3 DAY Amtrak Sleeper Train: COACH, ROOMETTE, & BEDROOM Tested
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Date: 2024-04-21
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Comments and reviews: 20
brockvanleer1010
i did denver to emeryville last summer in coach just to try it out. trip was lovely. sleeping in the seat was awkward but do-able. the only issue i really had was there was some very odd / sketchy people in coach. for sure some homeless would get on / off, and a ton of very smelly people. one other thing i couldn’t help thinking was that there were a few people who were for sure not taking the train for fun. a spirit flight would have been faster / cheaper, so the only things i could justify would be massive fear of flying, on a no fly list, or possibly moving some illicit products accross the country. no serious security measures getting on the train would make it a easy way to transport items if you wanted too. something to think about if you wanna go coach. also randomly a massive amount of amish. i grew up around the amish so it was actually cool to spend some time chatting with them in the viewing car. they usually keep to themselves where im from so it was interesting to speak w them. but they also really didn’t smell pleasant. anyways the trip was safe and no real issues, buuuuuuuut i can’t say i was completely at ease the entire trip. your always a bit on alert just in case.
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i did denver to emeryville last summer in coach just to try it out. trip was lovely. sleeping in the seat was awkward but do-able. the only issue i really had was there was some very odd / sketchy people in coach. for sure some homeless would get on / off, and a ton of very smelly people. one other thing i couldn’t help thinking was that there were a few people who were for sure not taking the train for fun. a spirit flight would have been faster / cheaper, so the only things i could justify would be massive fear of flying, on a no fly list, or possibly moving some illicit products accross the country. no serious security measures getting on the train would make it a easy way to transport items if you wanted too. something to think about if you wanna go coach. also randomly a massive amount of amish. i grew up around the amish so it was actually cool to spend some time chatting with them in the viewing car. they usually keep to themselves where im from so it was interesting to speak w them. but they also really didn’t smell pleasant. anyways the trip was safe and no real issues, buuuuuuuut i can’t say i was completely at ease the entire trip. your always a bit on alert just in case.
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FoCoBuzz
This video is making me want to do another Amtrak trip soon! I did the Zephyr from Emeryville to Denver two years ago. I was alone in a roomette - my wife was not riding a train halfway across the country so she met me in Denver! - and it was very cozy for just me. My friend and I have talked about doing a trip on the Sunset Limited and, if we do, I won’t try to squeeze two guys into a roomette. It would be tight with just my wife as it appears you found out.
I loved my trip. As you can see I want to do it again. But I’m a transportation and rail geek. For crossing the country, I wouldn’t use Amtrak purely for transportation. It’s for the experience for me. It’s a very different experience than a five hour trip on a European HSR such as an SNCF TGV in France or the Eurostar to the UK. The Amtrak rolling stock, while fine, definitely is much more dated than the lost modern HSRs in Europe. But the food on Amtrak is really good! Four meals - with rich desserts - and no exercise for two days probably cost me a few pounds!
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This video is making me want to do another Amtrak trip soon! I did the Zephyr from Emeryville to Denver two years ago. I was alone in a roomette - my wife was not riding a train halfway across the country so she met me in Denver! - and it was very cozy for just me. My friend and I have talked about doing a trip on the Sunset Limited and, if we do, I won’t try to squeeze two guys into a roomette. It would be tight with just my wife as it appears you found out.
I loved my trip. As you can see I want to do it again. But I’m a transportation and rail geek. For crossing the country, I wouldn’t use Amtrak purely for transportation. It’s for the experience for me. It’s a very different experience than a five hour trip on a European HSR such as an SNCF TGV in France or the Eurostar to the UK. The Amtrak rolling stock, while fine, definitely is much more dated than the lost modern HSRs in Europe. But the food on Amtrak is really good! Four meals - with rich desserts - and no exercise for two days probably cost me a few pounds!
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Lonestar-xo1cs
I have been on almost every route Amtrak currently has plus several that were cut. One thing when traveling Amtrak is that Amtrak is at the mercy of the Freight RR Dispatcher since all the tracks are owned by the freight railroads. There are congestion areas on every route and there is the occasional freight train stalling or crews running out of hours.
Overall, with all the 1, 000s of miles I have traveled on Amtrak, delays and others issues, there is no other way I would choose to travel. Seeing the USA is so exciting I can't wait for my next train trip, even though some routes I have been on dozens of times.
If you don't see the USA by rail, and only air, you have not seen this country.
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I have been on almost every route Amtrak currently has plus several that were cut. One thing when traveling Amtrak is that Amtrak is at the mercy of the Freight RR Dispatcher since all the tracks are owned by the freight railroads. There are congestion areas on every route and there is the occasional freight train stalling or crews running out of hours.
