A step up from sitting in coach, where you get a seat among other passengers, a roomette is a private space with a door and blinds to cover up the windows. Inside, I found two beds, two chairs, a table and a toilet.

According to Amtrak's website, roomettes are around 22.75 square feet, which, for reference, is a little bigger than a standard twin-size bed. The roomette sleeps up to two adults.

Bedrooms are around 45.5 square feet, which, for reference, is a little bigger than a standard king-size bed. Like the roomette, they sleep a maximum of two adults with two bunks.

The bedroom had a couch, an additional chair, a shower, and an enclosed bathroom.

Having a private space was the most important thing to me on this long train journey, and both rooms offered that.

Both rooms also had some clever storage hacks, like a table that pulled out between the chairs.

You could select this option in either room. So, if you're bothered by the train's bumpiness during the day, as I was, I recommend sleeping on the bottom bunk in either accommodation.

As someone who deals with travel anxiety, I found 30 hours on a train to be overwhelming.

But staying in a bedroom made me feel more comfortable than staying in a roomette. The bedroom offered ample space to stretch out and move about, which made all the difference to me.

Frankly, I don't feel comfortable sitting for 30 hours.

To pass the time, get moving, and feel more at home, I took frequent dance breaks in my bedroom, where I closed the curtains and blasted music in my earbuds.

This felt freeing and satisfying, and if I wanted to, I think I could have even done some yoga poses, body-weight exercises, or practiced my karate moves.

Having room to lounge in the bedroom made me feel more relaxed throughout my journey.

After staying in a roomette with a toilet for the first half of my trip to Miami, I was moved to another room without a toilet for the remainder due to the availability of roomettes when I booked my ticket. I had access to a bathroom at the end of the sleeper car.

While traveling home in a bedroom, I appreciated that the toilet was separated from the rest of the room by a door.

I also thought the bedroom had a nicer vanity with three mirrors facing each other, which made it easier to wash my face in the morning.

However, with two seats and no privacy curtain around the toilet in the roomette, I was grateful to be a solo traveler.

The bedroom upgraded my 30-hour journey from anxiety-inducing to comfy and homey.

The bedroom is especially worth the splurge for those traveling with a buddy since there's more room to stretch out.

Before spending the night in a bedroom from Miami to New York City, I spent 30 hours on an Amtrak train traveling to Florida in a roomette — a 20-square-foot private cabin.

The bedroom accommodation is a step up from a roomette on long-distance Amtrak trains. It offers even more space, as well as a private bathroom.

After experiencing cramped seating arrangements on previous Amtrak rides, the bedroom was a luxury. Instead of having just two seats facing each other as I did in the roomette, it was nice to have a big couch where I could stretch out my legs and put my feet up. That same couch transformed into a bed in the evenings.

There was an additional chair on the left, too, which could be folded up and stowed away.

The bedroom also had a table that pulled out from the wall between two of the three seats, which made working from the rails more efficient.

I usually love unpacking upon arrival in my accommodations. The more I unpack while traveling, the more at home I feel.

Since I was only on the train for one night, I didn't use the closet — but it would have come in handy for storing jackets if I were traveling at a cooler time of the year.

Having storage spaces around the room made it easier to keep it tidy, which I've found essential in maintaining order in a tiny space.

The bedroom had a three-panel vanity mirror, a sink, and towels, making washing my face or brushing my teeth convenient. I joked that the setup was nicer than my bathroom at home.

I brushed my teeth and washed my face before bed and again the next morning, just like I would on any regular day at home. Feeling clean makes me more comfortable while traveling.

While I try to pack light, I always make room for my electric toothbrush, so having an outlet next to the mirror was great for keeping it charged.

This cabinet allowed me to unpack the way I would in a hotel room and easily see my items as needed. The cabinet snapped shut, so everything stayed in place as the train moved.

The roomette from my previous train ride included a small sink, leaving no room to unpack like this. The bedroom's vanity felt like an upgraded — and very welcome — amenity.

The room also had fluffy towels, as if I were in a hotel, not on a train.

Having my own bathroom was a game changer for me as a train traveler. It allowed me to unpack and made me feel like I was being exposed to fewer germs. Plus, I never had to wait for my turn. I couldn't find a downside to a private bathroom for 30 hours of travel.

Hooks on the bathroom door could hold towels and clothing items. There were two large towels on a shelf above the toilet. Then, of course, there was my sink with vanity mirrors in the room.

This was traveling as it should be.

The bedroom had other neat features, like a button to call an attendant for anything I needed and handy controls for the lights. There was a night setting and reading lamps in addition to the overhead light.

