What Rooms To Avoid On Amtrak
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- čas přidán 17. 06. 2024
- Today we will talk about which rooms to avoid on Amtrak. There are lots of good sleeper car rooms and we want to share with you some rooms you may want to avoid and why. Let us know in the comments which room you think should be on the list. .
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Wow! I just booked a trip for late Sept. and they put me in roomette #13! I called and spoke to an agent and requested a room change & Wahla I got room #2! Thanks for your video because if I hadn't watched it, I wouldn't have known to change anything. Your're awesome.
I have traveled on the Coast Starlight, from Emeryville to Seattle, many times. A couple of years ago, I was assigned a roomette on the lower floor, for the first time. I found that I actually preferred it. I have requested it, ever since. On that first journey "below," I did have the room adjacent to the family room, and I don't recall it being terribly loud ... it was a family with 3 kids. I like the relative feeling of privacy on the lower floor, and there are 3 bathrooms. I don't think I've ever had to wait. I also like the "foyer," for stretching my legs, and for having access to the doors that provide scenes from both sides of the train. On my last trip, in July, I was talking with a gentleman in the room across the hall. He wasn't enthusiastic about being downstairs, and I told him that I prefer it. We had a good group of neighbors on that trip, and we visited the lounge together, and even coordinated dinner times to eat together (southbound). That gentleman was persuaded, and said he would request a lower room, in the future.
Thanks for sharing
You probably helped to bring him out of his lonely, nervous shell. Congrats to you
Thanks for your story.
I actually have a trip coming up on the 8th Oct from Sac to Tacona on coast starlight in a roomette. We normally get a bedroom but they were all sold out.
I think the room we are assigned may be on the lower level Room 12. If so this would be our 1st time in a room being on the lower level. We are accomstomed to being on the upper level so I wonder how the experience will be. Especially after hearing your experience and this video.
I hope I like it lol
great great video. very candid conversation. considering, curious about this mode of travel.
@@susbow8223 13 and 14 are the worst, 12 will not be too bad.
I was so surprised with this video. I was able to get the family bedroom when I solo traveled on the California Zephyr. And I absolutely loved it! When I travel on the Zephyr again I will definitely book the same room. I didn't notice any problem with noise or bumpiness. And I had a great time interacting with the people that were in the 2 roomettes in the same car. Because I'm short, I was able to sit at the window on the left side. Put my suitcase under my knees and put the blanket straight across. Put my feet up and stretch out sitting up watching out the window. Beautiful views from either side of the train, and I was able to share those views with the people in the roomettes. My only problem was the one outlet was up high and I didn't have an extension cord. But the wonderful car attendant did and loaned me her extension cord so I could use it throughout the ride.
I'm an older person and not real steady on my feet on a moving train, so I LOVE rooms 13 and 14. Much better than dealing with those tiny winding staircases whiile the train is moving.
Yes, the winding part is the hard part
I’d get an accessible room always on the bottom
Thank you so much for this. I am very sick and medical tourism is killing me. Flying is literal torture. I am taking the train for my actual surgery and back and I am really worried about it. This helped me know what to look for.
Same. We LOVE the family room. It’s not a bedroom with a toilet. It’s the BEST for us and a great value for a family of four.
I took the Southwest Chief from Chicago to LA last month as a solo traveler in a family bedroom and I can’t imagine going any other way. I loved being able to stretch out, having the closet (however small), and the solid door. I never heard my neighbors and had no noise from above. The bed was wider than a roomette’s and very comfortable. With windows on both sides, I never felt shorted on the views despite being on the lower level. If you’re traveling alone but want space at a relatively affordable price, the family bedroom is the way to go.
I loved the family bedroom! I didn’t get the noise from neighbors like you did. And room 2 is also my favorite roomette. It’s also next to the coffee maker.
Yes the very important coffee station!
I took the California Zephyr as a solo, and it was fantastic, I had windows on both sides, no idea what you're complaining about.
I rode the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville. Didn't experience anything they're talking about. Didn't hear any conversations or noise from other cars, nor did any passengers knock on my door about my music, which I played at a respectable level at all times. Love them, but this one's a NO for me.
Oh thank you for this! Are taking a trip soon and booked the family room for the first half and a roomette for the second half and were assigned roomette 2!
Alas, also next to the toilet.
