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.

Joey HaddenJul 18, 2024, 00:14 IST

The author traveled 60 hours on Amtrak trains. Here's what she did and didn't pack.Joey Hadden/Insider

I traveled from New York to Miami and back in Amtrak sleeper cars. Each ride was 30 hours.
For 60 hours of train travel, I brought a carry-on duffel bag and my camera backpack.

For a weeklong trip to Florida in 2021, I traveled round-trip from New York to Miami on Amtrak trains. Each ride was about 30 hours long, and my tickets included a private room with a bed, access to a bathroom, and complimentary meals.

On my way to Miami, I booked a roomette, a 20-square-foot private space with two seats across from each other, a table that folded out in between, and a bed above the seats that pulled down. The seats also pulled out into a bed. Some Roomettes also include a toilet and sink.

On my way home, I booked an Amtrak bedroom. It's twice the size of a roomette with an additional chair and a shower.

Knowing I'd be staying overnight in sleeper cars, I packed some travel essentials I thought would be helpful for sleeping, eating, working, and relaxing on a train. I tried my best to ensure my duffel bag and backpack included all the items I'd ever want to ensure a comfortable and entertaining 60 hours of travel. But I regretted leaving some items behind.

I packed a duffel bag and my camera backpack, both of which I kept with me on the trains.

The author sits in her apartment with her bags packed.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since each ride was an overnight trip, I was glad I packed a comfortable outfit separately from my clothes for the rest of my trip so they were easy to find in my bag.

The author's clothes for the train are on the right. The clothes for the rest of her trip are packed together on the left.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was grateful I packed various forms of entertainment, especially some that didn't require an internet connection, which could sometimes be spotty.

The author plays Mario Kart on the train to pass the time.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I always keep a disinfecting spray with me to make sure the surfaces I use are clean.

The author carries a disinfectant spray.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Every time I travel, I also pack some Vitamin C for an immunity boost.

The author carries Vitamin C with her.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

One of the most important items I brought was my comfiest pair of shoes — they feel like pillows under your feet.

The author's shoes were an important choice.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I tried to make the train feel like home, and at home, I dance pretty much all day, so I'm glad I brought a pair of headphones with me.

The author dances to music with her headphones on.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I was especially glad I brought my odor-eliminating Poo Pourri spray with me when I saw that my Roomette's toilet was next to my seat.

The author poses with a bottle of Poo Pourri.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

While my train tickets included meals, I was glad I brought my own snacks for the in-between times.

The author's trail mix of choice.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

But it turns out that I also missed a few key things when packing. While I'm glad I brought a water bottle, I wish I'd brought a smaller one that would fit in Amtrak's cupholders.

An aerial view of the table shows just how large the author's water bottle is compared to the cup holder.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

But it turns out that I also missed a few key things when packing. While I'm glad I brought a water bottle, I wish I'd brought a smaller one that would fit in Amtrak's cupholders.

One thing I missed the most on this trip was medication for motion sickness. Both train rides felt as bumpy as a flight when the seat belt sign is on.

The author didn't bring medicine to combat motion sickness.shironosov/Getty Images

On my way home, I stayed in a bedroom with a private shower. I would have used it, but I forgot my flip-flops to keep my feet safe from germs.

An aerial view of the shower and the author's forgotten flip-flops.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since there weren't many visible outlets in the rooms, I wished I had packed a couple of outlet splitters to charge more than a few devices at a time.

There weren't many outlets in the rooms.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

For the same reason, my portable charging battery would have come in handy had I remembered to bring it.

The author forgot her portable charging battery.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I usually bring my neck pillow when I fly, but I didn't think to take it on my Amtrak trek, since my tickets came with beds. But I think it would have made the waking hours more comfortable.

The author uses her neck pillow on a long-haul flight.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I usually bring my neck pillow when I fly, but I didn't think to take it on my Amtrak trek, since my tickets came with beds. But I think it would have made the waking hours more comfortable.

While the train beds and blankets were much more comfortable than I expected, the pillows weren't as cushy as the ones I had at home. So I wish I'd brought my own.

The author thought about her pillows at home.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I visited friends in a small town in Maine and found a hidden gem I'd travel to again and again

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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.

I packed a duffel bag and my camera backpack, both of which I kept with me on the trains.

Since each ride was an overnight trip, I was glad I packed a comfortable outfit separately from my clothes for the rest of my trip so they were easy to find in my bag.

I was grateful I packed various forms of entertainment, especially some that didn't require an internet connection, which could sometimes be spotty.

I always keep a disinfecting spray with me to make sure the surfaces I use are clean.

Every time I travel, I also pack some Vitamin C for an immunity boost.

One of the most important items I brought was my comfiest pair of shoes — they feel like pillows under your feet.

I tried to make the train feel like home, and at home, I dance pretty much all day, so I'm glad I brought a pair of headphones with me.

I was especially glad I brought my odor-eliminating Poo Pourri spray with me when I saw that my Roomette's toilet was next to my seat.

While my train tickets included meals, I was glad I brought my own snacks for the in-between times.

But it turns out that I also missed a few key things when packing. While I'm glad I brought a water bottle, I wish I'd brought a smaller one that would fit in Amtrak's cupholders.

One thing I missed the most on this trip was medication for motion sickness. Both train rides felt as bumpy as a flight when the seat belt sign is on.

On my way home, I stayed in a bedroom with a private shower. I would have used it, but I forgot my flip-flops to keep my feet safe from germs.

Since there weren't many visible outlets in the rooms, I wished I had packed a couple of outlet splitters to charge more than a few devices at a time.

For the same reason, my portable charging battery would have come in handy had I remembered to bring it.

I usually bring my neck pillow when I fly, but I didn't think to take it on my Amtrak trek, since my tickets came with beds. But I think it would have made the waking hours more comfortable.

While the train beds and blankets were much more comfortable than I expected, the pillows weren't as cushy as the ones I had at home. So I wish I'd brought my own.