Best Overnight Trains to Travel to Florida
My vacations usually begin aboard an Amtrak overnight railroad train trip going from Florida to New York. Though dining options have changed, here is a epitomize of my recent overnight railroad train trip aboard Amtrak Argent Star.
Editor Note: Please note that the full-service dining auto is no longer an pick on the Silver Meteor or Silverish Star. Plus, at present in the midst of the pandemic, at that place is room service for those in the sleeper car as well as a full-service Café Car. Even so, the railroad train route, sleeping accommodations and service remain the aforementioned.
Ride the Amtrak Overnight Train Betwixt Florida and New York
When I was little, I used to take The Urban center of Miami railroad train which ran from Chicago to, y'all guessed it, Miami. But now it'southward gone, Instead, you accept to have a train to New York. Then transfer at Moynihan Hall and board i of two Amtrak Silver Service trains that runs between the Big Apple and Miami. Their names are Silvery Star and Silver Meteor.
While I've been a frequent passenger on both, recently I took the Argent Star from Winter Park, well-nigh Orlando, to New York City. A mere 21 i/2 hours overnight train ride.
Amtrak Argent Star in Wintertime Park, Florida
6:thirty pm I arrived at the minor 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 Wintertime Park. My overnight train was scheduled to go far on time at 7:41pm.
After checking in with the station agent, he graciously stowed my bags in his function so that I could walk across the street for a java. I don't retrieve the gate agent for Delta could do that. (Note: there is at present a new train station in Wintertime Park that as well accommodates the SunRail commuter railroad train network.)
READ Side by side: Aboard Amtrak Silver Star without the dining auto
seven:20 pm-ish A five minute walk from the coffee shop on Park Avenue and I was back at the station. I could accept relinquished my larger suitcase to the luggage car, but I've washed this run earlier and know how to safely secure my suitcase in my tiny roomette so information technology doesn't accept upward too much infinite.
seven:thirty pm The Amtrak station agent announces the arrival of our railroad train. All the passengers in the building besprinkle to their designated waiting points along the platform, carefully observing not to get to shut to the yellow line.
Autobus passengers going to various destinations had different places to correspond their train motorcar. Sleeping car passengers, like me, had our own expanse to besiege, although there were but four of us compared to at least twenty-v charabanc passengers.
With 20-four station stops forth the way from Florida to New York City, information technology was anyone's estimate who was going where.
7:45 pm My train car attendant checked my ticket, hoisted my baggage onto the train and carried them into my roomette. I neatly put my bags where they always go; on a ledge, nether the seat, next to the door and on a hook.
Tucked away into my little compartment, I said a placidity goodbye to Wintertime Park and watched out the window as we traveled from urban to rural in a matter of minutes. Another Amtrak overnight railroad train ride from Florida was nether way.
Dinner in the Dining Auto
Ed. Note: Amtrak has removed the dining auto Silver Star and Silver Meteor. Read what information technology's similar aboard the Silver Star without the dining automobile.
8:00 pm At the request of the Amtrak dining car bellboy who walked through to welcome the newly-boarded, I left my roomette and walked through two sleeper cars to the dining car for an viii o'clock seating. The drill was familiar. Wait in the doorway until the Dining Chief beckons and tells yous where to sit down. You'll exist seated at a table for 4 and if yous are lucky, the three others at your table will be friendly, conversant and accommodating pleasant table-mates.
Prc plates are now disposable plastic, the cutlery is either real metal or silverish-colored plastic. Wine spectacles are also plastic. Except for the cooked to order steak (and eggs in the morn), much of the food is microwaved.
There is a vegetarian option equally well as fish. Salad is served (packets of Paul Newman dressing are on each table) with your potable while your entree is prepared. I chose the "grilled" salmon and rice which was amazingly fantabulous. Dessert was pretty good, too. All meals (and bottled water) are included if you have a a sleeping compartment.
The Amtrak Dining Car
As for table-mates, I lucked out. I was seated with three other solo women travelers. One woman in her mid-sixties, was headed to New York to rendezvous with her new boyfriend that she reconnected with at their 40th high school reunion. Of the other 2 across from us, one was rather quiet and left for her sleeper right after coffee. So the three of us closed the diner!
If you're non feeling sociable or but want to have a quiet dinner lonely, you tin can order complimentary room service! Your room attendant will take your gild and evangelize it to you piping hot. Y'all can do this for any meal.
On one returning trip, I was tired and requested room service. The steak arrived perfectly cooked-to-order and information technology even included a slice of New York-way cheesecake. (A brief hiccup from my vegan agenda.)
Waking up on the train
vii:00 am Our Amtrak train was somewhere in N Carolina and the scenery was beautiful. Of course I couldn't help but "play" the music and lyrics to that erstwhile vocal over and over in my head. Oh well, information technology goes with the territory.
8:00 am Time to swallow again. Unlike dinner where you take a reserved seating time, breakfast (and dejeuner) are open up seating. For coach passengers, it's pay-every bit-yous-get, so many will cull to either brown bag it or get snacks from the Gild Motorcar.
