| Florida is an ideal vacation location. It has many major | | | | the next stop, which is Kissimmee. At Kissimmee, |
| metropolitan areas and thousands of miles of | | | | there is complete baggage service, taxi cabs and |
| oceanfront beauty. Of course, Disney World, | | | | pre-arranged van service available. Although there is |
| Universal Studios and Busch Gardens provide fun and | | | | no good public transportation options at either Orlando |
| adventure for the whole family. | | | | or Kissimmee, you are actually closer to the park (and |
| Fortunately, you can travel to most of the major | | | | thus you will incur lower transportation costs) from |
| Florida vacation areas by Amtrak. Three daily trains | | | | Kissimmee. |
| travel to and through the state from the east coast. | | | | Three: For many people, having the flexibility of a |
| As a relaxing and affordable method for travel to | | | | rental car allows them to easily take advantage of all |
| Florida, the train is preeminent. Given the rising cost | | | | that their Florida destination offers. At Jacksonville, |
| and hassle of air travel, a land alternative may be the | | | | you can pick up your Hertz car right at the train station |
| most enjoyable way to get to the Sunshine State. | | | | daily except Sundays. At most other stations, you |
| Here are five tips/hints for effectively traveling to/from | | | | can pre-arrange for Enterprise or other major car |
| Florida by Amtrak: | | | | rental company to pick you up or reimburse you for |
| One: You must decide which long-distance train you | | | | taxi fare to their offices. Before you leave home, talk |
| wish to take to Florida. If you wish to stay in the | | | | to the local rental office (not the toll-free reservation |
| Jacksonville-Orlando-Miami corridor, the Silver Meteor | | | | agents) and confirm their hours of operation and the |
| that originates in New York (with great connections | | | | best method to reach the office. |
| from Boston) will be your train of choice. You can | | | | Four: The Auto Train is one of the most unique |
| leave New York or Washington in the afternoon and | | | | experiences Amtrak offers. You and your vehicle (it |
| arrive in Orlando or Miami the next afternoon. If you | | | | can be a car, motorcycle or trailer camper of limited |
| wish to go Florida’s Gulf Coast, you will be best | | | | size) board the train at Lorton, Virginia or Sanford, |
| served on the Silver Star. At Tampa, there is | | | | Florida in the afternoon and travel nonstop 800 miles to |
| connecting Thruway Motorcoach service to Sarasota | | | | the other location, arriving the next morning. Your |
| and Fort Myers. Finally, if you wish to bring your car | | | | vehicle travels in specially-made carriers in the back of |
| along for the ride, the Auto Train runs from Lorton, | | | | the train. You can either stretch out in a reclining |
| Virginia (outside of Washington, DC) to Sanford, FL (45 | | | | coach seat or reserve private Superliner sleeping |
| minutes from Orlando.) | | | | accommodations. All passengers receive a |
| Two: Most Florida Amtrak cities have connecting | | | | complimentary sit-down dinner with wine and |
| local transportation from Amtrak stations. Miami | | | | continental breakfast. There is also a lounge car that |
| International Airport can be reached from the Miami | | | | features movies for family entertainment. |
| train station by Miami Metrobus and the Hollywood | | | | Five: It is extremely important to make advanced |
| train station by the Tri-Rail commuter trains. | | | | reservations for transportation to and within Florida. |
| Connecting taxi service from DeLand to Daytona | | | | By buying your tickets in advance for both Amtrak |
| Beach can be reserved with your Amtrak ticket. If | | | | and local transportation services, you may be able to |
| you are going to Walt Disney World, you may wish to | | | | receive discounted advance purchase fares or special |
| miss the crowds at the Orlando station and go on to | | | | fares for students and seniors. |