Amtrak? About This Page:

[dwonderz]

So looking into options for getting down to Orlando, driving is out of the picture as it would cost more in gas + hotel money then flying! We also looked into a train, which is cheaper then a flight by about $100. We wouldn't mind the extra time, as we've always wanted to try taking a train down.

That said, does anyone know how much a car service from the Orlando train station to WDW?

Or should we rent a car?

We're wondering because a flight may be more economical thanks to DME! Thanks a lot!

[nurse_mom]

Fly! Time=money, then rent a car, which more than likely will be more than 100. Fly, and take DME.

[Salty]

When are you going? You may find some great flight deals - I always find great deals when I check online on a Tuesday or Wednesday. We're flying down from CT in April on a Monday and paying $84 each one way down, and $150 each coming back.

We plan on driving in July because DH and I enjoy the time we spend together in the car, and the kids are happy with movies and DS's, but we go down for 2 weeks (visit to see Mom and a side trip to Disney) so we're not concerned as much with the travel time.

[Mandy23]

Hey!!

I've done the train ride to Orlando with Amtrak!! I used Enterprise ... they picked us up!! A taxi would have cost about $50 one-way, not including tip ... Hertz would have reimbursed us (approx. $25). That was 2 years ago.

With that said ... the only problem I had with the train (a great experience for the kids-left out of Penn Station, NY), we woke up in SC/NC or somewhere stopped when we should have definitely been in FL already. We had to wait for a service train. We arrived 5 hours behind schedule. Thank GOD that we had a room and not the seats in the back, which was crowded.

Our May trip, we're driving only because we have a puppy tagging along. (From CT)

[Mandy23]

Flights out of Westchester can be incredibly cheap through Jetblue.

[dwonderz]

Thanks for the tips!! I hadnt even thought of flying out of Westchester, but had looked into other nearby airports!

Thanks everyone!

BTW Welcome to the boards Mandy23 - looks like you have a few trips under your belt

[Salty]

Keep in mind that unless you can get a ride to Westchester, parking is very expensive - there's no long term parking - a week there once cost us $200+!
We love to fly out of Stewart Airport in Newburgh - flights are decent, it's a small airport so security is quick and never crowded, and long term parking is $40 for a week

[JKnott17]

Amtrak also has the auto train which goes from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL. You would have to drive part of the way to VA, but you would have your own car when you got to FL. I have not taken the auto train before, so I can't help on pricing or other info, sorry Hopefully someone else on these boards will have some more info.

[Jillybean]

Amtrak is now our favorite mode of transportation to Disney. We're just coming from SC as opposed to your NY, but still we find it very relaxing. We have a town car meet us and it's usually about $100 round trip plus trip. Usually we're being whisked away before the train has ever left the Orlando station.

Good luck!

Jill

[dwonderz]

Thanks for the tips! I know the auto train can be $$$ - we looked into the Stewart Airport, thanksfor the tips! Flights are still cheaper out of LaGuardia, but still one more place to look while we search for fares!!! Southwest needs to come out with their fares....

[JerseyDad]

.......I don't fly often...but I do know that it can be pricey depending on destination and airport choice...and that right now....fares are high. And even with "cheap" flights...and doing a pricing comparison of flying vs driving...it has always been less expensive to drive. (and WAY less that Auto Train)

Using my wife's Ford Freestar......for a 4 person trip......from central NJ:


Gas = $240 (round trip)
Hotel = $ 98 (one night stay...southbound only)
Meals = $125 (lunches + a meal for 4 near the hotel in Ga. on the 1 night stop)
Total = $463 (cost of our trip this past August)

......I can't see any air-fares + ground transport that will get me to and from WDW for less.....so....we drive.

....ooops!!....forgot the tolls!!! so add $24 to the round trip (it's amazing that ALL the tolls are NORTH of Baltimore....and then it's a free ride all the way to Fla from there!!)

[mechurchlady]

I took Amtrak from Orlando to Washington DC to Chicago and finally to Los Angeles. It was nice to take a plane and get to WDW in one day but the trip on the train was special. I had a sleeping car that included dining. I had lots of views of America at a slow pace.
Service ranged from 5 star hotel to the worst and rudest possible. Generally service was excellent.

I had to take a cab from downtown Orlando to the car rental agency then to WDW. So either way you are looking at getting from the airport or train depot to WDW. I think the crucial factors are time and the experience.

[dwonderz]

Thanks everybody for the tips, we will keep watching the airfares/gas/train!

Really appreciate all the opinions/tips/ideas!

[mechurchlady]

I forgot one things about rental car companies. Some of them will pick you up at train stations so that may be an option for you. I think that is what they did for me.

[bobyetman]

Actually Amtrak's auto-train is not that expensive. The key to the auto-train is booking ahead of time, the closer to the travel date you book, the more expensive it gets. For example, I just did some quick web pricing:

2 adults 6 days at WDW 21 - 26 Mar:

Autotrain -
leave Lorton VA 20 Mar, return 27 Mar, coach and a large car (I have a truck) = $856.

SouthWest Airline - BWI - MCO = $632.00
rental car for the 6 days = 163 through payless, $450+ through all the major companies.

So, it can actually be cheaper then renting a car.

Plus, it has one big bonus that is worth money to me, I don't have to go through airport security and practically strip. I'm not limited to the 2 bags, and to me, it's a lot more relaxing.