I've spent 154 hours on Amtrak trains in 5 different classes, from coach to bedrooms. The best deal was a premium cabin.

The reporter has sampled five Amtrak booking types — coach, business class, first class, roomettes, and bedrooms. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I've spent enough time on Amtrak trains to know that more expensive doesn't always mean better. And the best deal isn't always the cheapest. I figured out which upgrade is most worth it. I travel by train every chance I get. Over the past five years, I've spent roughly 154 hours crisscrossing the US on Amtrak trains , and each time, I've had a different experience. I've lounged on a couch in a private bedroom with a full bathroom, transformed two seats into a bunk in a 20-square-foot cabin called a roomette, and received complimentary meals in the dining car on overnight trains . I've also saved money in coach and upgraded to business and first class on shorter rides.