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I chose coach class when I first started traveling across the country on Amtrak. The following year, I decided to upgrade to a roomette. Like many first-time travelers, I had many questions about Amtrak rooms, and I found online forums helpful despite encountering a few trolls in 2014. My goal with this post is to provide the information you need to make informed travel decisions while avoiding negative experiences during your research.

Amtrak rooms provide an excellent way to experience the country. This article answers some of the most common questions about booking and enjoying Amtrak rooms on long-distance trains.

I enjoy traveling across the United States with Amtrak these days. Whether I choose a roomette or a bedroom, I find great joy in the journey. I especially appreciate the privacy, complimentary meals, comfortable sleeping position, and the ability to start my day refreshed after showering.

Top 21 Questions About Amtrak Rooms

1) My favorite things about Amtrak Rooms

Over the years, these rooms have become my happy place. While I usually enjoy roomettes, I have booked a bedroom for the extra space and all the amenities those rooms provide.

Amtrak rooms offer several things that I love.

I value the privacy the rooms provide. Rooms can be locked from the inside only, and privacy curtains are on both sides of the windows.

Rooms offer seating during the day, but their most significant advantage is that you can sleep horizontally at night! This option is especially beneficial for stomach and side sleepers like me. However, if you’re traveling with a buddy, one of you will need to climb into the upper bunk.

Amtrak sleeper car passengers can use the showers. Amtrak provides soap and towels, but passengers may bring their own items, such as blow dryers. The shower is in the ensuite bathroom if a passenger books a bedroom.

Some train stations offer lounges that you can use while waiting for your first or next train. These lounges provide a peaceful place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the station. I have visited several lounges, but my top choices are Chicago and New York.

2) Amtrak Room Booking Options

Amtrak offers several booking options, allowing you to select the method that best suits your comfort level.

Call Amatrak

If you need assistance booking or modifying a reservation, contact Amtrak’s agents at 1-800-USA-RAIL or 1-877-SKIP-I-95 for the Auto Train. They can also provide updates and help with special requests.

I contact them for booking adjacent roomettes or changing reservations mid-trip.

Staffed stations

Not all stations have staff, and many are unstaffed, so this isn’t an option for everyone. However, if you have access to a staffed station, they can help you the same way you would by calling.

Do it on your own: The Amtrak.com and their App.

Online tickets are an easy way to book your next adventure anywhere and anytime. You can also modify your trip.

I book 99% on my own using the app or website. I switch between the two, and both options have advantages and disadvantages.

Amtrak offers a website that caters to phones or tablets.

Let someone book your trip for you.

You could also use a travel agent. There are authorized Amtrak travel agents and others specializing in rail travel.

3) Are Room Prices Per Person?

When searching for room prices on Amtrak, remember that the displayed cost for two passengers reflects the combined total price for both travelers. You must calculate each person’s share if you’re splitting the cost. For coach class, however, prices are displayed per person.

Booking tickets for both passengers can save money and simplify the process. While it’s possible to add someone to your reservation later, this requires contacting Amtrak directly or visiting a staffed station.

If you prefer separate accommodations, you can book individual tickets through Amtrak.com or the app. Or to make it makes budgeting better.

However, if you’d like rooms in the same car or close to each other, it’s best to call Amtrak to make your reservation. Remember that Amtrak can only accommodate such requests if the rooms are available, and proximity is not guaranteed, especially for last-minute bookings.

If you end up in separate cars, you can still visit each other’s rooms during the journey—it’s a great way to enjoy the trip together.

If you need help or are unsure how to proceed, don’t hesitate to contact Amtrak directly or visit a station staffed with staff.

4) Discounts On Amtrak

Here are the types of Amtrak discounts; see if you qualify! If eligible, the percentage off only applies to the base or rail fares, not the total price of the room.

5) Amtrak Room Assignment

Amtrak assigns rooms after processing your payment and then emails you a ticket. Like in the ticket photo, you see the number for your car and room, plus the equipment type.

If you want a particular room, call 1-800-USA-Rail or visit a station. Tickets bought at stations look different, but the information is the same.

6) What Comes With Your Amtrak Room

The rooms offer comfortable seating during the day and convert into cozy sleeping spaces at night.

Each room has seating and a fold-out table for daytime activities. The seating converts into a lower bunk in the evening, and your attendant provides turndown service to ensure a restful night’s sleep.

Your room includes all scheduled meals during your train journey, and your attendant will start your morning with coffee and juice service.

For added convenience, there’s a place to hang your clothing—either a small closet or a hook on the wall—with hangers provided.

Both interior and exterior windows feature curtains for privacy, and additional lighting options, such as nightlights and reading lamps, are available to suit your needs.