I was actually in the family bedroom on the Capitol Limited once (because, as you note, it was quite a lot cheaper than the roomettes). I liked it, because it provided an incredible amount of space for one person. In the car I was assigned to, it was next to the shower and a toilet rather than next to roomettes (the handicapped room was near the roomettes). I think that made it quieter than what you describe, and it was also convenient to have the toilet right outside the door. You are right, though, that the windows are MUCH smaller than standard. The Capitol Limited mostly runs through darkness, so that really didn't make a lot of difference to me.
Family bedroom next to the heads? Wow! I have never encountered that layout. We try to get the Family room for the windows on both sides, and convenience. We've never had the sound issue that you mention.
It's also easier to have clean windows. When we leave Dallas, I clean the windows on the platform side, then when we get to Mineola or Longview, I clean the other side. Sometimes, I will clean others down there if I'm in a genial mood. It seems to annoy the SCAs for some reason. In addition to our other supplies (Keurig One Cup, electric cooler bag with edible food, snakebite medicine, etc), I have a collapsible windows squeegee which will reach the upstairs windows. Yes, the Eagle's windows are always filthy.
Can confirm about the roomettes near the family bedroom. I was in room 12 for a few hours with two kids in the family bedroom who bickered and whined in typical sibling fashion the whole time with a grandmother who had clearly given up on moderating them. I had my door closed but they might as well have been right outside my door. It was not the relaxing trip I was hoping for.
On the flip side, I had room 19 on the Southwest Chief LA to Chicago and it was the quietest, most peaceful experience ever. It was my first long train ride and I've been trying to recapture that experience ever since, haha.
Must have been a transition car, so probably a great bathroom too!
@@GroundedLifeTravel it was :)
Good to know. Trying to book a first time "adventure" train ride❤
I was in 11 a few years ago on the Auto Train. Not bad, but one of the other passengers whistled. Badly.
@GroundedLifeTravel what is a transition car, transitioning to or from what?? Can you request that car? What is reason it's liked?
Pretty sure that I was in a Superliner I on the Southwest Chief. It was just me traveling (on a budget) so I got a roomette because that leg was 43hrs from Chicago to Los Angeles. My roomette was the very last room on the left (if you’re looking toward the back of the car) in the last car, upper deck. It was definitely a bit noisy / rocky but I still managed to sleep pretty well.
I loved the overall experience. My stateroom attendant was also fantastic.
I was is a family bedroom once. I had blown out my knee and was going to be on two crutches. So my wife and I booked the family bedroom, figuring the window on each side was some compensation for me having no chance at getting to where we usually spent most of our time: the observation car. Didn't find either being over the wheels or the neighboring roomettes a problem. And our car attendant was pleased with the generous tip he got for delivering our lunches and dinners. (My wife went to breakfast on her own.)
As someone who had ridden trains a lot in 78 years (and some 20,000 miles during two rail "marathons" recently) I generally agree with your evaluations. I did one stint in roomette #14 and then in the family bedroom and was not aware of the sound problems, but it was mostly the overnight leg when most everyone was asleep. I have ridden bedrooms and roomettes on both Viewliner and Superliner equipment. Had a roomette on a Viewliner II sleeper-baggage combo, a family bedroom on a Superliner and even the handicapped bedroom on a Viewliner (long story). I have also ridden a "cabin for two" on Via Rail's Renaissance equipment and also a roomette (aka "Cabin for one") on the Canadian. Never mind riding older equipment earlier in my like (like sections on old heavyweight Pullmans). My "bottom line" is no accommodation will be absolutely perfect but most of the Amtrak equipment is good travelling as long as you do your research and are prepared for the differences. You all do a good job of highlighting the differences -- which some will find a pro and others a con.
I suppose for someone such as myself with hearing aides who removes them at night this issue self resolves, lol. So top floor or bottom floor it becomes an issue of climbing the stairs more so🤣 than volume.
Hello. My mother and I are booked in the handicap room on the superliner. Do you think we'll hear bathroom noises and smell odors? Also, I assume it'll be more rocky and loud. Since I'm motion sensitive, I'm getting a wheelchair so I can sit in the middle of the room. Do you think that can help? Whatever you can share, I really appreciate. Btw, that long story in parentheses got me worried. Lol
I have preferred the downstairs roomettes in the past as the foot traffic was much less. Plus, the proximity of the bathrooms was appreciated.
Did you ever get roomettes 13 or 14 and could you sleep in those roommates.
