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 Erb
![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.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-99357518%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-319396%2Fi-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-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
- 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.
![Over three days in January, I traveled across the country on Amtrak trains.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357669,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1401918/over-three-days-in-january-i-traveled-across-the-country-on-amtrak-trains-.jpg)
Earlier this year, I decided to take the train from my home state, Montana, to New York City. I was looking for a change of pace: I always fly when going home, which has become expensive and, depending on the airline, incredibly stressful.
So I decided I'd make an adventure of it, and took a 57-hour-long train ride instead.
The trip was broken into two parts: A 32-hour ride from Montana to Chicago on Amtrak's Empire Builder train, and a 20-hour ride from there to New York City on the Lake Shore Limited.
Even though the Empire Builder was a longer journey with fewer amenities, I thought it was an overall better experience than the Lake Shore Limited train.
Amtrak's Empire Builder train took me from Whitefish, Montana, to Chicago, a 32-hour trip.
![Amtrak](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357663,width-700,height-525,imgsize-83688/amtrakaposs-empire-builder-train-took-me-from-whitefish-montana-to-chicago-a-32-hour-trip-.jpg)
The Empire Builder route runs from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest, with the option to end in either Portland or Seattle — or any smaller stop along the way — according to Amtrak's website.
Because I started in Whitefish, Montana, my ride on the Empire Builder was about 14 hours shorter than it would be to take the full route.
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.
![When I got to Chicago, I spent five hours in Amtrak](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357660,width-700,height-525,imgsize-439606/when-i-got-to-chicago-i-spent-five-hours-in-amtrakaposs-metropolitan-lounge-where-sleeper-car-guests-can-stay-for-free-on-long-layovers-.jpg)
Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge, located in Chicago's Union Station, is a sprawling rest area that's free to passengers on its sleeper cars or in business class, as well as Guest Rewards Select Plus or Select Executive members.
Otherwise, a day pass is $35 — and totally worth it if you need a shower and some snacks in between trips.
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.
![Then, it was time for the last leg of my journey: a 20-hour train ride on Amtrak](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357656,width-700,height-525,imgsize-81310/then-it-was-time-for-the-last-leg-of-my-journey-a-20-hour-train-ride-on-amtrakaposs-lake-shore-limited-train-which-took-me-from-chicago-to-new-york-city-.jpg)
According to Amtrak's website, the Lake Shore Limited route runs between Chicago and New York or Boston. I rode the train until its final stop, at New York City's Penn Station.
My first impression, based on the hallway to my roomette, was that the Lake Shore Limited train was newer and upgraded.
![My first impression, based on the hallway to my roomette, was that the Lake Shore Limited train was newer and upgraded.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357655,width-700,height-525,imgsize-305632/my-first-impression-based-on-the-hallway-to-my-roomette-was-that-the-lake-shore-limited-train-was-newer-and-upgraded-.jpg)
When I boarded my first train, the Empire Builder, I wasn't disappointed. The hallway leading to my roomette didn't feel luxurious, but it seemed about as nice as I expected it to be.
It wasn't until I boarded the second train, the Lake Shore Limited, that I realized my first train wasn't quite as nice as I thought.
The Lake Shore Limited's interior is clad in wood paneling, giving it a warmer, more upscale feel, whereas the Empire Builder was metal and plastic, which felt cold and characterless.
On the Empire Builder, there was a space near my room to store my luggage, which the Lake Shore Limited didn't have.
![On the Empire Builder, there was a space near my room to store my luggage, which the Lake Shore Limited didn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357651,width-700,height-525,imgsize-265120/on-the-empire-builder-there-was-a-space-near-my-room-to-store-my-luggage-which-the-lake-shore-limited-didnapost-have-.jpg)
Neither roomette was large enough to comfortably fit my suitcase. After dragging my luggage aboard the Empire Builder, I found a rack near my room to store my belongings, alongside other travelers'.
On the Lake Shore Limited, however, there wasn't a place to keep my extra luggage. Instead, an attendant picked it up before the train started moving, taking it to some unknown place until we arrived in New York City 20 hours later.
While it was nice that they helped me with my bag, I would have liked having it closer so I could have accessed it easily if need be.
When I walked inside each roomette, I found that the seats were essentially the same.
![When I walked inside each roomette, I found that the seats were essentially the same.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357647,width-700,height-525,imgsize-350560/when-i-walked-inside-each-roomette-i-found-that-the-seats-were-essentially-the-same-.jpg)
Aside from their color, the seats in each room were comparable. I found both of them to be comfortable enough, which made each leg of the three-day trip more bearable.
