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Amtrak trip with toddler

hamburgeruniversityhamburgeruniversity member
in Parenting
I'm planning a trip this summer to see friends from college and introduce them to my son, who will be just over a year at the time of the trip. Considering driving (16 hours) but also looking into possibility of renting one of the "roomlettes" on Amtrak. It would be a 15 hour trip, plus driving to/from the station. Has anyone ever done a long train trip like this with a young child? I feel like I might be slightly insane for even considering it, but if my husband cannot come along, the idea of a 16 hour drive by myself almost sounds worse. I've also gathered from the internet that you cannot use a car seat on the train...does anyone have any experience with this?

Also, I guess I will consider this post my intro - have been lurking for an embarrassingly long time, but had trouble coming up with a screen name that didn't contain my initials or some other identifying information (thanks, The Knot!). One son, cart returner, recently discovered the joy of pouches, near-constant soft pants wearer, pro-beets and cilantro. I'm open to any other questions anyone may have :)
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Re: Amtrak trip with toddler

  • hamburgeruniversityhamburgeruniversity member
    RVASC811 said:
    I have never done amtrak with a child but would imagine it is superior in every way to driving 16 hours by yourself with a toddler.
    Haha when you put it that way...

    I should mention that I pretty much loathe flying, though it would seem to be the better option. Also, if we drive, we'd probably stop twice to see friends along the way - making the longest stretch 8-9 hours.
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  • hamburgeruniversityhamburgeruniversity member
    RVASC811 said:
    Oh and hello! I should add I have done 7 hrs alone on amtrak, and I love the train. Love.
    I used to do this 15 hour trip in college, usually alone. it was lovely. I wish I could combine the atmosphere/roominess/on the groundness of a train with the speed of flying.
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  • SJandVASJandVA member
    I lurk here sometimes and saw your question. I thought I could give you some advice as I just got back from a trip where I did both. By myself with a 6 yo and 20month old. We took the Auto Train from VA to FL. We got a roomette and it was 17 hours but it was overnight. The roomette is very small but it gives you privacy. We had enough room for the 3 of us. Coming home we drove. If adults made the drive with stops it takes about 12. It took me with the 2 girls 15 1/2 hours to drive straight thru. DD2 had a harder time being confined for the car ride. In my experience the train was way better than the drive. Hope this helps a little.
    victoria5month samantha5
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  • hamburgeruniversityhamburgeruniversity member
    SJandVA said:

    I lurk here sometimes and saw your question. I thought I could give you some advice as I just got back from a trip where I did both. By myself with a 6 yo and 20month old.
    We took the Auto Train from VA to FL. We got a roomette and it was 17 hours but it was overnight. The roomette is very small but it gives you privacy. We had enough room for the 3 of us.
    Coming home we drove. If adults made the drive with stops it takes about 12. It took me with the 2 girls 15 1/2 hours to drive straight thru. DD2 had a harder time being confined for the car ride.
    In my experience the train was way better than the drive. Hope this helps a little.

    Thanks, this is very helpful! Am I correct in assuming that the roomlette has a door and is lockable?

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  • SJandVASJandVA member
    @hamburgeruniversity‌ yes! It has doors that lock from the inside and then curtains you can close. It doesn't lock from the outside so you would want to take your purse when you walk around. My 6yo also voted train over the drive. For whatever that's worth. :) I should add that the train still wasn't a cake walk. We had our moments. But all long distance travel with kids has it's moments. Teleportation would really be ideal!
    victoria5month samantha5
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  • hamburgeruniversityhamburgeruniversity member
    @BlinkMe182‌ my rationale for the room is that I could lock the door and we could both get some rest. I would have to watch him like a hawk otherwise. But I agree, the space and freedom on a train are sooooo nice!
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