Amtrak Family Bedroom: Traveling with Little Ones

Traveling overnight on Amtrak with children can be a memorable adventure, but selecting the right sleeping accommodations is crucial. Families need enough space to sit, sleep, store their belongings, and occasionally enjoy some personal space with an Amtrak Family Bedroom.

Amtrak officially designates this accommodation as the Family Room, though many travelers still refer to it as the Family Bedroom. Available on Superliner trains, this private room spans the entire width of the train and features windows on both sides.

The room accommodates up to two adults and two children, featuring two bigger beds for adults and two smaller beds for children. Although there is no private bathroom, restrooms and a shower are conveniently located nearby on the same level.

In this guide, I will explain the room layout, including bed sizes, amenities, pricing, and any limitations. Additionally, I will help you compare the Amtrak Family Room with roomettes and bedrooms to determine whether it is the best choice for your trip.

Quick Answer: Is an Amtrak Family Bedroom Worth It?

An Amtrak Family Room is ideal for two adults with one or two younger children, especially when keeping everyone together is more important than having a private bathroom. Side note: the bathroom is not too far away.

The room features seating that can be converted into two adult-sized beds and two shorter beds suitable for children. Your reservation also includes meals in the dining car, bedding, turndown service, assistance from a sleeping car attendant, and access to nearby shared restrooms and a shower.

The Family Room is located on the lower level of a Superliner sleeping car, offering windows on both sides of the train and easy access to the restrooms without needing to use the stairs. However, when heading to the dining car, café, or Sightseer Lounge, you will need to climb the stairs and walk through the upper level.

The main limitations include the short child beds, the absence of a private bathroom, and limited availability. Before booking, it’s advisable to compare the total price with two roomettes or a Bedroom Suite, especially when traveling with older or taller children.

Routes with Amtrak Family Bedrooms

Family Bedrooms are only available on Amtrak Superliner (bi-level) trains, including:

• Auto Train
• California Zephyr
• City of New Orleans
• Coast Starlight
• Empire Builder
• Southwest Chief
• Sunset Limited
• Texas Eagle

👉The Floridian has taken over the Capitol Limited route. Unlike the Capitol Limited, which offered Family Bedrooms, the Floridian only uses single-level Viewliner equipment and does not provide this feature.

Family bedrooms are not available on single-level Viewliner trains, and thos are

• Floridian
• Crescent
• Silver Meteor
• Cardinal
• Lakeshore Limited

What Are Amtrak Family Bedrooms?

A look at an Amtrak Family Bedroom (Photo courtesy of Amtrak.com)

Amtrak Family Bedrooms are private accommodations on Superliner trains that can accommodate up to two adults and two children. Couples can also book these rooms if they prefer. The children’s beds are shorter than standard beds, which may be a concern for older or taller kids.

In addition to private space to relax and enjoy the journey, each Family Bedroom includes:

• Two lower berths (one adult-sized and one child-sized)
• Two upper berths (one adult-sized and one child-sized)
• A sofa and chair for daytime seating with a table in between
• Windows on both sides of the train for scenic views
• A small closet, plus nearby luggage storage
• Nearby restrooms and shower facilities

Amtrak Family Bedroom Layout & Bed Sizes

The Family Bedroom is designed to maximize comfort and functionality within a 5’2″ x 9’2″ space. During the day, the room features a sofa, chair, and table setup that converts into beds at night.

Bed sizes are:

• Upper child berth: 2’0″ x 4’7″
• Upper adult berth: 2’4″ x 6’2″
• Lower child berth: 2’0″ x 4’9″
• Lower adult berth: 3’4″ x 6’3″

360° View of the Amtrak Family Bedroom

Here is a look at the Family Bedroom. Note that this is an older 360 view; many of the cars have updated interiors, but the layout remains the same. This site shows what the rooms look like during the day.

Is the Amtrak Family Bedroom Right for You?

The Family Bedroom can be a great option, but it may not be suitable for every trip. Here’s a quick way to determine if it’s the right choice for you.

Best for:

• Families with young kids
• Parents who want everyone in one room
• Travelers who value space over privacy features
• Daytime travel, where you can enjoy the extra room to spread out

Might not be ideal for:

• Families with older or taller kids (the beds are shorter)
• Travelers who prefer to stay on the upper level for views and easier access
• Anyone who doesn’t want to go up and down stairs during the trip

Not great for:

• Groups of four adults
• Anyone who really wants a private bathroom in their room

The primary consideration is that this room is designed for families traveling with young children. While adults can also reserve this room without kids, it will not comfortably accommodate four full-sized adults for sleeping.

