Amtrak announced a new, temporary route on Monday, leaving some social media users questioning who would be willing to make the full trip.
“Today, we are proud to announce the launch of the Floridian! This train combines two iconic routes — the Capitol Limited and the Silver Star — and will offer traditional meals throughout the journey,” Amtrak officials wrote Monday in an X post that has been viewed 12 million times.
The route map shows the train will begin its journey in Chicago and head to Washington, D.C., and then head south to Miami, Florida. Amtrak said there will be one train per day in each direction, and the train will feature Amtrak's “Viewliner” carriages.
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The train will “travel directly between Chicago and Miami, with stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa.”
Amtrak said the Florida train will feature “traditional meals” for first-class passengers. (Amtrak)
“The Floridian offers customers an exceptional and sustainable trip to great destinations between Chicago and Miami, and delivers the amenities and delicious meals our guests expect when traveling with us,” Elliot Hamlisch, Amtrak’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a press release issued by Amtrak.
Previously, passengers on the Capitol Limited train route from DC to Chicago did not have a traditional dining car. Instead, the train had a less limited “flexible dining” option for First Class Private Room passengers, according to Amtrak's website.
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According to Amtrak, the Floridian's construction was due to the East River Tunnel (ERT) rehabilitation project, which will “restore two tubes damaged by Superstorm Sandy.”
“This work will modernize the tunnel's infrastructure, improve safety, reliability and security, and bring systems into good working order,” Amtrak said.
Jim Matthews, president and CEO of the D.C.-based Rail Passenger Association, said the Floridian is an “innovative solution to keep passengers moving” during repairs.
Amtrak announced that the Floridian will travel daily from Chicago to Miami, and will “travel direct between Chicago and Miami, with stops in between at Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa.” (Amtrak)
According to the website Trains.com, Amtrak previously ran a route from Chicago to Florida from 1971 to 1979. That train was also called the “Floridian.”
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The return of the rail route connecting the Midwest to Florida has been a longtime dream of railfans, Matthews said in an Amtrak release.
“We're thrilled that a new generation of American travelers will be able to experience this service for themselves,” Matthews said.
Amtrak previously operated service between Chicago and Florida in the 1970s. (Amtrak)
On X, users reported that a trip from Chicago to Miami on a Floridaan plane took 46 hours and 29 minutes — nearly two days — and some said the cost was significantly higher than a flight between the two cities.
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Amtrak's website shows the price of a one-way coach ticket from Chicago to Miami is $466 on Nov. 10, the first day of service on the Floridian. But on Nov. 12, a one-way ticket costs $113 less.
According to Amtrak's website, a one-way coach ticket from Chicago to Miami costs $466. (Amtrak)
“Midwesterners will still drive for 20 hours,” said the x account “Midwest vs. Everybody.”
“People who have flown from Miami to Chicago and thought 'I wish it took 10 times longer,' should check this out,” another X user said, who then added, “I like trains too, guys. Please shut up.”
Another X user said, “I prefer taking the train from Chicago to Miami because it's more expensive, takes longer and is harder to sleep on.”
“I would rather not fly. I hate airports, flying, turbulence, etc. But this one-way trip for a family of 4… is embarrassing,” another X user posted, showing a price of $2,193.
The train journey will stop at several places and will last approximately 47 hours.
Other X users reacted positively to the announcement.
“You know, it still sounds a lot more enjoyable than dealing with flying,” one person wrote.
“Looks like it'll be a nice trip, a week or more,” another user wrote.
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The Floridian will make its first trip on Sunday, November 10th.
When reached for comment, an Amtrak representative declined to say when the service would end.