I upgraded to a bedroom on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. The additional 20 square feet of space was worth the extra $500.
A travel reporter compares the experience and value of Amtrak's roomette versus a full bedroom on overnight train journeys. She concludes that while the bedroom offers more space and private amenities, the roomette provides a sufficient private experience for a lower price.
Why it matters
As train travel gains popularity as a sustainable alternative to flying, understanding the value proposition of different cabin tiers helps consumers make informed travel decisions.
The reporter 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 round-trip from NYC to Miami. I booked a 20-square-foot roomette for $500 for the ride to Miami. On the way back, I booked a bedroom for $1,000. It was twice as big and had a full bathroom. What makes a 45-square-foot room feel like a luxury suite? A 20-square-foot room with no shower. I'm not talking about hotel rooms — I'm talking about private cabins on overnight Amtrak trains . In 2021, I took my first overnight Amtrak journeys from NYC to Miami and back. For each 30-hour trip, I booked a private room in a sleeper car.
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