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 HaddenOct 30, 2021, 17:34 IST

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

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

I recently 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 complementary meals.

The author rides in sleeper cars to and from New York and Miami. Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently 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 complementary meals.

For my week-long trip to Florida, 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/Insider

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.

A view inside the author's duffel bag shows some of her travel essentials. Joey Hadden/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/Insider

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

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

While traveling in a pandemic, 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/Insider

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

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

But it turns out that I missed a few key things when packing, too. While I'm glad I brought a water bottle, I wish I'd brought a smaller one that would fit in the 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/Insider

But it turns out that I missed a few key things when packing, too. While I'm glad I brought a water bottle, I wish I'd brought a smaller one that would fit in the 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 while 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 on the left and the author's forgotten flip flops on the right. Joey Hadden/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/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/Insider

I usually bring my neck pillow with me 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/Insider

I usually bring my neck pillow with me 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 have at home. So I wish I'd brought my own.

The author lies in bed on the Amtrak (left) thinking of her pillows at home (right). Joey Hadden/Insider

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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 recently 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 complementary meals.

For my week-long trip to Florida, I packed a duffel bag and my camera backpack, both of which I kept with me on the trains.

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.

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 glad I packed various forms of entertainment, especially some that didn't require an internet connection, which could be spotty at times.

While traveling in a pandemic, 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 missed a few key things when packing, too. While I'm glad I brought a water bottle, I wish I'd brought a smaller one that would fit in the 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 while 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 with me 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 have at home. So I wish I'd brought my own.