointed that my journey of some eight hours was over, I could have happily continued on the rest of the way to Penn Station, NY.
Next year sometime, I fully intend to do just that – ride the Silver Meteor from NYC to Miami and return again a couple of days latter. Thats my hope, anyway.
Tom says
Hi Sherry,
Thank you for the informative post about Amtrak travel! My girlfriend and I are Australian and are thinking of traveling from New York to Miami as we have a cruise departing from there early next year (Jan/Feb).
I was just curious is it possible to purchase tickets for this journey which let you disembark at a station if you want to stay somewhere for a night then catch the next service which passes through? For example if we would like to get off in Savannah, stay a couple of days then get on another service to Miami? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Tom
Kevin Verrette says
Hi Sherry, I loved your impression of your travel on Amtrak. I love Amtrak as well. My husband Carlos and I had a wonderful experience during July 2014. Loved the whole journey.
kevin
boston ma
Cetow Carter says
Hi Sherry – Great trip report. Traveling to NY for QM2 Christmas/New Year voyage & contemplating Silver Meteor from Winter Park to Penn Station. Is there any (unpleasant) odor from the toilette in the Roomette? Thanks
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Becky,
I’ll try to answer your questions. Going coach isn’t the best option, but it certainly is the most economical. Bring small blankets and pillows for all of you, so you can be more comfortable. I’d suggest bringing snacks and beverages (water) with you, but remember that there is a good selection of food/snacks and drinks to purchase in the lounge car. For dinner in the dining car, I’d suggest that either you or your husband make your way to the dining car shortly after you board and speak with the dining car supervisor to find out how to best arrange your dinner seating if you decide to have dinner in the dining car. There are no reservations for breakfast or lunch.
Penn Station is really very easy to navigate, especially if you enter from the street level at 32nd and 8th. Checked luggage is back in the corner on the main floor. Ask any police or Amtrak personnel and they will direct you.
If anyone has a tablet or computer or video player, I’d suggest bringing several movies or ebooks (and earphones!) to pass the time. Thanks for writing and have a fun trip!
Sherry
Becky says
Thank you for writing such a great article. My husband and two children are taking the train from NYC to WPB(August 9) and bought coach seats but now I am worried the kids (13 and 8) won’t be able to sleep at all in coach. Is it that noisy and uncomfortable? Also, thinking of bringing food on for dinner on Saturday night( We board at 3:15) when we leave and eating breakfast or lunch in dining car. Since there are no reservations how can we figure out how to go try and get a seat for all four of use without all of us traipsing through the entire train. We are LIRR people and have done Amtrak to Hudson NY but never an over nighter. Penn station is always so chaotic – will it be evident when we get to our train how to check our luggage etc?
Thank you for any answers and for your articles.
John Fitzgerald says
Excellent article. A friend of mine traveled Amtrak from Washington DC back to Fort Lauderdale after my wedding in D.C. and had the same sleeping car. We have been thinking about an overnight train trip with a sleeping car and after this article, I will definitely do it!
Sherry Laskin says
Yes, you can travel from WPB to New York. If you visit http://www.amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL, you’ll get answers to all of your questions.
Sherry
Zef says
I’d like to know:
1. Can be a possibbile to travel from W.P.Beach(or Palm Beach Garden) to New York ?
2.If yes how much it costs ?
3.How much time will travel keeps?
4.Do there have a bedroom (cabin)for a familly couple?
Thank you
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Elisa,
Thank you for reading about my train experience. My best advice, especially if you are planning to travel during Thanksgiving, is to book your deluxe accommodation as soon as possible. Not only do the rates increase as the amount of sleepers decrease, there are only a handful of the deluxe sleepers.
Have a wonderful rail journey.
Sherry
Elisa A Batista says
Thank you so much for having all this information for us who dont fly. I have a fobia of planes, my partner, Maria doesnt, as a matter of fact shes scared of the train derrailing bc weve seen in the news such a horror happening, but shes willing to take a relaxant so she can do it. We are planning to visit out cousin in Queens , N Y for Thanksgiving. We want the accomodations ” Deluxe”, comfortable and a little more spacious, with the bathroom inside, etc. We are waiting for our son Robert to let us know if his coming with us or not, i told him to let us know A S A P, bc especially in Thanksgiving Amtrak gets booked. Please give us some feed back, we would love to hear from you. Elisa and Maria.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Sylvia,
I apologize if I did not reply to your email last week. If I understand your question, yes…all of the coach seats recline. If possible, I would suggest that you contact Amtrak and see if any roomettes are available for purchase. There is also a senior discount on the rail fare (not accommodations) for 62+. Bon Voyage!