A dial controlled the volume of the speaker, where an attendant would make announcements about where the train was stopping.

I could also control the temperature in my room, as I had in the roomette on a previous trip. Picking my ideal temperature made me feel so much more comfortable on a 30-hour journey. Dealing with sweat or shivers would have made the trip feel much longer.

In the evenings, Amtrak offers turndown service. An attendant will come to your room and set up your bed.

When the attendant came into my room at about 8 p.m., they asked me whether I wanted to sleep on the top or bottom bunk. Since I tried the top bunk in the roomette, I went with the bottom bunk on this trip.

When I entered the room again, my first thought was that the bed looked bigger than the one I slept in on my way to Miami.

The bed and sheets were surprisingly soft, and I was happy to have more room to spread out as I slept.

The outlet I used for my electric toothbrush came in handy once again when I was ready for bed. I plugged in my phone to charge, propped it up on the vanity, and watched my favorite TV shows.

Watching my go-to shows relaxed me before I fell asleep.

Another key feature was the air vent above the bed. I prefer to keep the room cool for sleeping, so I pointed the air vent toward my face as I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt much more rested than I ever had on a train. I believe it was thanks to the bigger, more comfortable bed — and my privacy.

The bottom bunk felt less bumpy than my previous ride on the top bunk, so I recommend opting for the bottom bunk on overnight trips.

In the future, I'll definitely splurge on a bedroom booking on an Amtrak train. The privacy, space, and better sleep are so worth it.

When booking my ticket, a diagram on Amtrak's website showed the direction of travel so that I could choose a forward or backward-facing seat on the train.

I chose to sit in 5F, a single window seat facing forward.

An Amtrak representative told Business Insider that seat selection — which is not typically available for Amtrak coach seats — allows for "seamless boarding while taking the guesswork out of finding your seat."

Seven cities in the US have Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, and Washington, DC. Admission is included with a first-class ticket.

In select locations, business-class passengers can buy a day pass for $50.

Train stations like Philadelphia's 30th Street Station and New York City's Penn Station don't have much seating available in the public waiting areas.

In the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge, the armchairs and couches felt reminiscent of a hotel lobby.

I spent nearly three hours there, and the time flew by since I had cushy places to sit and a decent WiFi connection.

A coffee machine produced espresso, iced coffee, and hot chocolate. A water dispenser also offered still, sparkling, and hot water.

Train announcements were displayed on information screens instead of blasting through loudspeakers, and people kept their conversations and phone calls at a respectful volume.

The exclusivity of the space also meant it wasn't very crowded.

Unfortunately, the elevator to my specific track was broken, so I had to join the regular boarding line outside the lounge.

While the seat had more space to spread out with no seat next to it, I didn't notice a significant improvement in comfort. It felt more or less the same as the coach seat I'd sat in earlier in the day for my trip to Philadelphia, which had been perfectly comfortable.

Even though the trip was only scheduled to last about one hour and 22 minutes, it included a full meal from the first-class menu. Having someone take my order made me feel like I was at a restaurant and added to the luxurious experience.

The salad was a mix of arugula, spinach, purple potatoes, parsnips, chickpeas, tomatoes, and king mushrooms with a curry dressing.

It came with a warm roll and a small tiramisu in a jar, and I enjoyed the meal with a glass of cranberry juice.

The silverware was stamped with the Acela logo.

The lightly scented, moist towelettes were a refreshing end to the meal service.

I generally agree with my colleague Joey Hadden's previous assessment of Amtrak's first-class experience: The perks are cool, but not necessarily worth the higher price tag of $241 for a one-way ticket. The first leg of my journey, from New York to Philadelphia, cost just $19 for a coach seat.

If anything, the fact that first class doesn't feel like a significant upgrade is a testament to the comfort of Amtrak's coach cars.

The one exception, in my opinion, is the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge. While I may not book an expensive first-class ticket again for a shorter trip, I'd consider getting a lounge day pass for the luxury of having a quiet, comfortable, well-stocked waiting area.

I booked a tiny, private roomette for $500 on my trip from New York City to Miami and reserved a $1,000 bedroom accommodation, the next step up after a roomette, on my way back. 

The bedrooms are at least 45.5 square feet, which, for reference, is a little bigger than a standard king-size bed. They can sleep up to two adults.

As someone who deals with travel anxiety, I found 30 hours on a train to be overwhelming, especially since, at the time, I had only taken one other overnight train. The constant motion of the train didn't help, either. In fact, I ended up feeling a little queasy.

But staying in a bedroom made me feel more comfortable than staying in a roomette, a cheaper accommodation that's about half the size. I thought the bedroom offered ample space to stretch out and move about, which made all the difference to me.

