Great video, right to the point. I've done bedroom and roomette; if I can get a good deal, I'll go with the bedroom, but in general the roomette is the way to go, definitely worth the cost.
My mom and I just returned from a trip aboard the Zephyr. Since she had never taken a long distance trip, I had her watch a couple of your vids. she said they were helpful. Her review? The bedroom we took west to California from Chicago was great! Room bathroom was small. lol. The Roomette we had on the return trip was not to her liking. She said it was just too small. I tried to get her to sleep up top, but she refused and threatened to spank me. Anyway, thanks for the great videos.
The shared shower is nice and full-size, just make sure you’re using it when the train is moving versus deciding to shower during a stop or when the train is stopped and waiting for another train to pass- the water is not as hot and has less pressure when the train engines are idling versus when they’re moving along the route… I found that one out firsthand!
Interesting. A bit of a surprise. Wonder if they heat water on demand at the point of use and there isn't enough 'hotel' power with the idling engines. You'd think a sensor would boost the engine idling speed when extra power was needed for electric power in the cars. Clearly the lighting is not affected as it was in the olden days. Years ago stopped trains relied on battery power when trains were stopped. Batteries were charged by small generators connected to the wheel axles. Moving trains generated power from moving wheels and some of that electricity was partially stored in batteries for when the train was not moving. Quite ingenious for the time. A bit sad that we can't do as well or much better today.
I love your videos. My wife and I are in our retirement years and this is something we are going to start doing with our traveling ventures instead of flying. Thank you so much for posting these tips.
A roomette is a great value, and a lovely experience. And, YES, the attendants are there for your every need. A nice tip is warranted. I had never noticed a place for a personal lock on the roomette door. I thought that the door could only be locked from the inside. Although, I have NEVER had a problem with an intrusion, while I was out. But, it's good to know. Thanks.
@@ronclark9724 The good thieves already have a way around that. They knock and say a name as if they are looking for someone. No reply? Then they open the door. If you surprise them by being in the room, they tell you they must be in the wrong sleeper car. Don't they all look alike? Just looking for a friend. Yeah, sure! The coaches are sometimes not safe either. Early AM some robbers will walk the coach looking for sleeping passengers. Some try to reach over you for valuables or into bags overhead. If you wake up, they try the old "What time is it?" or "Where are we?" routines to distract you. Heck, you were asleep how would you know? The AMTRAK staff is watchful but cannot be everywhere at all times. Use your own good judgement about storing valuables anywhere in public places.
I love taking the train, and will always get a roomette for overnight. I have to say though that unless you are very svelte young people, or one adult and a child or youth, a roomette is too tight for 2 people. Normal size adults, and definitely older or zaftig adults, will be happier with each getting their own roomette. When the beds are made up, there are only a few inches to stand up between the beds and the door. Also I understand that the top bunk is very hard and narrow, "like sleeping on an ironing board" was the comment lol. The lower bunk is extremely comfortable, however. If you are one person in the room, the upper bunk will not be put down and you'll have a good deal more room to maneuver. Once I took a two-night, three day trip and splurged on a bedroom with its own bathroom. It was very nice and probably two people would be comfortable in one of those.
so you can get a roomette or bedroom for single person? I read on one site if you booked a room you had to share with a stranger is this not so? thanks 4 help
@@wac8516 No! There is no stranger-sharing for a roomette or bedroom on Amtrak. Now, in olden days there were only curtains over the bunk beds and they opened directly into the corridor. So there was likely to be a stranger in the bunk above or below you. There would be a large dressing room at the end of the car for private changing etc. But those cars are no longer in service, certainly not in the U.S. All roomettes and bedrooms have a locking (from the inside) door and curtains to cover the windows onto the corridor. Also Amtrak has large-ish shower and changing rooms, and large handicapped toilet rooms, available if you need more space.
Bonus for You Guys: I'm watching this now in Mar 2024. You recorded this 3 years ago. I'm happy to interact via youtube time travel things. Be well. Thanks for showing the path forward. Robert in NYC.
My wife and I are going from L.A. to Kingman, AZ in a few days; it's about a 9-hour ride. I think I'm going to stick with the coach for the ride there (leaving at 6:00 pm, arriving at 2 am). If it's kind of "challenging", we'll book the roomette for the return trip. Thanks for the video...awesome!!!