Sherry
Sylvia says
Hi sherry wonder if u can help me we r boarding an amtrak train from Fort Lauderdale to New York we r in our late 60 to75 age will we automatically get a reclining seat .we r doing a two week cruise from Southampton staying in Fort Lauderdale overnight then amtrak for 26 hours .?2 nights in New York then 7 night cruise home .thank u x
Sherry Laskin says
Thanks! Enjoy your trip!
Sherry
ben says
Thank you Sherry! Those are excellent tips!
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Ben,
Sorry for the confusion. Sitting up in coach is do-able. Bring an small pillow and travel blanket for the most comfort. Someone once suggested the purchase of two seats next to each other, and have one seat remain empty. I don’t know if this is permitted but it’s definitely a way to a better night’s sleep. Also, I’d suggest DVDs or books or some distraction. You can still of course, enjoy the dining car and lounge car. Alternatively, check out the price of a sleeper at various segments along the way. For example, at Richmond, Raleigh or Rocky Mount to Tampa. You’d be in coach til Raleigh and then move into the sleeper in the evening. Sometimes you can save money this way.
Hope this helps!
Sherry
Ben says
Regarding your previous response (see below), I was referring the the physical experience of riding in coach for 24 hours. Thank you!
in response to ben:
Hi Sherry, I’m wondering if you have any idea or thoughts on what it might be like to travel the same distance in coach. From Philadelphia to Tampa is $530.00 with a room. Thank you!
Hi Ben,
Rates on Amtrak fluctuate as unpredictably as the airlines. You can continue to check pricing and availability at Amtrak.com in case there is a price drop.
Sherry
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Ben,
Rates on Amtrak fluctuate as unpredictably as the airlines. You can continue to check pricing and availability at Amtrak.com in case there is a price drop.
Sherry
ben says
Hi Sherry,
I’m wondering if you have any idea or thoughts on what it might be like to travel the same distance in coach.
From Philadelphia to Tampa is $530.00 with a room.
Thank you!
Cassy J says
Thank you so much for your reply Sherry. We definitely plan to arrive the day before. And I will look into the Winter Park station.
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Hi Cassy,
Sorry to hear that your Autotrain was so late. The Silver Service between Miami and NYC usually runs pretty close to on-time but if there is a freight delay, it’s the fault of the freight lines as they have right of way over passenger trains, as there’s nothing to do but wait. I would definitely suggest arriving the day before, just to be safe and to start your cruise relaxed. Since you are leaving from Port Canaveral, I will guess that you plan to get off/on the train in Orlando? There usually is a Hertz rental right there at that station. Another convenient Amtrak station is Winter Park…the station just north of the Orlando station. There is an Avis rental 1/2 mile away and they will pick you up at the Amtrak station to get your car rental at their office. That’s the station that I always use; less crowded, quaint neighborhood and they’re building a new facility.
Have a great train ride and a wonderful cruise! Thanks again for stopping by!
Sherry
Cruise Maven
Cassy J says
Hello cruisemaven,
I just happened to run up on your page while searching for information on the Amtrak travel between NJ and Orlando. Can you tell me how on-time the train is? Is it often late? I’ve traveled by rail several times. Our last family trip on Amtrak was on the Autotrain and it was about 7 hours late. I know the Autotrain is much longer, so perhaps that kind of delay is not typical. We are planning to cruise out of Port Canaveral, and a train ride would be much easier on the wallet and the nerves than flying. Any input you have would be helpful. Love your website!
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Hi,
Thanks very much for watching my video. Yes, a taxi to the rental car facility or check to see if one of the rental car companies can pick you up at the Miami Amtrak Station. Actually, I think there may be a Hertz counter right there. Regarding the upper level, the Silver Service trains between Miami and NYC are one-level. You can try to choose a compartment in the middle of the car. If you’re not sure, ask the Amtrak reservationist. Generally, the mid-car roomettes are not the lowest numbers. And about the wine glasses, in the dining car, the wine glasses are glass. Not sure about from the club car, though.
