Amtrak Silver Meteor (Palmetto) Review

Have you ever tried riding a train in the US? If you’re lucky enough to live in a city that has train service, you should do it and add it to your bucket list. Here’s a review of the Amtrak Silver Meteor train from Jacksonville to Charleston (and vice versa). 

I previously reviewed a train from Tampa to Jacksonville on Amtrak. While I last took that train in 2018, nothing much has changed, except that the trains run more on time now 🙂

Here’s my review of the Amtrak Silver Meteor service from Jacksonville, FL to Charleston, SC

Why ride a train instead of driving?  

I don’t like to drive, so whenever I can get public transportation, I would prefer to take that option if the price is right. I needed to get to Charleston, South Carolina from Jacksonville, FL for Y’allFest 2024, and so, I compared my options.

It is a 4 to 4.5-hour drive from my house in Jacksonville, FL to downtown Charleston, SC by driving, and I would need 2 full tanks of gas (one tank to get there and one back).

Firs point on why you should ride the train from Jacksonville to Charleston, the price point. If you book the ticket early, you can get a one-way from Jacksonville to Charleston for $40 for a non-refundable fare. For $5 more, you can opt to get a fully refundable ticket that allows you to change your date or cancel your ticket altogether. 

I decided to pay for the refundable fare. That’s a $90 round trip from Jacksonville to Charleston with the refundable rate. Compare that to $70 for gas round trip from Jacksonville to Charleston. It’s a difference of $20, and you get to sit and enjoy the views, work, or use the time to relax and catch up with your downloaded shows. I typed this post from my train ride from Jacksonville to Charleston! 

Is there Wi-Fi on the Amtrak Silver Meteor train? 

While there is WiFi onboard, do not count on it. It’s spotty at best, but it does work when the train is not going too fast. Nothing has changed with the technology since 2017, the wifi is spotty and is basic. If it can’t save my Google Doc as much as I need to, then don’t count on it being able to load many webpages, not to mention video streaming or social media channels. 

Are there power outlets on the Amtrak Silver Meteor train? 

Yes, there are power outlets on the Amtrak Silver Meteor train. These are your typical plug sockets, so no USB power charging. There are only two power sockets available for two seats in (economy). It’s supposed to be one socket per person but the socket is located by the window seat. If you’re on the aisle, expect to ask your window seatmate to plug your item for you. 

What are the seats in coach class like on the Amtrak Silver Meteor train? 

Imagine business class seats on a domestic flight. This is what a regular coach seat on the Amtrak feels like. The seats recline, and there is a footrest for you to put your feet in. There are ample spots for your luggage on the top rack of your seat. There is a maximum dimension for the carry-on, but I brought a suitcase that would otherwise pass the dimensions on an airplane as a carry-on and a big purse for my personal item. 

What is the baggage allowance for the Amtrak Silver Meteor train? 

You are allowed to bring 2 carry-on items with a maximum of 50lbs and a personal item with you. However, you are expected to carry everything on the train with you. If you need help, you may ask the conductor but YMMV. My carry on items were small, but I brought an extra bag because I’m expecting to bring back a few books from YallFest. 

You can also check a bag depending on your fare type. I have not had to check a bag in during my Amtrak trips, so I’m sure you’ll have to come in a bit early just to tag your bag and get it checked in with the conductor. 

Is there food on the Amtrak Silver Meteor train? 

There is a cafe cart on the Amtrak Silver Meteor train. If you are in coach class, expect to pay for your food. If you are on a sleeper or a roomette, your meals are included with the fare. The cafe attendant will make an announcement about your dining reservation if you are in a sleeper car. 

The cafe is located in a separate car from the rest of the seating areas. There are comfortable seats and tables that you can sit in while you eat or just opt to sit there for the duration of your train ride if it’s not that busy. 

Prices are fairly good for the cafe. Non-alcoholic drinks are between $3 to $5, with alcoholic drinks available from $8 to 10, depending if you want cocktails, beer, or wine. The food is what you would get from a concert or a game. There’s mac and cheese, hot dogs, and other fast food items available for less than $10. 

Please don’t expect service and food like the Orient Express or what you’d get if you were in a sleeping car on the California Zephyr. You’re more than welcome to bring your own food to the train and consume it on your seat or on the cafe cart. 

