Amtrak Auto Train vehicle and check-in requirements

Tips for you and your vehicle

Plan Ahead and ensure you give yourself enough time—including traffic considerations surrounding DC and Orlando—to arrive at the station. No exceptions can be made to our check-in times.

Pack a Carry-on Bag. Pack your car like your suitcase. But be sure to bring a carry-on bag for your trip. The Auto Train has no checked baggage service and you will not have access to your car during the journey. Any valuables should not be left in your vehicle.

Deactivate the Car Alarm System before you drop off your car. Failure to do so may result in a dead battery if your alarm goes off en route.

Consider Priority Offloading which ensures your vehicle will be one of the first 30 off the train upon arrival. Subject to availability, Priority Offloading is available when you purchase your ticket or during check-in at the station.

If you have additional questions regarding Amtrak Auto Train, please call us and speak with a Rail Vacation Specialist.

Special vehicles

Each Auto Train departure includes a limited number of spaces to carry specialized vehicles.

Check-in for special vehicles closes at 2:00 pm.

• Small trailers, limousines, jet-skis, trikes, and choppers may be accepted.
• Can-Am motorcycles, Rewaco trikes, and Polaris Slingshots are not permitted.
• An additional fee may apply for special vehicles.

For vehicle specifications and to book a trip with a special vehicle, call 1-800-268-7252 today!

Rack Information

Does your vehicle include a rack on the roof or at the rear?

Roof-mounted racks are permitted if they are factory-installed roof racks and remain empty during the trip. Temporary luggage racks or bicycle racks attached to the roof are not permitted. Roof-mounted racks will count in your vehicle’s maximum height requirements.

Bicycle racks attached to the back of the vehicle only. Bicycles cannot be brought on board. You must sign a loss or damage waiver for bicycles transported on the back of the vehicle. Bicycles and their racks will count towards your vehicle’s maximum length and width requirements.

Luggage racks must be removed from the top of your vehicle and stored inside the vehicle prior to check-in.

Vehicle Responsibility

Personal effects and baggage remaining in your vehicle during transit are solely your responsibility. Amtrak is unable to accept responsibility for these items. In the unlikely event of damage to your vehicle in transit or during loading or unloading, Amtrak will accept responsibility only if you report the damage to an authorized Amtrak representative before leaving the terminal; the Amtrak representative must determine that the damage occurred while the vehicle was in Amtrak custody.