First time ever!

[Squeakz2001]

My hubby and I are planning our first ever train trip for our 2nd anniversary in June. We are planning on going from Cincinnati, Ohio to Kissimmee, Florida. We are kinda nervous about how to find our train, connections, and general worries. We booked roomettes for our trip. Does that include food free? And, what reccommedations do you have for first time travelers? Any tips or hints would be welcomed!

 

[AlanB]

Squeakz,

In Cincinnati there is only one Amtrak train to worry about, so catching the wrong one there shouldn't be a problem. I personally can't help you with regard to finding the station, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone here doesn't know how to find it.

The transfer between the two trains should be easy, as I'm sure that there will be others making the same transfer, and there should be some Amtrak personel around to help guide you also.

Next, being in a roomette does indeed entitle you to free meals. When you first start out you'll be taking meals in the cafe car. But once you transfer to the Silver Meteor, you'll be taking your meals in the dining car. Note: Neither alcohol nor tips are included.

I would highly recommend reading over On Track On Line's Hints & tips, which are chocked full of useful information for the first time rider.

Finally, I'm going to move this topic over to the Amtrak forum, where I'm sure you'll get many more responses since this is an Amtrak trip. Many people never visit the commuter forum where you originally posted this.

 

[MrFSS]

In Cincinnati, the Amtrak station is in the old Union Terminal that is at the western foot of Ezzard Charles Drive, just west of I-75 in the downtown area. There is no exit off of I-75 directly to Ezzard Charles Drive. You have to get to Western Ave from an exit north or south of Ezzard Charles.

There are some great museums in the building now, well worth the price of admission. But, the times The Cardinal comes through, they probably won't be open.

Here is a map view.

 

[rmgreenesq]

Squeakz:

As a sleeper car patron, you are entitled to access to the Club Acela in either Washington Union Station or New York Penn. Club Acela is like an airline frequent flyer club. It has nice leather seats, free food and (non-alcoholic) drinks, free reading material, and cable TV channels. Also the employees in the club will announce boarding of various trains, so keep your ears open.

I don't know how long your layover is (or even where your layover is), but Washington Union Station is a few blocks from the Capitol Building. New York Penn is a few blocks from Macy's.

Rick

 

[AlanB]

Squeakz:
As a sleeper car patron, you are entitled to access to the Club Acela in either Washington Union Station or New York Penn. Club Acela is like an airline frequent flyer club. It has nice leather seats, free food and (non-alcoholic) drinks, free reading material, and cable TV channels. Also the employees in the club will announce boarding of various trains, so keep your ears open.

I don't know how long your layover is (or even where your layover is), but Washington Union Station is a few blocks from the Capitol Building. New York Penn is a few blocks from Macy's.

Rick

Rick,

I'm guessing that they are booked on the Cardinal from Cincinatti to Charlottesville, VA. where they'll board a Thruway Bus to Richmond, VA. for the transfer to the Silver Meteor. The only way to avoid that would be to overnight in Washington.

Therefore they won't unfortunately be able to take advantage of the Club Acelas.

 

[Squeakz2001]

Thats exactly what I am booked! That makes me worry, though, because in VA my train arrives and then the bus leaves 15 minutes later. What if my train is late, and I miss the connecting bus and then miss the next train?

On my way home back to Ohio, I will have a 5 hour layover in DC, so that club thing sounds cool!

Thanks! Kim

 

[AlanB]

Thats exactly what I am booked! That makes me worry, though, because in VA my train arrives and then the bus leaves 15 minutes later. What if my train is late, and I miss the connecting bus and then miss the next train?
On my way home back to Ohio, I will have a 5 hour layover in DC, so that club thing sounds cool!

Thanks! Kim

Kim,

The bus is a guarenteed connection. It can't leave until the train gets there, so no worries on that one. And even if god forbid something does go wrong, that is a guarenteed connection. That means that Amtrak is obligated to get you to Florida at their expense, not yours.

Here's the info on the club:

Your sleeper tickets qualify you as a First Class passenger on Amtrak. As a first class passenger you are entitled to utilize Amtrak's first class lounges. These lounges are a nice quiet refuge in the often-bustling train station. They have nice plush chairs, conference rooms, computer terminals, newspapers, TV's, free soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea and clean safe bathrooms. They also allow you to board your train before the rest of the masses.

In DC the Club Acela Lounge is located behind the information kiosk, which is in the center of the waiting areas between gates D & E. There are two large wooden doors there, ring the bell to the right of the door and the attendant will let you in. Show your tickets and you’re in. They will escort you to your train when it’s time.