Traveling by train can be a lot of fun, and it's quite low-stress. The main "down sides" to visiting Disney theme parks by Amtrak are the increased travel time and the expense -- though sometimes train fares can beat the best airfares!

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Trains To and From Walt Disney World

You can travel by train from many major Northeastern US cities to Orlando in 18-24 hours. (Be aware that delays are extremely common, so don't count on the times provided by Amtrak!) You can also travel across the Southern US, from California to Orlando, but that's a LONG way.

Amtrak coach fares can be very reasonable, if you're able to sleep sitting up in a fairly comfortable seat that reclines. A good test: can you sleep through the night in a recliner chair? If so, you'll probably be fine sleeping in a coach seat for one night. Bring a pillow (or a pillowcase that you can stuff clothing into) and a blanket with you. Take a cooler full of food, too -- the food offered on the train is only so-so and it can eat up your budget.

If you will need a sleeping compartment, the price skyrockets. For instance, I priced out a trip from San Diego to Orlando. The trip takes 3 nights/4 days each way. The fare was only $259 roundtrip, using a special 30% discount rate offered by Amtrak. However, that would mean sleeping in my seat for three nights. If I upgraded to a standard sleeping compartment, the cost shot up to well over $1200. However, sleeping compartments do include 3 meals a day. Also, if you see the journey as part of the vacation, it's not a horrible deal.

Many people in the Northeastern US like to use the Auto Train from Lorton, VA (near Washington, DC) to Sanford, FL (fairly close to Walt Disney World). This allows you to bring along your own vehicle, which can save you a lot on a rental car. Normally this service is quite pricey, but bear in mind that it includes your transportation, transportation for a car, a buffet meal for dinner and continental breakfast in the morning.

Amtrak travelers to Walt Disney World can choose between three stations: Orlando, Kissimmee and Sanford.

• The Orlando station is about 20 miles (a 30 minute drive) from Walt Disney World. This is a fully staffed station with an enclosed waiting area. There is a taxi stand at the station. Hertz has rental car service at this station. You will need to reserve your car in advance for this location. Call Hertz on arrival and a shuttle will pick you up from the station. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the Hertz office and get reimbursed up to $22 for the taxi fare.

• The Kissimmee station is about 15 miles (a 25 minute drive) from Walt Disney World. Note that many offsite hotels are in Kissimmee, so if you are staying in that city, this station may be the closest to your hotel. This is a staffed station with an enclosed waiting area. You will have to call for a taxi, if needed. No rental car service.

• The Sanford station is about 43 miles (a 50 minute drive) from Walt Disney World. This is an unstaffed station with an enclosed waiting area. You will have to call for a taxi, if needed. Hertz has rental car service at this station. You will need to reserve your car in advance for this location. Call Hertz on arrival and a shuttle will pick you up from the station.

Trains To and From Disneyland

Disneyland Area Train Services

Amtrak serves the Anaheim station, which is only about 2.5 miles from Disneyland. The Anaheim station is fully staffed and has an enclosed waiting area. You can call for taxi service to Disneyland, and it won't cost much. Alternatively, Hertz has rental car service at Anaheim station. You will need to reserve your car in advance for this location. Call Hertz on arrival and a shuttle will pick you up from the station.

Metrolink commuter rail runs trains from Oceanside up through Orange County to the Anaheim station and from the Inland Empire (San Bernardino/Riverside) to the Orange station. Both stations are relatively close to Disneyland. The Metrolink fare should cost you under $10 per person roundtrip on weekends, under $20 per person roundtrip on weekdays.

• On weekends you can connect from Metrolink trains at the Anaheim and Orange stations to Disneyland on Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART). Buy an ART day pass from a kiosk at the station, which will cost $5 per person (kids 9 and under FREE).

• On weekdays ART isn't an option, but you can call for taxi service from Anaheim station to Disneyland, and it won't cost much. Alternatively, Hertz has rental car service at Anaheim station. You will need to reserve your car in advance for this location. Call Hertz on arrival and a shuttle will pick you up from the station.

Disneyland To/From San Diego (SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND)

It's a short (just over 2 hours), pleasant Amtrak train ride between San Diego and Anaheim, so you can certainly combine the delights of SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo with your trip to Disneyland. It's also relatively inexpensive -- you can travel between San Diego and Anaheim for about $20 (or less with various promotions) each way. From the main station in San Diego, it's an inexpensive taxi fare to downtown and the major attractions.

LEGOLAND is about 5 miles from the Oceanside station, located partway between Anaheim and San Diego. Getting to the park would involve a fairly inexpensive taxi fare from the station. The Oceanside station is served by both Amtrak and Metrolink.

Disneyland To/From Los Angeles by Train

If you want to make a day trip to Los Angeles from Disneyland, that's easy. You can take a Metrolink commuter train or an Amtrak train from Anaheim station. The trip to Los Angeles Union Station takes less than an hour and from there you can take Metrorail (subway) to areas like Hollywood, Universal Studios, etc. For specifics on how to get to Hollywood by train or other public transportation, click here.

If you will be staying in Los Angeles and want to get to Disneyland for a day trip, Amtrak has morning trains to Anaheim. Unfortunately the southbound Metrolink trains from Los Angeles do not serve Anaheim in the morning, so they won't work for visiting Disneyland from Los Angeles as a day trip.

Disneyland To/From San Francisco

Be aware that there is no Amtrak service in San Francisco. The nearest city to San Francisco that is served by Amtrak is Oakland. From Oakland you take the Coast Starlight and change in Los Angeles to another train to Anaheim. The journey takes nearly 11 hours and delays are common. A rental car or flying is really a better bet for the long trip between the Bay Area and Anaheim, unless you just love long train journeys. Thanks to David C for corrections.

How to Save on Amtrak Fares

• Scour Amtrak.com for specials. (Click on the Hot Deals tab.) There are almost always special promotions that can save you a lot of money on certain routes.

• Save 20% on Pacific Surfliner (runs between San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego, stopping at Anaheim station) only with code H752. Reserve now on Amtrak.com or by calling (800) 872-7245. Book by 12/8/08 for travel by 12/11/08. Thanks to Rosemary for info.

• Save 20% on Silver Service and Auto Train to/from Orlando area stations only with code V673 and an Orlando Preferred Visitor Magicard. Click here to download a FREE Orlando Magicard instantly online. Code may only be used by phone at (800) 872-7245; no Internet discount. Valid on adult rail fare only. Valid through 12/31/08. Thanks to Carolyn for info.

• Save 20% on Silver Service and Auto Train to/from Orlando area stations only with code V145 and an Orlando Preferred Visitor Magicard. Click here to download a FREE Orlando Magicard instantly online. Code may only be used by phone at (800) 872-7245; no Internet discount. Valid on adult rail fare only. Valid 1/1/09-5/31/09.

• Amtrak generally takes 50% off adult fares for kids ages 2 to 15.

• Students, seniors and veterans also get discounts all the time.

• Click here for an excellent article on Frommers.com about Amtrak discount codes.

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