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

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

I spent $1,000 for a 45-square-foot bedroom with its own bathroom on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. Take a look inside.
Insider's reporter spent 30 hours in an Amtrak bedroom while traveling from Miami to New York.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently spent 30 hours in a sleeper car on an Amtrak train traveling from Miami to New York City.
  • For $1,000, I booked a bedroom, which is about the size of a King-sized bed with a full bathroom.

In October, I booked an Amtrak bedroom sleeper car on a 30-hour train ride for $1,000. If you plan a ride in January, the suite costs around half the price, according to a recent search on Amtrak's site.

In October, I booked an Amtrak bedroom sleeper car on a 30-hour train ride for $1,000. If you plan a ride in January, the suite costs around half the price, according to a recent search on Amtrak
The author takes a selfie in front of an Amtrak in Miami.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Amtrak

For full disclosure, Insider paid for the train ticket, in accordance with our reporting standards.

The bedroom was about 45 square feet and came with two beds and a full bathroom. I thought it left no space unused.

The bedroom was about 45 square feet and came with two beds and a full bathroom. I thought it left no space unused.
The author relaxes during a 30-hour train ride home.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Sources: Amtrak, Insider

My Amtrak bedroom had a sofa that folded out into a bed, a bed that pulled down from the ceiling, and a chair that folded up out of the way.

My Amtrak bedroom had a sofa that folded out into a bed, a bed that pulled down from the ceiling, and a chair that folded up out of the way.
The room had a couch and a chair.      Joey Hadden/Insider

A bedroom is a step up from Amtrak's roomette, which I previously tried. It had half the space for half the price.

A bedroom is a step up from Amtrak
The bedroom is bigger than the roomette.      Joey Hadden/Insider

To the left of the sofa in my room was a sink underneath a mirror with a handful of small towels next to it.

To the left of the sofa in my room was a sink underneath a mirror with a handful of small towels next to it.
Beneath the sink was storage for tissues and trash.      Joey Hadden/Insider

To the right of the mirror was a cabinet where I could store toiletries and other personal items.

To the right of the mirror was a cabinet where I could store toiletries and other personal items.
The cabinet is open (R) and closed (L).      Joey Hadden/Insider

There was also a private bathroom inside the bedroom with a door, shower, and toilet.

There was also a private bathroom inside the bedroom with a door, shower, and toilet.
The bathroom door is open (R) and closed (L).      Joey Hadden/Insider

If a private, full bathroom is a necessity for you, the bedroom is your best option.

If a private, full bathroom is a necessity for you, the bedroom is your best option.
The author sits on the toilet.      Joey Hadden/Insider

All Amtrak bedrooms come with a private bathroom. It's the cheapest option for one, according to Amtrak's website. Here's my full review of what it's like.

The bedroom had a table with two fold-out leaves that pulled out from the wall between the seats.

The bedroom had a table with two fold-out leaves that pulled out from the wall between the seats.
The author's laptop rests on the table.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Next to the seating area was a small closet with three hangers for clothing you'd want to keep looking sharp.

Next to the seating area was a small closet with three hangers for clothing you
The closet is open (R) and closed (L).      Joey Hadden/Insider

One thing that surprised me was the variety of lighting options, which seemed to be more than what you'd get in economy on a flight.

One thing that surprised me was the variety of lighting options, which seemed to be more than what you
The author takes a selfie with multiple lights on after brushing her teeth.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Other features included temperature controls and a button to call an attendant, who was always prompt and nice.

Other features included temperature controls and a button to call an attendant, who was always prompt and nice.
Controls for bedroom guests.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The sofa folded into a bed on the bottom level, and another bunk-style bed came down from the ceiling.

The sofa folded into a bed on the bottom level, and another bunk-style bed came down from the ceiling.
The author lies on the bottom bunk when it's time for bed.      Joey Hadden/Insider

If you're wondering what it's like to sleep in a bedroom suite on an Amtrak train, I shared my full thoughts on it here.

On the top bunk was more controls for air conditioning and lights, as well as a small storage pouch.

On the top bunk was more controls for air conditioning and lights, as well as a small storage pouch.
The wall amenities on the top bunk.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My ticket came with meals ordered from a separate menu for passengers staying in a bedroom, which I ate in the dining car.

My ticket came with meals ordered from a separate menu for passengers staying in a bedroom, which I ate in the dining car.
The author's meal came oatmeal (L) and a breakfast sandwich (R).      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the meals weren't too bad. My favorite was breakfast as it had the most variety of flavors.

I also liked the braised short ribs meal with mashed potatoes and a roll. I made a little sandwich out of the ingredients to make it taste better.

I also liked the braised short ribs meal with mashed potatoes and a roll. I made a little sandwich out of the ingredients to make it taste better.
The author and her favorite meal besides breakfast.      Joey Hadden/Insider

After trying both a bedroom and a roomette, I thought the bedroom was the best choice for packing many amenities into a small space while still providing enough room to stretch out.

After trying both a bedroom and a roomette, I thought the bedroom was the best choice for packing many amenities into a small space while still providing enough room to stretch out.
The author plays video games on the train home to New York.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I previously detailed the key differences between the two rooms that made me decide the bedroom was worth the $500 upgrade.

Both are good choices but I'm booking a bedroom next time.

Both are good choices but I
The author is seen in the bedroom and roomette.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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