The very first time I took Amtrak, from New Mexico to Portland, OR, back in 2015, I was booked on both segments (Lamy to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Portland) in a roomette on the lower level. I was a bit disappointed, and it didn't occur to me that I could perhaps call and change the room assignment. I very quickly learned the advantages of the lower level. The increased privacy is HUGE. The only people walking by the roomette are those in that part of the train. Plus, if you need to get something out of your luggage that's in the luggage place, it's right there. If you have mobility issues, going up and down the VERY steep and winding staircase could be a problem. Lucky me, I don't have mobility issues. But if you do, you could have all meals delivered to you room, rather than trying to make it to the dining car.
Plus, for a better view you can always go up to the observation car. Win-win, as far as I'm concerned.
Towards the end of this month I'll be taking the Southwest Chief from Lamy, to Kansas City, and scored the family bedroom in both directions. Lower level, windows on both sides. I'll be tempted to not bother going upstairs at all, and do all my meals down there.
@@sheilahartney9777 Thank you for this information. Is there a car that you would prefer? Or do you not travel that much? I'd love to hear your experiences.
11 is the best room downstairs, 12 you're right next to the stairs and you will hear everyone going up and down them. lower level is great if you dont like the sway the Superliners can get on less ideal track
I had a kerfuffle a few years back... I had booked a roomette, round trip, on the Capitol Limited. On the way out (to Chicago), the crew failed to scan my ticket in...so, when I showed up for the return trip from Chicago, Amtrak had cancelled my reservation. The Conductor took me into the "Transition Car" (where his office was) and sorted the thing out and they placed me into the "Handicapped Accessible Family Bedroom" which was vacant. Had an ensuite toilette and shower, but was right over the rear wheel bogies. In the middle of the night, as we were cruising along at 80 mph, we hit a shopping cart that some kids had thrown onto the tracks, and it came to rest right below me. Terrifying. To be awakened by a crashing sound and then something being dragged just inches below you. And the crew didn't announce anything. So, when I looked out the window, all I could see were flashlight beams looking down right under my window. When I asked about it the next morning, the car attendant said, "Oh, you heard that?" YEAH, I HEARD THAT...
For me, a roomette is OK for one person and a one night trip. It is way too small for two people. I always go for the bedroom with shower and toilet combo. Even that is a bit small to move around in (the bathroom, that is) for a tall or large person. Also, noise isn't a problem for me - I just take out my hearing aides and voila!
I really like the family room--being able to see out of both sides, and enough room to have your luggage in with you.
Just booked my first trip in an Amtrak sleeper for the end of Feb! Thanks to you all I feel prepared and ready to go! Taking SWC from LA to CHI, staying one night (Pizza and a Hockey Game in Chicago) then taking TE all the way back to LA.
You mentioned room 2...I got Room 2! On BOTH trains! Pretty excited about that now lol. Anyway, thanks for the content, keep up the amazing work!
Thanks so much and have an awesome trip!
I am going to be in room 20 on my next Southwest Chief trip! I've never stayed on the transition car before and am very excited after seeing this!
Trains were our favorite mode of transportation while stationed in Germany, they went everywhere. Since then it has been my dream to go on a vacation via Amtrak, preferable thru Colorado towards San Francisco. Your videos have been a tremendous help in planning this trip. Can't wait for spring 2024!
Not here...Amtrak only serves a very small section of America...not worth every taxpayer paying for it...
Take the California Zephyr from Denver to Oakland (the train stops there because of SF Bay), then catch transit across to San Francisco. The journey through the Rockies is magnificent, as is that through the Sierra Nevada. You will be sleeping through most of the boring desert parts. If you want a shorter trip, try Denver to Salt Lake City, which takes you through the Rockies and Glenwood Canyon. Be in the dome car for Glenwood Canyon.
Book early if you want summer. Better rates and the trains fill up. Also, be flexible wrto to expected arrival times. Just like this channel suggests.
I loved travelling by train when I lived in Germany, Berlin the first time and Mannheim the second time my military husband was stationed there. The transportation and volksmarching was what I lived for.
@@janebeckman3431 I heard the Zephyr is very good.
My wife and I traveled from Indianapolis to SLC and back on the CZ, and decided to get two roomettes on opposite sides of the train for the different views, plus neither had to struggle into the top bunk. The roomettes were fine, except in the morning trying to put on your shoes without sticking them out in the hallway. You give good advice on the rooms, and I hope more people ride and support Amtrak. Keep up the good work.
