Cancel Auto Train Ticket

The Auto Train operates between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida, and a reservation can include both passenger travel and transportation for an eligible vehicle.

When you cancel an Auto Train reservation, the amount you receive back depends mainly on the fare and accommodation you purchased, how far in advance you cancel and whether any part of the trip has already started.

Amtrak's current refund policy also applies to vehicles and other add-ons booked with the reservation.

How to Cancel Auto Train Ticket

If you need to cancel your Auto Train reservation, you can generally cancel eligible reservations through Amtrak's website or app.

The basic process is:

• Open your Amtrak reservation.
• Enter or select your reservation details.
• Choose the option to modify or cancel the reservation.
• Review the cancellation and refund information displayed.
• Confirm the cancellation.
• Check whether the refund is being returned to your original payment method or issued as an eVoucher.

Amtrak states that most tickets purchased online can be canceled and refunded online. Refund assistance is also available by phone or at Amtrak ticket offices.

If you purchased the ticket through a third-party seller, its cancellation rules may apply instead.

Auto Train Cancellation Policy

The Auto Train cancellation policy depends on the fare purchased.

There is an important distinction between different fare types. A flexible fare may allow a full refund, while a discounted or restricted fare may have a cancellation penalty.

Amtrak's current general policy includes the following fare categories:

These are the current general Amtrak fare rules, but the exact conditions displayed with your Auto Train reservation should always be checked before cancellation.

Auto Train Refund Policy

The Auto Train refund policy is not the same for every ticket.

Your refund can depend on:

• Type of fare purchased
• Date and time of cancellation
• Departure date
• Whether you selected a private room
• Whether the reservation has already departed
• Promotional fare restrictions
• Whether you purchased the ticket directly from Amtrak or through a third party

For reserved fares purchased directly from Amtrak with cash, credit or debit card, there is currently a risk-free cancellation period of 24 hours after purchase, provided the cancellation is made before the scheduled departure. Eligible cancellations receive a full refund to the original form of payment.

After that period, the fare-specific cancellation rules apply.

Auto Train Cancellation Within 24 Hours

One of the most useful rules for passengers is Amtrak's risk-free cancellation policy.

If you purchase a reserved fare directly from Amtrak using an eligible payment method, you can currently receive a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase and before the scheduled departure.

For example, if you purchase an Auto Train ticket at 10:00 AM and cancel at 6:00 PM the same day, the reservation may qualify for the 24-hour risk-free cancellation rule, provided the scheduled departure has not passed.

This rule is subject to the applicable terms and does not necessarily apply in the same way to tickets purchased through third parties.

Auto Train Cancellation After 24 Hours

Once the 24-hour risk-free period has passed, the cancellation rules associated with your fare become important.

For example, under Amtrak's current general fare rules:

• Flex fares can be canceled before departure for a full refund.
• Value fares currently forfeit 30% when canceled before departure.
• Sale fares currently forfeit 50% when canceled before departure.
• Private-room cancellations have different rules based on how many days remain before departure.

Therefore, don't assume that every Auto Train ticket has the same cancellation penalty.

Auto Train Private Room Cancellation

Private accommodations such as roomettes and bedrooms have their own cancellation rules.

Under Amtrak's current policy for private rooms:

• 121 days or more before departure: Full refund with no fee.
• 15 to 120 days before departure: 25% of the total fare is forfeited and 75% is refunded to the original form of payment.
• 14 days or less before departure: 25% is forfeited and 75% is returned as a non-refundable eVoucher.

These rules can be particularly important for Auto Train travelers because private accommodations can represent a significant portion of the total fare.

Auto Train Coach Cancellation

Coach fares follow the cancellation rules associated with the specific fare type.

A flexible coach fare can generally be canceled before departure for a full refund, while restricted Value or Sale fares may have cancellation penalties.

For example, under the current general policy:

Flex: Full refund before departure.

Value: 30% forfeited and 70% refunded.

Sale: 50% forfeited and 50% refunded.

