You're standing on the platform at Moynihan Train Hall. It’s gorgeous, honestly—all that glass and steel making you feel like you’re in a movie. But in about twenty minutes, you’re going to board a silver tube, and you won't step off it for nearly an entire day. Taking the train from New York to Orlando FL is a commitment. It’s a slow-motion dive down the Atlantic Coast that bypasses the TSA lines at JFK and the soul-crushing traffic of I-95.
Is it faster than flying? Absolutely not. Is it cheaper? Sometimes, but not always. It’s about the vibe. Or maybe it’s about the fact that you can bring two massive suitcases and two carry-ons for free, which is basically a miracle in 2026.
People think there’s only one way to do this. They're wrong. Amtrak actually runs two distinct services on this route: the Silver Meteor and the Silver Star. If you pick the wrong one, you might find yourself sitting on a siding in North Carolina for two extra hours just because your train takes a "scenic" detour through Columbia, South Carolina.
The Tale of Two Silvers: Meteor vs. Star
The Silver Meteor is the one you probably want. It’s the direct shot. It hugs the coast more closely and generally shaves about two to three hours off the total travel time compared to its sibling.
Then there’s the Silver Star.
The Star is the workhorse. It veers inland. While the Meteor is aimed at getting people between the big hubs, the Star services the smaller towns. If you’re looking to get the train from New York to Orlando FL and you aren't in a rush, the Star is fine. But if you’re staring at the clock, that extra loop through the Carolinas feels like an eternity.
Honestly, the biggest difference isn't just the route—it's the food. For a long time, the Star didn't have a traditional dining car, just "flexible dining" (which is Amtrak-speak for "we microwaved this in the back"). Recently, Amtrak has been restoring traditional dining to these routes, but you’ve gotta check your specific departure. If you’re a sleeper car passenger, that steak dinner in the dining car as the sun sets over Virginia is the whole reason you booked the trip.
Surviving 22 Hours in Coach
Let’s be real. Not everyone can drop $600 to $1,200 on a Viewliner Roomette. Most people taking the train from New York to Orlando FL are doing it in coach.
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Amtrak coach is not like Delta basic economy. You actually have legroom. Like, "I can't even touch the seat in front of me" legroom. The seats recline way back, and there’s a leg rest that pops up. It’s basically a Barcalounger on rails.
But here’s the catch.
The lights never truly go out. They dim them, sure, but there’s always that one person three rows back who’s watching TikToks without headphones at 3:00 AM. Or the toddler who decided that Philadelphia was the perfect place to start a screaming marathon. Bring a sleep mask. Bring noise-canceling headphones. If you don't, you'll arrive at Orlando Health/Amtrak station looking like a character from a zombie flick.
Also, the temperature. The AC on Amtrak has two settings: "Arctic Tundra" and "Off." It is almost always the former. Even in the middle of a Florida July, you will want a hoodie and maybe a light blanket.
The Sleeper Experience: Is the Roomette Worth It?
If you have the cash, the Viewliner Roomettes are a game-changer. These are the single-level sleeper cars used on East Coast routes. They’re compact. Some might say cramped. But they have two big windows, so you can watch the world go by from your bed.
One weird quirk of the older Viewliner I cars is the in-room toilet. It’s right there. Next to your seat. It’s... intimate. If you’re traveling with a partner, you’re going to get to know each other very well. The newer Viewliner II cars have moved the bathrooms to the end of the hall, which most people find way less awkward.
When you book a sleeper, your meals are included. This is where the math starts to make sense. If you factor in three meals—lunch, dinner, and breakfast—plus the cost of a hotel night you’re skipping, the Roomette starts to look like a decent deal. Plus, you get access to the Metropolitan Lounge at Moynihan, which has free snacks and clean bathrooms. That alone is worth a few bucks in New York.
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Scenery and the "Nothingness" of the South
Don't expect the Swiss Alps.