I think I could comfortably do a 30-hour train journey again, as long as I book a bedroom. And to make it more affordable, I'd book with a friend to split the cost and have some company next time. 

I arrived at Miami Amtrak Station at 11 a.m., 50 minutes before my train was scheduled to depart. The building's interior reminded me of a Greyhound bus station.

I sat in the only waiting area I could find until it was time to board.

For double the price of a roomette, the accommodation I booked for my previous train trip, the bedroom accommodation also offered double the space.

Right away, I knew this trip would be more pleasant than my ride to Miami since I had more room to stretch out. 

The table reminded me of storage hacks I'd expect to find in a tiny home. I used it to hold my laptop while working and appreciated that I could simply fold it out of the way when it was time to relax. 

Beneath the sink, there was a trash can and a place to hold tissues. 

To the right of the mirror was a cabinet where I could store my toiletries and other personal items. This feature allowed me to unpack a little, the way I would in a hotel room. Placing my toiletries on the cabinet shelves made me feel more at home.

I didn't use the closet, but I think it would have come in handy for storing jackets if I were traveling at a cooler time of the year.

On the bathroom door were hooks to hold towels and clothing items. On a shelf above the toilet were two towels for drying yourself off after a shower.

I appreciated that the toilet was separated from the rest of the room by a door, and I think this is a great amenity if you're traveling with others.

I could also adjust the volume of the overhead speaker, through which train stops were announced, which I found particularly helpful.

This came in handy when I wanted to get off the train for a minute and stretch my legs. Thanks to the overhead speaker volume control, I always knew when the next stop would be and how long we had at each station.

The bedroom also had handy controls for night, reading, and ceiling lights.

I tried to make the train feel like home, and at home, I take dance breaks throughout the day.

Shutting the curtains gave me a moment of privacy to just be my goofy self. This helped me keep moving, too, which I found to be essential for surviving a 30-hour train ride.

Having room to stretch out made me feel more relaxed throughout my journey. I appreciated that the couch was long enough to lie down on.

Thanks to all the work I had to do, the first chunk of my trip home went by pretty quickly. 

I decided to lie down on my belly and look outside the window for a bit.

During my trip home, I saw forests, towns, and factories outside my window. This made me think about how traveling by train gives you a railroad view of the country that can't be replicated in a car or on a flight.

My meals came with the ticket, and I could pick from five items. Since I enjoyed the braised beef short rib dish on my trip to Miami, I decided to get it again on my way home. 

Since I have an electric toothbrush, it was nice to be able to charge it using the outlets in the bathroom. 

My first thought when I entered the room again after receiving bedside service was that the bed looked bigger than the one I slept in on my way to Miami in a roomette.

The bed and sheets were comfortable, and I was happy to have more room to sleep.

I was able to use the foldout table for my bedside belongings, though.

There might have been outlets on the other side of the bed, too, but I wasn't able to find them. 

I thought I'd stay up and watch TV for a while, but my body was telling me to just pass out.

So I decided to lie down and watch "The Office" until I drifted off to sleep.

The ride was bumpy through the night, but being on the lower bed felt grounding, and I didn't feel as if I was going to fall off the bed at any point. Although it wasn't a perfect night's sleep, I definitely slept better than I did in the roomette.

I woke up to the sun peering through my window feeling somewhat rested. 

I was excited to take a shower after having been on the train for nearly 24 hours, but the shower appeared too grimy to feel comfortable, and I wished I packed flip-flops.

Amtrak did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, but according to its website, it sanitizes rooms between visitors.

I usually wear flip-flops in public showers to avoid collecting germs.

Since I forgot them, I decided that not showering would be better.

While I was washing my face, I noticed how nice it was to have three mirrors next to one another. It was easy to see the spots I missed after washing the soap off my face. 

For breakfast, I went to the dining car and got the continental option. For lunch, I decided to try a different entrée from the braised beef short ribs I had the night before.

I chose a chicken fettuccine dish with broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes, and I thought it was decent. 

The breakfast included a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich, oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and a blueberry muffin. I had the choice of maple and brown sugar or apple cinnamon for the oatmeal.

This meal was the most filling I had on the whole trip, and if they served it all day, I'd probably have it for every meal.

To pass the time, I looked at my phone and played Nintendo while relaxing on the bed. 

It was a Saturday, so staying in bed felt right.

I think because my bed was gone and I thought the journey's end should be near, the final hours of my train ride felt as though they dragged on.

When we arrived in New York around 7 p.m., slightly later than scheduled, I realized I had never been more grateful to be home.

But I was also appreciative of the room and privacy I had getting there. 