Always check the fare conditions attached to your particular reservation because promotional Auto Train fares can have their own terms.

Auto Train Ticket Changes

Sometimes you don't need to cancel your trip—you simply need to change the date or time.

In that situation, changing the reservation may be better than canceling it.

Amtrak currently allows eligible reservations to be changed through Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app. Date, departure time and accommodation options can generally be modified before boarding, subject to the applicable fare rules.

Amtrak does not currently charge a general ticket change fee, although a difference in fare may apply and some restricted fares do not permit changes.

Can You Change an Auto Train Ticket?

Yes, eligible Auto Train reservations can be changed before departure.

Depending on the fare, you may be able to change:

• Travel date
• Departure
• Return date
• Coach to private room
• Roomette or bedroom options
• Other eligible reservation details

If the new trip costs more, you may have to pay the difference in fare.

If the new reservation costs less, the remaining value is handled according to the applicable fare and refund/eVoucher rules.

Auto Train Change Date

If your plans have changed but you still want to travel on the Auto Train, changing your travel date can be more convenient than canceling the entire reservation.

Before changing the date, compare:

• Original fare
• New fare
• Vehicle charge
• Room or accommodation price
• Any applicable restrictions

Because Auto Train fares can vary by date, changing from a busy travel date to another date does not necessarily mean the new ticket will cost less.

Auto Train Ticket Change Fee

Amtrak currently states that it does not charge a general ticket change fee, although a fare difference may apply. However, changes are subject to the rules of the fare purchased, and some fares do not permit changes at all.

This means "no change fee" does not necessarily mean that changing your Auto Train reservation will cost nothing.

For example, if your original ticket costs $300 and the new travel date costs $450, you may need to pay the $150 difference.

Auto Train Vehicle Cancellation

If you booked a car, SUV, motorcycle or another eligible vehicle with your Auto Train reservation, the vehicle portion follows the cancellation policy associated with the fare purchased.

Amtrak specifically states that additional products such as vehicles on the Auto Train adopt the cancellation policy associated with the fare purchased.

This means you should not assume that the passenger fare and vehicle charge have completely separate cancellation rules.

For example, if your vehicle is booked as part of a restricted fare, the applicable cancellation penalty may affect the vehicle portion as well.

Can I Cancel the Auto Train and Get a Refund for My Car?

The vehicle portion of the reservation is subject to the applicable cancellation policy.

If your fare qualifies for a full refund, the eligible fare components can generally be refunded according to the applicable rules.

If your fare has a cancellation penalty, the vehicle/add-on portion can also be affected because Amtrak states that Auto Train vehicles adopt the cancellation policy associated with the fare purchased.

Always review the refund amount displayed before confirming cancellation.

Auto Train Cancellation Before Departure

Canceling before the scheduled departure is important.

Many Amtrak fare types allow some form of cancellation before departure, although the refund amount depends on the fare.

Once the scheduled departure has passed, the situation becomes much stricter.

Amtrak's current no-show policy states that fares are generally non-refundable and non-changeable after departure. A passenger who does not show up and does not cancel before departure can forfeit the value of the unused segment.

Therefore, if you know you cannot travel, cancel before departure rather than simply not showing up.

Auto Train Cancellation After Departure

You generally should not wait until after departure to cancel an Auto Train reservation.

Under Amtrak's current no-show policy, fares are non-refundable and non-changeable after departure, subject to the applicable cancellation rules and exceptions.

If you fail to cancel before departure, you may lose the remaining value of your reservation.

Auto Train No-Show Policy

A no-show occurs when a passenger does not take the booked trip and does not cancel the reservation before departure.

The current Amtrak policy states that no-show fares are generally forfeited after departure.

For this reason, if your travel plans change at the last minute, cancel the reservation before the scheduled departure rather than simply failing to arrive.

Auto Train Refund to Credit Card

When an eligible cancellation qualifies for a refund, Amtrak generally returns the refundable amount to the original form of payment.