Thank you!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. Your videos are so helpful.
Thank you for the info. I love your videos. Y'all are great!!!
Thanks for the information. I live in Ireland and have enjoyed your videos for some time now. They inspired me to try Amtrak for a holiday trip last year. I really enjoyed it. So I booked again for this coming October. However, even when you think you have rooms that you like, nothing is certain. I booked several months ago and was given Room 2 on the Chicago-LA and the LA-Portland legs of a big trip. Unfortunately, last week they changed these to 6 and 12 respectively. They didn’t even ask for my views.
In about a week, I'm traveling the Coast Starlight to Chicago (coach, sadly) and then onto the Empire Builder to Seattle. I have roomette #8. I can't wait! Thanks for the video.
Always a wealth of travel information. Thank you
Yea! I got roomette #2 to and from for my upcoming trip… Thank You and Happy Travels…
I find the family bedroom to be the absolute best room simply because it has windows on both sides. You never have anyone walking in front of your room through the aisle.
I think I'll book that family room and we are only 2 people but we like comfort.
I think I got lucky. I just had room 13 a few weeks ago on the lower level next to the family room and it was enjoyable. I love the convenience of the lower level. The only thing was finding the dining car was confusing from there lol. I enjoy your videos by the way.
Had room #13, for a trip in October…just called today and booked room #2…thanks to your wonderful video.
These are the best videos! Thank you ❤
Great info for future trips! Cheers!
I am plus size so the roomettes were a nightmare for me. There was no room to move and we ended up leaving the door open more often than not so we could have some air circulation. Also, the dining car booths aren't comfortable for more plus size. Just keep that in mind when you book.
Thanks for mentioning this, I appreciate knowing since I get kind of claustrophobic. I’m not going to have a total meltdown, but I would have to spend a lot of time distracting myself from the tight quarters.
@valerie if you’re claustrophobic remember this. I’m 5’ tall and while sitting on the edge of the bed my feet are touching the door of the room and that’s WITHOUT me stretching my legs. That’s just normal sitting position. 😂😂
Would a roomette be comfortable for a single plus size traveler?
@SquigglesMcgoo yes! The bed is quite roomy really. And the seat is comfortable. The halls are a little awkward to walk down and going up and down the stairs so I would suggest a top level of you're train has one to avoid having to go up and down the stairs. The bathroom is a little bigger than one on a plane so that isn't too bad.
@candidulce0714 Thanks for your perspective. I'm 6'3" and heave an offensive lineman build. I'm a solo traveler and I booked a Roomette on The City of New Orleans.
This about Roomettes 9 & 10. Which I have had several times and the knowledge passed onto me by an excellent car attendant. When making up the bed, have your attendant position your head away from the end of the car. It makes a big difference in the noise you'll hear where the couplers banging and smashing together and the vestibule. Plus the door opening and closing.
What is the “end of the car”?
The stairs are in the middle of the car. If you go one way, you find the rooms starting with letter A. If you turn the other, you find the roomettes, starting with 1. If you keep going past 2,3,4, etc, you will eventually reach the end where 9 & 10 are located. If you keep walking, you will be in the vestibule which is over the coupling.
Im so glad i stumbled onto your channel!! Its always been my dream to ride the California zephyr from the east coast to California but now i have health issues using a walker and wheelchair so i think i will look for one on the lower level thanks for the info!!😊😊😊
My first train ride is Sunday, Sept. 3rd and I was glad to hear she gave me roomette 2 and then roomette 3 to Chicago. My daughter and I are going by train to Seattle and then an Alaskan cruise and then back by train. We are very excited and have watched many of your videos so we kind of know what to expect. Thanks so much for all your info.
Awesome! Have a great trip!
Hey it’s been a while since I caught a video. Another great and informative video!
I've travelled in nearly every Amtrak sleeping accommodation available over the last 50 years from heritage slumbercoach roomette to Superliner bedroom suite including the family bedroom. I've never encountered any to be avoided - all are appropriate depending on the price you are willing to pay and your travel situation ( not to mention what's available). I traveled with my family (2 adults, 2 teens, 1 child) and we went with the family bedroom for me and my wife and daughter and roomette for the teen boys. It was perfect and the least expensive option. The family bedroom being the full width of the car is more than twice the size of a Superliner roomette. Access to the lower level restrooms and shower are more convenient than for upstairs rooms and are just outside the door in the hallway. No issues at all with adjacent rooms, noise, or rough ride. Good track rides well up or downstairs, same for rough track riding bad. Didn't follow criticism that beds disproportionately fill up family bedroom. Roomettes are completely occupied by beds when they are down. Given that there are only two family bedrooms ( 1 accessible, 1 regular) per car, it is more likely you could have trouble booking this type of room than having the option of avoiding it.