I arrived at 6:45 a.m. for my 7:15 a.m. train. Amtrak suggests arriving a few minutes before your departure.

Business-class passengers may enter for a $50 fee.

I'd been in this lounge while traveling in first class and thought that while there was a variety of complimentary drinks and snacks, it wasn't worth $50.

I instead went to the main waiting area for all passengers with a train ticket that day.

I found it crowded on a Sunday morning, but after a few minutes of standing around, I grabbed a seat.

As a business-class ticket holder, I didn't receive priority boarding, so I waited in line with business and coach passengers. 

Since the chairs looked larger than those in coach, I thought they'd be comfy and plush. However, once I sat down, I thought they felt stiffer than expected.

But at least it reclined slightly, like on most trains I've taken. 

An Amtrak representative told Business Insider that the business-class seats are about 20 inches wide with 42 inches of legroom.

I was able to rest my laptop and phone on it in front of me, which made it easier to pass the time. I also had an outlet for charging devices.

I got a Diet Coke and brought my own snacks, but a café car was also available to all passengers to purchase meals, drinks, and snacks.

To get my complimentary drink, I had to go to the café car.

I was expecting a nicer restroom in business class, but I didn't think it differed from the lavatories I've experienced in other train classes. 

Aside from bigger seats and a free drink, business class didn't feel very different from coach to me. Next time, I'll save my money and ride economy.

"We are constantly evaluating ways to improve the customer experience, including further differentiating the classes of service across the network," an Amtrak representative said in a statement to BI.

I flew from my home in NYC to Denver and boarded a 15-hour Amtrak train to Salt Lake City.

It wasn't my first overnight Amtrak train ride. In 2021, I took a 30-hour ride from NYC to Miami. The biggest difference between these two rides was the views.

In 2021, I had decent views of the East Coast, from towns to shorelines. But the sights between Colorado and Utah were on another level. I rode through Rocky Mountain National Park and watched the snow-capped forest landscape transition into red rocks and canyons as the train made its way to my destination.

My train trip to Miami was on an Amtrak Viewliner, a one-story train. My recent Amtrak trip to Salt Lake City was on a Superliner, a double-decker train.

On board, I was surprised and excited to find a communal car on the top floor designated for sightseeing since the Viewliner did not have one. The car had two rows of windows and an array of seating options, such as booths and swivel chairs.

Most major cities I visit have an array of luxury accommodations, so when booking my trip to Salt Lake City, I was dumbfounded when I only found a couple of five-star hotels.

I selected the Grand America Hotel — the city's first five-star hotel built in 2001 to serve the 2002 Olympics.

Since its opening, the hotel has been known for hosting A-listers. While hotel representatives declined to reveal any celebrity guest names, a representative of Grand America told BI that they have hosted visiting NBA teams.

The Grand America Hotel was also listed in the top 40 hotels in the world in CN Traveler's 2024 Reader's Choice Awards.

I spent one night in an executive suite with a king-sized bed. The room has a base rate of $340, though Business Insider received a media rate for the one-night stay.

The hotel was as lavish as many I've booked in the $500-$1,000-a-night price range. My room was 880 square feet, with a living room, a bedroom, and a Juliet balcony. I appreciated the spacious marble bathroom and thick, cozy robes with satin lining hanging in the walk-in closet.

Since Salt Lake City is the metropolis of the Silicon Slopes, I expected most of the tech scene to be there. However, I found that the nearby suburb of Draper has created a booming tech community. I visited a large building that served as offices and a coworking space for several companies, giving techies the chance to network daily.

I got private tours of two companies inside the building — Bamboo HR and Pluralsight. The offices were modern and sleek, with intentional color palettes and cozy seats, as I'd expect from any tech office.

But work aside, these spaces had activities for breaks that would make it hard for me to get back to my tasks — pickleball, rentable bikes for trail riding accessible from the property, and, most surprising to me, an indoor golf simulator projected onto a movie theater-sized screen.

In most wealthy towns I visit, the luxury housing is spread out on the outskirts of town, away from the public eye.

That's the case for most of Park City, too.

However, in the downtown area, I spotted many modern and high-end homes layered among older houses on hilltops overlooking the streets. I thought it would be nice to live in a luxury mansion in a walkable neighborhood.

I knew Park City was known for skiing, but I didn't expect to see an active ski lift nearly at arm's length while strolling through the downtown area.

It made sense when I learned that this part of Park City sits between two major ski hubs — Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort.

Finding a public bathroom in New York City often becomes an unwanted adventure. I've even left hangouts early to go home.

