Orlando is a great place to start a train trip. Trains on two long-distance Amtrak routes (Silver Meteor and Floridian) stop at the downtown station each day and can take you to many cities in Florida and destinations as far away as New York City and Chicago.
Read on to learn about the 15 best Amtrak trips from Orlando with good departure and arrival times to get ideas for your next adventure.
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Tampa
Avoid I-4 and book tickets on Amtrak to reach Tampa in about two hours (a short day trip is possible if no major train delays). Trains arrive in the Channel District near downtown and Ybor City. Lyft, Uber and streetcar are easy transportation options. Top things to do include Busch Gardens, the Tampa Riverwalk and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. There’s also a ferry to St. Petersburg where you can visit the Dali Museum and check out the great restaurants.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 2 hours
- Arrival: Walkable area in the Channel District
- Good For: Day trips, weekend getaways, events
Sebring
Home of the Sebring International Raceway, Sebring is fun getaway for car racing fans. There are also many lakes for water activities and the historic downtown is a short walk away from the Amtrak station. A rental car is helpful, but you can also use rideshare or walk to downtown restaurants, shops, and sights. Vacation rentals near the station and downtown are the most convenient option for car-free travelers.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 2 hours
- Arrival: 10-minute walk to downtown
- Good For: Car races, water activities, historic downtown charm
Jacksonville
Just over three hours from Orlando on Amtrak, Jacksonville has 22 miles of beaches and multiple riverwalks to explore. Other top attractions include the zoo and Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. Or if shopping is more your thing, stop by St. John’s Town Center and the Riverside Arts Market. Plan to use Uber or Lyft after you arrive (the station is not downtown) and make arrangements to stay in the city at least one night.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
- Arrival: 11-minute drive to downtown
- Good For: Beaches, museums, family-friendly activities
Delray Beach
Known as the “Village by the Sea,” Delray Beach has a walkable downtown near the Atlantic Ocean. There are many restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries and even a retro arcade. The Festival of the Arts takes places in January and there are other downtown events to check out. Enterprise offers pickup service from the station (call in advance to confirm) if you’d rather not use rideshare services. Travel time is just over fours on the Silver Meteor.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
- Arrival: 8-minute drive to downtown
- Good For: Beach trips, shopping, casual dining, cultural attractions
Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach is a vintage Florida vacation spot that was established in the 1920s. Hotels and motels built in different decades lookout over the ocean, and a 2.5-mile boardwalk makes it easy to walk, bike and skate to local markets, restaurants and bars. Travel time is five hours on the Silver Meteor. Plan to use Uber, Lyft or taxi. If you’re staying on the beach, you don’t need to rent a car due to the walkability and sun shuttle.
Hollywood Beach
Trip Details
- Travel time: 5 hours
- Arrival: 15-minute drive to the beach
- Good For: Beaches, boardwalk fun
Savannah
Savannah, Georgia is a charming getaway from Orlando. Choose from a variety of lodging in the historic district to easily walk to restaurants, parks, and River Street. Ghost tours and river cruises are two popular ways to experience the city.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 6 hours
- Arrival: 10-minute drive to the historic district
- Good For: Spooky charm, fall trips, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations
Charleston
Almost eight hours away from Orlando via train, Charleston, South Carolina has charming architecture, delicious Southern food and historical attractions. Plan to get a ride with Uber, Lyft, or taxi after you arrive (including to reach rental cars at the airport). View the top things to do and best places to stay in Charleston to start planning your trip.
Trip Details
- Travel time: ~8 hours
- Arrival: 17-minute drive to downtown
- Good For: History buffs, culinary experiences, waterfront exploration
Raleigh
North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh has a variety of things to see and do. Unique attractions include the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the United States and the Raleigh Beer Garden, which has over 350 beers on tap. You can also check out festivals, live music venues and top-rated museums, including the North Carolina History Museum, North Carolina Museum of Art and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 14 hours, 15 minutes
- Arrival: Walkable area in downtown
- Good For: Museums, events, family-friendly activities
Richmond
Richmond is a great getaway for history buffs and nature lovers. Top activities include whitewater rafting and visiting gardens and museums, including the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and the White House of the Confederacy. Trains stop at the Staples Mill Station, which is about 15 minutes away (via car) from downtown Richmond. Use Lyft or Uber to get around or rent a car from Enterprise (pickup service is available).
Trip Details
- Travel time: 18 hours (Floridian)
- Arrival: 15-minute drive from downtown
- Good For: Historic sites, gardens, river activities
Alexandria
George Washington considered Alexandria, Virginia his home town, and you can experience his colonial life in the well-preserved Old Town historic district. The National Harbor, The Wharf and Georgetown are also accessible via water taxi or board a train at the King Street-Old Town Metro Station to reach all the sights in Washington D.C.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 17-20 hours
- Arrival: Walkable area near hotels
- Good For: Colonial architecture, waterfront strolls, art lovers
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is full of museums, monuments, year-round events and restaurants. Consider a sightseeing tour to easily explore the many attractions, and plan your trip in March to view the cherry blossoms. Trains arrive at Union Station where you can transfer to the WMATA red line or get a ride with Uber, Lyft or a taxi.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 18 hours
- Arrival: Walkable area near National Mall with connections to Metro subway
- Good For: Museums, monuments, historic sites
Baltimore
Baltimore is 19 hours away from Orlando on the Silver Meteor. Once you arrive, you can connect with Lyft or Uber for a ride to the Inner Harbor or attraction of your choice, including the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry and Fell’s Point neighborhood. Consider a boat tour for a unique way to see the city, and rail fans should consider visiting the B&O Railroad Museum.
Wilmington
A small city getaway with parks, museums and nightlife in Trolley Square, Wilmington, Delaware is a relaxing and beautiful place to visit . With a rental car, you can reach area attractions such as Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania Amish Country, and the Jersey Shore.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 20 hours, 15 minutes
- Arrival: Walkable downtown area
- Good For: Riverwalk strolls, parks, historic estates
Philadelphia
Travel to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Founding Fathers established the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Other top things to do include exploring the waterfront, eating cheesesteaks, and visiting museums. Bikeshare rentals, the sightseeing trolley and a variety of tours are great ways to see the sights.
Trip Details
- Travel time: 20 hours
- Arrival: 20-minute walk to downtown
- Good For: American history, food experiences
New York City
New York City is the last stop on the Silver Meteor route. You’ll arrive at New York Penn Station with easy access to the subway, commuter trains, taxis, and rideshare service. There are many museums, attractions, restaurants, Broadway shows and shopping destinations to check out while you’re in town. Consider a trip over the holiday season to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and go ice skating.
Trip Details
- Travel time: ~22 hours
- Arrival: Midtown Manhattan (very walkable)
- Good For: Broadway shows, city sightseeing, museums, shopping
More Information
- Florida Amtrak Stations
- 5 best Amtrak sleeper car routes
- 10 best places to start an Amtrak trip
- 10 best Amtrak trips on the East Coast
Top photo by Tom Driggers (Savannah river cruise, Creative Commons)
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