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    Amtrak Autotrain

    2.8 (302 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    View from my seat/bed
    Michele Marie F.

    Took the auto train from Lorton Va to Sanford Fl. It was wonderful NOT dealing with traffic down I-95!!!! Dinner was pretty good dessert was delicious!! The little sleeper car was comfortable, and had the perfect amount of room! It was quiet and calm! The train (because duh, it's a train) did get pretty shaky at points but it wasn't something that would deter me! Matthew was my attendant who turned down my bed and then set me back up in the morning! He was wonderful!! I didn't opt to eat breakfast but it was announced well and others seemed to enjoy it!! Upon arrival? My vehicle was out to me pretty quickly and in good shape! No issues were found! If you take into account the price of gas, possibly a hotel, and food? Versus the cost of the sleeper car on the train? It all seems to come out pretty close to equal. I will be taking this trip again!!

    Aisha W.

    Can't complain, rode the train with my vehicle from Florida to Virginia. The station had ample amount of seating for waiting and clean restrooms once you arrive you wait on your car to be unloaded and you do have the option to pay for priority unloading

    Tortellini pesto with chicken from the dining room car
    jon l.

    The auto train is a great alternative to driving - especially if you are planning on staying a while on the other end. I love being able to load my car with luggage and all the random stuff I need for an extended stay/vacation. Pretty much you can bring everything you need. I have never stayed in the coach car, and would highly recommend the bedrooms which include dinner and breakfast in a classic dining car. It is a great family experience - but be sure to bring games and an iPad for movies. BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD MOVIES BEFORE the trip as the Wi-Fi is VERY spotty. Do count on your cellular Wi-Fi to work the whole time either as you get into very rural areas. If your not in a hurry and would like to try something new - give it a try!

    Beautiful
    Rachel T.

    Why have I never heard of the Amtrak Autotrain until this year?! My boyfriend and I each have a car and moved to Florida. The 12+ hour drive was out of the question, so we started looking at other options. We drove from Pittsburgh PA to Lorton VA (about 4.5 hours) the night before our train. We were nervous because you can start checking your car in at 12:30 pm and you absolutely HAVE to be checked in by 3 pm or you will miss the train you already paid for. We wanted to go the night before in case we hit traffic or an accident on the way to the train station. I'm glad we did it this way. We got in the line of cars to check in at 12:15 and waited about 45 minutes to get to the booth. You just give the attendant your last name and she gives you numbers for your car. You are essentially valet-ing your car. Once you take out what you need for the train (small items like backpack, snacks, and pillow) the valet takes your car and drives it up on the train. Super easy. You then go inside the station which sort of reminds me of an airport. There are lots of seats and announcements being made over the speaker. We were told to go to the ticket booth to pick up our boarding pass. This is where it varies from an airport. You give the ticket booth your name and they give you a boarding pass hand written in pencil! Lol! You pick what time you want to eat dinner on the train : 5, 7 or 9pm. We chose 7 pm and waited with our "boarding pass". There is also no security and I'm pretty sure you can take anything you want on board in your car or in your carryon. We packed all the things in our cars that we couldn't have shipped in our POD across the country like alcohol, cleaning supplies, etc. Tip: Bring lunch to the train station. Everyone there packed a lunch or brought sandwiches from a nearby Subway. There is no food court inside. We waited until 3:30 when they called our sleeper car number. We got in the train and got comfortable in our roomette. It's a little pod with two big chairs that recline and at night turns into 2 bunks. Do not take luggage or a carryon luggage because there is literally no room. We had just enough space for our 2 backpacks and snack bag/cooler. The outlet in the roomette worked well and you can adjust the temperature and radio. Our train took off a little early which was great, and our train car attendant Duane was awesome! The wifi was spotty, but I was able to work for a little while before dinner at 7. They call your meal time over the loud speaker and you venture a few cars over to the dining car for dinner. Bonny (she specified Bonny with a Y) was fun and friendly as she took our orders for dinner. We were seated with 2 other people that both happened to be from Pennsylvania too! We had a fun table and it was nice chatting with them. For dinner I had salmon, green beans, and quinoa. It was actually ok! I was not sure what to expect, but it wasn't bad! The meals came with a salad, roll, and dessert too. The blueberry cobbler cheesecake was so good! We also got complimentary wine. About half way through our dinner the train stopped and there was an announcement that the train was having a computer issue and they would try to resolve it as quickly as possible. At this point people started getting nervous and Bonny with a Y kept pouring us more wine to keep everyone happy. We came back to our roomette to see that the beds were put down with sheets, blankets, and pillows. I walked around to the lounge car since the train was stopped and I wasn't ready for bed yet. The lounge car has a bunch of booths like you are in a diner. I couldn't get any wifi in there so I eventually went back to our room. The cot was actually pretty comfortable, but being on the top bunk had me feeling very clausterphobic, especially with our doors closed and curtains up. It took me a long time to fall asleep, but once I did I slept well. In the morning they announced it was time for breakfast. The train ride was great. I loved that you could sit back and relax and watch the beautiful scenery outside. The only major complaint was that we were delayed by 3 hours because of the computer issue + a valve issue? and a broken rail issue! We were supposed to arrive in Sanford FL at 9 am, but ended up getting there at almost 1 pm. Then we waited until about 2:45 for our cars to come off the train. I would absolutely do the priority boarding next time, but it was already sold out for our train date. Waiting outside watching the cars go by was super frustrating and I feel like there has to be a better way to do it in the future. Overall we were really impressed with this experience and were even happier with the price of getting 2 people and 2 vehicles packed with our belongings across the country.

