I spent 32 hours in a private roomette on an Amtrak train from Montana to Chicago. Take a look inside my 20-square-foot room.
Jordan Parker Erb
![I spent 32 hours in a private roomette on an Amtrak train from Montana to Chicago. Take a look inside my 20-square-foot room.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-98234094%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-195058%2Fi-spent-32-hours-in-a-private-roomette-on-an-amtrak-train-from-montana-to-chicago-take-a-look-inside-my-20-square-foot-room-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The author before boarding the Amtrak train (left) and settled inside the roomette.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
- I booked a roomette on Amtrak's Empire Builder, a 32-hour train from Montana to Chicago.
- The roomette was an upgrade from coach seating, but a step down from Amtrak's larger bedrooms.
In January, I embarked on my first long-haul train ride, a three-day trip from Whitefish, Montana, to New York City.
![In January, I embarked on my first long-haul train ride, a three-day trip from Whitefish, Montana, to New York City.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234566,width-700,height-525,imgsize-770136/in-january-i-embarked-on-my-first-long-haul-train-ride-a-three-day-trip-from-whitefish-montana-to-new-york-city-.jpg)
The author boarding the Amtrak at Whitefish's train depot. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
My journey was split into two segments: 32 hours from Whitefish to Chicago on the Empire Builder, and 25 hours from Chicago to New York on the Lake Shore Limited.
![My journey was split into two segments: 32 hours from Whitefish to Chicago on the Empire Builder, and 25 hours from Chicago to New York on the Lake Shore Limited.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234556,width-700,height-525,imgsize-505722/my-journey-was-split-into-two-segments-32-hours-from-whitefish-to-chicago-on-the-empire-builder-and-25-hours-from-chicago-to-new-york-on-the-lake-shore-limited-.jpg)
Amtrak's Empire Builder train sits outside the train depot in Whitefish, Montana, where my journey started. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
I booked a roomette, Amtrak's mid-tier accommodation, which cost $800 for a one-way ticket. Here's what it was like inside the tiny roomette on the Empire Builder train from Montana to Chicago.
![I booked a roomette, Amtrak](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234545,width-700,height-525,imgsize-919596/i-booked-a-roomette-amtrakaposs-mid-tier-accommodation-which-cost-800-for-a-one-way-ticket-hereaposs-what-it-was-like-inside-the-tiny-roomette-on-the-empire-builder-train-from-montana-to-chicago-.jpg)
The author in the Amtrak dining car. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
To get to my room, I walked down a narrow hallway lined with other roomettes, each of which was occupied by other passengers.
![To get to my room, I walked down a narrow hallway lined with other roomettes, each of which was occupied by other passengers.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234533,width-700,height-525,imgsize-455666/to-get-to-my-room-i-walked-down-a-narrow-hallway-lined-with-other-roomettes-each-of-which-was-occupied-by-other-passengers-.jpg)
The hallway was lined with other roomettes, each of which was occupied. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
At 20 square feet, Amtrak roomettes are designed to fit two travelers, but since it was just me, I was pleased with how much space I had all to myself.
![At 20 square feet, Amtrak roomettes are designed to fit two travelers, but since it was just me, I was pleased with how much space I had all to myself.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234527,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1458260/at-20-square-feet-amtrak-roomettes-are-designed-to-fit-two-travelers-but-since-it-was-just-me-i-was-pleased-with-how-much-space-i-had-all-to-myself-.jpg)
Since I was traveling solo, I got to take up space that was meant for two people. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
Once inside the room, I found two comfortable seats and a small table that pulled out between them
![Once inside the room, I found two comfortable seats and a small table that pulled out between them](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234518,width-700,height-525,imgsize-713270/once-inside-the-room-i-found-two-comfortable-seats-and-a-small-table-that-pulled-out-between-them.jpg)
I used the small table to work, color, and write while on the train. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
There were outlets next to the headrests, as well as a knob to control the room's temperature.