So, I didn't expect to see a vibrant sign pointing to one in downtown Park City. I didn't go inside, but all the public restrooms in Park City I saw on Google Maps had five-star ratings.

I also found lit, electric firepits surrounded by benches in courtyards between stores and restaurants.

From Park City's unexpected amenities to Salt Lake City's affordable luxury stays, these unexpected delights made me certain I'll return to the Silicon Slopes.

Amtrak's Superliner is a two-story train fleet that runs on routes west of Chicago and New Orleans, including the California Zephyr. The cars are roughly 30 to 50 years old, and Amtrak plans to replace this fleet and others in the 2030s, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari told Business Insider.

For now, the train line is investing $28 million into interior renovations on long-distance trains, including new carpets, LED lighting, and a seating makeover in coach, communal, and sleeper cars.

Roughly 76% of the Superliner sleeper cars have been updated, and the rest are scheduled to be completed in 2025.

I was lucky enough to ride in a newly refreshed Superliner.

A roomette accommodation is a step above coach seating and a step below a bedroom, which is twice as large and includes a full private bathroom. Two steps above, a bedroom suite joins two bedrooms, providing four beds and two bathrooms with showers.

The train also has family bedrooms, which sleep two adults and two kids, and accessible bedrooms with two bunks.

My ticket also included access to a first-class attendant who took meal reservations, offered turndown service, and fielded questions and requests.

I skipped the coach passenger line to board, stepped onto the train, and placed my luggage in a shared storage space where each passenger was allowed two suitcases.

Then, I walked down a short hallway to my room, which had a sliding door that locked from the inside.

The roomette sleeps up to two people. During the day, the room was set up with two seats, which reclined to form the lower bunk. The upper bunk could be pulled down to reveal the cot.

Next to one of the chairs, there was a shelf below a tall mirror. There were multiple hooks around the room that I used for jackets and accessories.

I could tell the seats were new. They were wide and cushy with no signs of wear. But just to make sure, I asked Magliari how a passenger could tell if they were in an updated sleeper car.

"Doing away with the blue fabric is the biggest giveaway," he said. "If you see gray, vinyl seating, then you know that you are in a fresh room."

Magliari added that the new seat cushions and upholstery provide more lumbar support than the older models.

There were lighting, speaker volume, and temperature controls, as well as one outlet and a call button for the attendant.

There were cupholders on either side of the table — each holding a complimentary water bottle. However, the holders were too shallow to contain the bottles when the train shook, causing them to fall over during turbulent stretches.

"The cupholder size is a challenge we've faced. Beverage shapes and sizes change over time," Magliari told BI, alluding to the rise of brands expanding circumference like Stanley and Yeti.

Inside the closet, I found some hangers and fresh linens.

My booking didn't include a private bathroom. The shower and three of the bathrooms were on the first floor. I never had to wait in line to use the restroom, and I noticed they had been cleaned since my last visit a couple of times during the ride.

After dinner in the dining car, I reclined both seats to be flat, forming the bottom bunk. The bed was wider and more comfortable than most train bunks I've slept on. The pillows were thick and fluffy, and the plush blanket had a luxurious feel.

A 23-square-foot room may seem small, but the wide, comfy seats, impressive space-saving hacks, and views outside the expansive window made it feel large.

After my first overnight Amtrak trip, I learned that the train line has a loyalty program that rewards passengers two points for every $1 spent. Points may be used for tickets, hotels, shopping, and dining, and it's free to join.

If I'd signed up, I would have earned 3,000 points toward my next Amtrak adventure. I missed out that time, but I recently joined the program following my Denver to Salt Lake City journey.

When I booked my first overnight Amtrak ride, I didn't check if my ticket included access to the Metropolitan Lounge at NYC's Penn Station, where I departed.

The Metropolitan Lounge is a quiet waiting area that's free for Amtrak customers in first-class and sleeper cabins. It has comfortable seats and free snacks and drinks.

Since I didn't realize my ticket included access to the lounge, I waited in the seating area for all passengers and was less comfortable than I could have been.

That first ride taught me that overnight trains are very bumpy, and I felt sick for most of it.

For all my overnight rides since, I haven't forgotten to pack my medicine.

I chose to sleep in the top bunk on my first overnight train. I thought it would be more fun, but it made the ride feel even bumpier.

On every overnight ride since, I've opted for the bottom bunk over the top and have found that I sleep better that way.

Amtrak sleeper trains have a variety of accommodations, from regular seats to private rooms.

I traveled from NYC to Miami in a $500 roomette, a 20-square-foot enclosed private space with a foldout table, two chairs that fold out into beds, and an additional bed that pulls down from the ceiling.