Overall, with all the 1, 000s of miles I have traveled on Amtrak, delays and others issues, there is no other way I would choose to travel. Seeing the USA is so exciting I can't wait for my next train trip, even though some routes I have been on dozens of times.
If you don't see the USA by rail, and only air, you have not seen this country.
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jeb_brooks
I remember traveling Amtrak in the 2000’s to the 2010’s. Back then the coach class cars only had one outlet per car. So when loading in Denver you had to make sure you were in front of the line to get the outlet seat or movies and cell phones would be very dead by the time you reached the next cigarette stop. So rushing was common. I also learned after years of Amtrak coach the secret is to pick a seat right infront/behind a crying baby. They usually stop once train is moving and nobody will want to sit with you so close to loudness. Two seats to yourself is key. After over ten years of riding that train twice a year I can still feel the train wobble but certainly the empire builder was worse.
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I remember traveling Amtrak in the 2000’s to the 2010’s. Back then the coach class cars only had one outlet per car. So when loading in Denver you had to make sure you were in front of the line to get the outlet seat or movies and cell phones would be very dead by the time you reached the next cigarette stop. So rushing was common. I also learned after years of Amtrak coach the secret is to pick a seat right infront/behind a crying baby. They usually stop once train is moving and nobody will want to sit with you so close to loudness. Two seats to yourself is key. After over ten years of riding that train twice a year I can still feel the train wobble but certainly the empire builder was worse.
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jeb_brooks
Another amazing vlog by yourself and Susan. That steak looked amazing and so did them craft beers. If you and Susan ever get chance to visit north wales especially Llandudno there is a nice little pub called tapps it had amazing ales etc it's one place I always visit and it serves ales from my home city of Stoke on Trent the brewery is called titanic brewery and they brew and ale called plum porter omd it's amazing. Also there's 2 sleeper trains in the UK we have the Caledonian sleeper and the night riverare train as well keep up the amazing videos and always we'll see you in the sky's or on the tracks
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Another amazing vlog by yourself and Susan. That steak looked amazing and so did them craft beers. If you and Susan ever get chance to visit north wales especially Llandudno there is a nice little pub called tapps it had amazing ales etc it's one place I always visit and it serves ales from my home city of Stoke on Trent the brewery is called titanic brewery and they brew and ale called plum porter omd it's amazing. Also there's 2 sleeper trains in the UK we have the Caledonian sleeper and the night riverare train as well keep up the amazing videos and always we'll see you in the sky's or on the tracks
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shirosenshiesq
At least you get trains across country for the purpose of commuting. In Australia, we have one train that goes between capital cities - the Overland from AdelaideMelbourne - which does not have (or need) a sleeper option (though used to have them on their cancelled overnight trips, with either a basic or premium seating option. All other trains between all other cities are limited to 'experience' trains with multiple days and nights and off train excursions, costing thousands per trip.
What I wouldn't give for a robust, high-speed rain between all capitals in Australia.
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At least you get trains across country for the purpose of commuting. In Australia, we have one train that goes between capital cities - the Overland from AdelaideMelbourne - which does not have (or need) a sleeper option (though used to have them on their cancelled overnight trips, with either a basic or premium seating option. All other trains between all other cities are limited to 'experience' trains with multiple days and nights and off train excursions, costing thousands per trip.
What I wouldn't give for a robust, high-speed rain between all capitals in Australia.
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jeb_brooks
That one comment the person made about Amtrak letting freight trains have priority really annoyed me. Freight trains have priority because the freight companies own the rail and frankly trying to move a 75-130 car freight train out the way for an Amtrak train is pretty difficult and impractical. Of course Amtrak doesn't have a policy where it voluntarily Inconveniences and delays customers and its crew by an obscene amount of time on a consistent basis. Amtrak is just forced to play the hand its dealt outside the NEC. But great video as usual.
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That one comment the person made about Amtrak letting freight trains have priority really annoyed me. Freight trains have priority because the freight companies own the rail and frankly trying to move a 75-130 car freight train out the way for an Amtrak train is pretty difficult and impractical. Of course Amtrak doesn't have a policy where it voluntarily Inconveniences and delays customers and its crew by an obscene amount of time on a consistent basis. Amtrak is just forced to play the hand its dealt outside the NEC. But great video as usual.
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TheWolfHowling
As a Solo traveller, I was perfectly content in a roomette while traveling cross-country. In fact, I would sleep in the upper bunk and leave the seats in the daytime config so I wouldn't need to move all my backpack, carry-on & other stuff around. Also, if you travel with a lot of electronics you need to power, as well as some kind of multiboard/power strip, a quad USB-A AC Adapter is great for all those small loads, such as smartwatches, external camera battery chargers & BT Headphones, while only using a single outlet of the splitter.
