Floridian Route Guide

The Floridian is a temporary long-distance Amtrak route created by combining the Silver Star and Capitol Limited routes. It’s notable for providing a rail connection between the Midwest and Florida, with stations across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Learn about the Floridian’s popular stops, ticket options and more below.

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Floridian Route Overview

What to Know	Facts & Highlights
Distance	Over 2,000 miles
Travel time	46.5 hours
Frequency	One train daily in each direction
Best time to ride	All year (winter for a warm escape, fall and spring for scenery and fewer crowds, summer to get out of Florida heat)

Popular Stops

Explore the most popular stops on the Floridian route and click the links to view travel guides.

Schedule Highlights

Floridian trains depart Chicago in the evening.
Floridian trains depart Miami late morning.
Trains are in Ohio and South Carolina overnight (and Georgia on southbound trains).
It’s a morning arrival in Florida on southbound trains, with Jacksonville the first Florida stop.

Tickets and Onboard Options

When booking tickets, you can select coach seats or private rooms on the Floridian. Coach seats are the most affordable option, but you’ll need to sleep sitting up if you’re traveling overnight. On the plus side, you’ll have a comfortable reclining seat and power outlets for your devices.

In comparison, private rooms are more expensive, but include a bed along with free water, coffee and meals. Based on availability, you can choose from the following private room options:

Roomettes
Accessible bedrooms
Standard bedrooms

Other Things to Know

WiFi is available.
You can buy food in the cafe car and sleeper car passengers get free meals.
You’ll spend two nights on the train if you’re traveling between Florida and the Midwest.

Floridian Train FAQ

How much does the Floridian train cost?

Fares vary based on distance, demand, and how early you book. One-way coach seats between Chicago and Miami are $100 and up one way, with prices often surging around the winter holidays to more than double that amount. Roomettes are typically cost $1,000 one-way for the entire route and bedrooms more than that. Visit Amtrak.com and enter your start and end destinations to get a specific prices.

Does the Floridian stop in Washington, D.C.?

Yes. Washington Union Station is one of the major transfer and boarding points along the route.

Is Wi-Fi available on the Floridian?

Wi-Fi is available on the Floridian, but music and video streaming is not supported.

Why is the Amtrak Floridian temporary?

The Floridian was created to ease congestion in the East River tunnels near Manhattan while long-term repairs are underway (2027 expected completion). Previously, the Silver Star departed from New York City, and now it essentially departs from Chicago as the renamed Floridian. The other NYC-Florida train (Silver Meteor) still departs from New York Penn Station.

How do I book tickets for the Floridian?

You can book through Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, by phone, or at staffed stations. Booking early typically secures lower fares and better sleeper availability. You’ll need to travel to one of the stations in the list below to see Floridan ticket options.