On my way back to NYC, I spent 30 hours in the next level up, a bedroom accommodation. It cost $1,000 for twice as much space as the roomette, with a private bathroom.

After these rides, I thought the roomette felt cramped and realized that spending twice as much money for double the space in the bedroom was worth it.

Some of the sleeper trains I've taken in Europe did not have private accommodations like Amtrak. Instead, they had shared cabins, and I learned that some were more comfortable than others.

For example, two Nightjet routes I booked offered regular assigned seats in enclosed seating carriages of six or shared sleeper cars with bunks of four or six. I tried both.

For my ride from Berlin to Vienna, I booked a $40 regular seat inside a seating carriage with six seats facing each other.

The seats didn't recline enough to be fully flat, and the small space felt like a tight squeeze for six people with limited legroom. I didn't sleep at all.

"The quality of travel depends not only on the carriages but also on the route," OBB Nightjet wrote in a statement to Business Insider. "We recommend the sleeper or couchette car for night travel. There is enough space to stretch out. Seated carriages are recommended for shorter journeys."

A few days later, I slept in a bunk inside a shared sleeping cabin for up to six people when traveling from Vienna to Venice for $84.

I still felt cramped in the 74-square-foot space, but having a lie-flat bed made sleeping a bit easier. I thought it was worth the higher price tag.

A year later, I traveled back to Europe to try out Nightjet's new overnight fleet with private cabins. I booked a room for myself from Venice to Vienna for $200. The added price for space and privacy made it worth the price tag.

My first two overnight Amtrak rides between NYC and Miami had WiFi on board. So when I got to my Amtrak train in Denver for my ride to Salt Lake City, I was surprised to find this route didn't include WiFi.

In hindsight, I should have checked if I'd have an internet connection before boarding. Had I known I wouldn't, I'd have downloaded some TV shows and movies for the journey.

While overnight train rides can feel exhausting, I think avoiding these mistakes in the future will make me feel cozier on my next sleeper train adventure.

My train was scheduled to leave Denver Union Station around 7 a.m. to arrive in Winter Park around 9 a.m. — right as its ski lifts open for the day.

I live just outside downtown Denver, so I woke up at 6 a.m. to drive to the parking garage adjacent to Union Station, where I'd booked an overnight parking spot. I arrived at the tracks around 6:20 for my 6:30 boarding time.

My return trip would depart Winter Park at 4:35 p.m. (right after the ski lifts close) and arrive in Denver around 7 p.m.

The train allows riders to take their skis or snowboards as a single carry-on item.

Since passengers can bring two carry-on items and one personal item on board, I was able to travel with my skis, overnight bag, and a small backpack.

While boarding the train, I passed my equipment to a volunteer, who placed it in a special storage area.

All seats on this train are coach — there are no business or first-class options. As the train filled up, I had no trouble finding a seat.

Seats were arranged in pairs (or clusters of four), and I felt quite comfortable. They can recline slightly and most have pull-down tray tables, similar to what you'd find on a plane.

Many of my fellow passengers seemed excited and buzzing with energy — you'd never know it was barely 7 a.m. As the train exited the station, some of them started cheering.

The vibes on the train ride were excellent overall. Even our lively conductor made sure to stop and chat with each passenger while checking tickets.

I and many other passengers had our laptops out to use during the ride. Unfortunately, we lost cellphone service about 30 minutes into the trip, and I wasn't able to use my hot spot or do much on my computer after that.

Fortunately, I was able to spend most of the trip looking out the window at the stunning mountain scenery.

My favorite spot on the train was the lounge car, which had domed windows on top and large ones on either side. It had the best views.

This car also had snacks and drinks for sale, so I bought myself a hot coffee.

The highly relaxing trip took roughly two hours in total.

When we went through Moffat Tunnel on the final stretch of the journey, an Amtrak employee told us it was time to put on our ski gear because we were just minutes away from Winter Park Resort.

We pulled into the train platform shortly after 9 a.m., and I could see the ski runs right out the train windows.

Amtrak employees unloaded our skis and snowboards for us, and we stepped off the train platform and right onto Winter Park grounds.

We were less than 50 steps from Winter Park's base ski lift and village area, where we could grab a bite to eat, rent a ski locker or equipment for the day, and buy a lift pass.

The Amtrak journey to Winter Park wasn't overly expensive and felt highly efficient. It was a great alternative to driving to the mountain.

Although I've been told driving from downtown Denver can be a slightly shorter trip at around 90 minutes, that doesn't factor in traffic.

Winter Park can get really congested during peak ski seasons, so I was happy to not be stuck in a car. Plus, since I wasn't driving, I was able to fully embrace the stunning mountain views around me.

