I toured the first-class cars on the Rocky Mountaineer train where tickets cost $1,960 and come with a luxe bar that's off-limits to other passengers

The author in the two first-class lounge cars on the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

• I rode the Rocky Mountaineer, one of the world's most opulent trains, from Colorado to Utah in May.
• Like many luxury experiences, there are optional upgrades. A first class ticket costs an extra $500.

In May, I rode the Rocky Mountaineer — one of the world's most luxurious trains. The Canadian train company operates four routes, and I was on its US route heading to Moab, Utah, from Denver, Colorado.

The author in one of the first-class lounge cars.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Read more: I traveled in a glass-domed luxury train from Colorado to Utah. Here are 14 things that surprised me about the trip.

Like many luxury experiences, there's an option to upgrade. As I booked the two-day train trip, I had the choice between two classes: SilverLeaf and SilverLeaf Plus.

The two class options on the Rockies to Red Rocks train route on the Rocky Mountaineer.      Rocky Mountaineer

A SilverLeaf ticket on my route costs $1,465 for a solo traveler and includes meals, alcohol, a seat in a train car with glass-dome windows, and a hotel room for an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

A view of the Rocky Mountaineer's interior.      Monica Humphries/Insider

But for $500 more, for a total of $1,960, I had the choice to upgrade to SilverLeaf Plus, which is akin to first class. That ticket grants travelers access to two dedicated lounge cars with bars, an elevated dinner service, and a hotel room in the heart of downtown Glenwood Springs.

The two private train cars for Rocky Mountaineer's first-class passengers.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As a thrifty traveler, I purchased a standard SilverLeaf ticket. But on the first day of the two-day trip, I was able to peek inside the first class car when Rocky Mountaineer's manager Zach Lucas gave me a tour of the entire train.

Train manager Zach Lucas.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Read more: Inside the Crew-Only Section on the Luxury Rocky Mountaineer Train

Insider paid for the train ride, per our reporting standards.

Together, Lucas and I walked from my standard SilverLeaf train car to the front of the train, where three train cars were dedicated to SilverLeaf Plus.

Zach Lucas walks through one of the SIlverLeaf Plus lounge cars.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Right away, I thought SilverLeaf Plus seemed similar to the SilverLeaf passenger car I was seated in. I searched for differences but didn't spot any.

Zach Lucas speaks to passengers on the Rocky Mountaineer.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I noticed that the passengers did have an extra train host, who served meals and functioned as the passengers' personal tour guide throughout the two days. My car had just one.

A train host shares facts about Denver, Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The first-class passengers also had an elevated dinner service, which was something I wasn't able to see or taste firsthand. According to Lucas and some first-class passengers I spoke with, their meals were served with local wine pairings. While I drank wine with my dinner, it wasn't matched to my specific entrée.

The standard menu passengers received on the Rocky Mountaineer.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Behind the train car where passengers sat for the majority of the ride were the two exclusive lounge cars with a bar. The first had a warm, midcentury modern theme, Lucas said.

An exclusive train car for first-class passengers on the Rocky Mountaineer.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Behind it was the second lounge car, which had modern furnishings. Leather seats were stationed along the two sides of the car. Lucas said the cars were designed as a "conversation space" where first-class passengers can roam freely throughout the entire ride.

An exclusive train car for first-class passengers on the Rocky Mountaineer.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I thought the lounge cars had a welcoming environment. A piano filled the corner of one car with board games stacked on top.

Zach Lucas plays the piano on the first-class train car.      Monica Humphries/Insider

At the front of each lounge car was a bar and bartender, who served signature cocktails that standard-class passengers didn't receive.

Rows of glass and mugs fill the wall behind the bar.      Monica Humphries/Insider

At my standard seat, I didn't have a dedicated bar or bartender. Instead, my train host pushed a beverage cart and poured glasses of wine, beer, and well drinks.

Standard-class passengers had the option of well drinks, wine, and beer.      Monica Humphries/Insider

If I sat in first class, I could've ordered something more elaborate. I would have chosen a Manhattan, a martini, or another drink made with upgraded ingredients I spotted in the first-class car like the bowl of oranges for zesting, a bottle of bitters, simple syrup, and cherries.

First-class passengers could order more elaborate cocktails.      Monica Humphries/Insider

While the lounge cars seemed like an ideal environment to chat with other riders, I noticed that they lacked the Rocky Mountaineer's iconic glass-dome windows. One of my favorite parts of the ride was the large windows that framed Utah's sandstone deserts and Colorado's towering mountain range.

A lounge car for first-class passengers on the Rocky Mountaineer.      Monica Humphries/Insider

If I had been sitting in first class, I wasn't sure I'd want to give up those dramatic windows for the more limited views from inside the lounge car.

The interior of a standard-class train car on the Rocky Mountaineer.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Perhaps the largest difference I noticed between first class and standard passengers was when we got off the train.

The author in front of the Rocky Mountaineer.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The train made an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs, where first-class passengers slept at The Hotel Denver. Their hotel was just a few feet away from the train station.

An arrow points to The Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I, on the other hand, along with other SilverLeaf passengers, had the option of a six-minute walk or a short bus ride to the Hotel Colorado, where we spent the night.

An arrow points to the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Both were three-star hotels, but after speaking to passengers who stayed in The Hotel Denver, it seemed like their rooms were a bit nicer with modern, hardwood floors and easier access to the mountain town.

The interior of my room at the Hotel Colorado.      Monica Humphries/Insider

A nicer hotel and a lounge bar car serving gin gimlets instead of gin and tonics would've been nice, but I felt like the experience in SilverLeaf was luxurious enough. However, had I wanted to splurge on the ultimate indulgent train ride, I'd pick first class any day.

The author in her standard seat on the Rocky Mountaineer.      Monica Humphries/Insider