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As a Solo traveller, I was perfectly content in a roomette while traveling cross-country. In fact, I would sleep in the upper bunk and leave the seats in the daytime config so I wouldn't need to move all my backpack, carry-on & other stuff around. Also, if you travel with a lot of electronics you need to power, as well as some kind of multiboard/power strip, a quad USB-A AC Adapter is great for all those small loads, such as smartwatches, external camera battery chargers & BT Headphones, while only using a single outlet of the splitter.
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vx5468
Jeb ruminating on the three components brought sentimental tears to my eyes. So very right. I love Amtrak and would love to ride it again. That quick shot which seemed between Richmond and Martinez I've ridden many times, and have sprung from my seat to kneel on the floor and take photos. Btw, the Bloody Mary they make on board is surprisingly delicious.
I love the Martinez station. Those wood benches. Also - engineers will wave back if you wave at them, and I do, just like an excited child.
Amtrak feels magical to me.
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Jeb ruminating on the three components brought sentimental tears to my eyes. So very right. I love Amtrak and would love to ride it again. That quick shot which seemed between Richmond and Martinez I've ridden many times, and have sprung from my seat to kneel on the floor and take photos. Btw, the Bloody Mary they make on board is surprisingly delicious.
I love the Martinez station. Those wood benches. Also - engineers will wave back if you wave at them, and I do, just like an excited child.
Amtrak feels magical to me.
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LittleBurchie
Six years ago I had a two-day event in Oakland, California. Cost was an issue for this retiree, so I took the westbound #5 Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville, attended the event, then got on the next eastbound #6 Zephyr and went back to Chicago -- ALL IN COACH! I loved every minute of it and consider it one of the very best adventures of this septuagenarian's life! I would not hesitate to do it in coach all over again. The 2nd day each way, between Denver and Glenwood Springs, is simply spectacular!
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Six years ago I had a two-day event in Oakland, California. Cost was an issue for this retiree, so I took the westbound #5 Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville, attended the event, then got on the next eastbound #6 Zephyr and went back to Chicago -- ALL IN COACH! I loved every minute of it and consider it one of the very best adventures of this septuagenarian's life! I would not hesitate to do it in coach all over again. The 2nd day each way, between Denver and Glenwood Springs, is simply spectacular!
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thepayne0
My wife, baby and I moved from Utah to Chicagoland last year, and we used amtrak to do the actual move of our persons. I loved it personally, my wife hated it haha. We got delayed 12 hours! So we ended up at union station in chocago at 3am, not the best. However i would definitely do it again, considering they gave us a big voucher for travel later.
The attendants were nice but amtrak needs more people si that they dont wear out the ines they have, poor people were working 24/7 for months
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My wife, baby and I moved from Utah to Chicagoland last year, and we used amtrak to do the actual move of our persons. I loved it personally, my wife hated it haha. We got delayed 12 hours! So we ended up at union station in chocago at 3am, not the best. However i would definitely do it again, considering they gave us a big voucher for travel later.
The attendants were nice but amtrak needs more people si that they dont wear out the ines they have, poor people were working 24/7 for months
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jfebacher
My first train trip was over 20 years ago. Need to go to LA and was routed, by bus) from Denver, which is near where I live to Raton NM. Took coach there and back. I loved it. I actually got to eat in the dining car. I didn't know you weren't supposed to be able to. Nobody asked me if I had a room. They just seated me and I ate. I asked how much and they said it was included. I found out after got to LA It wasn't supposed to happen that way so didn't try on the way back home.
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My first train trip was over 20 years ago. Need to go to LA and was routed, by bus) from Denver, which is near where I live to Raton NM. Took coach there and back. I loved it. I actually got to eat in the dining car. I didn't know you weren't supposed to be able to. Nobody asked me if I had a room. They just seated me and I ate. I asked how much and they said it was included. I found out after got to LA It wasn't supposed to happen that way so didn't try on the way back home.
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aaronmoriak502
I think my one recommendation, especially for sleeper car passengers, is to bring an eye mask and ear plugs. I took a trip from DC to Chicago last year and barely got any sleep because the Roomette curtains did not block out much light from the hallway and the train horn would constantly blow as we approached the large number of road crossings in Ohio and Indiana.
The only time I actually slept was during those 20 minute rest stops, unfortunately
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I think my one recommendation, especially for sleeper car passengers, is to bring an eye mask and ear plugs. I took a trip from DC to Chicago last year and barely got any sleep because the Roomette curtains did not block out much light from the hallway and the train horn would constantly blow as we approached the large number of road crossings in Ohio and Indiana.