The only real downside for me was that I couldn't bring my dog as the train is not pet-friendly.

I packed everything I'd need with me in my room in a smaller bag, including snacks, entertainment devices, toiletries, and clothes for sleeping.

I put everything else I needed in Sacramento in a larger bag. I ended up having space to keep both bags in my room, but I was still glad to have everything organized and in one place.

I booked a roomette so I had access to the dining car, which included complimentary meals.

I ate a salad for lunch and had dinner on the train. I thought the train food was decent, but I wasn't a huge fan of dinner and dug into the snacks I brought with me instead.

I didn't eat everything I brought on the train, but my own variety of snacks was helpful because I didn't have to spend money at the café.

Upon boarding the train and arriving in my roomette, the space felt clean. But for my own piece of mind, I was glad I brought a small package of disinfecting wipes.

Cleaning the armrests, the door handle, and high-touch items such as the attendant call button and the air-temperature dial made me feel more comfortable.

When I boarded the train, two small plastic water bottles were already in my room. Though I could've asked my car attendant for more water, I'd already brought my own reusable thermos with me.

Bottle-filling stations were also in the same car as my room, so it was easier to get my own water than repeatedly ask my busy attendant for a beverage.

I didn't have access to my own bathroom in the roomette. A shared bathroom was just a few doors down from my room on the same floor, and others, as well as showers, were downstairs on the first level of the sleeper car.

Still, I was thankful I brought easy-to-grab makeup-remover wipes to use at night. The shared bathrooms were quite small, so I thought washing my face in a public sink wouldn't have been a pleasant experience.

Amtrak provided a blanket for each sleeper-car bed, but I chose to bring an additional one from home.

It was nice to have a piece of home with me on my trip. Plus, I could better adjust my temperature and comfort throughout the night with two blankets.

Some Amtrak trains don't have WiFi, and in my experience, cell service can be spotty for much of the journey.

Although I spent a lot of time talking to other travelers, I was glad I packed a book to read in my downtime. I also downloaded a few episodes of one of my favorite shows at home to watch before I went to sleep.

This was my first Amtrak trip, so I didn't know what to expect. Since I sometimes get travel anxiety, I brought a few items that had helped me on other trips.

I packed CBD and essential oils and an aromatherapy mist to help create a calm space if I needed to.

The most important item I wish I had packed was something to help with motion sickness. Since I'd never experienced motion sickness before, I assumed I'd be just fine on a train.

I was OK throughout the entire ride but when I arrived in Sacramento, I felt like I was still on the train and was nauseous for most of the day.

I think having something on the moving train, such as a travel wristband or some kind of medicine, would've helped to alleviate motion sickness.

A temperature dial in the roomette could be used to control an air vent on the ceiling, but it didn't seem to do much. Even with the dial all the way down to cool, I felt really warm in the middle of the night.

I'd brought heavier clothes to sleep in because I thought I'd be cold, but I later wished I'd packed lighter pajamas.

There was a latch to lock the roomette door from the inside, which I appreciated at night, but I didn't see one on the outside of the room.

When I was roaming the train, I carried my phone and wallet with me so they weren't left unattended.

While walking around, I noticed that other travelers had used their own padlocks to lock their sleeper-car rooms. Next time, I might bring a padlock so I can lock my room and leave my items without having to worry.

After I boarded my train, I learned Amtrak passengers who stay in a sleeper car are allowed to bring their own alcohol on the train.

According to Amtrak's website, bringing private-stock alcoholic beverages is welcome as long as they're kept and consumed in your own room.

Next time, I'll definitely bring my favorite bottle of wine or hard cider to enjoy while watching the sunset out the window.

This story was originally published on October 2, 2022, and most recently updated on February 24, 2025.

I had the option to check a bag, but I decided to keep all my belongings with me throughout the trip.

I packed comfy pants and shorts since I was traveling south to warmer temperatures. 

I brought a Nintendo Switch, a tablet, and a book to pass the time. I made sure to download a bunch of podcast episodes to my phone in case I lost service and internet at any point during the trip.

Even though Amtrak sanitizes rooms between visitors, according to its website, bringing my own disinfectant gave me peace of mind and made me feel more comfortable relaxing in my rooms.

This packing tip comes from my mom. She always brought some sort of immunity-boosting chewable to protect us from germs while traveling. And as Business Insider previously reported, Vitamin C can help your immune system fight off some infections.

I picked up these memory foam babies at T.J. Maxx for only $20. They slipped on and off very easily, which was great for leaving my room quickly with shoes on.

I took frequent dance breaks in my room, where I closed the curtains and blasted music in my ears. This, of course, required a pair of headphones. 

