Three Amtrak routes—Auto Train (which only stops in Sanford, Florida and in Lorton, Virginia), Silver Star (now a part of the Floridian route), and the Silver Meteor—travel to Florida. With the Floridian now stopping in Chicago and portions of the Midwest, these routes mostly follow the East Coast.
Cities include New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Richmond and Charleston, SC., may have you board the Silver Meteor. The Floridian presently is a hybrid of the Silver Star and Capitol Limited, and you may board this train at Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Raleigh and other towns in between.
Should you not reside close to an Amtrak station on one of these lines, you will have to travel many trains to reach Florida. Major cities you may switch to Florida trains as of November 2024 include Chicago, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City.
The facts to Know
- Just the Floridian/Silver Star train travels to Tampa.
- One train on each route goes to and from Florida each day.
- Trains do not pass the Panhandle; they arrive in Florida via coastal Georgia.
- The Silver Meteor will get you to South Florida quicker if you are headed there.
- You may only schedule a journey on the Auto Train if you are hauling a car or other vehicle (additional costs apply).
- The West Palm Beach Amtrak station is closest to the coast (approximately a 45-minute walk or 7-minute car journey).
Travel Times
To plan your journey and view travel schedules, go to Amtrak.com and input your start and finish cities to see all your route possibilities (see image below). Note that the locate train function takes a few seconds to load when you arrive on the Amtrak site. For most people, it’s an overnight train voyage unless you are beginning the trip in Georgia or South Carolina.
Stations
Choose from the following rail stations in Florida (bus connections may be available to additional cities):
- Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
- Palatka, FL (PAK)
- DeLand, FL (DLD)
- Winter Park, FL (WPK)
- Orlando, FL (ORL)
- Sanford, FL – Auto Train Station (SFA)
- Kissimmee, FL (KIS)
- Tampa, FL – Union Station (TPA)
- Lakeland, FL – To/from Points South (LKL)
- Lakeland, FL – To/from Points North (LAK)
- Winter Haven, FL (WTH)
- Sebring, FL (SBG)
- Okeechobee, FL (OKE)
- West Palm Beach, FL (WPB)
- Delray Beach, FL (DLB)
- Deerfield Beach, FL (DFB)
- Fort Lauderdale, FL (FTL)
- Hollywood, FL (HOL)
- Miami, FL (MIA)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I bring my pet on Amtrak?
Yes, small pets are accepted on most Amtrak lines. book sure to verify the exact pet regulations for your route and book a reservation for your animal buddy in advance.
What are the luggage limitations on Amtrak?
Each passenger may bring two carry-on bags (up to 50 pounds each) and two personal items (up to 25 lbs each) for free. Additional luggage or overweight goods may attract further costs.
Are there food and drink choices on the train?
Yes, Amtrak trains include dining cars, café cars, and snack alternatives. You may enjoy meals, drinks, and snacks while aboard. It’s also a good idea to carry your own refreshments for the travel.
Can I use Wi-Fi on Amtrak trains?
Wi-Fi is provided on many Amtrak routes, notably on long-distance and Northeast Corridor trains. However, coverage might be patchy in certain rural regions.
Is there a method to follow my train’s status?
Yes, Amtrak offers real-time train status reports on their website and mobile app. You can follow your train’s arrival and departure timings to remain informed.
What seating choices are available?
Amtrak provides several seating choices, including coach, business class, and sleeper trains. Each class provides varying degrees of luxury and facilities.
Can I modify my reservation if my plans change?
Amtrak provides flexible booking choices. Depending on the price class you pick, you may modify your reservation with or without a cost. It’s essential to examine the precise terms of your fare.
How can I discover the best fare?
Booking early and searching for discounts will help you discover the cheapest rates. Consider utilizing Amtrak Guest Rewards for further discounts.
What are the accessibility options on Amtrak?
Amtrak trains are prepared to assist passengers with impairments. This includes accessible seats, bathrooms, and help for boarding and deboarding. It’s advised to tell Amtrak of any unique requirements when reserving.