Anyone use the Auto Train?
Discussion
I had an idea to send my car on the auto train to the south of France and pick it up there to do a weekend road trip through Europe. So far my two main destinations point would be Stelvio pass and of course the 'ring
Has anyone use the auto train before and have any good or bad experience with them ? Seem like it could potentially be a fantastic weekend retreat, although I guess Spring would be more realistic time now to do it
Has anyone use the auto train before and have any good or bad experience with them ? Seem like it could potentially be a fantastic weekend retreat, although I guess Spring would be more realistic time now to do it
Yes, I'd be grateful for some personal accounts from fellow PH'ers.
This is what I have dug up thus far.
http://autotrain.uk.voyages-sncf.com/en/
http://www.seat61.com/Motorail.htm#Auto-Train
Big questions for me:
1. You don't travel with the car. What are the staff like who handle your P&J at both ends?
2. Are their restrictions on how wide a car can be? Would a 360 Modena fit?
This is what I have dug up thus far.
http://autotrain.uk.voyages-sncf.com/en/
http://www.seat61.com/Motorail.htm#Auto-Train
Big questions for me:
1. You don't travel with the car. What are the staff like who handle your P&J at both ends?
2. Are their restrictions on how wide a car can be? Would a 360 Modena fit?
Yes, I've used it. It doesnt save any time per se as you can drive Paris to Nice quicker than the train; more it saves boredom of driving that distance. We dropped it off in Paris then flew down to Nice and had a night out before the collection time the next morning. The station/collection is very central in Nice, which is handy.
I dont think they have any special care to offer any individual car, but I had no damage or concerns.
There is ofcourse width restrictions. You need to give your manufacturer and model during the booking process, at which point the computer says no/yes. We travelled with a 911 Turbo, and the Turbo model as not acceptible whereas the standard 911 was; so I just booked it in as a standard 911.
I dont think they have any special care to offer any individual car, but I had no damage or concerns.
There is ofcourse width restrictions. You need to give your manufacturer and model during the booking process, at which point the computer says no/yes. We travelled with a 911 Turbo, and the Turbo model as not acceptible whereas the standard 911 was; so I just booked it in as a standard 911.
Zod said:
It was dreadful last time we used it ten years ago. No air con, so you sleep with the windows open and it feels as if you could slide out the window from the top bunk on bends. There was no buffet. You get very bored. They kerbed one of my wheels too.
Drive.
That is not Auto Train. Auto Train is car only, no people carriages.Drive.
kryten22uk said:
Zod said:
It was dreadful last time we used it ten years ago. No air con, so you sleep with the windows open and it feels as if you could slide out the window from the top bunk on bends. There was no buffet. You get very bored. They kerbed one of my wheels too.
Drive.
That is not Auto Train. Auto Train is car only, no people carriages.Drive.
Speed.deman said:
Thank you. We are looking to save mileage on the cars, so it works for us. Will spend a day chilling in Nice waiting for the cars before heading out.
In terms of the handling of the cars at either ends, is the parking and driving all safe and professional? Any insurance points to be aware of?
You dont see much of their driving. If you're at Nice collection early enough, you can see them offloading. They probably drive down the train carriages faster than we'd do it, but then they're used to it, and know what you can and cant do.In terms of the handling of the cars at either ends, is the parking and driving all safe and professional? Any insurance points to be aware of?
For insurance, I'm not sure there would be any issues, as Autotrain would cover anything relating to their employees driving, and when you're driving its just standard roads in Europe.
One thing that would be a problem, is if your vehicle wasnt strictly permitted, and you fudged the model (like I did above). You can check validity in the following link.
http://autotrain.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/autotrai...
Speed.deman said:
Thank you. We are looking to save mileage on the cars, so it works for us. Will spend a day chilling in Nice waiting for the cars before heading out.
In terms of the handling of the cars at either ends, is the parking and driving all safe and professional? Any insurance points to be aware of?
You sound very concerned about your car being damaged during transit, I would suggest that you are in far more danger of getting a ding when driving or parking in Nice. I don't think I have ever seen so many cars with dents as I see in Nice. At the very least make sure you have parking at your hotel. The drive from Nice is of course fantastic, do drive the Corniche to Monaco.In terms of the handling of the cars at either ends, is the parking and driving all safe and professional? Any insurance points to be aware of?
Borghetto said:
You sound very concerned about your car being damaged during transit, I would suggest that you are in far more danger of getting a ding when driving or parking in Nice. I don't think I have ever seen so many cars with dents as I see in Nice. At the very least make sure you have parking at your hotel. The drive from Nice is of course fantastic, do drive the Corniche to Monaco.
Thank you. 
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