Free Water on the Amtrak Cars   

As you step out from the restroom, you’ll see a little water fountain contraption beside it. There are disposable water cups available on the shelf beside it, and you’re more than welcome to have water from the fountain. 

I personally didn’t try to drink the water myself since I usually bring my own in a disposable container, but let me know how you thought the water tasted. 🙂 I tried it on the way back, and it wasn’t so bad. 

Are the Amtrak train stations close to downtown? 

Here’s where US train travel has its downsides. If you are on the Upper Eastern corridor, like New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Wilmington, the train station is in the heart of the downtown area. If you go to Jacksonville or Charleston, however, the train station is a 15-minute Uber ride to downtown. There are bus connections that allow you to take public transportation from Amtrak to downtown but it’s not the same. 

If you’re used to European train travel and find yourself in the middle of downtown to walk to your hotel or your next destination, then the only city to get that experience in are in New York and Chicago. 

Are Amtrak trains on time? 

In my experience, the Silver Meteor train left Jacksonville on time, at exactly 5:11 pm. However, the US track system is odd. Since the heyday of rail travel had been considered antequated and interstates became the cool thing, the rail lines are now owned by cargo rail companies and Amtrak just leases the right to go on them except on the upper east region. 

Passenger rail technically should have priority over cargo, but in reality, cargo rail is king. Amtrak has to stop and give way and wait for the cargo train to pass before it can use the rail. This causes disruptions and delays in the service. 

Amtrak tries to make up for it by going faster on the lines, but unfortunately, some delays can’t be made up that quickly. 

Do you get carsick on the Amtrak? 

Even if the train goes close to 80 mph, I never felt car sick. The train does move from side to side, and most US trains do have curves on them instead of going straight but it’s not a big deal for me. I was able to work and look at my screen as the train was passing by. 

If you get extremely carsick then take precautions by drinking some medicine like Dramamine before you ride just to be safe. Train travel is like cruise travel: some people get seasick/carsick, while others have more tolerance to the rocking and its YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary). 

Are there restrooms on the Amtrak Silver Meteor train? 

Yes! Like any long-haul train, there are restrooms available on the Amtrak. They sort of work like the toilets you have at home, except there’s a tank that keeps all the yucky stuff in instead of going to the sewer. 

The conductor makes announcements at some stops on some restrictions on what can and can’t be flushed down on the train toilets. One notable thing she mentioned is if a toilet gets clogged, it gets taken out of service for the remainder of the trip. That’s not something you would want in case you’re going all the way from Miami to New York! 

Where does the Amtrak Silver Meteor go? 

The Silver Meteor is a service that begins in New York City and culminates in Miami on the southbound leg. It’s nicknamed the Palmetto because it stops by some of the more touristy places in South Carolina like Charleston. 

Another busy stop is the tourist town of Savannah, GA. Located just 2 hours by train south from Charleston, the Silver Meteor is a great commuter stop to see both cities without a need to rent a car. 

Here’s a complete list of the Amtrak Silver Meteor stops (also known as the Palmetto service):  

• New York City – Penn Station
• Newark, New Jersey – confusingly also called Penn Station
• Trenton, NJ
• Philadelphia, PA
• Wilmington, DE
• Baltimore, MD
• Washington DC
• Petersburg, VA
• Richmond, VA 
• Fredericksburg, VA
• Ettrick, VA
• Rocky Mount, NC
• Fayetteville, NC 
• Florence, SC
• Kingstree, SC
• North Charleston, SC 
• Yemassee, SC
• Savannah, GA 
• Jesup, GA
• Jacksonville, FL 
• Palatka, FL 
• Deland, FL
• Winter Park, FL
• Orlando, FL
• Kissimmee, FL
• Winter Haven, FL
• Sebring, FL
• West Palm Beach, FL  
• Delray Beach, FL
• Deerfield Beach, FL
• Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Hollywood, FL
• Miami, FL 

Are you going to ride the Amtrak Silver Meteor train service? 

Have you ridden this train line before? How was your experience? I enjoyed the convenience of not having to drive myself to downtown Charleston on my trip and had the chance to work while en route to my final destination. Would you ride the Amtrak Silver Meteor Train?