Amtrak announced a new, temporary route on Monday, leaving some social media users wondering who would be willing to make the entire trip.
“Today we are proud to announce the launch of the Floridian! This train connects two legendary routes – the Capitol Limited and the Silver Star – and features traditional food throughout the ride,” Amtrak officials wrote Monday in an X-post that has been viewed 12 million times.
A map of the route shows the train will begin its journey in Chicago, travel to Washington, DC, and then continue south to Miami, Florida. There will be one train each day in each direction, Amtrak said, and the train will consist of Amtrak’s “Viewliner” cars.
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The train will offer direct round-trip travel between “Chicago and Miami with stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa.”
According to Amtrak, the train in Florida will offer a “traditional dining option” for first-class passengers. (Amtrak)
“The Floridian offers customers an exceptional and sustainable journey to great destinations between Chicago and Miami, while providing the amenities and delicious food our guests enjoy when they travel with us,” said Eliot Hamlisch, Amtrak executive vice president and chief commercial officer, in an Amtrak press release.
Until now, passengers on the Capitol Limited train from Washington to Chicago did not have a traditional dining car. Instead, first-class passengers had a less restricted “flexible dining option” in private compartments, according to Amtrak’s website.
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The Floridian was created as part of the East River Tunnel (ERT) rehabilitation project, which Amtrak says will “restore the two tubes damaged by Superstorm Sandy.”
“The work will modernize the tunnel infrastructure, improve safety and reliability, and bring the systems into good operating condition,” Amtrak said.
Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the Washington, DC-based Rail Passengers Association, said the Floridian was an “innovative solution to keep passengers moving during repairs.”
The Floridian will run daily from Chicago to Miami, offering direct round-trip service between “Chicago and Miami with stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa,” Amtrak announced. (Amtrak)
Amtrak had already operated a route from Chicago to Florida from 1971 to 1979, according to the website Trains.com. This train was also called the “Floridian.”
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Reopening a rail line connecting the Midwest with Florida has been a long-held dream of railroad enthusiasts, Mathews said in Amtrak’s press release.
“We are very excited for a new generation of American passengers to experience this service for themselves,” said Mathews.
Amtrak already operated a connection between Chicago and Florida in the 1970s. (Amtrak)
On X, users pointed out that the Floridian’s trip from Chicago to Miami took an estimated 46 hours and 29 minutes — nearly two days — and some said the cost was significantly higher than flying between the two cities.
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On Amtrak’s website, a one-way ticket from Chicago to Miami costs $466 on November 10, the Floridian’s first day of operation. However, on November 12, the one-way ticket is cheaper, costing just $113.
According to Amtrak’s website, a one-way bus ticket from Chicago to Miami costs $466. (Amtrak)
“Midwesterners will still drive 20 hours,” said the X-Account “Midwest vs. Everybody.”
“People out there who have ever flown from Miami to Chicago and thought, ‘I wish this took 10 times longer,’ should check it out,” said another X user, adding, “I like trains too, guys. Please shut up.”
“I prefer the train from Chicago to Miami because it’s more expensive, takes longer AND is difficult to sleep on,” said another X user.
“I’d love to not fly. I hate airports, flying, turbulence, etc. But this, for a family of four, one way… is embarrassing,” said another X user, displaying a price of $2,193.
The train journey includes several stops and takes about 47 hours.
Other X users seemed to respond positively to the announcement.
“You know, but it still sounds more pleasant than having to deal with flying,” wrote one man.
“Seems like a cool little getaway for a week or so,” posted another user.
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The Floridian will make its maiden voyage on Sunday, November 10th.
When asked, an Amtrak representative declined to comment on when the service would be discontinued.
