Amtrak has combined the routes of its Capitol Limited and Silver Star trains to create the Floridian, a temporary route offering direct round-trip rides between Chicago, Illinois, and Miami, Florida. Intermediate stops will include Cleveland, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; and Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa, Florida; among several others. The new line will make its debut trip on Nov. 10 this year, with the full route taking about 47 hours.
“The Floridian offers customers an exceptional and sustainable journey to great destinations between Chicago and Miami, providing the amenities and delicious food our guests enjoy when traveling with us,” says Eliot Hamlisch, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Amtrak, in a prepared statement.
The combination is being made due to the upcoming East River Tunnel (ERT) Rehabilitation Project in New York City, which will have one train tunnel closed at a time, minimizing train service in the area and maximizing construction access. “Our members have had a long-standing dream of restoring a one-seat ride from the Midwest to Florida, and we’re thrilled that a new generation of American passengers will be able to experience this service for themselves,” says Jim Matthews, president and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “This move will free up badly needed equipment while taking pressure off Northeast Corridor infrastructure during the renovation of the ERT Rehabilitation Project. Rail Passengers applauds Amtrak for this innovative solution to keeping passengers moving during the critical state of good repair work. We believe riders will flock to this new service.”
Coach fares will include wide, reclining seats, no middle seat, and access to dining car meals for an additional fee. First Class private room options include the roomette, which features two reclining seats that can transform into upper and lower beds, alongside shower access; and the bedroom option, which features twice the amount of space as a roomette and provides an in-room restroom and shower. All customers with private rooms also receive complimentary lounge access at major stations and priority boarding. Accessible bedrooms are available and located on the entry level of the train, with space for those using wheelchairs.
On the Floridian, travelers will find traditional dining service in its dining car, complimentary to First Class customers and available with a fee to everyone else. Explore chef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with vegetarian and vegan options available. Traveling by train is a relaxing and sustainable alternative to driving or flying, and the ability to get an entire group on one train at the same time can ease a planner’s to-do list. Amtrak offers special rates for those traveling in groups of 15 or more.