Have a great trip!
Sherry
Rick Oliva says
Wonderful and very informative video! We were wondering…from NJ to Miami, is it best to take a cab from the station to a rental car facility at Miami Intl airport?? We have reserved a bedroom for our travels from NJ, and were told to get an upper level one due to wheel noise. We thought there weren’t any on the lower level. Also, silly question, but do they use real wine glasses in the lounge and dining cars?!? Thank you,
Ramon says
I comment whenever I appreciate a post on a blog or I have something to
add to the discussion. It is caused by the fire communicated in the article I read.
And on this post Riding the rails overnight on Amtrak from Florida to New York City.
I was excited enough to post a comment 🙂 I actually do
have 2 questions for you if it’s allright. Is it just me or does it look like like a few of these
responses come across like they are written by brain dead folks?
😛 And, if you are writing on other social sites, I’d like to keep up
with anything fresh you have to post. Could
you list the complete urls of your shared sites like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Dear Bus in Bali,
There are two Amtrak trains between New York City and Miami. You can choose either one as they are both the same type of train. The only difference is the departure times. If you want to spend more time in Miami, then I would suggest that you reserve a roomette on the later train. I hope this is helpful. Thank you.
Sherry
Bus KUSMULJONO says
Thank u Sherry for ur reply. Now we are more determined to take the Silver Star Amtrak from Miami to NYC in June 2014. We hope there will be many others to join and we all can become new friends. Just one more query, how many hours exactly the trip will take, as there are different figures from two sources, 21,5 and 28 hours. Our best regards from Bali Indonesia.
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Hi Michele,
Thank you for relating your train experiences. Sadly, public restrooms in coach cars, whether here or in Europe, are not in the most perfect condition after several hours of the trip. The only exception I would remark, is on the long-haul, cross-country Amtrak trains. The roomettes do not have their own facilities and except for one restroom on the upper level, there are several on the first level. Thankfully, the Amtrak car attendant keeps the restrooms in great condition and sanitation, throughout the two-night train trip.
Have a wonderful train trip from NYC to Jacksonville. The sooner that you reserve a roomette, the lower the fare.
Sherry
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Thank you for your question. I would suggest that you contact Amtrak (+1.800.USA.RAIL / +1.800.872.7245) for exact requirements. I would suggest that you use checked baggage for your four pieces of over-sized luggage and pack one or two small carry-on bags for the overnight trip. Luggage must be checked in at the station no less than 30 minutes before departure.
Have a wonderful train journey.
Sherry
Bus Kusmulyono says
I am Indonesian with global citizenship, have homes in Bali, Jakarta Java, Singapore, Kaysville Utah and L.A. Ca. My wife and I both are over 60 and love to travel all over the world. In USA we have travelled on Route 66 from Chicago to LA, cruises to Alaska and the Bahamas, as well as taking Amtrak LA to San Diego, SF to Salt Lake City, NYC to Boston and DC. We are now dreaming to take Amtrak Silver Miami to NYC on summer June 2014. We wonder if we can share with tourists from oversea who have had the experience with Amtrak Miami to NYC route. Among other questions is on bringing big size luggages since we will travel around the world, at least each of us will carry two big size 32″ suitcases. Will it be convenient to travel on Amtrak train with four such suitcases plus hand carried bags?
Michèle says
Hello, Sherry,
I really enjoyed your description of your Miami-NYC train trip, as I am thinking of taking a NYC-Jacksonville train in March 2014 to spend a week in St. Augustines. Two years ago, I took Amtrak from Montreal (Canada) to NYC, stayed in NYC one night and boarded a train to Savannah the next morning. While only a snack bar was available, it was relatively pleasant until the evening when washrooms were sadly neglected by staff. Following the advice of many bloggers, I had brought a small cooler and my own lunch and dinner. I can see from your description that a roomette provides better comfort and dining options. I am not at all fond of flying and as a senior female traveling solo, the train is my favourite. Thank you for sharing your experience. Michèle, Hull, Québec, Canada
Sara Ward says
Enjoyed reading your travel log very much. And the pictures were sensational. As an aside, I also appreciated your grammar…plural subject with a plural verb…at last! I share you love of trains (for the scenery and ability to get up and walk around). I travelled from San Francisco to New York via train in the 90s, and I liked everything about it…and I didn’t have a sleeper or roomette (older now, I wouldn’t do that again). Keep writing…you have a gift. God bless. Sara
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Thanks, Peter. Enjoy your next train ride.
