I compared a $262 roomette and a $33 coach seat on the same Amtrak route the cheaper option was way more comfortable

My 9-year-old and I rode the Amtrak Silver Meteor together to Savannah.Amanda Adler

• My son and I shared a 23-square-foot roomette on the Amtrak Silver Meteor from Orlando to Savannah.
• The $262 space had limited legroom and unappetizing meals that weren't worth the price for me.

My 9-year-old son and I traveled six hours from Orlando, Florida, to Savannah, Georgia, aboard the Amtrak Silver Meteor.

The Silver Meteor runs between Miami and New York City.      Amanda Adler

To ensure we had some privacy and quiet, I paid $262 for a roomette that measured about 23 square feet.

The roomette was so small that at first glance, I only noticed one seat inside.      Amanda Adler

Our roomette, which accommodated two passengers, had two chairs opposite each other with limited legroom between them.

The tight space between the seats made me grateful I was traveling with a child and not another adult.      Amanda Adler

The foldable table gave us ample room to work, game, and dine. In the cupholders, we stored the complimentary water bottles we received upon boarding.

My son and I used the table for card games.      Amanda Adler

The seats took up the majority of the small space, but there were a few other features that surprised me, like this retro-looking pink compartment.

The compartment was directly beside one of the seats.      Amanda Adler

When I unfolded the compartment, I found a sink. It was a nice addition but felt unnecessary without a bathroom en suite. I would've preferred more storage space instead.

We did have access to a bathroom and shower in our train car.      Amanda Adler

The closet was small and really close to the floor, making it an impractical place to store most items. The exterior also looked a bit dated to me.

I wasn't tempted to use this small space for storage.      Amanda Adler

As roomette passengers, we had access to our own attendant. We could ask them questions or request assistance using a call button.

Our attendant checked on us throughout our journey and provided updates about potential delays.      Amanda Adler

Because we traveled during the day, we didn't use the beds. However, there was a pull-down sleeping berth our attendant offered to set up.

It looked like an OK place to spend a night or two.      Amanda Adler

They could also reconfigure the two seats into a bed, creating a second place to sleep.

Even though I rested my head on the pillow during the day, it was hard to imagine sleeping in the roomette.      Amanda Adler

Each of our tickets included a meal and a drink from the train's dining menu, which had a rather limited selection.

The room attendant took our food order shortly after we boarded the train.      Amanda Adler

Dining offerings were available for pickup in the café car, which featured more spacious seating, sightseeing windows, and classic decor.

The café, located a few cars down from our roomette, was the nicest space on the train.      Amanda Adler

The food presentation left a little to be desired and reminded me of meals I've had in hospitals and on airplanes.

Our meals came in tinfoil, and the drinks arrived in a cardboard carrier.      Amanda Adler

I regretted my decision to order seafood, as the salmon didn't look very appetizing. I wasn't a fan of the dish.

I have nothing nice to say about this seafood dish.      Amanda Adler

Though I enjoyed having a private space, the roomette's cramped interior, limited dining options, and high price tag made me unlikely to book another one for a daytime trip.

My son and I love train travel but were desperate for more legroom by the end of the trip.      Amanda Adler

On the return trip, my son and I rode in coach for a total of $66. The reclining seats provided ample legroom and made us feel more comfortable than we did in the costlier roomette.

On future Amtrak trips, we'll likely book spacious coach seats instead of a private room.      Amanda Adler