economie

I paid $500 extra to upgrade my room on a 30-hour Amtrak ride, and I thought the additional 20 square feet was worth every penny

November 1, 20240
The author stayed in an Amtrak roomette on her way to Miami and a bedroom on her way to New York.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I spent 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trains traveling from New York City to Miami and back.
  • I booked a 20-square-foot roomette for $500 and a $1,000 bedroom twice the size.
  • The extra 20 square feet in the bedroom — not to mention the private bathroom — was worth the cost.

In 2021, I traveled on Amtrak trains from NYC to Miami and back. The rides took about 30 hours each way, and I had a private cabin in a sleeper car on both journeys.

The ticket to Miami cost about $500 for a Viewliner roomette, and the ticket back to New York cost about $1,000 for a bedroom. 

Read on to see how the two overnight train cabins compared — and which was more worth the price.

On my way to Miami, I booked a roomette, an approximately 20-square-foot private cabin that cost about $500 and included two beds, a table, two chairs, and a toilet.
A view of the bedroom accommodation.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Bedrooms are around 45.5 square feet, which, for reference, is a little bigger than a standard king-size bed. Like the roomette, they sleep a maximum of two adults.

Both rooms offered complete privacy, came with complimentary meals, and used smart storage hacks that reminded me of a tiny home.
The author wakes up in a roomette and a bedroom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

If you’re bothered by the bumpiness of the train during the day as I was, I recommend sleeping on the bottom bunk in either accommodation. 

While I was impressed with the roomette’s use of space, I felt far more comfortable in the bedroom thanks to the extra 20 square feet.
The author attempts to dance in both rooms.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

To pass the time, get moving, and feel more at home, I took frequent dance breaks in my bedroom, where I closed the curtains and blasted music in my earbuds. 

This felt freeing and satisfying, and if I wanted to, I think I could have even done some yoga poses, body-weight exercises, or practiced my karate moves. 

It was also nice to have a big sofa in the bedroom where I could stretch out and put my feet up, whereas the roomette only had two single seats.
The vanity is seen in the bedroom and roomette.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After staying in a roomette with a toilet for the first half of my trip to Miami, I was moved to another room without a toilet for the remainder due to the availability of roomettes when I booked my ticket. I had access to a bathroom at the end of the sleeper car.

While traveling home in a bedroom, I appreciated that the toilet was separated from the rest of the room by a door.

I also thought the bedroom had a nicer vanity with three mirrors facing each other, which made it easier to wash my face in the morning.

I appreciated the private toilet in the bedroom, which is a great amenity if you’re traveling with others.
The author relaxes in the bedroom.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The bedroom upgraded my 30-hour journey from anxiety-inducing to comfy and homey.

The bedroom is especially worth the splurge for those traveling with a buddy since there’s more room to stretch out.

Read the original article on Business Insider

https://www.businessinsider.com/amtrak-bedroom-roomette-compared-sleeping-accommodation-photos-2021-11