Ended up in room #2 in a transition car on the Zephyr last year. Was the only passenger on that side of the car. Staff were in rooms 3 to 10. Other passengers were in the higher number roomettes on the other side of the car. Was quiet except for when the staff stood in the hallway to talk. Thats how i heard about our five hour delay on the first night 😂
Well, you must have had up to the minute info!
@@GroundedLifeTravel See below. Never leave home without it.
Valuable info! I've always phoned Amtrak's reservation center & specified my routes & accommodations. Their online reservation system offers only routes & rooms it sees that are available. If I need to book reservations for 2 adjoining deluxe bedrooms, their website cannot make it happen. It may take longer waiting to speak with a phone rep, but I will come away knowing exactly what I want. I'll add that in all Superliner I & II sleeper cars, Room A is configured differently than rooms B-E. Room A is smaller with the restroom facing the car's corridor-not outwards. When the Transitional Sleeper Cars were introduced during the '90's, they were originally intended for the train crew. Employees were pushing back after Roomettes were being sold in cars intended for them. They didn't think it was fair to have paying passengers sharing spaces with them. Amtrak won.
Thanks for sharing!
This is definitely the most informative channel for newbies ive never been on a ship cruise or train ... im thinking about taking a trip from houston texas to the west coast maybe up the coast then across the states at the top or the middle route then back down to houston texas
Thanks for those great pointers. Going to take my first trip in a couple of months.
Great video! Very informative. Thank you.
Superliner Room A is the only one that doesn't have a sliding door between it and the next sleeper (which lets them convert to a suite), That door rattles unless wedged. More importantly, you share the air, so you can catch a cold, flu, or whatever other fun bug your neighbor's brought aboard.
Last November, a couple coughing and sneezing in the next sleeper from LA to Chicago gave me covid for the first time. The covid itself was mild, but covid + rheumatoid arthritis can trigger weird health complications and teach you fun new vocabulary such as "uveitis" that you never wanted to learn or experience.
It was months of scary and a lot of pain and several months of being blind, and I now have to take 2 expensive medications I didn't before, and I don't wanna go through that again.. But I don't wanna stay at home forever, either, so I've had to find ways to mitigate the risk.
On two legs of my last 2 trps, someone was coughing and sneezing in the next sleeper. For protection, I wedged the sliding door hard against its frame with hand towels, used a small portable air purifier, and masked when not eating. I'm sure the attendant thought I was crazy.
I didn't have to worry about all that with sleeper A. Same thing with the handicapped room at the end of the Viewliner I where I got put after the bathrooms on my Cardinal car broke down. No room is hermetically sealed, of course, but at least you're not breathing in what your neighbor's breathing out all night.
Well you both Always Give Honest Reviews and so knowledgeable!
You are both a wealth of information.
Thank you.
Very helpful video and comments. Thank you.
The Superliner "transition" cars were designed primarily to be a crew car for the staff, especially when the trains provided more on-board services. They have only roomettes -- no bedrooms. The ends of the cars have two different doors -- a lower-level door on one end to allow the crew direct passage to the single-level baggage car, and a an upper-level door on the other end for passage to the rest of the cars. As crew sizes have been reduced, Amtrak has started booking the unused rooms in these cars for paying passengers. Since they only sell a portion of the roomettes, the attendant in the next adjacent sleeping car is usually tasked with taking care of passengers in both.
It's really not a bad ride. Nice and quiet, and if it is on the tail end of the train, you can park yourself downstairs and watch the tracks come together in the distance.
Thank you for all the tips. It was helpful to me. GOD be with you on all your trips
Glad it was helpful!
This video saved me a phone call. My Roomette for the Coast Starlight was changed to Room 23. I know Superliner Sleeper Roomettes went to 14, so Roomette 23 confused me. Thanks for the explanation.
Thanks for the tips!!!😊
Great information, thank you!
