economie

I spent $1,000 to have a room to myself on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. It was the best experience I’ve had on an overnight train in the US.

August 14, 20240
The author relaxes in an Amtrak bedroom traveling from Miami to NYC.

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  • I spent 30 hours on an Amtrak train traveling from Miami to New York City in October 2021.
  • For $1,000, I stayed in a bedroom, which is about the size of a king-sized bed with a full bathroom.
  • The private room was more comfortable than any other overnight train I’ve booked in the US.

I prefer to travel by train when I can — even if it means taking an overnight ride.

In addition to being more sustainable than driving or flying, traveling by train has given me unparalleled views of the world, with landscapes changing every second. And being stuck on a train for long periods forces me to sit back and do nothing, which I don’t often prioritize in my daily life.

It all started in October 2021, when I took two 30-hour Amtrak rides between Miami and NYC. I spent my ride to Miami in a roomette accommodation and booked a bedroom for the way home.

Then, in 2022 and 2023, I took two train trips in Europe, where I spent a total of 65 hours on four overnight trains traveling between Berlin, Vienna, Paris, and Venice on Austrian Federal Railway’s OBB Nightjet trains with sleeper cabins and the luxurious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

My luxury overnight ride was obviously the most comfortable, as it cost $8,000 more than any other sleeper train I’ve taken. But of all the other rides, the best accommodation by far was Amtrak’s bedroom back in 2021. 

I booked a $1,000 Amtrak bedroom accommodation for my 30-hour trip from Miami to NYC in 2021.
The author sits on a train from Miami to NYC.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

As someone who deals with travel anxiety, I found 30 hours on a train to be overwhelming, especially since, at the time, I had only taken one other overnight train. The constant motion of the train didn’t help, either. In fact, I ended up feeling a little queasy.

But staying in a bedroom made me feel more comfortable than staying in a roomette, a cheaper accommodation that’s about half the size. I thought the bedroom offered ample space to stretch out and move about, which made all the difference to me.

I think I could comfortably do a 30-hour train journey again, as long as I book a bedroom. And to make it more affordable, I’d book with a friend to split the cost and have some company next time. 

My journey began at the Amtrak station in Miami.
A view of the author’s Amtrak bedroom accommodation.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

For double the price of a roomette, the accommodation I booked for my previous train trip, the bedroom accommodation also offered double the space.

Right away, I knew this trip would be more pleasant than my ride to Miami since I had more room to stretch out. 

The bedroom had a table that pulled out from the wall between two of the three seats.
A view of the bathroom vanity in the bedroom.

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Beneath the sink, there was a trash can and a place to hold tissues. 

To the right of the mirror was a cabinet where I could store my toiletries and other personal items.
Views of a closet opened and closed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I didn’t use the closet, but I think it would have come in handy for storing jackets if I were traveling at a cooler time of the year.

There was also a private bathroom inside the bedroom that had a door, shower, and toilet.
The author poses on top of the toilet.

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The bedroom is your cheapest option if you want a private bathroom with a shower.

Other bedroom features included temperature controls and a button to call an attendant.
A view of some controls in the bedroom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This came in handy when I wanted to get off the train for a minute and stretch my legs. Thanks to the overhead speaker volume control, I always knew when the next stop would be and how long we had at each station.

The bedroom also had handy controls for night, reading, and ceiling lights.

The best thing the bedroom offered was space. I had room to stand up, stretch, and dance. This made my ride much more enjoyable.
The author’s belongings are spread around the room.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Having room to stretch out made me feel more relaxed throughout my journey. I appreciated that the couch was long enough to lie down on.

During the day, I spent a lot of time working on my laptop, which made the time pass by quickly.
The author smiles as her workday ends.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I decided to lie down on my belly and look outside the window for a bit.

Exhausted from my travels, I spent much of the evening reclining on the seats and gazing out the window.
The author smiles with her dinner.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My meals came with the ticket, and I could pick from five items. Since I enjoyed the braised beef short rib dish on my trip to Miami, I decided to get it again on my way home. 

Before bed, I brushed my teeth and washed my face in front of the sink.
An aerial view of the sofa bed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My first thought when I entered the room again after receiving bedside service was that the bed looked bigger than the one I slept in on my way to Miami in a roomette.

Since I had trouble sleeping on the top bunk on the way to Miami, I opted for the bottom bunk on this journey.
A view of the controls and storage space in the top bunk.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was able to use the foldout table for my bedside belongings, though.

Since there were outlets next to the sink, I propped my phone up there so I could watch TV from bed.
The author yawns on the bed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought I’d stay up and watch TV for a while, but my body was telling me to just pass out.

So I decided to lie down and watch “The Office” until I drifted off to sleep.
The author squints at the sun when she gets up in the morning.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I woke up to the sun peering through my window feeling somewhat rested. 

I had planned on taking a shower, but after looking down at the floor, I wished I had brought sandals and decided to skip my shower.
The author shows off her clean face and travel-sized deodorant.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This made me feel a little fresher, though I couldn’t wait to get home and take a shower.

While I was washing my face, I noticed how nice it was to have three mirrors next to one another.
The author’s breakfast, left, and lunch during her final day of travel.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

For breakfast, I went to the dining car and got the continental option. For lunch, I decided to try a different entrée from the braised beef short ribs I had the night before.

I chose a chicken fettuccine dish with broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes, and I thought it was decent. 

Of all the meals I had, I found the continental breakfast to be the most filling and satisfying.
The author passes the time in bed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

To pass the time, I looked at my phone and played Nintendo while relaxing on the bed. 

It was a Saturday, so staying in bed felt right.

When we were about three hours from New York, my attendant transformed the bed back into seats, and these final hours on the train felt like the longest of the whole trip.
The author takes a selfie during a stop at Union Station in Washington, DC.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When we arrived in New York around 7 p.m., slightly later than scheduled, I realized I had never been more grateful to be home.

But I was also appreciative of the room and privacy I had getting there. 

Read the original article on Business Insider

https://www.businessinsider.com/overnight-amtrak-train-bedroom-miami-new-york-what-its-like-2021-10