The first leg from NYC to D.C. is fast. You’re on the Northeast Corridor, hitting high speeds and seeing the industrial backside of New Jersey and Maryland. Once you pass Washington, the engine swaps from electric to diesel. Everything slows down.
The stretch through Virginia is beautiful, especially around the James River. But once you hit the Carolinas and Georgia in the middle of the night, it’s mostly darkness and pine trees. You’ll wake up somewhere near Savannah or Jacksonville. The transition from the gray winter of the North to the palm trees and Spanish moss of the South is a genuine "we aren't in Kansas anymore" moment.
Real Talk on Delays
Amtrak doesn't own the tracks south of Washington D.C. CSX does.
This is the single most important thing to understand about the train from New York to Orlando FL. Since freight companies own the rails, their mile-long coal and intermodal trains get priority. If a freight train breaks down or there’s a signal issue in rural South Carolina, your Amtrak train sits.
I’ve seen this trip arrive 15 minutes early. I’ve also seen it arrive 6 hours late.
- Pro Tip: Download the Amtrak app and use the "Train Status" map. It gives you a real-time GPS look at where your train is.
- The Friday Rule: Avoid traveling on Friday afternoons if you can. The tracks are crowded, the trains are packed, and the "casual" travelers are out in force. Tuesdays or Wednesdays are usually much more chill.
Logistics: Getting to the Station
In New York, you’re leaving from Moynihan Train Hall, not the old, dingy Penn Station. It’s across 8th Avenue. Give yourself at least 45 minutes before departure just to walk around and find your gate.
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In Orlando, the station is located at 1400 Sligh Blvd. It’s a classic, historic building that looks exactly like what you’d imagine a Florida train station to look like. It’s not at the airport (MCO). It’s about 20-30 minutes away from the Disney/Universal area depending on the nightmare that is I-4 traffic.
If you're headed to the theme parks, you’ll need an Uber or Lyft from the station. There isn't a direct shuttle. SunRail (the local commuter train) stops nearby, but its schedule is geared toward commuters, so it's useless on weekends.
What to Pack (The Essentials)
Since you aren't restricted by liquid rules, bring your own drinks. Bring a gallon of water. The tap water on the train is technically potable, but it tastes like pennies and chemicals.
- A Power Strip: Each seat has outlets, but sometimes they’re loose. A small power strip ensures your phone and laptop stay charged.
- Real Food: The cafe car sells $8 hot dogs and $4 bags of chips. It’s fine in a pinch, but bringing a salad or a sub from a deli in NYC will make your life much better.
- Wipes: By hour 18, the bathrooms can get... adventurous. Having your own wet wipes and hand sanitizer is a non-negotiable move.
Why Do This Instead of Flying?
Flying from NYC to MCO takes about three hours. Door to door, maybe six. The train is 22.
You do it because you hate flying. You do it because you have 100 pounds of luggage. You do it because you want to see the transition of the American landscape at 79 miles per hour. There is something deeply meditative about watching the sun rise over a Florida swamp while you’re sipping a coffee in the lounge car.
It’s a different kind of travel. It’s not about the destination; it’s about the fact that for one day, you aren't reachable. You’re just a person on a train, rolling south through the pines.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Before you hit "buy" on that Amtrak ticket, do these three things:
- Compare the Meteor and the Star. Check the arrival times specifically for your date. If the Meteor is available, take it. It's the "Express" version of this route.
- Check the "BidUp" Program. If you book a coach seat, Amtrak will often email you a few days before the trip asking if you want to bid for an upgrade to a Roomette. You can sometimes snag a sleeper for $150–$200 on top of your coach fare, which is way cheaper than booking it outright.
- Pick Your Side. On the southbound trip (NYC to Orlando), sit on the right side of the train (the "West" side). You’ll get better sunset views through Virginia and avoid the morning glare as you hit the Florida panhandle.
Taking the train from New York to Orlando FL is an endurance sport, but it’s one that rewards the patient traveler. Just remember to bring a blanket and a sense of humor for when the freight trains decide to take their time.