I've been in roomette a few times, and seem to have been lucky. I'll definitely use your tip what to avoid next time. There might be a time I won't be very lucky.
Thank you for your video I love it so much so now I know which one's a book I appreciate it and which one to book
Love this video! Thank you!
You are so welcome!
Very relevant and informative video. I am going to take my girlfriend back to Chicago where she's from on a train and this glimpse into the intricacies of Amtrak are great. I want to get the best experience for her that I can (cost irrelevant) and this gave me all the info I needed; you are awesome!
Great advice, folks. I have several train segments booked for the future - 2023 up to NYC from Atlanta. Both going and coming back I’ll be in Room 2. Then in 2024 I have 14 different segments, with 8 in Room 2, 3 in Room 3, 1 in Room 4, and 2 coach trips. I’m so glad to hear I’m in a good location. Especially about being on the lower level roomettes and avoiding them if possible.
Have a great time.., i would love to see the stairs
Trust me, the lower level is wonderful. The very first time I took Amtrak, in 2015, I was assigned rooms on the lower level. I was dismayed, at first, and very quickly into the trip realized how good it was. Almost no one walking by me. If I wanted an upper view it was easy to go to the observation car. The lower roomettes are fabulous.
Love you guys always providing info looking forward to ur next trip. I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio and the Cardinal is what we have any advice on rooms to avoid this my first train trip. Thank You ❤
Love your channel . . . but we mostly had GOOD experiences with the two day/evenings we used the Family Bedroom #15, out of the 7 o'nites we did during June'22.
Less expensive than the full Bedroom . .. Way more roomy to turn around and store luggage than the Roomette.
Biggest plus was being able to watch the scenery from BOTH sides of the train;
Being on the 1st level meant we could (depending on the stop) clean the outside windows, also proximate luggage rack storage and the bathroom/showers were at the other end of the same level.
It's NOT over the wheels, but yeah the two lower-level FBedrooms are "toward" the wheels. We didn't find it particularly noisy.
Lower berth in FBedroom is wide enough for two . . . just saying.
Yes, the FBedroom #15 (vs. the FBedroom reserved for Disabled, which is on the opposite side past the bathroom/showers) is right next to Roomettes 13 & 14, although the closet space is between the FBedroom and Roomette 13 . . so some sound buffering there.
But if we all had our doors open, we were basically in the same space, so your point is valid.
I have had a family room a few times and always enjoyed it. I never had any problem with sounds from other rooms.
So informative. Subbed!
We have traveled Amtrak many times and we always get a family bedroom for the two of us. We have NEVER had sound issues from the wheels or the neighbors. We don’t use the upper bunks so we have the attendant make up both lower beds and we sleep feet to feet. We love having two windows and the view is not much different than the windows 3 feet higher.
Thank you. I wondered about that
I agree regarding the windows, wheel noise and neighbors. We thought about using the two lowers, as my wife is right at 5 feet tall and she felt it was too tight for her (the upper and lower "kid-sized" side bunks are only 5 feet long.) As a result, she got the lower adult bed and I got upper adult bunk. One note: I'm glad I had slip-on shoes available -- climbing the ladder to the upper with bare feet was painful!
We were in room 14 and it was really as you described. We could hear the people in the family room for sure. The worst part of it was we saw the attendant once. My husband saw her upstairs and asked if she could come down and take our breakfast order. She never showed up and we never saw her again. No breakfast for us. We went to the dining car for the rest of our meals. At least the scenery was great!
We looooove the family bedroom! There is plenty of room for luggage and having windows on both sides make it our preferred room.
by golly am i happy with my assigned rooms after watching this vid😆 cant wait for my vacation dates to come.
Have a great trip!
Went by train from L.A. to Boston and back last year, and had a roomette on both LAChicago legs, #21 going east, #13 going back. Didn't have any problems with either room, luckily. I think both had the same type of bathroom (with shower connected). One issue I did have was an apparent allergic reaction to the hand soap Amtrak had in the bathrooms.
Was a novel experience, but I opted for flying when I went out there again this year.
I had Roomette No. 13 on the auto train and I liked it. I prefer the lower level, it's less busy and the bathrooms are nearby. The family bedroom next to me was occupied by an elderly couple who were very quiet, so I don't remember it being particularly noisy.
Have you all ever used a travel mats either foam or air filled to provide additional padding for the thin mattresses. I’m considering getting one since I travel round trip twice a year in a roomette from L.A. to Texas and back. I’m always kind of sore after sleeping. Great videos, keep up the great work.