Booked a roomette for my wife and son on a round trip from Orlando to Washington D.C., while I traveled coach (trying to be frugal). Needless to say, I immediately changed my return trip to a roomette as soon as we arrived in Washington. Bedrooms/roomettes are the ONLY way to travel long distance on Amtrak (unless you have no other choice).
@@sweetsongstress7398 Hi. Yes, our journey from Orlando to Washington D.C. took about 14 hours with part of the journey being overnight each way, so a 2 night trip is definitely a long distance. Coach was like being in an airline seat (with the exception of being able to move around with more freedom). If you can afford it, a roomette will be well worth the extra cost, if only for the included meals and the ability to fully lay down and stretch out at night.
You two make such nice videos-- very informative. The sleepers are worth every penny. I wouldn't want to do overnight on a train without one, especially if you have kids. Some people can sleep sitting up in coach, but I have to STRETCH OUT! :)
Yes! I traveled on Amtrak on two separate occasions in coach and it was pretty challenging. Sleep is definitely not comfortable and you are in close proximity to people (some have manners and some don't).
Love the video, 500 I can swallow and is reasonable but for two of us from Ohio to CA on the Zephyr with a stop in Chicago it was 1845 for a roomette. I cant justify that. To me thats alot of money.
Prices varies significantly on all travel transportation options whether cruise ships, airlines, or trains. Much depends upon holidays, how full the train is when you book, how early you book, and promotions/sales. Traveling at Christmas or Thanksgiving is MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE than traveling on the second week of December. Shop around the dates, I am sure you will discover a favorable price. There is NEVER a promotion during the holiday seasons...
Hi! I just found this channel doing a little search on Amtrak these days. I've taken the train twice before the pandemic, nothing overnight (Chicago>MI), but I love seeing what's out there and your reviews. I'm also following on Instagram and look forward to binge watching all your views!
My granddaughter and I took sleeper car 6 years ago from Flagstaff AZ to NYC....picked up to visit NJ. Sleepers were great! Food outstanding...we usually ordered food for room. Took train back! I did it for her to see the country. Will fly next time...haha Loved Amtrak service at time.
Sadly, the food is much different now. As they serve microwave meals only due to cost cutting + the pandemic. Hopefully the regularly meals come back on western routes after the pandemic...
@@Cal90208 Yes, I traveled before this nightmare and it was excellent. I have not traveled anywhere during this time. I live in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and had to take a bus to Flagstaff with my granddaughter. It was a marvelous trip...to be honest I wanted to get off and look for an airport. The sights were nice...loved going over Mississippi River in Iowa. The first class layover in Chicago was nice.
@@GroundedLifeTravel Wow...NYC ....few hours layover in Chicago...changed trains to Southwest Chief....forgot hours...basically fun and educational for granddaughter. Round trip from AZ...stayed in Jersey, home state a month.
@@Michele-jv4zi I had a e voucher from last year because I was supposed to do the trip last year but I cancelled it due to Covid-19 and I only paid $347 dollars for it
@@Michele-jv4zi well that was a pleasant response....The Bedrooms are not always that expensive. I had a Bedroom, by myself, on The Empire Builder for $920. It was $40 less than a roomette. I dont know why.
Really appreciate all your videos. You give all the info in a very straightforward way yet keep it light and you both have great personalities. Very helpful all around.
I was only in A roomette once. way back in '96 on the CZ.. We only had it from Chicago to Reno. My dad and I had the deal where you could get on and off the train multiple times.
good vid with telling and showing others what to look forward to I would like to add that if going by yourself and wanting a roomette you have to share with another person. I just read that on one of the web sites anyway. also thought roomette had restroom and shower but now know they don't only the bedrooms do, but their restroom and shower use the same floor so taking a shower gets all the restroom wet. but hey it's not meant to be a 5 star happening anyway. so I guess only way you can get a roomette by yourself is book it for 2 if they let you. but any thanks for vid was a big help and always wanted to do a long travel on a train as I grew up less then a block from train tracks and loved to fall asleep with them going by. y'all make a great couple too, so happy looking
Roomettes on trains in the northeast corridor are different for example their toilets and sinks right there in your room, it would be nice to show all the differences on sleeper cars running in the northeast corridor compared to those running in the east vs those running in the Midwest and western part of the country, and any difference in coach, and diner cars if any
Please please leave some of the roomettes with the bathrooms in them. The full bedrooms are way to expensive! Y husband and I love the roomettes. Been doing it for years, want my own bathroom!