Eggs, whether omelet, over-like shooting fish in a barrel or scrambled, are prepared to order. No frozen eggs. Real eggs, real toast and even grits. Not to mention piping hot "train" coffee. Years ago, the java was so strong it didn't even need a cup. Now it's mellowed a bit and your cup doesn't stay empty for likewise long.
nine:thirty am Past the time I returned to my room, we were virtually out of N Carolina, edging into southern Virginia and just ten hours to New York. My room was already made upwardly; the bed stowed into the wall and chairs popped back up. A electric current USA Today was neatly folded on my chair and a fresh mitt towel was placed to a higher place the sink.
Amtrak Dining and Meal Time Again
Earlier I knew information technology, the Dining Chief announced yet another meal; it was time for lunch. I closed up my laptop, put it away, slipped my shoes dorsum on and made the "long" walk back to the dining car. Didn't I only do this a few minutes ago?
i:00pm Rather than repeat what I wrote virtually the final two meals, I'll quickly notation that luncheon was quite good. There'due south a selection of hot and common cold sandwiches, a chef's salad, soup and of course, dessert. In that location are always a few not-meat meals on an Amtrak bill of fare. Let's hope food service in the dining automobile is restored postal service-pandemic and budget cuts.
The day seemed to quickly laissez passer and soon we were in Washington, D.C. En route, the train raced through Richmond,VA besides as a couple of university towns. Information technology's interesting scenery, and then I probably spent as much time looking out of my window as I did trying to write a couple of manufactures.
Amtrak Silver Service Road
The Amtrak train route from Florida is especially picturesque in winter, even better further north if at that place's a dusting of snow. The train rolls past what looks like a scene from a Thomas Kincaid painting; singularly lit picayune houses and storefronts, no more than than peradventure 2 dozen yards away from the tracks. It's well-nigh like you were suddenly transported to the eye of a toy railroad train set, 1 that was carefully assembled in a cozy living room over the wintertime holidays. Information technology'southward all as well quaint.
Since our train from Florida was scheduled to arrive into New York City just a little before eight o'clock, there wasn't dinner service. The Club Auto would serve lighter fare. The crew had to interruption everything downward, tally upwardly and clean up before reaching New York's celebrated Pennsylvania Station. The past eighteen hours seemed similar an consume-a-thon anyhow, so I wasn't hungry. And it would requite me something to do in NYC; find a restaurant with take-out, close to the hotel.
Annotation once again that the Silvery Star doesn't have a dining car anymore. Simply you will accept the above-described food fest on the Silver Meteor.
How to Take Photos From the Train
7:00 pm Fourth dimension to offset organizing and putting away. Over the years, I've learned to pack for the train so repacking isn't too difficult. It'due south all the electronic miscellany that slows me downwards. Cords, charges, phone, camera, batteries…all take to be put away. If you're wondering why I have my photographic camera out, it'due south because I keep it at the ready to take photos from the train.
If you are remotely interested, information technology is very of import to be fix because, going 70 mph, you have to frame and shoot pretty fast. Lighting is also an event as is the reflection in the window. I notice it helps to sit in the chair that faces forward, (there are two chairs in a roomette) then when you spot something coming up, 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 lot can get a pretty adept shot. That's how I was able to get the shot of the Jefferson Memorial.
Our Amtrak Train from Florida Arrives New York
7:30 pm Our train began its descent under the Hudson River which takes about 3-iv minutes in the one-way tunnel (built in 1910.) The ascent begins, your ears pop and yous emerge under the bright lights of humming Penn Station. Time to assemble my luggage. A train person had walked past my room just before arriving in New York request if anyone would need baggage assistance. Unfortunately, I didn't hear her.
Equally the train slowly came to a halt, the transom opened, the stairs unfolded and an extended arm from the attendant helped all of u.s.a. alight from the train. I was the last to exit and to my dismay, the Red Cap had already left with his baggage cart filled to the max. I was alone on the platform, hoping for another Red Cap to come up by. Non ane in sight.
Just as I was about to haul my gear myself, the conductor steps off the train and asks why I didn't already have the Cherry-red Cap to assist me. I said I didn't hear the annunciation and I was waiting to see if anyone would return with a luggage cart.
He said no, they had left, just he would aid me. I tried to convince him otherwise…it wasn't in his chore description for certain. Merely he wouldn't take no for an respond. He wheeled my two heaviest numberless across the platform, upwards the escalator, and beyond the expansive station. Non only did he take my bags to the curb, he also flagged down a taxi!
When was the last time a co-airplane pilot or flight navigator helped with YOUR luggage! Even though he refused, I insisted on giving him the tip that would have gone to the Reddish Cap. "Take you wife out for a drink or a pic," I suggested, as she was patiently waiting for him on the platform when he sped past with my luggage.
How Much Does an Amtrak Train From Florida Toll?
Cost of the train ticket from Florida to New York including adaptation, bottled water and three meals: $381. Taxi from Penn Station to my hotel: $6.l. Italian have-out dinner in New York: $31. Fourth dimension spent traveling aboard the Silver Star: priceless. (Sorry, MasterCard, it was too good to resist.)
Update: New Amtrak Dining Option for All Sleeping Car Passengers
Complimentary for Sleeping Car customers, Amtrak at present offers their flexible dining service. This includes:
- A card with hot, ready-to-serve choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- A broad selection wine, beer and spirits (the start one is complimentary), plus unlimited soft drinks throughout the journey
- Gratis room service provided by the Sleeping Machine attendant
- Flexible dining times without the need for reservations
I'chiliad 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 manufactures and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the earth without flying. Take a breath…cease for a local repast and a glass of wine forth the mode.
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