The tray table on the Lake Shore Limited was far larger than the one on the Empire Builder.
![The tray table on the Lake Shore Limited was far larger than the one on the Empire Builder.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357643,width-700,height-525,imgsize-373964/the-tray-table-on-the-lake-shore-limited-was-far-larger-than-the-one-on-the-empire-builder-.jpg)
The Empire Builder's tray table was about the size I had imagined it would be: A bit larger than those on airplanes, and large enough for two people to eat or work at the same time, since the room is meant for two.
But when I unfolded the table on the Lake Shore Limited, I realized just how small the previous table really was. Even though I didn't need all the space, I appreciated having the option.
Unfortunately, the Lake Shore Limited's bed felt a little smaller — making the Empire Builder's roomette a better sleeping experience.
![Unfortunately, the Lake Shore Limited](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357638,width-700,height-525,imgsize-352648/unfortunately-the-lake-shore-limitedaposs-bed-felt-a-little-smaller-x2014-making-the-empire-builderaposs-roomette-a-better-sleeping-experience-.jpg)
The seats on the Lake Shore Limited had a large, padded armrest, which jutted out into the mattress when the chairs were folded down into a bed. In such a small space, every inch counts — and because the armrests took up a couple of inches of the bed, it was less comfortable for sleeping.
The Empire Builder, on the other hand, had no intrusive armrests, and was a pleasant sleep overall.
What made the Lake Shore Limited train's roomette stand out was all its amenities, which the Empire Builder didn't have.
![What made the Lake Shore Limited train](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357628,width-700,height-525,imgsize-292348/what-made-the-lake-shore-limited-trainaposs-roomette-stand-out-was-all-its-amenities-which-the-empire-builder-didnapost-have-.jpg)
Although the Empire Builder's roomette had a small mirror and helpful additions like coat hooks and hangers, the Lake Shore Limited's roomette came with a sink, making it a more convenient stay than the Empire Builder.
The sink meant that I didn't have to leave my room to brush my teeth or wash my hands, which was an added bonus.
The trains' bathrooms were comparable.
![The trains](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357617,width-700,height-525,imgsize-234806/the-trainsapos-bathrooms-were-comparable-.jpg)
Each train's bathroom was small and unremarkable. About the size of an airplane bathroom, they were clean enough, and pretty much all I could ask for.
The second train had a nicer shower, but it was filled with cleaning supplies and extra towels.
![The second train had a nicer shower, but it was filled with cleaning supplies and extra towels.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357610,width-700,height-525,imgsize-235554/the-second-train-had-a-nicer-shower-but-it-was-filled-with-cleaning-supplies-and-extra-towels-.jpg)
I didn't use the shower on either train, but the Empire Builder's shower would have been easier to use, because it wasn't filled with bags of towels and cleaning supplies.
Even though the Lake Shore Limited had what appeared to be a nice, clean shower, using it would have required asking an attendant to relocate all the stuff cluttering the room.
I was not impressed by the food on the Lake Shore Limited.
![I was not impressed by the food on the Lake Shore Limited.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357607,width-700,height-525,imgsize-492680/i-was-not-impressed-by-the-food-on-the-lake-shore-limited-.jpg)
While on the Empire Builder from Montana to Chicago, I was consistently impressed by the food: for breakfast I got a large bowl of oatmeal with a side of dried fruit and brown sugar, a cup of strawberries, a Chobani Greek yogurt, and a biscuit, as well as endless coffee refills.
On the Lake Shore Limited, however, I got a muffin in a plastic box.
Even the presentation left something to be desired. While the Empire Builder's meals were brought out on real plates, the food on the Lake Shore Limited was served in plastic containers, making it far less appetizing.
The views on the Empire Builder were unbeatable — making it my favorite of the two.
![The views on the Empire Builder were unbeatable — making it my favorite of the two.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-99357604,width-700,height-525,imgsize-262986/the-views-on-the-empire-builder-were-unbeatable-x2014xa0making-it-my-favorite-of-the-two-.jpg)
Amenities, food, and bathrooms aside, the Empire Builder was hands down the most enjoyable train ride thanks to its views.
Of course, each train went through plenty of areas that were nothing but open fields and grain silos. And even though the Lake Shore Limited offered views of the Hudson River at sunset, I thought the Empire Builder had it beat by a long shot.
As the Empire Builder snaked through northern Montana, I watched as we passed mountains and crystal-clear rivers outside of Glacier National Park, one of my favorite places in the state — making the days-long journey worth it.
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