On the viewliner I's they do. However there are many many complains of it being unhygienic. So in the newer versions there are no in room toilets. I'd rather have a bigger seat than a toilet. As the toilets are always kept clean and are easy to get to.
Since this is the only way I can visit my sister in Florida, don’t know what I will do if they take all the restrooms out of the rooms. Don’t fly anymore. Please Amtrak leave a few potties in! 😁
First of all i love your videos. For the first time I'm in a roomette. It's an older one with a squatty potty lol. Also my car only has a shower and no regular bathroom. The car next to mine was the new viewliner and i used the bathrooms there. My only complaint is i could not get connected to Amtrak's Wifi in my roomette. By the way I'm on the Silver Meteor going from Jacksonville Florida to Philadelphia.
Why go coach, when you can have your privacy in your Roomette. My wife is going to have me spend the extra money for the Roomette. Happy wife and happy travels! Thank you for the informative video!
Yes - as for all "first class" travel tickets, the balance is service versus cost. Some people are willing to up the cost for the benefits: * Large, comfortable seats (are these really larger or more comfortable than coach seats?) * Increased privacy, which in at least some cases includes private or semi-private toilets * Adequate space to store lots of luggage in your own private room (away from pickpockets and thieves) * Fully horizontal beds (not just reclined chairs), including fresh clean linens, pillows, and blankets * Access to a shared hot shower and changing area, including clean towels, body soap, shampoo/conditioner, etc. * All meals, soft drinks, and apparently one free alcoholic beverage, without additional cost * Services of a sleeper car attendant, including meals delivered to your room, beds turned up/down, dinner reservations, information, etc. * The use of the Amtrak first class lounge areas, when originating or transferring, at most hubs * Priority boarding - whatever that means Whether it is worthwhile getting the private room depends largely on whether you think the services listed above (did I miss any?) will be worth the cost difference that you pay for them. If you think so, then spring for the roomette (or a bedroom). If you think not, then buy a coach seat. IMHO, for an overnight rail journey, some of us will find the private rooms absolutely essential.
I have only ever booked a Roomette on a VIA train in Canada ( This was from Montreal to Vancouver way back in 1983) That one did have a toilet and sink inside the Roomette, which was very nice. The toilet seat had a leather like upholstered top that you could use like an ottoman when sitting in the seat. The sink folded up into the wall above the toilet when not in use. Those Roomettes were only for one person to occupy.
Loved your reviews. They are helpful but I didn’t realize when I booked my RT from Florida to NC on the app. The price of $415 I thought was total RT but it’s only one way. It’s was over $500 the 2nd leg putting this over $1000 and I can get a way cheaper airline ticket and be there in 2 hours instead of 25 hours.
So to answer the question to the person about the rest rooms. I have been riding Amtrak for years from Trenton.To Miami aboard the Meteor. This is such a relaxing part of myself and my husbands vacation. We always get a Roomette with toilet and sink in the small room. It’s amazing how they fit it all in, but it is comfy. As soon as I get in the room I wipe every surface with alcohol, yes including the toilet seat! Now we can sit back and enjoy the ride. No way I will clean a bathroom after 8 to 10 people use a community bath. The reason I do this is because the first time we stayed in a Roomette I got pneumonia. That was so awful I was not going to take that chance again. I feel it is my option to clean my room. If someone else wants to use a community bath, they might as well go coach. What an awful and uncleanly way to travel! So much for Amtrak!
Some of the trains on the East Coast have bathrooms in the roomettes, but really none of them on the West coast do, it is a different setup. Thanks for your input, we need to do more East coast trains!