    Chris S.

    The webpage said check-in starts at 11:30. I joined the end of the line of cars in one direction (there was also a line on the other side of the highway coming from the opposite direction) at 12:15pm. I recommend driving eastbound on Lorton Rd so that entry to the station is a right-hand turn. It's possible to come from the other direction but this requires a left-hand turn at a traffic light that bumps up against the entrance to I-95 and becomes chaotic when cars are backed up trying to get into the station. At 1:10pm, neither line had moved and cars were backed up along the road for as far as I could see in both directions. No vehicles had entered the Amtrak parking lot since I had joined the line but cars were starting to jostle and attempt to move along the line and cut in. Finally, about 1:15pm there was a little progress and I moved up about five car lengths. The line moved slowly. At the booth before time drop off spot my car was assigned a number and reached the car drop off spot about 1:55pm. An Amtrak employee told me to park my car, leave my window open, leave the keys in the car, and go inside to check-in. This line was short. My car and room number were confirmed and I gave my preferred time for dinner. Then, a pretty long wait because passenger boarding didn't begin until 3:30pm. This may have been later than usual because the inbound train had come in late. At 3:30pm, there were still cars lined up from the station onto the roadway. The waiting area in the terminal was okay. It had a small gift and snack shop but more crowded and less comfortable than an average airport. No bar and no club. By 2:40pm it was so crowded that physical distancing was no possible. There is an outside area with a few benches, but the temperature 42 degrees and breezy not a great alternative. Sleeper cars boarded first, so it was pretty quick for me. The "roomette" is a decent size for one person but would be crowded for two adults. There is not enough room for an airplane-size rollaboard but two "under the seat" size carryons are okay. Also, there is no place to put a full-size CPAP. Dinner was about what might expect in coach on a plane, but the roomette was more comfortable than a lie-flat seat while flying. Both the seats facing each other slide downward and turn into a bed and the attendant puts a mattress pad on top. There is also a shelf above that folds down and becomes a second bed. Whitney was the attendant for my train car. She was helpful and cheerful throughout the trip despite working a double shift.

    Don't forget the calf raisers
    Jessy G.

    Ok so for the next three trips I have reserved a room. Alone I did a roomette and with my husband I did a room with full size bed and private toilet and shower. The room reminds me of a cruise minus the tv. But overall I give it another thumbs up. Rooms include food too! As in salmon and steak. But it's like reheated food. The desert was my favorite thing. They give you sheets and towels on both rooms. The roomette has shared showers in the cart. So you can bring slippers and shower. The private room has a mini standup shower and you get an attendant who gives you blankets and converts your seat into a bed.

