Skip the plane, and try an Amtrak Sleeper Car – My top tips for taking an Amtrak Roomette!
Once upon a time, after a series of 5+ hour delays, cancellations, and poor customer service I was at my whit’s end. I OBVIOUSLY love traveling, but with this sour taste in my mouth, I needed my next trip to be more comfortable, smoother, and with less drama. I was booking a quick trip to Universal Orlando Resort with my daughter for 4th of July – a last minute getaway decision – but in that very moment, found myself scoffing at the idea of booking another set of flights. The hotel was reserved and we have Premier Annual Passes – all we needed to do was there. I contemplated driving for moment, but 10+ hours solo driving didn’t seem like a practical option for such a quick trip either. This is where I found myself on the Amtrak website. After all, is there really a more magical way to travel to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter than on a train?
A quick check on the routes and I realized that I could board a train around bedtime just about 20 mins away from my house, park for FREE while I was gone, and disembark just 15 mins from the park the following morning. The price was $330 for a private room for two one way. I saw it as transportation and a hotel in one, plus breakfast would be served complimentary and checked luggage was free. After running it by my daughter, we agreed to give it a try. We booked one way (just in case we didn’t enjoy it) and a quick flight home. I had some cocerns about motion sickness or whether or not we would sleep well…. but let me tell you, this did not dissapoint.
The night of our departure we arrived fed, showered, and in comfy loungewear. We brought our night snacks and beverages, and a bit of wine for myself (yes, you can enjoy your own food and beverages in your private room). We parked and entered the building, checked in right away as there was no line, and handed our bags off. We kept a small bag each with one change of clothes for arrival as well as our toiletries, electorinc devices and chargers.
When our train arrived we were escorted out and onto our cars, quickly boarded and were greeted by our attendant who had already made our beds up for us and placed a water bottle for each of us in the room. My daughter claimed the top bunk and I took the bottom. We located the restrooms, familiarized ourselves with the in – room sink, and before I knew it, we were off and moving. The process was smooth and pleasantly simple. No getting there hours early, messing with long check-in lines or sitting around forever and waiting – just in and on!
I didn’t know what to expect but when the train started moving my daughter and I were shocked – it felt like we were gliding on glass, and the sleeper car was quiet as can be – just a nice white noise from our in-room air flow. It was so comfortable and cozy! Within 15 mins my daughter had been rocked to sleep. I stayed up to enjoy the view of the night lights and the experience, but quickly was also soothed to sleep. When I woke up at 8:00am the next morning I was shocked. I am a light sleeper, but let me tell you, I slept like a baby. I woke my daughter, and we dressed to head to breakfast, both raving about how refreshing the experience was. We arrived shortly after breakfast, unloaded, and grabbed a quick uber to the hotel. We were staying at the Lowes Sapphire Falls onsite resort – just 15 minutes away.
Takeaways? I cannot wait to do it again. Would I recommend it? Yes, but for the right person. Not everyone would be comfortable in a Roomette or in a bunk bed or may be better suited in a private bedroom which is a bit more expensive. Now, while I could go on and on raving about this experience, but then we wouldn’t have time for the important stuff – my top tips! Check the routes carefully, and if you find that you can take am Amtrak Roomette in between your two destinations, check my suggestions below and enjoy the ride!
Tips for Booking an Amtrak Roomette!
1. Book Early! Unlike flights which can fluctuate every 5 minutes, Amtrak pricing is pretty simple and straight forward. They run specials from time to time, but the pricing rises as the percentage of the train booked goes up, so snag your room in advance when at all possible.
2. Pack accordingly. Each passenger in the Roomette can check up to two free bags, but when spending a significant amount of time or traveling overnight, you will want personal items. The roomettes, while small, were still very cozy and had plenty of room for your overnight bag. Towels and wash clothes are provided as there is a shower in the sleeper cars, so I would bring a small bag of your personal care items and extra clothing items so that you can arrive at your destination fresh.
3. Bring an extra blanket or your favorite pillow. Although the new bedding is actually very comfortable, adding my little travel blanket on top made it just that much more cozy! The Roomettes do have individual air control, but it’s a good idea to bring some extra socks/sweatshirt/blankets just to be safe!
4. Bring a pair of slippers or sandals. You want to be comfortable, but if you need to get up to use the restroom at night, shower, or just want to mainly rest with shoes off, you won’t want to be struggling with shoes, so bring something you can easily slip in and out of throughout your travels.
5. Don’t forget your chargers and electronics, and take advantage of the complimentary Wi-Fi. You will be able to charge your phones or laptops in the rooms, and as a bonus, grab a ———- to charge multiple item at once easily.
6. BYO-Beverages and Snacks! Yes, you can bring your own beverages and snacks on board – including wine/beer/alcohol, so long as it is consumed in your own room. Although meals are included with the Romettes, it’s always helpful to have your own snacks and drinks so that you are not feeling hungry in between and not have to depend on the snack cart.
7. Bring cash and credit card options. You will want to tip your attendants, and they are totally amazing and worth it – I suggest $5 per person, per day/night trip. I also suggest carrying two options in case something stops working in the snack cart – should you want to visit that – so that you don’t have to go without.
8. Check the parking situation at your departing station! They have an amazing reservation system for inexpensive parking, and at some smaller stations, they are even FREE!
9. Check to see if your departure station has a lounge! Some Amtrak stations have a lounge. If you book a Roomette, you will gain access to the lounge prior to your trip, which includes complimentary snacks, beverages, and Wi-Fi!
10. Most importantly – Enjoy! The view was one of my favorite part, and some trains even have an observation cart. The windows in the Roomettes also boast a nice, big window, so don’t forget to disconnect for a bit, kick back, and enjoy the ride.
Have you taken a train for a long distance or overnight trip? Share your tips and experiences below, and don’t forget that you I can help you book your travel as well! It doesn’t cost you anything to use a travel advisor or travel agent – so contact me today to discuss your trip or vacation and let me take the planning off of your hands!
3 Comments
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Itís difficult to find experienced people for this topic, however, you sound like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
jennygeska
Thanks so much, feel free to let me know if I’ve missed anything lease don’t hesitatate to ask!
Kathie Harrison
Thanks for that information Jen. I was not aware of any of that.!!!