All rooms have at least one 120v grounded three-prong outlet, making charging your devices during the trip easy.

Bedrooms have their own bathroom and shower. Roomettes and family rooms share facilities.

7) Do You Share Amtrak Rooms With Strangers?

This question is one of the most asked!

No, only the people on your ticket can share your room; solo travelers have the rooms all to themselves.

8) The Sizes Of Amtrak Rooms

The rooms are small and cozy, like an RV.

Roomettes

A Superliner roomette is around 3’6″ by 6′ 6,” while a Viewliner roomette is slightly larger.

I am about 6’2″, 210 pounds, and fit comfortably in the room.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are around 6’6″ by 7’6″ and have bathroom ensuite.

The less luggage you have, the more room you have in your accommodation.

9) Amtrak Beds: Are They Comfortable? How Are They Made?

For me, the beds are comfortable, but your mileage can vary.

All the rooms have bunk beds.

The lower bed comes from the two seats coming together, or the sofa gets flattened in a bedroom or family room with a mattress on top.

The upper bunk pulls down with safety straps to keep you in.

When two people share a room, one must be able to climb to the top bunk. Roomettes have steps to the top bunk, while bedrooms have ladders.

Your attendant will make your bed up at night and put it away in the morning.

Yes, there is a net to prevent you from falling out of the top bunk, and no, I have never fallen out of bed.

10) Is It Hard To Sleep On An Amtrak Train?

I tend to sleep well on the train but sometimes need help, such as melatonin or a sleep aid. If I am on a long train, I sleep better on the second night.

Trains make noise

The train’s motion relaxes me as I sleep; sometimes, I wake up when the train stops because of the lack of movement. The horn and the track noise also lull me to sleep.

You may struggle if you need perfect silence, but earplugs may help.

Amtrak can only do so much. Train travel always involves a din: the sound of steel wheels on steel tracks, the sound of the wheels going through switches, bells, and horns.

Staff and fellow passengers

Conductors stop making announcements around 10 p.m. and don’t return to the public address system till 7 a.m.

Also, it can get a little noisy when people board the train at night if they forget that others are already sleeping. But overall, the people are pretty good.

Because I am a side sleeper, I wish Amtrak had a heftier pillow. To help with this problem, I pack a blowup pillow and a small blanket.

If you need an extra pillow or blanket, ask your attendant, and they may be able to help.

11) Moving Around Amtrak Trains

Trains are linear, meaning if you want to go from one section to another, you may need to walk through one or more cars to get to the one you want to visit.

It could be a hike from where you are to where you want to go on some trains.

A sliding door is found on each end of each car and has upper and lower (foot) buttons; hitting either will open the door.

When the train is moving, be careful when walking between cars. To maintain your balance, grab onto the candy cane-striped handles.

Trains cars can sway in opposite directions, and snow and rain can enter vestibules, making them wet or slippery.

You must wear shoes while walking around the train because there are pinch points between cars that could hurt your toes.

Heels may not be the best shoes for train travel because they can change your center of balance. If you need heals, short heals are better or bring a change of shoes.

12) Can I Get Off The Train During My Amtrak Trip?

There are select stops to get off the train for a smoke or fresh air. Smoke stops are usually crew changes and refueling stops.

Most station stops are quick for boarding and un-boarding.

When Amtrak arrives early, it holds the train until the scheduled time. If the passengers wait a while, conductors often allow them to take a quick fresh-air break.

If you get off the train, don’t wander too far because when it is time for the train to leave, the conductors alert the crew and passengers, and they are off.

As a warning, the engineer may blow the horn (two quick toots) when it’s time to board. If you do not make it on the train, the train WILL LEAVE WITHOUT YOU!

13) Food Options For Amtrak Sleeping Passengers

All long-distance trains have a cafe car open to all passengers.

The cafe is closed at night and for attendant breaks, but you can often sit in the car while it is closed.

Except for the Auto Train, Silver Star, and Silver Meteor, one-night trains use flex dining for sleeping car passengers.

Trains that run for two or more nights use traditional dining.

Texas Eagle between Chicago and San Antonio uses flex dining, but you will have traditional dining between San Antonio and LA.

Dining or sleeping car lounges are also only available for sleeping car passengers.

14) Alcohol And Drinking In Amtrak Rooms

You sure can; I often do! But there are some limitations you should know.

Amtrak sells adult beverages in the cafe and dining cars, or you can bring your own. IF YOU BRING ADULT DRINKS ON THE TRAIN, YOU CAN ONLY CONSUME IT IN YOUR ROOM or the room of another passenger. Do not take your fun water to non-sleeping cars.

