MrKnight
Former WDWCM & Proud DIS Member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2014
This train travels all the way from NY, so delays are common.
Between 8/12-9/11, it has arrived in Tampa 4 hours late once, 2-3 hours late once, and 1-2 hours late 8 times. This should be taken into consideration if meeting a flight. The median arrival delay over the period was 44 minutes.
Also, the impact of Hurricane Florence is unknown at this time. If there is flooding damage to the tracks and roadbed, Amtrak may modify the schedule to substitute motor coach service over part of the route from NY, or they may suspend service entirely for a time. From 9/12 until now, the train is operating normal schedule, but only on a truncated route between Jacksonville, FL & Miami.
Delays can happen on any method of transportation especially on planes, trains, buses, etc.., this doesn't superceed the fact that Amtrak is more reliable and more enjoyable than bus services such as Greyhound, etc. (the only other option outside of driving) and significantly more cost effective than renting a car or using a car service (Uber, Lyft, etc.) for such a long trip.
Worst case scenario, in the event that there is an unforeseen delay then the OP would just resort to Plan B and just order an Uber/Lyft, it's not like he/she would be stranded, and he/she would be reimbursed by Amtrak if they decide to seek an alternative method of transportation due to a major delay.
Nonetheless, it looks like the OP is no longer considering this option.