    Roberto N.

    It's just SO easy. Make your reservation, (for Autotrain, the Amtrak app gets a little clunky, and I usually wind up calling them). The check in process is simple and easy; they take great care of your car. Feel free to load that car up, too, by the way; but no bike racks on the back, nor stuff in the roof! Meals in the past have been smallish but tasty. They offer you a selection of about four items fir dinner. If you're thinking you'll get a good nights sleep? Well, that probably depends on you. But, the clickety-clack of the track makes it really hard for me to fall asleep. The train's all metal, so sounds like doors opening or a baby crying will carry. Still. I'm just nit picking. This is by far the best way to go to Florida! I think the friendliness of the staff really adds to the overall experience, too.

    Train side of the station

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    Amtrak Autotrain Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Amtrak Autotrain

    Phone number for reservations?

    ***For 24/7 Help** Phone 𝟭.855.969.𝙾𝙾15*** to reach customer Service. They can help with flight changes, booking management, and other travel-related needs.

    Is there a microwave I can use if I sit in coach?

    No, there is not

    Is a convertible beetle bug safe on the auto train? any damage?

    No issues so far.

    Is there a charging (USB) slot in the seat for a laptop or iPhone?

    Yes

    I'm wondering if I should get to the Lorton station before 11:30 if I have "early offloading". Do they take your car as soon as you get there? Can I wait in my car til they load it?

    The loading process is quick. Think valet parking. Early is better as cars line up starting at about 11 and a line can form. You pull up, get ticket, exit your vehicle, and move into the station waiting area.

    Is there an advantage to get to the train early so you will be one of the first to have your car off loaded? The quick off load option isn't available.

    You have to pay extra for early or it pays to reserve ahead of time before you get there

    Can we be served dinner if we want to purchase a meal in the dinner car? We are traveling in coach.

    Dear Catherine; The dinner is served to all, your ticket price includes diner and breakfast. When check in you'll be asked to choose the time for your dinner like 5pm(first… Read more

    How difficult is it to access the top bunk? I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find a picture.

    It's a pain if you cannot pull yourself up. No ladder in roommette

    What menu do you eat from if you pay extra for a sleepette, NOT the most expensive sleeping car but a Sleepette? Thanks in advance!

    All sleepers have the same menu. Meals r included with any sleeper accommodation Our meals choices were actually quite good and we all enjoyed our meals. Husband had chicken I had beef tips. Cheesecake for dessert was awesome

    I'm considering going via autotrain from FL to VA the end of the month. Can I take my 12 lb lap dog on board?

    As far as I know Service Animals are allowable but not pets

    If my train leaves at 4:00pm how early should I get there?

    It depends. If everyone is on board and accounted for, they may leave as early as 3p. So ETA has varied for me from 8-9a

    Stops on trains when traveling from Sanford to Lorton?

    The train makes a late-night stop in South Carolina for refueling and a crew change. The only passengers who get off are the ones who need a smoke break (since smoking isn't allowed onboard.

    View All 13 Questions

    Review Highlights - Amtrak Autotrain

    The auto train is a great alternative to driving - especially if you are planning on staying a while on the other end.

    Mentioned in 106 reviews

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    Franconia-Springfield Metro Station - Spring in DC

    Franconia-Springfield Metro Station

    3.1(58 reviews)
    4.9 mi

    Dear reader,…read more Franconia Springfield Metro may not be the flashiest station in the system, but it is absolutely one of the better ones to use. It is spacious, easy to navigate, and generally feels far less chaotic than some of the other stations in the area, which is a blessing in itself. Whether you are commuting regularly or just heading into the city for the day, the whole setup makes getting around feel simple and efficient. One of its best qualities is how practical it is. There is plenty of parking, it is easy to access, and it connects well for people coming from different directions, which makes the whole experience feel very civilized by Metro standards. The station also usually feels clean and well maintained, and overall it is just a reliable place to start or end your trip. No great drama here, just a station that does exactly what it needs to do and does it well. In my book, that earns high marks.