![There were outlets next to the headrests, as well as a knob to control the room](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234512,width-700,height-525,imgsize-205820/there-were-outlets-next-to-the-headrests-as-well-as-a-knob-to-control-the-roomaposs-temperature-.jpg)
I found there were plenty of outlets in the roomette. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
The seats folded down into a bed, which I thought was actually pretty comfortable.
![The seats folded down into a bed, which I thought was actually pretty comfortable.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234507,width-700,height-525,imgsize-660586/the-seats-folded-down-into-a-bed-which-i-thought-was-actually-pretty-comfortable-.jpg)
With a lie-flat bed to sleep in at night, Amtrak's roomette provided a seamless way to stay rested while traveling. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
A second bunk pulled down from the ceiling, though I didn't end up using it.
![A second bunk pulled down from the ceiling, though I didn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234504,width-700,height-525,imgsize-580002/a-second-bunk-pulled-down-from-the-ceiling-though-i-didnapost-end-up-using-it-.jpg)
The top bunk pulled down from the roomette's ceiling. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
Since I was traveling solo, I got to utilize the extra pillow and blankets that were laid out for people traveling in pairs.
![Since I was traveling solo, I got to utilize the extra pillow and blankets that were laid out for people traveling in pairs.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234498,width-700,height-525,imgsize-209758/since-i-was-traveling-solo-i-got-to-utilize-the-extra-pillow-and-blankets-that-were-laid-out-for-people-traveling-in-pairs-.jpg)
I appreciated the extra bedding that came with the roomette. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
The roomette also had plenty of storage, as well as a mirror, which I found useful.
![The roomette also had plenty of storage, as well as a mirror, which I found useful.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234495,width-700,height-525,imgsize-218780/the-roomette-also-had-plenty-of-storage-as-well-as-a-mirror-which-i-found-useful-.jpg)
The roomette came with unexpected amenities, including ample storage and a small mirror. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
It also came with hooks and coat hangers for my winter jacket and other belongings.
![It also came with hooks and coat hangers for my winter jacket and other belongings.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234493,width-700,height-525,imgsize-592760/it-also-came-with-hooks-and-coat-hangers-for-my-winter-jacket-and-other-belongings-.jpg)
I didn't use the hangers provided, but did find the coat hook useful. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
My luggage could fit on the seat I wasn't using, but I opted to put it on a rack in the hallway, along with other travelers' suitcases.
![My luggage could fit on the seat I wasn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234491,width-700,height-525,imgsize-265120/my-luggage-could-fit-on-the-seat-i-wasnapost-using-but-i-opted-to-put-it-on-a-rack-in-the-hallway-along-with-other-travelersapos-suitcases-.jpg)
I stored my luggage in the hallway, where other passengers put their suitcases as well. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
My roomette didn't have a bathroom, but there was a tiny, airplane-reminiscent bathroom down the hall.
![My roomette didn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234481,width-700,height-525,imgsize-116328/my-roomette-didnapost-have-a-bathroom-but-there-was-a-tiny-airplane-reminiscent-bathroom-down-the-hall-.jpg)
Brushing my teeth in the train's bathroom. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
Across the way was a small, clean-looking shower. While I didn't use it — personally, I'm not a fan of community showers — I appreciated having the option.
![Across the way was a small, clean-looking shower. While I didn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234472,width-700,height-525,imgsize-179628/across-the-way-was-a-small-clean-looking-shower-while-i-didnapost-use-it-x2014-personally-iaposm-not-a-fan-of-community-showers-x2014-i-appreciated-having-the-option-.jpg)
The shower appeared clean, although I didn't use it. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
In all, I felt like I was traveling in luxury — and it's the only way I'd travel on a long-distance train again.
![In all, I felt like I was traveling in luxury — and it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-98234467,width-700,height-525,imgsize-446896/in-all-i-felt-like-i-was-traveling-in-luxury-x2014-and-itaposs-the-only-way-iaposd-travel-on-a-long-distance-train-again-.jpg)
My recent Amtrak journey felt like traveling in luxury. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
Popular Right Now
Advertisement