The Silver Meteor is one of three long-distance Amtrak routes that provide service in Florida. Trains travel between New York City and Miami, with stops at major East Coast cities and popular vacation destinations in Florida. While it isn’t known for dramatic scenery, the gradual changes in landscapes along the East Coast make for an interesting journey in both directions. It’s best thought of as a vacation train or vintage rail experience.
In this guide, learn about route amenities, popular stops, ticket options, and get answers to frequently asked questions.
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Table of Contents
Silver Meteor Overview
| Route Information | Facts & Highlights |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~1,300 miles |
| Frequency | 1 daily train in each direction |
| Travel time | ~28 hours (2 days, 1 night) |
| End stations | New York City, Miami |
| Amenities | WiFi, sleeper cars, cafe car, dining car |
| Scenery | City skylines, bodies of water in Virginia and Maryland, Florida countryside |
Popular Stops
Explore the popular stops on the Silver Meteor route below. We also recommend Winter Park (walkable and historic) and Delray Beach in Florida. Alexandria, Virginia is also a great place to stay if you plan to visit Washington D.C. and prefer a less urban atmosphere (plus you can visit the same tavern as George Washington here!).
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- Baltimore
- Washington DC
- Charleston, SC
- Savannah
- Jacksonville
- Orlando
- West Palm Beach
- Fort Lauderdale
- Miami
Attractions to Visit
Although most people ride the Silver Meteor to get to and from vacation destinations, you can also ride it to visit these top attractions on the East Coast:
- Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty (NYC)
- Independence National Historical Park (Philadelphia)
- Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry (Baltimore)
- Smithsonian Museums (DC)
- Fort Sumter (Charleston)
- Historic District (Savannah)
- Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens (Jacksonville)
- Disney World, Universal Studios (Orlando, Kissimmee)
- Worth Avenue, Flagler Museum (West Palm Beach)
- Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale Beach (Fort Lauderdale)
- Art Deco Historic District, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (Miami)
Schedule Highlights
- Travel time between New York City and Miami (the entire route) is about 28 hours.
- Trains to Florida depart New York City in the afternoon and from DC in early evening.
- Trains travel in Florida over nine hours, and all stops are during the day.
- Southbound trains travel through North and South Carolina overnight.
- You’ll spend a night on the train if you’re traveling between Florida and the Northeast. Private rooms are available if you want to sleep in a bed.
- If you’re traveling south, Jacksonville is the first Florida stop and you’ll arrive in the morning.
Tickets and Onboard Options
When booking tickets, you can select coach seats or private rooms on the Silver Meteor. 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 make a long-distance trip more comfortable. Based on availability, you can choose from the following options:
- Roomettes
- Accessible bedrooms
- Standard bedrooms
If you choose a private room, water, coffee and meals are included in the ticket price. Explore Amtrak’s room types to see which one is best for you.
Travel Tips
- Trains on the Palmetto route stop at some of the same stations and may offer better arrival/departure times. But the Palmetto does not have sleeper cars (just coach seats) and trains only travel as far south as Savannah.
- The Floridian train also stops at many of the same stations as the Silver Meteor. But since this train travels to Tampa before going to Miami, travel times are generally longer compared to the Silver Meteor.
- The high-speed Brightline trains travel between the Orlando Airport and Miami with multiple stops in South Florida. This is the fastest way to travel within Florida if you are starting or ending your trip in one of these destinations.
- If you’re heading to Disney World, you can exit the train at either the Orlando or Kissimmee Station. Both are about 35-minute car ride away. Get off at the first station you encounter to speed up your journey. Or if you want to avoid interstate driving and Orlando traffic, Kissimmee Station is the better option, especially if you are staying near Animal Kingdom.
- The Miami Amtrak station is not in downtown Miami and you’ll need to use rideshare, taxi, or friend/family transportation to reach your final destination.
- The Hollywood Amtrak station is an alternate to Miami. It’s about the same distance away from downtown Miami and Miami Beach as the Miami station by car (plus you’ll get off the train faster). You can also transfer to a Tri-Rail train there to reach downtown Miami.
- Ticket prices can be elevated during the last week of the year. Travel at a different time for cheaper fares.
FAQ
Where does the Amtrak Silver Meteor go?
Amtrak’s Silver Meteor route travels along the East Coast between Miami and New York City. There are many stops in Florida as well as stops in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic cities, including Savannah, Charleston, Richmond, Washington D.C., and New York City.
What is the difference between the Silver Meteor and the Floridian?
The Silver Meteor travels along the East Coast while the Floridian connects the Midwest with Florida. Trains stop at many of the same stations between Washington D.C. and Miami, with the Floridian the only train that stops in Tampa.
Is food included on the Silver Meteor?
Food, coffee, and water are included if you purchase a private room (roomette or bedroom). Food is not included if you book a coach seat.
Is the Silver Meteor a scenic route?
The Silver Meteor is not a very scenic route, but there are some peaceful water views in Maryland and Virginia and unique views of subtropical landscapes in Florida.
Does the Silver Meteor have an observation car?
No, Silver Meteor trains do not have an observation car. View the list of routes that have this feature.
Does the Silver Meteor have business class?
No. The Silver Meteor does not have business class, only coach seats and private rooms.
How do I book a trip on the Silver Meteor?
Visit Amtrak.com, download the Amtrak app, or call Amtrak customer service. Choose one of the arrival stations below to see your trip options.
Stations
Explore the full list of Silver Meteor train stations in route order. Click the station names to view amenities and additional details on the Amtrak website.
- New York, NY – Penn Station (NYP)
- Newark, NJ – Penn Station (NWK)
- Trenton, NJ (TRE)
- Philadelphia, PA – 30th Street Station (PHL)
- Wilmington, DE (WIL)
- Baltimore, MD – Penn Station (BAL)
- Washington, DC – Union Station (WAS)
- Alexandria, VA (ALX)
- Fredericksburg, VA (FBG)
- Richmond, VA – Staples Mill Road Station (RVR)
- Petersburg, VA (PTB)
- Rocky Mount, NC (RMT)
- Fayetteville, NC (FAY)
- Florence, SC (FLO)
- Kingstree, SC (KTR)
- Charleston, SC (CHS)
- Yemassee, SC (YEM)
- Savannah, GA (SAV)
- Jesup, GA (JSP)
- Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
- Palatka, FL (PAK)
- DeLand, FL (DLD)
- Winter Park, FL (WPK)
- Orlando, FL (ORL)
- Kissimmee, FL (KIS)
- Winter Haven, FL (WTH)
- Sebring, FL (SBG)
- West Palm Beach, FL (WPB)
- Delray Beach, FL (DLB)
- Deerfield Beach, FL (DFB)
- Fort Lauderdale, FL (FTL)
- Hollywood, FL (HOL)
- Miami, FL (MIA)
More Information
- Amtrak to Florida
- Boston to Florida on Amtrak
- Virginia to Florida on Amtrak
- New York City to Florida on Amtrak
- 10 best Amtrak winter beach vacations
- Best Amtrak routes to ride in winter
Top photo by Seaboarder3023, Silver Meteor in Palatka, Florida (CC BY-SA 4.0)
