How do I get the best seat on Amtrak?

You can upgrade your seating from Coach to First Class and Business Class seats on Amtrak.com, through our mobile applications, at a staffed station or over the phone at 1-800-USA-RAIL. On trains with First Class private rooms, you may be able to upgrade to a Roomette or Bedroom, availability permitting.



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If you're traveling West, you'll experience the best views on the right side of the train. Traveling East? Be sure to sit on the left side.

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The best place to sit in Amtrak Coach Class is on the upper level. It's all about the view on the upper level. This is the biggest advantage of sitting in the upper level. You can also move from car to car more freely as there is access from each car on the upper level.

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Being on the lower level is indeed closer to the restrooms, and you'll have less foot traffic going by. There will be less sway, but more noise from the track, since you're closer to the track. The view will be better from the upper level and you must be on the upper level to pass from one car to the next.

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In October of 2021, I spent two nights on overnight Amtrak trains traveling between Miami and NYC. I stayed in a 20-square-foot roomette for $500 and a 40-square-foot bedroom for $1,000. The extra space in the bedroom was more comfortable for the long journey and worth the price.

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Trains consume less energy and produce less harmful pollutants than either car or air travel. Hopping on an Amtrak train will save you gas and daily wear and tear on your car. It also reduces the ever-increasing traffic congestion on the roads and in the skies.

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A few standouts where it is worthwhile to upgrade to business class? One is the Coast Starlight, because it has a separate observation car reserved for business class riders. Another is the Pacific Surfliner, which has big tables in business class that let you balance computers and drinks and have room for stretching.

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The best place to sit in Amtrak Coach Class is on the upper level. It's all about the view on the upper level. This is the biggest advantage of sitting in the upper level. You can also move from car to car more freely as there is access from each car on the upper level.

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There is more room in the business class car along with free non-alcoholic drinks. Other perks include Amtrak points bonus and reserved seating on some routes (no reserved seating in coach cars). The train car layout is also slightly different in business class vs coach class.

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For the most enjoyable experience, especially during a long-distance journey, you'll want to wear clothing that is super comfortable, along with warm socks. Oftentimes, the train cars can get cold, even if you're not seated by the doors that connect the cars together.

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Room to Roam Instead of being confined to a cramped, uncomfortable seat for your entire trip, a train lets you get up to stretch your legs and walk around to other parts of the train. That's not even an option when you fly, ride a bus or drive a car.

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For the smoothest ride, get a seat equidistant between the trucks (wheels). This way a hard bump will be only half as bad. If you want to watch the train ahead going through curves, get a window seat near the rear of the coach.

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You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges.

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For the smoothest ride, get a seat equidistant between the trucks (wheels). This way a hard bump will be only half as bad. If you want to watch the train ahead going through curves, get a window seat near the rear of the coach.

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Storing Items Carry-on and personal items must be kept with you, stored in overhead racks, under seats or designated baggage areas. Most buses have baggage storage bins under the bus floor, and the bus driver will assist you.

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Many of the lines don't make any money or are operated at a loss. To accommodate the money-losing routes, Amtrak uses profits from its popular lines, such as the Northeast Corridor. Since this is one of the most popular routes, Amtrak can charge higher prices and send those profits to other, less profitable lines.

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Are meals included? Yes. Complimentary meals are one of several amenities you'll enjoy when traveling in a private room.

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Each passenger paying a fare will be entitled to a seat, to the extent coach seats are available. Passengers are entitled to one seat per fare, to ensure other paying passengers are not excluded. Unless specific seats are assigned, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Specific features vary by route, but Business Class includes extra legroom, a wide and comfortable seat, and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages (not offered in Acela Business Class).

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Caption Options Bids are placed with a sliding scale tool that has a minimum and a maximum offer amount—this is usually somewhere between $60 and $200 per upgrade. The higher the bid you can offer, the stronger the chance is that you'll win the upgraded seat.

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It depends on a variety of factors, including the airline, the route, the time of year, and the availability of seats. In some cases, upgrading at the airport can be a cost-effective way to experience Business Class perks without paying full price. In other cases, it may end up being more expensive.

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Trains serving the long-haul routes are extremely spacious. This allows the traveler to spend time sitting comfortably in their seat, and also to move freely around the train. As some journeys last more than 24 hours, it is possible to book a room in a sleeping car.

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While not nearly as expensive, taking an Amtrak train across the US is also largely the domain of rail enthusiasts as it takes multiple days and costs significantly more than flying. In countries like Japan, South Korea and much of Europe, the opposite is true as the train is simply a way to travel larger distances.

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Amtrak does, in fact, offer scenic, luxury rail journeys to top locations across the U.S., especially if you are looking for some vacation deals.

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