Three Amtrak routes travel to Florida: Auto Train (which only stops in Sanford, Florida and in Lorton, Virginia), the Floridian (the only Florida route that stops in Tampa), and the Silver Meteor. These routes primarily travel on the East Coast, with the Floridian also stopping in Chicago and parts of the Midwest.
If you don’t live near an Amtrak station on one of these routes, you’ll have to ride more than one train to reach Florida. Chicago, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City are major transfer locations.
In this guide, learn about train travel times to Florida, route information, train stations, popular destinations, and tips to make your travel easier.
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How long is the train ride to Florida?
View the table below for average train travel times from various cities to Jacksonville and Miami (the first and last Florida stops). In most cases, riding Amtrak to Florida is an overnight trip. Private rooms are available if you want a bed and free meals, coffee, and water.
For routes and times from cities not listed here, use the “Find Trains” feature on the Amtrak homepage or plan your trip in the Amtrak app.
| Trip | Amtrak Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Chicago to Florida | 35-46.5 hours |
| Pittsburgh to Florida | 25-37 hours |
| New York City to Florida | 19-28.5 hours |
| Philadelphia to Florida | 17-26.5 hours |
| Washington D.C. to Florida | 14-23.5 hours |
| Richmond to Florida | 11.5 hours-21 hours |
| Charleston to Florida | 4.5-14 hours |
| Savannah to Florida | 2.5-12 hours |
Florida Routes: Things to Know
| Route | Things to Know |
|---|---|
| Auto Train | You must transport a vehicle with you to ride this train, which only stops in Lorton, VA and Stanford, FL. Extra fees apply. |
| Floridian | This Chicago to Miami train has stops in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast (view station list). This is the only route that travels to Tampa and Lakeland. |
| Silver Meteor | Trains travel between New York City and Miami with many stops near the East Coast. View the station list. |
Stations & Destinations
North Florida
- Jacksonville, FL (JAX): Beaches, Riverside Arts Market, Cummer Museum & Gardens, Jacksonville Zoo
- Palatka, FL (PAK): Ravine Gardens State Park, historic districts on St. Johns River
Central Florida
- DeLand, FL (DLD): Historic Main Street, Blue Spring State Park (view manatees here in the winter)
- Sanford, FL – Auto Train Station (SFA): Near Lake Monroe and Central Florida Zoo
- Winter Park, FL (WPK): Historic and walkable town with shopping, restaurants, and a scenic boat tour
- Orlando, FL (ORL): Near Universal Studios, Disney World, SeaWorld
- Kissimmee, FL (KIS): Near Disney World and Old Town (amusement park and entertainment district)
- Lakeland, FL – To/from Points South (LKL): Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at Florida Southern College
- Lakeland, FL – To/from Points North (LAK): Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at Florida Southern College
- Winter Haven, FL (WTH): LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Peppa Pig Theme Park, “Chain of Lakes”
Gulf Coast
- Tampa, FL – Union Station (TPA): Port of Tampa, Busch Gardens, Tampa Riverwalk, Ybor City, Clearwater beaches
South Central Florida
- Sebring, FL (SBG): International Raceway, HGTV-renovated downtown
- Okeechobee, FL (OKE): Lake Okeechobee, Florida National Scenic Trail
South Florida
- West Palm Beach, FL (WPB): Worth Avenue (luxury shopping), Norton Museum of Art, Henry Morrison Flagler Museum in Palm Beach (a short drive away)
- Delray Beach, FL (DLB): Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, walkable downtown
- Deerfield Beach, FL (DFB): International Fishing Pier, family-friendly beaches
- Fort Lauderdale, FL (FTL): Las Olas Boulevard, the “Venice of America” canal tours, beaches, nightlife
- Hollywood, FL (HOL): Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, Historic Hollywood Beach Boardwalk
- Miami, FL (MIA): Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Little Havana (Calle Ocho), Wynwood Walls, PortMiami
Travel Tips
- There is daily service on all routes, one train in each direction.
- Trains do not travel in the Panhandle, but you can get within one hour of Pensacola via the Mardi Gras route (learn more).
- If you are traveling to South Florida, the Silver Meteor will get you there faster than the Floridian. Even faster is the Brightline, with service between the Orlando Airport and South Florida.
- The West Palm Beach Amtrak station is closest to the ocean (about a 45-minute walk or 7-minute car ride).
- Transfer to Tri-Rail trains in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, or Hollywood to reach downtown Miami by train. The Miami Amtrak station is not near downtown and require rideshare, taxi, or friend/family pick up from the station.
More Information
Top photo by Bebatut, South Beach (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Last updated March 2026
US Train Travel Guide 