The only time I actually slept was during those 20 minute rest stops, unfortunately
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ryancaldwell9463
One thing some people do is get 2 roomettes across the hall from one another. You’ll have to call to make this happen instead of a random assignment. But you get your own access to views on both sides, you can have them set one up for sleeping/snoozing, eat your meals in the other one. You can both have the wider lower bunk. There’s a few things you can do that may interest people. Roommettes are roughly half the cost of a bedroom anyway.
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One thing some people do is get 2 roomettes across the hall from one another. You’ll have to call to make this happen instead of a random assignment. But you get your own access to views on both sides, you can have them set one up for sleeping/snoozing, eat your meals in the other one. You can both have the wider lower bunk. There’s a few things you can do that may interest people. Roommettes are roughly half the cost of a bedroom anyway.
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michaelcoretto9629
Great video. We have done the roomette and bedroom on the auto train a number of times. The quality of sleep in the bedroom was definitely low, I think you hit the nail on the head with the orientation of the beds to the direction of travel. Having the extra space and your own bathroom make it worth it to us. As with most things, the price has jumped considerably in the past couple years.
Great job!
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Great video. We have done the roomette and bedroom on the auto train a number of times. The quality of sleep in the bedroom was definitely low, I think you hit the nail on the head with the orientation of the beds to the direction of travel. Having the extra space and your own bathroom make it worth it to us. As with most things, the price has jumped considerably in the past couple years.
Great job!
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citibear57
Enjoyable video as always, but what I enjoy most is the high-quality video. It is so clear that I feel that I am there with you and seeing it with my own eyes!
It's funny what people will complain about when riding on Amtrak, so I say to them Take the plane, and let's compare the scenery afterward. If you're not in a hurry, then taking a train is much more memorable -or like you stated, it's an adventure
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Enjoyable video as always, but what I enjoy most is the high-quality video. It is so clear that I feel that I am there with you and seeing it with my own eyes!
It's funny what people will complain about when riding on Amtrak, so I say to them Take the plane, and let's compare the scenery afterward. If you're not in a hurry, then taking a train is much more memorable -or like you stated, it's an adventure
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mathewmclean9128
I know that you guys and many other Amtrak fans would totally agree with this.
I would argue that if Amtrak would adjust the times for the empire builder, the views would be almost as good as the California zephyr. If they adjusted the empire builder so it went through the mountains in Idaho and Montana during the daytime, it would compete with the zephyr for the most scenic route.
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I know that you guys and many other Amtrak fans would totally agree with this.
I would argue that if Amtrak would adjust the times for the empire builder, the views would be almost as good as the California zephyr. If they adjusted the empire builder so it went through the mountains in Idaho and Montana during the daytime, it would compete with the zephyr for the most scenic route.
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jeb_brooks
Would you ever consider doing a handicapped room train travel video on Amtrak I have a 101 year old mom that loves trains, but basically uses a wheel chair, yet can walk into seats and climb up into my car, still. I would love to take her on a last epic train journey if it’s even worth it. Gotta do my own home work, for sure, but one doesn’t know until their there experiencing it
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Would you ever consider doing a handicapped room train travel video on Amtrak I have a 101 year old mom that loves trains, but basically uses a wheel chair, yet can walk into seats and climb up into my car, still. I would love to take her on a last epic train journey if it’s even worth it. Gotta do my own home work, for sure, but one doesn’t know until their there experiencing it
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jeb_brooks
For me, a roomette is the choice for a single person since it’s plenty of rooms for one person. On a route like the Zephyr, the additional space in a bedroom isn’t worth it to me for how much more pricey it is. But for two people who will share the cost difference, I would say do the bedroom because it’s really tight to fit two people in a roomette.
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For me, a roomette is the choice for a single person since it’s plenty of rooms for one person. On a route like the Zephyr, the additional space in a bedroom isn’t worth it to me for how much more pricey it is. But for two people who will share the cost difference, I would say do the bedroom because it’s really tight to fit two people in a roomette.
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richardjones4256
Your right on point with your assessment of the gold card. I thought about getting this card but I decided not to as I'm getting a lot more value from other cards. I just product changed to the freedom flex, and I'm killing it on the dinning category, earning 7X per dollar right now. Which is great because I eat out a lot lol
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Your right on point with your assessment of the gold card. I thought about getting this card but I decided not to as I'm getting a lot more value from other cards. I just product changed to the freedom flex, and I'm killing it on the dinning category, earning 7X per dollar right now. Which is great because I eat out a lot lol
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