While I danced throughout the day, I was glad I could listen to music as loudly as I wanted without bothering my neighbors.

In some roomettes (mine included), a side table swings open to reveal a toilet. Above, there's a folding sink and mirror. 

I may have had a bigger problem with having a toilet so close to my bed, but thankfully, I had packed some Poo Pourri, a spray that goes in the toilet just before you poop to eliminate odors.

I thought many of my meals on the train were decent, but there were times, like when I tried and disliked a salmon dish, that I was thankful for this bag of trail mix with my favorite ingredient, coconut chips.

An Amtrak attendant brought me disposable water bottles every few hours, but I was still glad I brought my own pre-filled water bottle.

But my bottle was too wide for the provided cupholders, which were just big enough for 12-ounce bottles. So, I wish I had brought a smaller reusable water bottle.

I figured this would only be temporary, but I thought the whole ride was shaky. I ended up feeling motion sickness for the majority of both trips and kicking myself for not bringing any remedies.

I planned on showering during my 30-hour ride home from Miami, but I decided not to when I realized I had forgotten my flip-flops. I usually wear them in public showers, since it's pretty easy to pick up germs from places where many people have walked barefoot.

I only saw a couple of sets of outlets in the rooms. With several devices to plug in, I should have brought an outlet splitter or two. 

I could have sworn I packed this and was so disappointed when I wanted to use it.

This specific neck pillow wraps around 1.5 times, making adjusting to various long-term sitting situations easy. 

The bed on the Amtrak was firm and slightly cushy on top, just the way I like a bed. But when I was drifting off to sleep each night, I thought of my fluffy, dense, soft pillows at home. 

When I booked the tickets on Amtrak's website, I could choose between a coach seat, a roomette (for two adults), a bedroom (a slightly larger space for two adults), and a family room (for two adults and two children).

I decided to spend the extra money on the roomette because I wanted to lie down and have privacy during the trip.

Our $1,470 tickets, which I booked about a week in advance, included the roomette, space on board for our two SUVs, dinner and breakfast, and a First-Class attendant service. This meant we had a call button in our roomette and a turndown service.

Check-in for our 5 p.m. train departing from Lorton was between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. When we arrived at about 1:45 p.m., only a few cars were in line.

We drove up to a kiosk at the front of the parking lot, and an employee put a number on each of our cars, gave us some paperwork, and told us to leave our keys in our vehicles.

Then, we checked in at the train station's front desk, where we got our boarding passes and booked our dinner reservation.

We also saw employees turn a car away at about 3:15 p.m., so we were glad we were on time.

Our roomette was tight, but there was enough space for both of us, including my husband, who's 6-foot-4.

The room had two cushioned seats facing each other, a foldable tray table, a mirror, and a big window. It was also very clean, and I liked that we could control the room's air conditioning and lighting.

However, the room only had one outlet. Next time, I'd bring a splitter to easily plug in more than one device during the trip.

When the evening approached, we went to the train's dining car, which had plenty of tables and chairs.

I also noticed the staff seated a few separate parties at the same tables (so you can't be too shy).

Dinner included one complimentary beverage (alcohol included), an entrée such as steak, chicken, fish, or pasta, and dessert.

I opted for a chicken breast with mashed potatoes and green beans and ordered raspberry cheesecake for dessert.

Overall, the food was good for being prepared on a train. It came out piping hot, and the waitstaff was friendly.

I also thought the portion sizes were generous and left us feeling full.

At 9 p.m., our room attendant converted our two seats into bunk beds and provided clean and comfortable sheets and pillows.

However, I didn't particularly like being on the top bunk, which was very close to the ceiling.

The train ride was loud and bumpy, so falling asleep was also difficult. Luckily, I brought earplugs and an eye mask, which made the night much more tolerable.

Amtrak offered a light breakfast with bagels, muffins, cereal, and sandwiches, but I wasn't hungry.

When we got to Florida, we deboarded the train and waited in the station for our cars. We could've paid extra to have our vehicles loaded off the train first, but we didn't choose that option.

After priority cars were unloaded, other passengers' vehicles were randomly called by the assigned numbers given at check-in.

We waited about an hour for our SUVs to come out, though many people at the station were still waiting after we left.

Overall, I'd say booking the roomette was worth the extra money. It was nice to have privacy, lie down at night, and try to get some sleep (even if it wasn't the best experience).

The food was better than I expected, and getting to know other train passengers during dinner service was nice.

I was also impressed with the cleanliness of the train, and the staff was very accommodating and friendly. I'd definitely take the train again and recommend it to anyone looking for an easy way to transport their car along this route.