I paid $500 for a private room on a 30-hour Amtrak ride that came with 2 beds and a toilet. Take a look inside. (2024)

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To get to my private room, I walked along a narrow corridor that could only be used single file and crossed three sleeper cars.

Inside, I found two seats, a table, and a bed above the seats that pulled down. The seats also pulled out into a bed.

I thought this was a big step up from sitting in coach, where you get one train seat and sit with other passengers.

My roomette had a door and blinds to cover up the windows.

Across from the window was a sliding door that locked and curtains for privacy.

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The room came with clever storage features that reminded me of a tiny home, like a pullout table between the chairs.

The table had two foldout leaves, too, for more counter space.

In some roomettes — mine included — a side table swings open to reveal a hidden toilet. Above it, I had a folding sink and mirror.

With no privacy curtain around the toilet, I was grateful to be a solo traveler.

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Due to the availability when I booked my ticket, I had to switch partway through my trip to another roomette, which didn't have a toilet.

For that portion, I used a shared bathroom at the back of the sleeper car.

I was surprised by the roomette's variety of lighting options, which seemed to be more than what I'd get in economy on a flight.

I was also surprised to be able to control the temperature inside my roomette with a dial and air conditioning vents. I kept it cool, about 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

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My ticket came with dinner, which I ate in the dining car.

For dinner, I had braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, and a hard roll. While I didn't love the meal as it came, I made a little sandwich out of the ingredients, which tasted better to me.

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After dinner, I was ready to rest for the night. The roomette seats folded into a bed on the bottom level, and another bed came down from the ceiling that was suspended in the air.

I decided to try sleeping on the top bed. I thought the available blankets wrapped in plastic were surprisingly soft and comfortable.

While I found the train movement through the night to be a little unsettling, I appreciated the dim, blue light on the wall next to me. It was my favorite feature of the roomette because it reminded me of my colorful night light at home.

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Even though I didn't sleep my best, I'm glad I went with the top bunk because of the blue light and the views I had in the morning.

Looking out the window reminded me that I was going somewhere exciting, and I thought it was a welcome distraction from the tight quarters.

Though the roomette started to feel small as I neared the full 30 hours in it, I thought it made impressive use of roughly 20 square feet.

After 30 hours in a roomette, I would book the accommodation again. But for those looking for more room to stretch out, I recommend the Amtrak bedroom.