I took an 18-hour train ride from DC to Chicago for $87. Here are 4 things that surprised me about the trip.

• I traveled 18 hours on Amtrak's Capitol Limited train from Washington, DC to Chicago.
• I bought a one-way coach ticket for $87, but next time, I'll splurge on a seat in the sleeper car.

I've been regularly traveling on long-distance trains for over three years, so I didn't think a lot could surprise me anymore.

But after my Amtrak trip on the 18-hour Capitol Limited route from Washington, DC (my hometown) to Chicago (where I currently live), I came away with several new realizations and experiences.

Here are some of the most surprising takeaways from my recent journey.

The coach cabin was more crowded than I expected

An 18-hour trip seems relatively short to a frequent long-haul train traveler like me.

I figured I'd book a one-way coach-class ticket for $87. It was significantly less expensive than the $400 I would've had to pay to sit in the Capitol Limited's sleeper car, a higher cabin category that offers private rooms.

After all, I've traveled comfortably in Amtrak's coach cabins on much longer trips, like my journey all the way from Denver to DC. And many times, I had an entire row to myself for the duration of the trip, which allowed me to stretch, relax, and enjoy my privacy.

I quickly realized that this experience was going to be a lot different.

As people have started to feel more comfortable traveling during the pandemic (partially because COVID-19 vaccines have become more widely available in the US), I've seen Amtrak ridership gradually increase.

I could sense the difference during my most recent trip on the Capitol Limited line. Securing my own empty row in coach felt impossible. The conductor regularly announced that passengers will have to share rows, preempting any protests.

Even though meeting people on board is one of the most fun parts of train travel, I still prefer to have my own personal space, especially on a long-haul trip.

I've really loved being able to save money by traveling in coach, but on my next long-distance trip, I think I'll upgrade to the sleeper cabin for my peace of mind.

I've taken the route before but was still blown away by the scenery

Roaming over the most gorgeous parts of the country is my favorite part of train travel.

Even though I've taken Amtrak's route from DC to Chicago countless times, I still found myself captivated as we passed by rivers, quaint towns, and the Allegheny Mountains.

There were few hot food options offered to coach passengers

Coach passengers could buy snacks, like pretzels and soda. But we mostly had to rely on the food we brought ourselves during the 18-hour trip.

I usually bring several prepared sandwiches to snack on when I'm traveling in coach. But this was the first trip when I found myself pretty sick of eating the same food.

Next time, I'll make sure to bring some new and exciting meals.

It's worth noting that passengers traveling the sleeper cars could order from Amtrak's flexible dining menu.

I've ordered from the menu in the past, and I strongly prefer the meals on Amtrak's traditional dining menu, which is only available in the sleeper cars on Amtrak's Western lines, like the Empire Builder or the California Zephyr.

Despite the blips, I'm excited to take the train again

Even if I was more than ready to get to Chicago by the time the Capitol Limited arrived at the station, I'm pleasantly surprised to find that I still really love trains and can't wait for my next rail adventure.

Whether you're taking a train, plane, or bus, travel can come with unavoidable annoyances. Not every experience is transformative or peaceful, and some are downright unpleasant.