For example, if you purchased your ticket using a credit card and the fare is eligible for a monetary refund, the refund is generally returned to that payment method.

However, some cancellation situations result in an eVoucher instead of money being returned to the original payment method.

Auto Train eVoucher Refund

An eVoucher is an electronic travel credit that can be used toward a future Amtrak trip.

Depending on the fare and circumstances, some or all of the remaining value of a canceled reservation may be issued as an eVoucher.

Amtrak states that eVouchers can be refundable or non-refundable depending on the original fare rules. A non-refundable eVoucher cannot simply be converted into cash.

Private-room cancellations made within 14 days of departure are one current example where the refundable portion is returned as a non-refundable eVoucher.

Auto Train Cancellation for Promotional Tickets

Promotional Auto Train tickets can have special cancellation and change restrictions.

For example, Amtrak's current Auto Train promotional terms specify that certain discounted coach fares may have a 50% cancellation fee, while private-room fares can have different cancellation rules depending on how close the cancellation is to departure.

Therefore, don't assume that a promotional ticket follows the same rules as a regular Flex fare.

Always read the fare conditions shown during booking.

Auto Train Cancellation for Discount Tickets

Discounted fares can have restrictions.

A lower ticket price may come with:

• No changes
• Cancellation penalty
• Limited refund options
• eVoucher instead of cash refund
• Specific travel-date restrictions

The exact rules depend on the fare and promotion.

Saving money on the initial ticket price can therefore mean accepting stricter cancellation conditions.

Auto Train Ticket Cancellation by Phone

If you cannot cancel your reservation online, Amtrak provides phone assistance.

The current Amtrak refund information lists 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) for refund assistance. Amtrak also provides customer support through its website and ticket offices.

Have your reservation information available when contacting customer service.

Auto Train Cancellation at Station

Eligible reservations may also be handled at Amtrak ticket offices.

If you are already at an Amtrak station and need to cancel or modify a reservation, ask the ticket office for assistance.

If you purchased your ticket through a third-party travel provider, you may need to follow that provider's cancellation process instead.

What Happens to My Auto Train Ticket After Cancellation?

After a successful cancellation, the reservation is no longer valid for travel.

Depending on your fare, the eligible value may be:

• Refunded to the original payment method
• Partially refunded
• Returned as an eVoucher
• Forfeited according to the fare rules

The result depends on the fare purchased and the time of cancellation.

Auto Train Cancellation and Refund Example

Suppose you book an Auto Train trip with a Flex fare.

If you cancel before departure, the current general Flex fare rule allows a full refund with no cancellation fee.

Now consider a restricted Sale fare.

Under the current general Amtrak policy, 50% of the total fare is forfeited when a Sale fare is canceled before departure, with the remaining 50% returned to the original payment method.

This illustrates why two passengers paying different fares for the same Auto Train can receive very different refunds when they cancel.

How to Avoid Losing Money When Canceling Auto Train

If there is a chance that your travel plans could change, consider these tips:

Choose a Flexible Fare

A more flexible fare can provide better cancellation and change options.

Cancel Before Departure

Do not simply skip the train. Cancel before departure whenever possible.

Check the 24-Hour Rule

If you have just purchased the reservation directly from Amtrak, check whether you qualify for the 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy.

Check the Fare Conditions

Look at the cancellation rules before purchasing a discounted ticket.

Consider Changing Instead of Canceling

If you still want to travel, changing the date may be better than canceling the entire reservation.

Keep Your Confirmation

Save your reservation number and cancellation confirmation until the refund or credit has been processed.

Auto Train Cancellation Due to Illness

Amtrak currently has an illness waiver policy.

When a passenger requests a change or cancellation because of an illness and provides a doctor's note, Amtrak may waive the fare change or cancellation policies that would normally apply. The waiver can apply to all persons in the ill passenger's party.

Because special conditions can apply, contact Amtrak as soon as possible if illness prevents you from traveling.