Wow, the roomette was better accommodations then my first ship, a Navy destroyer made in WWII. We were stacked 4 high below the aft 5” gun mount. No 1 drink per day for us. We did have better ocean views then Amtrak, but no attendants... we were the attendants. 🤔🤣
The only gripe I have is the pricing. I understand $2000 for a room going transcontinental. But I usually take smaller trips (4-6 hours) and rooms are still $600. Empty rooms left unused. Remove some accommodations to accommodate justification of a more suitable price range.
10 people per bathroom....not sure I like those odds, especially under certain circumstances . I really think that for my yet to be planned cross country trip I will try to get a bedroom, if available.
I didn't spot anything in the video title or content that pointed out it applies only to Superliner roomettes. Viewliner cars, which operate along the northeast corridor are different, and I recommend seeking out videos about them; this channel has other videos that include them.
Having traveled by roomette on Amtrak quite a few times you totally nailed the description of the roomette, especiallt the price (that it covers meal, it is your hotel room, etc.). My experience with attendants has ranged from "ok" to amazing. Never a bad experience, but a very good attendant can make the trip. When I road the Empire Builder my car wasn't very full and my attendant had great stories and was so helpful, made the trip so memorable. One question for you: I generally travel by train alone -- so I'm wondering if the upcharge for a bedroom is worth it for your own bathroom facilities? I think I want to try it, but I'm curious what you think.
We’ve had the same experience with attendants. Never terrible but when they’re amazing it really does make the trip. As for the bedroom, I think it’s really about comfort. If it makes a big difference to you to have your own bathroom then I say go for it. We’re going for it on our next train trip in a few months;-)
@@GroundedLifeTravel thanks for the quick reply and hope your next trip is great! I may just have to "go for it" on my next trip just to see what it is like!
@@chriscapano3406 Frankly for a single person that bedroom would be too expensive for me. A roomette for a single person is large enough, the community showers and rest rooms are kept clean by the sleeper car steward. I do wear flip flops to shower in any community shower. But you decide for yourself whether you can afford any luxury you choose...
@@ronclark9724 thank you -- I agree I've done the roomette thing and it works well, I've found some routes where the difference wasnt too bad, so might splurge just to try it. Appreciate you taking the time to answer my question!
When I used to travel alone, and was much younger, the roomette was big enough for me. My husband and I have gotten along fine together in a roomette, but we are both of an age where we might get up a couple times each in the middle of the night to use the toilet -- made more urgent by the rocking of the train, if you know what I mean! Having a bedroom with an in room toilet makes that easier to deal with (even if you're traveling alone). But they are a bit pricey. Sometimes it's the luck of the draw and you can get a good deal on a bedroom, depending on the time of year and how close you're looking to departure date. We had to get to Chicago one winter from California for a funeral and all the airplanes into the area were grounded because of the snow. We managed to snag a cheap bedroom (under $1000) at the last minute, a couple days before the funeral, on the Zephyr -- it was astronomically late due to the weather, but it still got us there in time.
I’m retiring this year after 36 years of teaching. My wife and I hope to take a few trips by rail next fall and wonder if you have a recommendation about a scenic route we should take for our first adventure. Hoping for a relaxing ride with some nice scenery. We live in Michigan so we would like to stay in the Midwest. Thanks in advance.
I'm enjoying your channel! Did y'all do a proper introduction? WHO are y'all? WHERE are y'all from? WHY did y'all start this channel? Are there any handicap accessible bathroom in the sleeper room area? 🤔🤔
I don't think we ever did do that now that you mention it! There is more personal info about us on our blog though at www.groundedlifetravel.com/ They are pretty small bathrooms in the common sleeper car areas, a handicap one I would think would only be in an accessible bedroom.
You talked about bringing a padlock, but is that for the inside or outside of the room? I’m most concerned about being to lock the room while I’m gone from it. Thanks!
We are traveling with another couple in roomettes in late August. We board in stops that don’t have checked luggage. Can you tell me what size bags you find handy in a roomette? I don’t want to overpack, but we are gone for a week, so want to know what is the best way to prepare for this.
The Viewliners have more space as they have a storage compartment above. Both trains Viewliner/Superliner will have a luggage rack on the bottom level if you pack a bag without valuables in it, you could leave it there. Other than that in a Superliner we just bring our backpacks and a small food bag. You'll really want to utilize the luggage racks if you are gone a week.