Amenities & Services

Traveling in a Family Bedroom comes with a range of amenities and services that make the journey even more enjoyable:

• Traveling in a Family Bedroom includes:
  • Privacy and comfort
  • Complimentary meals
  • Priority boarding
  • Lounge access at select stations
  • A dedicated attendant for assistance

Benefits of Choosing a Family Bedroom

Choosing a family bedroom for your Amtrak journey offers several benefits:

• Privacy: Provides a private space for relaxation.
• Scenic Views: Enjoy stunning scenery through large windows.
• Convenience: The attendant can switch your room from a day to a night setup.
• Flexibility: It easily transitions from day seating to night sleeping.

Tips for Traveling in an Amtrak Family Bedroom

• Pack Smart: Bring essentials such as snacks, games, and entertainment to keep the children occupied during the trip. There is often only one outlet in the room, so an extension cord can provide additional outlets and power where you need them.
• Plan Ahead: Book your Family Bedroom well in advance, as these accommodations can fill up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. Only one of these rooms is available per sleeper car, so there could be two or three per train.
• Take Advantage of Amenities: To enhance your travel experience, make the most of the included meals and services from your sleeping-car attendant.
• Kid gear may not count toward luggage allowances: If you’re traveling with infants under two, you can bring your stroller and diaper bag for your baby; neither counts toward the carry-on limit.

How to book an Amtrak family bedroom

You can book a Family Room through:

• Amtrak.com
• Call 1-800-USA-Rail
• Amtrak’s app on mobile devices
• Travel agents

When booking rooms, there are two fees: a room fee and a base fare per person. When you enter the number of people traveling with you and select a room, the price displayed is the total cost for all passengers.

• Children under 2 are free, but they must be included on your ticket; only one child under two is permitted per adult.
• Those 2 to 12 are half off the base fare.
• Anyone 13 and up is full fare.

Here are other Amtrak discounts and deals.

If you have more than four in your party

If your group has more than four people, consider booking two rooms: a Family Room and a Roomette. You can call Amtrak to request adjacent, lower-level Roomettes near the Family Room, but availability is not guaranteed.

Booking a Family Room and a roomette online may result in rooms that are randomly assigned and not necessarily adjacent, or even in different train cars.

Alternatives to Family Bedrooms

There are alternatives if the Family Bedroom is sold out, costs too much, or for any other reason.

Roomettes: You can book one or more roomettes on the train. If you book them online, they are assigned randomly. So, call Amtrak if you want rooms together or near each other. You can book a Family Bedroom and add a roomette if you need more space. There are four roomettes on the lower level of the car.

Bedroom: These trains also have bedrooms and suites, where you can book two rooms next to each other with a connecting door. To reserve a suite, please call Amtrak.

FAQ on the Amtrak Family Bedroom

• Car Seats: Since there are no seatbelts on trains, you cannot secure car seats to the seats in rooms or to coach seats on connecting trains.
• Baby Gear: Strollers and diaper bags for infants under two do not count toward carry-on limits.
• Birthday Booking: If your child celebrates their birthday during the trip, their age will remain the same for booking purposes.
• Viewliner Trains: They do not offer family bedrooms.
• Solo or Couple: Individuals and couples can book family bedrooms.

Family Bedroom vs Roomette vs Bedroom

If you’re deciding between Amtrak’s sleeping options, this comparison can help you choose.

What this means for your trip

Family Bedroom
Accommodates up to two adults and two children. This option provides ample space for families wishing to stay together. Although there is no private bathroom or shower, both facilities are conveniently located nearby on the same level.

Roomette
Accommodates one to two people and is the most budget-friendly sleeper option. It is suitable for solo travelers, couples, or one adult traveling with a child. The space is limited, and bathrooms and showers are shared.

If you’re traveling with two adults and two children, booking two roomettes can sometimes be a more economical option. You’ll need to call to request that the rooms be near each other, and while Amtrak will try to accommodate this request, it isn’t guaranteed.

Bedroom
This suite accommodates two adults and can be expanded for more space. It offers larger accommodations than a roomette and includes a private bathroom, making it the most comfortable option at a higher price point.

Quick takeaway

Choose the Family Bedroom for extra space for kids, the Roomette for the most budget-friendly option, and the Bedroom for privacy and comfort.

Kev’s Thoughts on the Amtrak Family Bedroom

I booked a family bedroom for a trip with my sister and niece, and found it an excellent arrangement for traveling with a young child. There was plenty of space for me to stretch out, and my niece had a designated area to play games with her mom. Having the restrooms nearby also made things much easier for my niece during the trip.

Amtrak’s Family Bedrooms provide a unique opportunity for families to travel together. These rooms blend the comfort of private space with the relaxed experience of train travel. Whether you’re embarking on a long-distance adventure or simply looking for a different way to enjoy time with your kids, these accommodations can make the journey as memorable as the destination.

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Safe travels!

Kev