Amtrak Silver Meteor Service

Amtrak run a number of trains on the Atlantic Coast Service on the eastern seaboard; namely the Silver Meteor and Silver Star between New York and Miami plus the Palmetto which goes from New York to Savannah in Georgia.

If you wish to travel with your car, then there is also the Auto Train which operates between Lorton just outside Washington DC and Sanford near Orlando.

The Silver Meteor runs one service a day in each direction with journey times of around 28 hours covering the 1389 miles (2235 kms).

Train 97 operates the southbound service leaving New York at 3:15pm each day and arriving in Miami at 6:55pm the next day.

Amongst the stops are Philadelphia, Washington DC and then on through Virginia, North and South Carolina including Charleston, Savannah in Georgia and then Jacksonville and Orlando in Florida.

The northbound train 98 leaves Miami at 6:50am and arrives in New York at 10:20am the following day.

Stops in Florida are Jacksonville, Palatka, Deland, Winter Park, Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Sebring, Okeechobee, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Miami.

A number of destinations on the Gulf Coast are catered for by a Thruway motorcoach service (see panel).

Seating and sleeping cars

All seats must be reserved and the cheapest ticket is a Coach Seat in one of the Amfleet coaches which is a bit like a typical Business Class airline seat, which reclines with a fold down tray and individual reading lamp.

It you want a bit more privacy and to sleep in a bed then there is a choice of a Viewliner Roomette or Viewliner Bedroom.

The Viewliner Roomette is designed for one or two passengers with two comfortable reclining seats facing each other by a large picture window. At night the seats convert into a bed and a second upper berth with its own picture window folds down from the wall. The cabin also includes a washbasin and a toilet (not enclosed), a garment rack, fold-down table and climate control. Public showers are located nearby.

The Viewliner Bedroom is similar to the Roomette but can accommodate three passengers at a pinch (two sharing the lower berth). Most of the facilities are the same as the Roomette, but the lower berth converts from a two seater sofa and the room also has an enclosed toilet and private shower and a separate armchair.

Two Viewliner Bedrooms can be combined to make a Viewliner Bedroom Suite.

The Viewliner Accessible Bedroom has space for wheelchair storage and can also accommodate three passengers at a pinch. A large sofa seating three converts into the lower berth and is suitable for a passenger with a mobility impairment. A second upper berth is suitable for a companion. There is also a wheelchair accessible toilet in the cabin and meals can be served in the cabin is required.

Dining and entertainment

The Silver Meteor has a full-service Dining Car and a Lounge. Hot meals are prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner for both Coach and First Class passengers.

Breakfast menus include a variety of hot and cold entrees, such as pancakes, omelettes, cooked-to-order eggs or a continental breakfast. For lunch, choose from burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. At dinner time, menu items include New York strip steak, catfish,chicken, pasta and other entrees plus a selection of wines and desserts.

Coffee, tea, milk or juice is included in the price of the main entree for all meals and there is a separate children's menu.

You can watch movies in the Lounge (headphones can be purchased onboard) or grab a sandwich, snack and a beverage.

Note that the Silver Meteor is a strictly no smoking service. Passengers wishing to smoke may smoke on some station platforms during stops but listen out for the 'All Aboard' announcements.

Tickets

With a Viewliner ticket you are given First Class status and all your meals are included in the price of the ticket as well as fresh towels and bedlinen, soap and shower amenities, turn-down service, bottled water and a wake-up service with coffee, tea, juice and daily newspaper.

With a First Class ticket you also have access to the Club Acela® lounges in New York, Philadelphia and Washington plus the private waiting area at Miami station.