The next station might be your stop if you get out of hand. Plus, you could get local and federal fines, and the police could take you to their local iron bar hotel.

If you get kicked off the train, you forfeit any refunds on your trip.

15) How Many Bathrooms Are In Sleeping Cars?

All bedrooms have a restroom en suite.

Superliner trains have one restroom upstairs and two-plus on the lower level.

Older Viewliners with blue seats do not have public restrooms in the cars, but every accommodation has a toilet. Roomettes do not have enclosed bathrooms, so If two people are in the roomette, one might have to step out.

Newer Veiwliners, with “wood” interiors, have one public bathroom and no longer have bathrooms in roomettes.

16) Shower For Amtrak Sleeping Passengers

17) What Amtrak Provides For Your Shower

Amtrak provides washcloths, towels, and soap, either small bars or liquid soap. They often do not provide shampoo.

18) Smoking And Transporting Marijuana In Amtrak Rooms

All Amtrak trains are non-smoking, including e-cigarettes and vapes.

If a passenger gets caught smoking on the train, the next stop will be their stop (even if it is not their destination), and conductors will issue tickets, which are federal fines. Those passengers also forfeit any refunds.

There are “smoke breaks,” but they are not guaranteed. Finding something to curb cravings would be wise if you are a smoker.

You cannot transport marijuana on Amtrak trains even if it is legal in the state you are coming from or visiting. Amtrak is under federal jurisdiction, so it follows federal laws.

19) Bringing Your Pet In Amtrak Rooms

Yes and No: Amtrak allows pets under 20 pounds on trains and in cages, but they cannot travel for more than seven hours. Before booking your reservation, check Amtrak’s service animal policy.

20) Tipping Amtrak Sleeping Car Attendants

Tipping is not necessary but is a great way to reward excellent service.

I will tip great car attendants but not tip for unsatisfactory service. The average amount is around $10 – $20 per day. A heartfelt thank-you works well, or whatever you can afford. You can also inform Amtrak when you receive excellent service (see tip 21).

21) Sharing Compliments And Complaints With Amtrak

Constructive criticism is helpful, and the praise of an employee is even better. The best way is to let Amtrak know, and comments and praise go to the boss and get relayed to the employee.

Kev’s Tips For Amtrak Rooms

Getting ready for the night:

Once the car attendant makes your room for the night, there is not much room left. It may help to get dressed before your room is ready for the night. You could use a bathroom or the dressing area in the shower to change while your room is getting prepared.

What else you need to know:

Take advantage of the fresh air stops. Stepping off the train breaks up your trip and allows you to stretch your legs.

Do not plan on Wi-Fi. Even your cell phone may not have service occasionally as you travel.

Train manners

Be respectful of others. Talking to fellow passengers is fun, especially meeting a new train buddy, but not everyone wants to hear your conversation late at night.

When walking in other parts of the train, remember other riders. You may have to make way for others or temporarily invade someone’s space, so be considerate.

Consider sharing a table instead of hogging it when the lounge is busy. Feel free to take up the entire area if no one is around. If you need to make a long phone call at night, going to the lounge car is courteous so that others can sleep.

Again, walkways are tight quarters, and you may get bumped into or let others pass by to get through. It is a great time to practice manners and say hi and excuse me to fellow riders.

Ensure your bags or luggage are not banging into others as you walk through the train.

Gear To Improve Your Stay In Amtrak Rooms

From my experience, these are helpful tips for sleeping in a sleeper. For entertainment on Amtrak trains, check out my article on Entertainment on Amtrak.

• Tablet (iPad Air 3 for me),
  • Many streaming programs allow you to download videos to watch later without wi-fo.
• Smartphone (I use an iPhone 13 Pro)
  • Map apps are cool for determining a location.
  • Also, it works well for games, listening to music, and podcasts.
• Other Electronic Accessories
  • Headphones (either Bluetooth or wired)
  • Extension cord
  • A backup battery
  • Chargers and cords
• Comfort items
  • Snacks are a good idea.
  • Amtrak’s Comfort Kit, available at some stations and cafe car
    • The kit comes in a bag and contains a small blanket, eye mask, neck pillow, and earplugs.
    • You could make your own
  • Blowup pillow
  • A water bottle
  • Wet wipes
  • Sleep aids, stuff for motion sickness, aspirin, or other such things
  • Pain relief and a small first-aid kit
  • Shampoo or a multi-use soap
  • PJs or something for sleeping

For more information on specific rooms on the train

If I missed something, let me know in the comments below or message me.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me help with your next adventure! I love to help.

Safe Travels!

Kev

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