At the large city stations Amtrak have a ramp lift device to get you aboard the train. At the rural small stations Amtrak employees will lift you aboard the train. In the sleepers, whether Superliner or Viewliner, there is a handicap bedroom with a wheelchair accessible restroom. The sleeper car steward can be called for food and drink services. Since I don't ride in coach I can not provide that information for the coaches. The aisles on both the sleepers and coaches are like airline aisles, far too narrow for a wheelchair. I would book the handicap bedroom in advance. And I would board at a large city, not at a rural small station... :-)
@@ronclark9724 Thank you for the information. I use to ride Amtrak trains back when I was able bodied in the 1970s between Michigan and Illinois. Now I am no longer healthy but would enjoy riding in a train from Michigan to California.
@@milliepankow1326 My partner took his electric wheelchair with him when we rode Amtrak a few years ago. The trains have ramps which the attendants would deploy. We had the accessible roomette on the lower floor, right by the entrance, which had just enough room for the wheelchair. It was tight though and the wheelchair got damaged while manoeuvring it in and out - a mudguard broke off. There’s one accessible roomette per car. The roomette had its own toilet and wash basin inside which was separated from the chairs/bunks by a curtain. He could just manage the stairs with help so could eat in the dining car but the attendants will bring meals to you in your roomette if you couldn’t use the stairs.
@@milliepankow1326 Millie, I think ultimately this depends on how limited your mobility is. Michigan to California routes will have the two-story Superliner trains. In addition to tight corridors, all the car-to-car transitions are on the upper level, which is accessible only via a steep staircase, with two right-angle turns in it. So if you cannot manage the stairs and tight passages, then you might be pretty much limited to part of the lower level of your particular sleeper car (where the accessible bedroom is located) for the duration of your trip (a couple days each way). Make sure that you book the accessible bedroom; it is priced and sold separately from the other bedrooms. The good news is that Amtrak will probably do everything reasonably possible to get you on board the train, and in the right sleeper car. Your sleeper car attendant will gladly fetch you food and drink while on board, and there will be an accessible en-suite toilet in your room. The not so great news is that you may have to live in the same couple hundred square feet for a couple of days. It might not be much consolation, but at least the scenery _outside_ the window changes. I would also recommend watching other RU-vid videos related to accessible options. Search RU-vid for 'Amtrak Superliner Accessible Bedroom' and see what pops up. I know there are videos of limited mobility passengers reviewing Amtrak's accessible bedrooms out there. Enjoy your trip!
Amtrak has reduced service to three trips per week in each direction on the long distance trains, the only exception is the AutoTrain. Due to COVID-19 pandemic Amtrak has had to reduce services. Presently all of the Amtrak trains that arrive early in the day in Chicago, CHICAGO, will have departures later in the day. This may not and probably don't apply elsewhere. So plan your trip accordingly. If you don't plan well, you could end up being stuck somewhere a day or two for the next train on the long distance routes...
Question: Would it be possible to have the upper berth in sleeping position (down) while the second person remains in seated position on the lower level? (One person can sleep, one person can work)
Taking a cross country train trip has been on my bucket list for a few years but I have to say those roomettes don't look like an option at all. We have done a Viewliner roomette in the past and they were small but doable and I'm hearing that the Superliner roomettes are even smaller. No window and lack of space in that top bunk will probably just about do me in since I'm kind of claustrophobic and have reflux and the prices for the other accommodations are way too expensive right now. Way more than even the Southwest Chief which isn't cheap either.
@@GroundedLifeTravel ok thanks u but i travel Amtrak a few time a month to see my family from Bakersfield's to oakland and all way the cafe is closed all the time
@@stevenvilla4783 Well, during COVID-19 I am pretty sure Amtrak California services (Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin) have the cafe closed. It was always open before the pandemic. On Amtrak long distance routes, it's still open.
What are "fresh air breaks"? How many stops are there that you can get off the train. Sorry, I've never been on one, but want to now... * And is it so stuffy/smelly that you need to.
Fresh air breaks happen every 3-4 hours, and last around 15 minutes each. It is more to be able to walk around etc..., we haven't really needed the fresh air that much.