Sherry
Peter says
Hi Sherry,
I love trains and I loved reading your report. Beautifully written with warmth and humor. I am Australian and try and travel on trains at least once every trip. I am looking at travelling Orlando to New York in December. Last month I did the Adirondak train from New York to Montreal. I really enjoyed the trip. Then did Via from Montreal to Toronto. I have also done the short NYC to DC run.
Chris Gunter says
Thanks for all the great advice. I’m drive a over the road truck driver. So kicking back and letting someone else do the driving is a homerun for us. That steak in ur article looked pretty good too. I’m sure we’ll have some more questions before we go. Definitely will be hitting u up with some more advice. Thks Chris
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your nice comment. In regards to tipping, it’s customary to tip your room attendant $10-$20 per room, depending upon the level of service, for example…if you ordered dinner in your compartment it’s your room attendant’s job to take the order, pick it up and deliver it to you. In that case, I’d definitely go with $20. Since your meals are including with First Class, I recommend: $2.00 pp at breakfast, $3-4.00 per person at lunch and $5.00 pp at dinner. These are just guidelines and reflect an 18-20% tip should you have had to pay for the same meals. For your room attendant, it’s customary to hand him or her your tip as you depart the train at your destination.
Hope this is helpful. Enjoy the journey and cheers!
Sherry
Chris says
Really liked your youtube video from Florida to NYC. We’re planning on going on our first amtrak trip this fall. Orlando to NYC. My question was on tipping. Do you tip one person or individually per day. I’m not cheap having worked for tips back in the day. Just wanted to do it right. Appreciate ur advice. And will be making Martinis in ur name. 🙂
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Hi Christina,
Thanks for reading the article. You’ll have a fine time on the train to NYC. Travel light and for convenience, pack a separate overnight bag (or keep what you’ll need for the train trip separate) and it’ll be a breeze. Save room at dinner because the desserts are great!
Happy travels.
Sherry
Christina Brown says
Hey
I came across your article while deciding on whether to
take the train or bus for my trip to Miami from
New York. This article if very descriptive and your story is
sweet. Hopefully you can offer me some advice as this would be my
first time traveling on Amtrak and I’m slightly nervous lol
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Hi Carol,
Thank you for reading my stories. I totally agree. Definitely a roomette up the east coast and a bedroom going west…anywhere west! Save travels and thanks again!
Sherry
Carol B says
Sherry, I enjoyed your train accounts both to LA and NYC. We take the train all the time and with the two of us we are partial to the roomette each. For FL to NYC and the bedroom going to LA.
I always tell people it is like singing “America the Beautiful” traveling westward on the train. You get to see the beautiful country in which we live. I love coming in to D.C. and watching all the symbols of or country from the train. I am fascinated by the Winter Park station in FL.To me it looks like a quaint little town.
People are always amazed that one can go from the East Coast to HI without flying.
Continue to enjoy your travels.
Carol B
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Hi Denise,
No special deal. It was a one-way ticket so it was just about half of what you were quoted for a round-trip. Have a wonderful time.
Sherry
Denise says
Hello, It looks like you had a wonderful trip. I am planning my trip to NYC from Jacksonville, fl with my two children. It will b a first for them. However the price are just for me and my son round trip approximately $800-starting in Charlotte nc- I can’t include my daughter online -have to do it over the phone-. How did you get this low fare considering it was starting in Fl? Did you have a special deal?
Thanks a lot for sharing!
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your kind comments. I totally agree about train travel!
Sherry
Bill Wrenn says
Lovely photos and interesting travelogue! My wife and I took the Zephyr year before last and plan a trip on the Empire Builder this summer. Also rode the Silver Star a few years back. Train travel is the best!
Cruise Maven (Sherry Laskin) says
Thanks, Bernie. Appreciate your comment.
Sherry
Susan S. says
Oh, man!! I wish I could take this trip! Your story made my day. Thank you. 🙂