I spent 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trips. I wish I had known 9 things before taking long-haul journeys.

Business Insider's reporter spent 60 hours in Amtrak sleeper cars, and learned things about overnight train travel she regrets not knowing before.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

• I regret not knowing a few things ahead of my long-haul, overnight Amtrak rides in 2021.
• I took trips from NYC to Miami and back that were 30 hours each but time seemed to pass more slowly.

In October of 2021, I booked a round-trip ride between New York City and Miami on Amtrak's overnight sleeper train. In total, I spent 60 hours on the rails.

On the way to Miami, I spent 30 hours in a $500 roomette accommodation, which is a 20-square-foot enclosed private space with a fold-out table, two chairs that fold out into a bed, and an additional bed that pulls down from the ceiling.

On my way back to NYC, I spent 30 hours in the next level up, a bedroom accommodation that cost $1,000 for a private 45-square-foot room. It was double the cost of a roomette for twice as much space and also includes a private bathroom.

While I enjoyed the trip, there are some things I wish I had known about this type of travel before that would have made me more prepared for the ride.