11 tips for Amtrak travel from a train rider who spent 75 hours critiquing different seat booking types

I don't know anyone who has taken as many Amtrak train rides as me. I like traveling Amtrak along the East Coast, from my home in New York. In fact, I spent 60 hours on Amtrak trains just traveling between Miami and NYC in bedroom and roomette accommodations.

I took several train journeys as a kid, riding in coach, and more recently, commuted in business and first class on Amtrak Acela trains between Baltimore and New York City, which was about two and a half hours each way.

In my rides, I've seen a big difference in the experience you get depending on the type of ticket you book.

First off, there is the Acela, Amtrak's express train on the East Coast that offers business and first-class seating only. These accommodations offer larger seats than coach, and first class comes with perks like in-seat service.

The business-class ticket cost about $120 and the first-class ticket cost about $270.

For trains that travel through the night, there are private rooms. The Amtrak roomette is a private space with a door and blinds to cover up the windows. Unlike business and first classes, where you sit among other passengers, this ensures privacy. If you need more space, you can opt for a proper bedroom. It's twice the size of a roomette and includes a full bathroom.

Then, of course, there is a coach, what many people typically travel when riding on the train.

Insider paid for the trips, per our reporting standards.

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Train travel isn't all smooth sailing. Every Amtrak I've been on has felt as bumpy as a airplane while the seat belt sign is turned on. Plus, the train tends to rock even when traveling smoothly. If you're prone to motion sickness, be sure to bring along medicine.

Read more:I spent 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trips. Here are 9 things I wish I had known before I took the long-haul journeys.

This is an old trick my mother taught me when I would feel sick during our weekend getaways riding the train from our home in Connecticut to NYC: sit facing the direction you are moving.

Going against the motion of the train makes you feel sicker.

When reserving a ticket, Amtrak automatically assigns you a seat, but you can change it anytime after booking. Seat maps are available on Amtrak's website, and they helpfully specify which direction each seat faces.

Read more: I spent 30 hours on an Amtrak from NYC to Miami. Here are 11 ways I made the long ride more bearable.

In roomettes and bedrooms, there are two beds. One of the chairs folds out into a bed, and another bed pulls down from the ceiling.

After sleeping on both the top and bottom bunks, I found it's easier to sleep on the bottom bunk; it felt a less shaky. My guess is this because the bottom bunk rests on the ground while the top bunk is suspended in the air.

Read more: I spent $1,000 for a 45-square-foot bedroom with its own bathroom on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. Take a look inside.

If you want the best value for a long-haul train trip, I recommend booking the roomette.

A roomette is essentially a tiny hotel room where you can go to sleep in one part of the country and wake up in another. Plus, you can bring a travel buddy, since it sleeps two.

At 25 square feet, the roomette makes great use of a small space, with clever storage features that reminded me of a tiny home. There is a pullout table between the chairs, and the seats fold down into a bed.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could control the temperature inside my roomette too. Using a dial and air-conditioning vents, I kept it a cool 66 degrees Fahrenheit in my room during a recent trip.

Read more: I spent $500 for a 20-square-foot room on a 30-hour Amtrak ride, where no space was left unused. Take a look inside.

According to Amtrak's website, bedrooms are around 45.5 square feet, which, for reference, is a little bigger than a standard king-size bed, Insider reported. They sleep up to two adults.

Twice the space comes with extras: a couch, an additional chair, a shower and a private bathroom. It's also double the price of a roomette, as I found on my 30-hour ride in the Amtrak bedroom.

Like the roomette, amenities are smartly organized. The couch transforms into a bed and another bed pulls down from the ceiling.

While it offers great value, I felt cramped in the roomette's 25 square feet of space. (I am 5-feet-3 and of average build.) If I were taller, I imagine I would feel even more cramped. This makes the upgrade to a larger bedroom worth it for many travelers.

It was also nice to have a big sofa where I could stretch out and put my feet up; the roomette only had two single seats.

Plus, the bedroom had a wider vanity with three mirrors facing each other, which made it easier to wash my face in the morning.

Read more: I spent $1,000 to have a room to myself on a 30-hour Amtrak ride, and it's the only way I'd ever travel long distance by train again

Yes, you can eat in your room, but I didn't want my bunk to smell like food all night. It was refreshing to leave my room and dine in the cafe car for my meal. I left my space for a change of atmosphere and kept my room from getting extra messy — you can't lose.

I recommend using meal time as an opportunity to do the same.

The food onboard is decent, but not amazing. I personally don't mind relying on it, but you can also plan to bring your own snacks and non-perishables.

Read more: I spent 60 hours on Amtrak trains with a carry-on bag and a backpack. Here are 7 things I regret not packing and 9 items I'm glad I brought.

On my long-haul journeys, the train would periodically take a break at a station stop. This meant passengers, and myself, could disembark to the platform for about 10 minutes.

Stretching your legs and taking in fresh air makes the next few hours on a train, with a window that doesn't open, a little more bearable.

Does it look like I'm wearing pajamas? That's because I basically am. These are the most pajama-like trousers I'd wear in public, although my mother would argue that they should only be for sleeping.

I don't mind what they look like. Once you get on the train, you'll be happy you're comfortable.

For long-haul trips, I also wear comfortable shoes that easily slip on and off: memory-foam shoes I purchased at T.J. Maxx for $20. Because the shoes quickly slid on, I can leave my room without hassle.

As a New Yorker, part of the allure of a first-class ticket for me was having access to Penn Station's Metropolitan Lounge, a quiet waiting area for select Amtrak customers. The lounge offers comfortable seats and free snacks, like Kind bars, cookies, popcorn, chips, and candy. There are also free beverages including coffee, iced tea, and citrus-infused water.

First-class passengers have free access on the day of their trip, while business-class passengers are charged a $50 fee to enter the club.

But exclusive lounges for first-class ticket holder are only available at a handful of stations. It worked out for me traveling from New York's Penn Station. Anyone traveling from Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Boston's South Station has access to a lounge, but there are 12 other stops on the Amtrak Acela that don't offer this perk.

If I were traveling from a station without a lounge, I don't think the cost of a first-class ticket would be worth the price difference from business class, even though first class comes with bigger seats and an included meal.

Read more: I've traveled in 4 types of Amtrak train cars, from business class to a private bedroom. Here's what each is like, and which offers the best deal.

On all my Amtrak trips, I brought my own devices filled with entertainment that didn't rely on an Internet connection. WiFi can be spotty on the train, so I download everything before boarding.

I typically watch movies and listen to music and podcasts. For longer trips, I also pack my Nintendo Switch for more variety in entertainment.

For all the time starring a screen, it's worth looking up too. Amtrak travels through some spectacular landscapes, charming towns, and bustling cities.

Looking out of the window is a constant reminder that I'm on my way to somewhere — and excitement builds for my trip, whatever the destination.