I've made 4 amtrak trips. The last leg of the last one, i upgraded to a roomette on the zephyr.
It was plenty comfortable, and I'm not a little guy.
Though I was still tired when i got home at 5am, it was a lot easier on the body than a coach seat.
Interesting comments on the family bedroom. My late wife and I rented the family bedroom on the Empire Builder twice in the early 2000's, and loved it! Roomy and very comfortable, no issues with adjacent room noise or wheel/ rail noise.
Now the roomettes, on the other hand, are just double-deck coffins. My head touched the wall on one end and my feet were flat against the opposite wall, with less than 18 inches from my nose to the bottom of the upper bunk.
Thank you so much! My son and I are booked in for our first long-distance Amtrak and when I booked with the app, we were given Room 14 on the Sunset Limited. As soon as you talked about it, I paused the video and called. I said I wanted to change my room assignment and the agent knew immediately what I meant. Easy peasy to sort out and now we are in room 2🤩. Wouldn't have known without you guys, though. Cheers!
What is the best on Viewliner
Hi . I went to California from N.Y. I loved it and would definitely go again. I watched all of your videos before I left . BTW do you have a twin sister ? I received a newsletter from my union in N.Y. And there was a woman in the newsletter that looks exactly like you…exactly . I think your channel is great . I was able to relax and enjoy myself on the train . Thank you ❤
According to Trains Magazine April of 22, "Amtrak is currently operating 15 of 25 Viewliner II cars and 16 of 50 Viewliner I sleepers." I was also told by staff on the Cardinal that it's now mostly viewliner 2's. But of course one just can't be sure as there can be last minute substitutions. RE: another room to avoid on the Superliner is roomette 2 as it is adjacent to the upstairs bathroom, coffee station, and attendant's room.
Good advice. However, nothing was said about the bedroom. Although in my opinion, when it comes to the bedroom, the price is high but extra convenient.
Thanks! You just saved me from being in room 14! 😊
Allie and Rob regarding your management suggestions for Amtrak--More salient than any other comment is the need to have more than one observation car on long distance scenic routes. Twice on the CA Zephyr we were only allowed 45 minutes and this was especially tedious when we were traveling through the rockies and the Sierra-Nevada range. One of the problems is not equipment because you can always find at least four ob lounges in the yards, but personned. On the CA Zephy, Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight, as well as the Capitol Limited, the opportunity is lost to take in the beautiful scenery because there is one attendant for each such car, and when you hear that the lounge is closed, that one person is taking a break and for longer periods and unpaid break. As you both stated, those of us who love train travel would be happy to have a slight price increasein order to have at least two Obs cars with attendants. The dirty windows is inexcusable, especially for the two long-distrance trains that spend a fair amount of time in the sun. Only once, in 2016, did they cllean the windows on the Westbound Zephyr at Denver. Once when boarding in Chicago to travel home to Sacramento we were informed that our sleeper would have a slight left-leaning lilt. It did and we bounced around on what appeared to be only three air cushioned trucks. Thanks for your recommendations. Hope they are listening.
just a postscript, The Coast STarlight did have a second observation car until about 2015. A former ATSF lounge was used as a family car along with the Pullman-Standard built obs car. When these cars were disconitinued due to age, AMTRAK chose not to continue with the second OBS for a family car. And yes--ALL PASSENGERS should be able to buy meals in the dining car. These censorious regulations make one feel as if traveling on American, Southwest, United or Delta Airlines.
We had the very last bedroom at the end of the Empire Builder. It was a looooong hike to the dining car, but we didn't mind. And if we'd known, we'd have brought lawn chairs to sit and watch through the window at the end of the car! lol
Yes, sometimes we like the longer walk, especially if a few stops get shortened!
Woohoo! I'm booked in Roomette No. 2 on the Zephyr next February!
Thanks for the tip on roomette #2. I'm taking the Empire Builder next year and was assigned #2. I was going to request a change, but now I'll keep it.
We like that room
I was in roomette 2 last year for our cruise to Alaska, it's a great spot!
