11 tips for traveling on Amtrak from a rail traveler who spent 75 hours critiquing different types of seat reservations (2023)

I spent many hours on Amtrak trains in boxcars, first class, and even in a private room. I learned a few things along the way.

I don't know anyone who has taken as many Amtrak train trips as I have. From my home in New York, I enjoy traveling the East Coast on Amtrakspent 60 hours on Amtrak trainsI only travel between Miami and NYC in one bedroom and one bedroom accommodations.

As a child, I took several train trips, rode in carriages, and more recently, traveled business and first class.Amtrak These trainsbetween Baltimore and New York, which took approximately two and a half hours each way.

On my tours I have noticed a big difference in the experience you get depending on the type of ticket booked.

First there is Acela,AmtraksEast Coast Express Train offering Business Class and First Class seats only. These accommodations offer larger seats than coaches, and First Class offers perks like seat service.

Business class tickets cost around US$120 and first class costs around US$270.

There are private rooms for overnight trains. the Amtrakroomette is a private roomwith a door and shutters to cover the windows. Unlike business and first class, where you sit amongst other passengers, this ensures your privacy. If you need more space, you can opt for a real room. It is twice the size of a bedroom and has a full bathroom.

Then, of course, there is a bus, which many people tend to take by train.

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No matter what type of ticket you book, prepare for a bumpy ride.

Train travel is not smooth sailing. Every Amtrak I've ridden has looked as bumpy as an airplane with a seatbelt sign on. Also, the train tends to rock even when driving smoothly. If you are prone to seasickness, be sure to bring medication.

Keep reading:I spent 60 hours using Amtrak overnight travel. Here are 9 things I wish I knew before taking those long haul trips.

If you get seasick, book a seat in the direction of travel on the train.

It's an old trick my mom taught me when I got seasick on our weekend train rides from our home in Connecticut to New York: sit forward.

If you go against the movement of the train, you will feel more queasy.

Amtrak automatically assigns a seat when you book a ticket, but you can change your seat anytime after booking. Seating plans are availableno site da Amtrak, and they helpfully indicate which direction each seat is facing.

Keep reading:I spent 30 hours on an Amtrak from New York to Miami. Here are 11 ways I made the long road trip more bearable.

If you are traveling in a bedroom or bedroom, you can choose to sleep in a top or bottom bunk. On my travels, the top bunk used to be bumpier.

There are twin beds in bedrooms and bedrooms. One of the chairs turns into a bed, and another bed is pulled under the ceiling.

After sleeping on the top and bottom bunks, I found it easier to sleep on the bottom bunk. it seemed less unstable. My guess is because the bottom bunk is resting on the floor while the top bunk is suspended in the air.

Keep reading: I spent $1,000 on a 500 square foot room with a private bathroom on a 30 hour trip on Amtrak. Take a look inside.

Roomette accommodation offers the best value for money for long distances.

If you want the best value for money for a long distance train journey, I recommend booking the Roomette.

A roomette is essentially a small hotel room that allows you to sleep in one part of the country and wake up in another. Plus, you can bring a traveling companion as it sleeps two.

At 25 square meters, the Roomette takes advantage of a small space, with smart storage features that reminded me of asmall house.There is an extendable table between the chairs and the seats fold down into a bed.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could also regulate the temperature in my room. Using a dial and air conditioning vents, I kept my room at 66 degrees Fahrenheit during a recent trip.

Keep reading:I spent $500 for a 230 square foot room on a 30 hour Amtrak trip with no wasted space. Take a look inside.

The room is well worth the extra space and private bathroom.

According to the Amtrak website, Rooms are approximately 45.5 square feet, which is slightly larger than a standard king-size bed for reference.Insiders reported.They accommodate up to two adults.

Double the space with extras: a sofa, an extra chair, a shower and a private bathroom. It's also twice the price of a Roomette than what I found onmy 30 hour trip in the Amtrak room.

Like the Roomette, the amenities are cleverly arranged. The sofa converts to a bed and another bed can be pulled out from the ceiling.

While great value for money, I felt cramped in the 25 square meter room. (I'm 5'10" and of average height.) If I were taller, I imagine I'd feel even more cramped. That makes it worth upgrading to a larger room for many travelers.

It was also nice to have a big couch to stretch out on and put my feet up; The Roomette only had two individual seats.

Also, the bedroom had a wider dressing table with three mirrors facing each other, which made it easier to wash your face in the morning.

Keep reading: I spent $1,000 to have a room to myself on a 30 hour trip on Amtrak, and it's the only way to travel a long distance by train again

Whether you're traveling in a Roomette or a guest room, I recommend eating in the breakfast car rather than in your room.

Yes, you can eat in your room, but I didn't want my bunk to smell like food all night. It was refreshing to come out of my room and eat in the coffee car. I left my space to change the vibe and keep my room from getting messier - you can't miss it.

I recommend using mealtimes as an opportunity to do the same.

Food on board is decent but not amazing. Personally, I don't mind relying on this, but you can also plan on bringing your own snacks and non-perishables.

Keep reading: I spent 60 hours on Amtrak trains with carry-on luggage and a backpack. Here are 7 things I regret not packing and 9 things I'm glad I brought.

For longer stops, hop off for a short walk.

On my long-distance trips, the train regularly stopped at one stop. This meant that the passengers and I could disembark on the platform for about 10 minutes.

Stretching your legs and getting some fresh air makes the next few hours on the train with the window open a little more bearable.

Wear comfortable clothes for train travel, especially long distances.

Does it look like I'm in my pajamas? That's because it's basically me. These are the most pajama-like pants I would wear in public, although my mom argued they were just for sleeping.

I don't care what they look like. As soon as you board the train, you'll be glad you're comfortable.

On long-distance trips, I also wear shoes that are comfortable and easy to slip on and off: the memory foam shoes, which I buy at T.J. Maximum for $ 20. Since the shoes are quickly put on, I can leave my room without any problems.

For shorter distances, 1st class is only worth it if you are departing from a station with a lounge.

As a New YorkerFor me, part of the appeal of a first-class ticket was access to the Metropolitan Lounge at Penn Station., a quiet waiting area for select Amtrak customers. The lounge offers comfortable seating and free snacks like kids' bars, cookies, popcorn, chips, and candy. There are also free drinks like coffee, iced tea, and citrus-infused water.

First class passengers have free entry on the day of travel, while business class passengers pay a fee of $50 to enter the club.

However, there are only a few stations with exclusive lounges for first-class ticket holders. It worked for me when I was traveling from New York's Penn Station. Anyone traveling from Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Boston's South Stationhas access to a lounge,but there are 12 other stops on theIt's Amtrakthat do not offer this advantage.

If I were traveling from a non-lounge station, I don't think the cost of a first class ticket would be worth the difference in price over business class, although first class does offer larger seats and a meal included.

Keep reading: I traveled in 4 types of Amtrak cars, from business class to a private room. See what each one is like and which one offers the best deal.

Bring your own entertainment and don't rely on WiFi or cellular to use it.

On all of my Amtrak trips, I brought my own entertainment devices that didn't rely on an Internet connection. WiFi can be spotty on the train so I download everything before boarding.

I usually watch movies and listen to music and podcasts. For longer trips, I also carry my Nintendo Switch with me for more entertainment variety.

Between movies and video games, don't forget to look out the window and enjoy the view.