Are you looking for an easy girls’ trip that won’t break the bank? If you live near Savannah, Georgia, why not hop aboard the Amtrak Silver Meteor and travel to quaint and charming Winter Park, Florida for a weekend? My cousin and I did it this week as we traveled to Winter Park in our Amtrak Roomette which is suitable for solo travelers or a couple of adventurers.
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you don’t want to complicate your calendar with exhausting travel. That’s why Amtrak is the ticket! In just five hours, you can travel in the comfort of your private compartment and arrive in Winter Park refreshed and ready to explore this quaint, walkable city for the day.
Here’s how to do it.
Book your ticket on Amtrak.com on the Silver Meteor. It leaves from the Savannah station at 6:39 a.m. every morning. When you arrive at the station, you can check your luggage with the Amtrak attendant. My favorite overnight luggage is the TravelPro Maxlite 5. It’s lightweight. Only five pounds! Available in 22 colors for men and women, it is durable, small, and meets FAA requirements, not exceeding 21″ x 14”. Plus, it rolls easily with spinner wheels and is expandable. This piece of luggage has made my journeys through airports, trains, hotels so easy that I cannot recommend it enough!
Whether traveling short distances or overnight in a Roomette, I suggest taking along a few items that will make the trip more enjoyable. I surveyed my Amtrak Train Facebook group and here are the suggestions that bubbled to the top:
- A small power strip since the Roomette only has two outlets. You may want to charge your iPhone or laptop.
- A lightweight, leak-proof cooler tote for snacks and drinks. The dining car has delicious food, but if you are going on overnight trips, you can pack a bottle of wine and snacks.
- If you sleep aboard and are traveling a longer distance, many Amtrak enthusiasts suggest a portable, small fan if your room gets stuffy.
When arriving at the Winter Park Amtrak Station, you can roll your luggage two blocks to the Park Plaza Hotel which fits the bill if you like hotels with old-world charm. If you want a more sophisticated, boutique hotel, check out The Alfond Inn which is only a few blocks away as well.
Upon returning to Savannah, the Silver Meteor has a daily 1:53 p.m. departure from Winter Park. In less than 48 hours, I came back rejuvenated and relaxed, having completed all my holiday shopping. Now that’s what I call Christmas magic!
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Sounds like an awesome and fun “Girls Getaway” way to travel and see different places without the drive. Thank you for this informative article.
You know, I never think about the train when it comes to traveling throughout the US. Now that I live in Europe it is almost like a knee-jerk reaction. It is so nice to be on the train and just soak in the sights. I loved the tips you offered and the positive outcome. Often when going on vacation we need a vacation to recoup from the vacation!