Auto Train Cancellation Due to Service Disruption

Cancellation rules can be different when Amtrak itself experiences a qualifying service disruption.

Amtrak's current terms provide refund and rebooking protections for qualifying service disruptions. Eligible passengers may be able to rebook or receive a refund for affected portions of their trip.

This is different from voluntarily canceling because you changed your plans.

Auto Train Ticket Cancellation Tips

If you think you may need to cancel your Auto Train trip, remember:

• Check your fare type first.
• Cancel before departure.
• Check whether you are within the 24-hour risk-free cancellation period.
• Review the refund amount before confirming.
• Don't assume the vehicle charge has a separate policy.
• Check whether your refund will be cash/card or an eVoucher.
• Save the cancellation confirmation.
• If you still want to travel, compare changing the date with canceling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my Auto Train ticket?

Yes. Eligible Auto Train reservations can generally be canceled before departure, but the refund depends on the fare type and applicable rules.

How do I cancel my Auto Train ticket?

You can generally cancel eligible reservations through Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app. You can also seek assistance by phone or at an Amtrak ticket office.

Can I cancel an Auto Train ticket within 24 hours?

Yes. Eligible reserved fares purchased directly from Amtrak can currently receive a full refund when canceled within 24 hours of purchase and before scheduled departure.

Is Auto Train cancellation free?

It depends on the fare. Flex fares can currently be canceled before departure without a cancellation fee, while restricted Value and Sale fares may have penalties.

Can I change my Auto Train ticket instead of canceling?

Yes, eligible reservations can be changed before departure. Amtrak does not currently charge a general change fee, although a difference in fare may apply and some fares do not permit changes.

Can I change the date of my Auto Train ticket?

Eligible reservations can generally be changed to another available travel date before departure, subject to the fare rules and availability.

Will I get a full refund if I cancel my Auto Train ticket?

Not necessarily. A full refund depends on the fare type and timing of the cancellation.

What happens if I don't cancel and don't show up?

Under the current no-show policy, unused fares are generally forfeited after departure.

Can I get an Auto Train refund to my credit card?

If the fare qualifies for a refund to the original payment method, the eligible amount is generally returned to that payment method. Some cancellations instead result in an eVoucher.

What is an Auto Train eVoucher?

An eVoucher is an electronic credit that can be used for future Amtrak travel. Depending on the fare, it may be refundable or non-refundable.

What happens to my car if I cancel my Auto Train ticket?

The vehicle portion of the reservation follows the cancellation policy associated with the purchased fare. Amtrak specifically includes Auto Train vehicles among the add-ons subject to the fare's cancellation policy.

Can I cancel my Auto Train ticket after departure?

Generally, no. Amtrak's current no-show policy makes fares non-refundable and non-changeable after departure, subject to applicable exceptions.

Can I cancel a private room on Auto Train?

Yes, but private-room cancellation rules are different from many coach fares. The refund depends on how far in advance you cancel.

Is there a cancellation fee for Auto Train Sale fares?

Current general Amtrak Sale fare rules state that 50% of the total fare is forfeited when canceled before departure. Specific Auto Train promotions can have their own terms, so check the conditions of your actual ticket.

Where can I check my Auto Train cancellation status?

If you canceled online, check your reservation/account information and confirmation. For refund questions, Amtrak also provides phone and station assistance.

Final Tips Before You Cancel an Auto Train Ticket

Before clicking Cancel, check the exact fare conditions attached to your reservation.

The most important factors are when you purchased the ticket, how long it is until departure, what fare you purchased, whether you booked a private room and whether you included a vehicle.

If you are still within the 24-hour risk-free cancellation period, an eligible reservation purchased directly from Amtrak may qualify for a full refund. After that, the specific fare rules determine how much you receive back.

If you still want to make the trip but your date has changed, check the cost of changing the reservation before canceling. In many cases, changing an eligible reservation can be more practical than starting over with a new ticket.

Because Amtrak can update fares, promotions, refund rules and ticket conditions, always review the latest terms associated with your reservation before canceling.