Lessons Learned from 75 Hours of Overnight Amtrak Travel

Joey Hadden, a reporter for Business Insider, has spent considerable time — a full 75 hours — exploring the world of overnight travel with Amtrak trains in sleeper cars. Through her experiences in 2021 and 2025, she uncovered a few insights she regrets not knowing beforehand.

The Expected and the Unexpected

In October 2021, she embarked on her first extensive train journey, a round-trip from NYC to Miami, totaling 60 hours of rail travel. The southbound trip on the train saw her in a compact roomette costing $500, featuring a foldout table and a pair of chairs that transformed into a bed, coupled with a ceiling bed. Her return to NYC offered more luxury in a $1,000 room twice its size, including an en suite bathroom.

By 2025, she revisited the railways for a 15-hour route from Denver to Salt Lake City, once again choosing the roomette, this time priced at $400. Despite the enjoyment derived from these experiences, there were aspects for which she wished she'd been better prepared.

A Rocky Travel Experience

Amtrak rides, she found, share a similarity with turbulent air travel — persistent bumps with no reprieve. Her anticipation of these would have led her to bring motion-sickness remedies.

Bunk Bed Dynamics

Regardless of whether she slept on the top or bottom bunk, the bumps persisted. However, she found the lower bunk to be somewhat more stable, making it her preferred choice for future travels.

Comfort vs. Convenience

While the mattresses were surprisingly comfortable, the pillows left much to be desired. She longed for the plush pillows of her home during the 2021 trip, though she noted an improvement in the 2025 journey's accommodations.

Space Limitations

Despite being advertised as suitable for two, the roomette felt tight for someone of her average stature alone. She imagined a taller or larger individual might find it even more confining, thus making a case for the more spacious bedroom option.

Connectivity Challenges

Spotty WiFi was a common challenge on these trips. Though Amtrak offered internet on two out of three journeys, the service was inconsistent. In 2025, she faced the added hurdle of no WiFi at all.

Mobile Coverage Issues

Her cellular service was not immune to interruptions either, coming and going unpredictably. More offline entertainment options could have filled the connectivity void.

Never-Ending Hours

Despite planning for lengthy travel, the 30-hour rides felt significantly longer than expected. Thankfully, she was equipped with gadgets like a Nintendo Switch and music to break the monotony.

Cupholder Conundrums

Carrying an oversized water bottle presented unexpected issues; it simply wouldn't fit in the cupholders designed for 12-ounce containers. Smaller bottles would have been a more practical choice.

The Journey is Part of the Adventure

Initially, the lengthy travel could be daunting, especially for someone with travel anxiety. Embracing the trip as an integral part of the vacation led to a significantly more pleasurable and relaxed experience. This shift in mindset redefined her appreciation for the scenic rail journey.