    One of the easiest ways to visit the Smithsonian Museums is…read morebe way of the Metro train. Drive to your closest station and park your car. From there, purchase your ticket at the kiosk by cash or card. If by cash you can get a maximum of $5 returned cash. A station agent is available near the turnstile should you need assistance. You will need your card both for entry and exit. Fares are different and less on the weekends and are regular price on the week days. Seats are in abundance on the weekends.

    Photos
    Franconia-Springfield Metro Station - Decorated for Spring

    Decorated for Spring

    Franconia-Springfield Metro Station
    Franconia-Springfield Metro Station

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    Potomac Vista

    Potomac Vista

    2.3(9 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    Cheaply made apartments, bugs, dog poo & litter from residents, poor maintenance... And unsafe…read moreholes around property, which I asked about many times. Then my dog got hurt. [Update: Uncovered water manhole covers -- fixed now, but unsafe water drainage holes in potty area near our building that are still there. Animals or humans could get hurt twisting their ankle or even falling into it. I would try putting a tall stick in the ground from time to time to alert people; they eventually get taken by kids or weather knocks them over.] Looking forward to leaving at the end of our lease. Maintenance was good at the beginning and then they tapered off. Sometimes they don't show up and mark work as completed. Other times they come and the problem persists. Overpaying for living in Hoodbridge. This community up on a hill tucked away feels safe enough but I don't like living next to Bayvue (notoriously unsafe) or in this town. Dumfries or Lorton closeby feels safer for anyone moving to the area. Office staff gets 4 stars. Almost always wonderful. Chris is always helpful, pleasant, and sweet. Owners gets 1 stars. Maintenance used to be prompt but never efficient. Appear to need more training and/or money approval from owner? 2 stars for maintenance. By the way? They delete honest negative Google reviews. It appears Yelp has a better handle on them not doing that. But another reviewer pointed out that they are changing their address in Google (and I see on Yelp!) to try to trick people into believing a higher review. My review just changed from 2 stars to 1 star. You made it worse, Potomac Vista. Now you lost my trust and those who read the honest reviews. Btw, I'm a sweet person who doesn't write negative reviews often. So just know this is not someone angry who was irresponsible. I'm educated, in my 30s, and have lived at many apartment complexes. This one was the worst. Coming from Fairchase Apartments in Fairfax, it was night and day. That place knows how to run an apartment complex.

    Do not move here. We lived here for a year and they do not care about anyones safety, only money…read more They never answer emails, when they answer phones they say "the manager is in a meeting she will call you right back" why is she in a meeting every single day? She never once would call back. It took maintenance two weeks to fix a pouring leak which caused black mold, they painted over the mold, I got sick. Tried to end my lease due to getting out of the Marine Corps, heard nothing back so we had to stay and cancel our plans of moving out of state. Fast forward to the end of our lease. I got an instant response when I said we will be moving, they were very rude then stopped responding and then said we never told them when we'd be moving so we have to pay the whole next months rent after moving out. I sent them this email and they completely ignored it and continue to ignore it: "For our move out date, it is the 29th of December. I genuinely can not live here any longer than that. I do not feel safe living here for myself or my dogs. I want to start by saying my dogs are registered as Emotional Support Animals for a reason, I have anxiety and PTSD which have gotten worse from this all. My dogs now also need anxiety medication. I have been harassed, threatened to "get the shit beat out of me" and threatened to be ran over by this woman getting way too close to me and my dog while revving her car hysterically laughing with her friend, speaking about my dogs dying, getting screamed at saying I'm stalking them just for moving my car away from them because they purposely park too close so I can't get in my car, followed when walking our dogs and getting barked at as if they want our dogs to react and do something to them but they are good dogs, ding dong ditching (the father told me the kids were doing it to the other people who lived here before us so it's nothing new I'm just the only one to speak up, the mom and her friends joined in with the kids because I asked them to stop), trash left at our door, packages being kicked around, scaring my dogs while we are not home, car vandalized, comments about me speaking Spanish to one of my dogs when it's the only language he knows, our whole apartment would smell like hookah and weed even all the way into the bedroom. This all is from the same family, no one else. It started in March and still continues. I brought it to the leasing offices attention in June when it started to get worse. I would call and every time get told "the manager is in a meeting and will call you back" but never once got a call back. I sent videos and pictures. I still have those and even more now, which I took for mine and my dogs safety. It has gotten to the point where I need to walk my dogs with pepper spray just in case they come outside and start something. The only time they don't do anything is when my husband is home. I got a ring camera and they walk by calling me disgusting names and flipping the camera off, even the kids do it. They walk around here like they own the place, bragging they have lived here three years as if it excuses their behavior, the kids forcefully kicking the door open to go outside every single day, screaming at all hours. I really just hope whoever lives here next does not experience what we have. It has affected us and our dogs mentally and emotionally."

