Is a room worth it on Amtrak?

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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The coach seats are very comfortable. Most people are ok sleeping in them for one night. I'd be weary of more than that however. I spent 15 nights sleeping in Coach during a 30 day Amtrak trip.

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The reasons sleepers are expensive is simple: many more people want to take them than there are spots available.

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In my opinion, sleeper cars make the ride into a pleasure. So civilized. For me, once I did a room, I'll never do coach overnight again. Daytime only, I do coach, anything overnight, forget it.

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Meals are included when traveling in a private room. Our onboard dining services provide a menu with a wide variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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The roomette cost about $500 and the bedroom cost about $1,000. Here's a closer look at all four upgraded seating types on Amtrak trains, plus which I think offers the best value for the higher ticket price than you'll pay in coach. Insider paid for all four tickets, per our reporting standards.

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There are sliding doors that you can close at any time, or leave the door open for easy access to the hallway. You can lock the door when you are inside the roomette, but you cannot lock it from the outside, so avoid leaving valuables in the roomette when you are not there.

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General Guidelines: Tipping is NOT required, but is considered correct for the service crew personnel on the train. Recommendations: Snack bar attendant: roughly 10%. Dining car: 15% of menu prices (sleeping car passengers may want to note this when ordering their meals).

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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 Amtrak does provide bedding in the Sleeping car rooms, you may wish to have your own pillow and an extra blanket for warmth. You may also ask your Sleeping car attendant for an additional blanket when they come to turn down your bed for a cozier night's sleep.

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Roomettes (1 to 2 people) Two seats convert into one single bed and another bed folds down from above to form an upper bunk. You'll find roomettes in sleeper cars, or train cars that only contain sleeping accommodations. All sleeper cars have a shower room and bathroom.

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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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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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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 customers seeking both privacy and savings in First Class, Roomettes feature: Two comfortable seats by day transformed into upper and lower beds by night. Newly upgraded bedding, pillows, towels and linens. Access to a restroom and shower in your car.

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Yes, all meals are included with the purchase of sleeping accommodations aboard the train as well as several other perks including; a picture window, showers and toilets, electrical outlets, climate...

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We've added free onboard WiFi to a lot of our trains and stations! You can check if your favorite train or nearest station has WiFi here. If you're reading this while on one of our trains, wait before setting off to do your surfing.

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For customers seeking plenty of comfort and room in First Class, Bedrooms feature: 2x the space of a Roomette. A sofa and separate chair by day transformed into upper and lower beds by night. Newly upgraded bedding, pillows, towels and linens.

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Roomette: Two overnight bags. Family Room: Two to three suitcases. Bedroom: Two suitcases. Accessible Bedroom: Two suitcases and a wheelchair.

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