I paid $500 extra to upgrade my room on a 30-hour Amtrak ride, and I thought the additional 20 square feet was worth every penny

Joey HaddenNov 12, 2021, 17:22 IST

The author stayed in an Amtrak roomette on her way to Miami and a bedroom on her way to New York.Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently spent 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trains traveling from New York City to Miami and back.
I stayed in a $500 roomette about the size of a twin-size bed and a $1,000 bedroom the size of a king-size bed.

I recently traveled from NYC to Miami and back on Amtrak trains. The train rides took about 30 hours each way, and I had a private room in a sleeper car on both journeys.

The author takes a selfie in front of an Amtrak sleeper car in Miami. Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently traveled from NYC to Miami and back on Amtrak trains. The train rides took about 30 hours each way, and I had a private room in a sleeper car on both journeys.

On my way to Miami, I booked a roomette, an approximately 20-square-foot private cabin that cost about $500 and included two beds, a table, two chairs, and a toilet.

A view of a roomette across the way. Joey Hadden/Insider

I booked a bedroom for the ride home, which was double the price for twice the space, an additional chair, a shower, and an enclosed bathroom.

A view of the bedroom accommodation. Joey Hadden/Insider

Both rooms offered complete privacy, came with complimentary meals, and used smart storage hacks that reminded me of a tiny home.

The author's meal and an Amtrak sleeper car. Joey Hadden/Insider

And I think I woke up feeling more rested on my way home in the bedroom simply because I chose the bottom bunk, where I felt less swaying and bumping from the train. You could select this option in either room.

The author wakes up in a roomette and a bedroom. Joey Hadden/Insider

And I think I woke up feeling more rested on my way home in the bedroom simply because I chose the bottom bunk, where I felt less swaying and bumping from the train. You could select this option in either room.

But, while I was impressed with the roomette's use of space, having just 20 square feet of extra room to move around in the bedroom was undoubtedly a better experience for me.

The author sits in the roomette and dances in the bedroom. Joey Hadden/Insider

But, while I was impressed with the roomette's use of space, having just 20 square feet of extra room to move around in the bedroom was undoubtedly a better experience for me.

Frankly, I don't feel comfortable sitting for 30 hours. I could get my body moving in the bedroom by dancing around, while in the roomette, I felt too cramped to move very much.

The author attempts to dance in both rooms. Joey Hadden/Insider

Frankly, I don't feel comfortable sitting for 30 hours. I could get my body moving in the bedroom by dancing around, while in the roomette, I felt too cramped to move very much.

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

The author lounges in both rooms. Joey Hadden/Insider

All bedrooms have a three-mirror vanity, a shower, and - notably - a toilet behind a locking door. In some roomettes (mine included), there's a side table that swings open to reveal a toilet. Above it is a folding sink and a single mirror.

The vanity is seen in the bedroom and roomette. Joey Hadden/Insider

All bedrooms have a three-mirror vanity, a shower, and - notably - a toilet behind a locking door. In some roomettes (mine included), there's a side table that swings open to reveal a toilet. Above it is a folding sink and a single mirror.

I appreciated the private toilet in the bedroom and think this is a great amenity if you're traveling with others. With two seats and no privacy curtain around the toilet in the roomette, I was grateful to be a solo traveler.

The author poses on both toilets. Joey Hadden/Insider

I appreciated the private toilet in the bedroom and think this is a great amenity if you're traveling with others. With two seats and no privacy curtain around the toilet in the roomette, I was grateful to be a solo traveler.

While you may feel sticker shock at the $500 price difference, the extra space was worth every penny to me and upgraded my 30-hour journey from anxiety-inducing to comfortable and homey.

The author relaxes in the bedroom. Joey Hadden/Insider

While you may feel sticker shock at the $500 price difference, the extra space was worth every penny to me and upgraded my 30-hour journey from anxiety-inducing to comfortable and homey.

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I paid $500 extra to upgrade my room on a 30-hour Amtrak ride, and I thought the additional 20 square feet was worth every penny

I recently traveled from NYC to Miami and back on Amtrak trains. The train rides took about 30 hours each way, and I had a private room in a sleeper car on both journeys.

On my way to Miami, I booked a roomette, an approximately 20-square-foot private cabin that cost about $500 and included two beds, a table, two chairs, and a toilet.

I booked a bedroom for the ride home, which was double the price for twice the space, an additional chair, a shower, and an enclosed bathroom.

Both rooms offered complete privacy, came with complimentary meals, and used smart storage hacks that reminded me of a tiny home.

And I think I woke up feeling more rested on my way home in the bedroom simply because I chose the bottom bunk, where I felt less swaying and bumping from the train. You could select this option in either room.

But, while I was impressed with the roomette's use of space, having just 20 square feet of extra room to move around in the bedroom was undoubtedly a better experience for me.

Frankly, I don't feel comfortable sitting for 30 hours. I could get my body moving in the bedroom by dancing around, while in the roomette, I felt too cramped to move very much.

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

All bedrooms have a three-mirror vanity, a shower, and - notably - a toilet behind a locking door. In some roomettes (mine included), there's a side table that swings open to reveal a toilet. Above it is a folding sink and a single mirror.

I appreciated the private toilet in the bedroom and think this is a great amenity if you're traveling with others. With two seats and no privacy curtain around the toilet in the roomette, I was grateful to be a solo traveler.

While you may feel sticker shock at the $500 price difference, the extra space was worth every penny to me and upgraded my 30-hour journey from anxiety-inducing to comfortable and homey.