Is the roomette price the same for one person as two? Or is that only with the two for one deal? Can you have the bed down at any time or is that only with the assistance of staff and after a certain hour? If you choose to have your meal in your roomette, is it delivered or do you have to go and get it? Same question for the observation car. I've gone from Chicago to Los Angeles and back several times in coach and I desperately want to figure out how to deal with the price jump...because those roomettes, based on my previous trips in coach, look like a little slice of heaven.
I’m planning my first train ride. Atlanta to Los Angeles. I change trains in DC and Chicago. I’m undecided on coach or Roomette. Three different legs. Any suggestions?
Great video! So excited to go on our first trip in a Roomette on the California Zephyr! Sorry, but can you clarify what you meant by using a padlock? Is this for he outside of the door when you leave your roomette to go to the observation lounge car?
Hi, thank you for the video! I’m curious, even though you had your roomette during this pandemic time frame (I’m assuming) you were still served an actual meal?
Your videos are greatly appreciated! My son has bought him and I tickets for a June Amtrak trip from Tucson to LA, (in a roomette) on to Emeryville (business class) and on to Chicago in a roomette. How is it to walk from the station to a nearby hotel in Emeryville, we’ll arrive there around 10:0m or later? The experiences you guys shared will really be helpful!
I'm traveling a long distance from WA state to Denver. I would LOVE to ride in a roomette but the price difference was prohibitive. We'll see how I survive. Business class was only available on one leg of the trip also. I'm 82 so we'll see how it goes. Plus without the parlor car and the chance of microwave meals it's not that attractive anymore. Last time I traveled (15 years ago or so) the roomette was a bargain when you considered all the perks. Not so much now and much more price difference.
Last time I rode a train was in 1967 when I was going to boot camp at MCRD San Diego from Omaha, Nebraska. I had the Pullman car but at that time we had no showers on the train. Three nights and two full days to get to San Diego.
Some videos we have seen mention tipping the personnel on the train. Do you tip at time of service (for example, when food is delivered from cafe car and/or when you eat in that car) or at end of trip? Also, do roomettes on some routes have a window that goes all the way up so the person on the top bunk can also see out?
1: Tipping is the norm for your dining attendants and sleeping car attendant. Make sure to come prepared. 2: Roomettes on the following routes are more modern and have windows on the top bunk; Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Crescent, Lake Shore Limited, Cardinal.
@@johnkolassa1645 You do not understand the principle of tipping. Tipping is a personal decision made by the tipper at the time of the event. What is it about the word personal that you do not understand. It is not a consensus of commentors kind of thing. It may also be somewhat constrained by your own financial situation. If it was a fixed fee, like on many cruise ships, a dollar fee per day would be in writing posted someplace conspicuous. Tip what is in your brain and in your heart. No more and no less. If you read my previous comment, I gave specific suggestions. Please read them.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm If that were the case, you would not have answered that the attendant should be tipped. Your initial answer would not have been "Yes, tip them". Here's how tipping in the US works: People in the service industry depend on tips for an important part of their income. People who use the services expect that tips are part of the cost of using the service. Even though there's no legal obligation to tip, I want to know what the reasonable tip for reasonable service is. I could get away with stiffing them, but that's unethical.
Only on the Viewliner I cars which are 1 level, but the viewliner II only have a sink in the roommate but no toilet there but in the hall of the car. If you are on trains going from New York you will either get a viewliner I or II but you can not choose it. Alothough I heard on this site on another viedo that if you baord the Viewliner at the starting point and your trains has both Viewliner I and Viewliner II cars and you are in Viewliner 1 which has a toilet next to your seat and bed and do not want it you can ask if anybody in Viewliner II will switch with you, this may or man not work. If that does not work and do not want to use your own toilet in Viewliner 1 car, you can walk to the Viewliner II cars to use the bathroom. Unfrotunately if your train only has a Viewliner I cars you can only use the toilet in your roommate or in the coach car if you want to walk that far.
Actually, not all of them! Only the old variant of the cars. The newer ones do not have them as there were numerous complains about hygiene. Honestly, I don't blame them. I would much rather not have an in-room toilet and be able to have a bigger seat
