Amtrak is setting the stage for a unique travel experience with its new, albeit temporary, train service that will directly connect Chicago and Miami. Starting November 10, the journey aptly named "The Floridian," will offer daily trips merging Amtrak's Capitol Limited and Silver Star lines, expanding the horizon for passengers seeking an adventure or simply visiting family across several states. "The Floridian offers customers an exceptional and sustainable journey to great destinations between Chicago and Miami," said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch, according to a press release acquired by NBC Chicago. Tickets are currently on sale, inviting travelers to plan ahead for the holiday season.
Easing through a repertoire of cities, the service will grace stops like Cleveland, the capital cities of each Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and the major Florida cities of Tampa and Orlando before its terminus in Miami. Along the way, the vistas transform from the urban sprawl of the Windy City to the sun-soaked palm-lined skylines of the Sunshine State. The decision to introduce this service stems from the need to redirect passengers due to the comprehensive rehabilitation of the East River tunnel, which sustained significant damage during Superstorm Sandy, as explained by CBS News. Amtrak has yet to specify the duration for which The Floridian service will operate.
Travelers looking to embark on this nearly 48-hour journey can do so starting at just over $100 for coach seats, with an upgrade available for those desiring the privacy and convenience of rooms starting at $700. The comforts of the coach encompass wide, reclining seats with ample legroom, minus the dreaded middle seat, ensuring a more relaxed travel experience. For a touch of luxury, passengers can choose "First Class private rooms" that transform from seats to beds, offer shower access, and come with bi-level windows—a peek into the diverse American landscape from the comfort of one's traveling sanctuary, as described by NBC Chicago.
Food is certainly not an afterthought aboard The Floridian, with private room tickets including a selection of dining car meals, ranging from classic breakfast food like French toast and omelets to dinner staples such as steak and salmon. Furthermore, Amtrak ensures that dietary preferences are catered to with options like vegan chili. And for those not in the private rooms, café service is poised to offer a variety of snacks and beverages for purchase, per Stated by NBC Chicago. All passengers, irrespective of their ticket class, have access to the café offerings, promising that no one onboard goes hungry as the country's vistas roll by.