    Photos
    Potomac Vista - Mold.

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    Mold.

    Uber - Between the two passenger doors

    Uber

    2.4(695 reviews)
    17.2 mi

    Uber abandoned me at the airport and the app broke down. I scheduled a ride from the airport to my…read moreapartment A DAY BEFORE. I got off the plane to find my Uber driver 40 minutes away. I called him and he had no explanation except "Call Uber". BEYOND UNACCEPTABLE. I was unable to cancel the ride for another because your app thought my ride was "in progres" AND it wouldn't let me log in to make a phone call through the app or get help. Over and over again for an hour I tried to get help from Uber and couldn't reach a SINGLE PERSON. When I finally did--all they could do was charge me $30 for the trip you forced me to cancel THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE WHEN I ARRIVED and then charge me $78 for a new ride--$30 MORE THAN THE RIDE I HAD SCHEDULED. I've now paid $100 to wait an hour to get home when I should've paid $40 to not have to wait at all. They stole money from me, failed to help me when they left me stranded at the airport, finally *did* connect me with an agent only to charge me more than double for all the difficulty, and then made it impossibly difficult to even ASK for a refund--because there's no phone service for customer support. Just their circular AI and a series of multiple choice options THAT DO NOT COVER ALL POSSIBLE PROBLEMS. They're obviously trying very hard to take ZERO responsibility for your failures. So please know that I will NEVER use UBER again. I'm so done with them that I'm copy-pasting this review anywhere else that I can and giving them as many 1-star ratings as humanly possible.

    I take Uber and Lyft almost always a weekly basis or traveling to the airport…read more Sometimes one is better than the other. A few Uber options are as follows: Uberx is the basic: warning though you might end up in a hoopty. Cracked windshields or a car thats been keyed by a jealous ex. UberBlack -luxury car UberSUV for a large party. UberXl is a step up from basic. I used this one recently. I rode in a nice Dodge Durango at a pool rate. So from Union Station to my destination. However because it was pooled, I was last to go home #sadface. This guy drove slow and I mean slow! However now there are better options now, for us ladies to ride safer. Ladies you can request a female driver now!! I only had one bad experience with Uber but that was a very long time ago. I like this that i can request a female driver and feel safer. If your going home from the airport, make sure you have both apps open and plug in your destination. They prices vary. So from Dulles to home is about 25 miles my ride was only $30. Lyft was me charging $73. Also refresh your app. The rates change. So when its in high demand . The prices go up. Wait a little and see that the prices will drop. Also doing UberShare helps save . I never have to share a ride I also have UberOne which saves me money but im under a promotion period for 30 days.

    Photos
    Uber - Since i was moving, his bumper dragged along my front passenger door to my rear wheel well and part of the bumper.

    Since i was moving, his bumper dragged along my front passenger door to my rear wheel well and part of the bumper.

    Uber
    Uber

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    Amtrak Autotrain - trainstations - Updated May 2026

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