I traveled the US on 2 overnight Amtrak trains, and thought the longer trip was a better experience. See how the long-haul trains stack up.

Jordan Parker ErbApr 9, 2023, 16:13 IST

The author (right) traveled cross-country on two Amtrak trains.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

On a cross-country trip, I took two Amtrak trains: the Empire Builder and the Lake Shore Limited.
I rode the Empire Builder from Montana to Chicago and the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to NY.

Over three days in January, I traveled across the country on Amtrak trains.

Insider's reporter and her train from Chicago to New York City.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Amtrak's Empire Builder train took me from Whitefish, Montana, to Chicago, a 32-hour trip.

The route taken by Amtrak's Empire Builder train.Jordan Parker Erb/Google Maps

When I got to Chicago, I spent five hours in Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge, where sleeper-car guests can stay for free on long layovers.

On a recent train trip from Montana to New York City, Insider's reporter got access to Amtrak's lounge in Chicago's Union Station.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Then, it was time for the last leg of my journey: a 20-hour train ride on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited train, which took me from Chicago to New York City.

The route the Lake Shore Limited train takes to get from Chicago to New York City.Jordan Parker Erb/Google Maps

My first impression, based on the hallway to my roomette, was that the Lake Shore Limited train was newer and upgraded.

With wood paneled walls, the Lake Shore Limited train's interior seemed nicer than the Empire Builder's.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

On the Empire Builder, there was a space near my room to store my luggage, which the Lake Shore Limited didn't have.

I stored my luggage in the hallway, along with other passengers' suitcases.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

When I walked inside each roomette, I found that the seats were essentially the same.

The seating on each train was practically identical.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The tray table on the Lake Shore Limited was far larger than the one on the Empire Builder.

Each train had large tray tables with enough space to work.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

Unfortunately, the Lake Shore Limited's bed felt a little smaller — making the Empire Builder's roomette a better sleeping experience.

The Empire Builder offered a more comfortable sleeping arrangement.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

What made the Lake Shore Limited train's roomette stand out was all its amenities, which the Empire Builder didn't have.

A small sink inside the reporter's roomette on the Lake Shore Limited train.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The trains' bathrooms were comparable.

Each train had a bathroom that was about the size of an airplane bathroom.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The second train had a nicer shower, but it was filled with cleaning supplies and extra towels.

To use the Lake Shore Limited's shower, passengers would have had to move all the storage placed there.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

I was not impressed by the food on the Lake Shore Limited.

Even the presentation on the Lake Shore Limited was lacking, Insider's reporter thought.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

The views on the Empire Builder were unbeatable — making it my favorite of the two.

Mountains outside of Glacier National Park (left), and the Hudson River (right), as seen from each train.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider

I rode on Japan's world-famous bullet train that reaches speeds of up to 186 miles per hour. It was an incredible way to travel.

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