In the last two weeks, we took the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle. Then took the Coast Starlight south to Sacramento and then the California Zypher back to Chicago. The things I found interesting about the trains: 1. Amtrak Trains are filthy. All three of our roomettes had trash, wadded-up tissues, and candy wrappers under the seats. We used Clorox wipes to wipe down the Roomette, and they were black by the time we were done. The observation cars could have been much cleaner. Candy ground into the carpet. Seats were sticky. 2. Trains have very poor air circulation! We thought we missed something when we noticed several people had small personal fans. #1 complaint from several people that it was hot. Roomettes do not cool down if you close the doors. So to have some measure of airflow from the hall requires you to keep your room door open. Several people were complaining about the heat. 3. A Roomette is too small for two adults. The pull-down bed has a 1" mattress. This might work for a child. 4. A lot of the country we thought we would see, we went through at night due to train delays. 5. The menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner was the same all 5 days we were on the trains. N
Overall, it was a different experience for us but I don't think we will be booking Amtrak anytime soon.
Thanks for the info ,i travel on it this year on april
Have fun!
Just discovered you both while researching Roomettes and Bedrooms! Love your videos and the plethora of information you have shared. Taking my parents to NYC from Albany over Christmas. Our original booking in Biz back to ALB was recently cancelled, but easily rebooked on the Lake Shore Limited into two Bedrooms. (There are four of us) Because our rooms are together, will they automatically open the partition between the two to create a bedroom suite? Or does that have to be requested? Hoping to be in V2!
That was very interesting I worked on Amtrak for 10 years .
I've always adored the lower level roomettes. especially though Colorado, you get to see so much wildlife and the scenery is awesome. Lower level is also better for people who get motion sickness from the swaying. Also Once they put me into the Handicap sleeper car and it was horrible, the smell of the breaks was overpowering and nauseating and it went on for two days ugh! worst trip I have taken.
Lower level rooms also feel less sway when you move. Trains tend to rock as they roll, and that sway is more noticeable in the upper level. Track noise is also more noticeable in the lower level, but as a train lover, that was music to my ears.
Room 2 is great because the coffee is right there. 🙆🏻♀️ But I like to stay downstairs because there isn’t a lot of foot traffic plus it’s easy to step on and off easily although I don’t mind the transition car either.
Great vid! I traveled in the Family Room, and you're right about the amenities. But it was perfect for our family of 4. I've been in both downstairs and upstairs rooms and really can't say I have a preference. Oh, I forgot to ask on your other video, where do you recommend exchanging USD for Canadian dollars? At the Canadian Airport exchanges, Canadian bank? I'd appreciate it.
Very helpful. I just checked my tickets and I seem to have all good room numbers. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
I definitely want you both to plan my next train trip 😊
I guess I've been lucky on my trips. I've only been on Superliners (Chicago to the Pacific) and when I have been in roomettes 13 & 14 on the lower level, there's either never been anyone in the family bedroom or they were only there for a small portion of the total journey, or they were quiet. The one time I was in an upper-level roomette was fine, but the screeching of metal against metal from the end-of-car doorway, not to mention people going through it at all hours, was bothersome.
I don't know about ALL of Amtrak's transition cars, but in early years they were holdovers from the old AT&SF hi-level cars, so not quite the same as Amtrak's Superliners. I accidentally wandered into one once (my very first trip) overshooting my car on my way back from lunch--I thought they were only for the crew, so interesting to hear you can sometimes be booked in one.
Since booking my upcoming trip to New Mexico, I've religiously watched your channel. I just got my tickets which I booked through Amtrak Vacations, and thanks to your suggestions in this video, I have requested a different roomette. I'm in numbers dun...dun...DUN! 13 AND 22! I don't think I'll mind the transition car, but being next to the bedroom, I can't. Hopefully, they'll accommodate my request. Again, thanks for your excellent and informative videos!
That transition car will guarantee you a nice bathroom nearby, so that's good!
Hi Guys...yes, this one is so helpful. I'm going in my first long distance train trip on October 14. Your explanation of the room numbers and what level of a Superliner your Roomette is on sure took care of my concerns.
Our room numbers are 8,3,5 and 2.
I feel like we won the roomette lottery!
Thank You both, you are enormously helpful!
Matt Josephson
near Nashville, TN
Awesome! Have a great trip!
A good educational lesson for everybody!
Thanks!
Another one to watch and save for later!
Thanks!
Good info. I am taking the autotrain in May 2024 and looked up my car/bedroom. Looks to be on the second floor. I am getting a better understanding of how the trains are laid out.
I selected a bedroom as I need room to myself and my own bathroom :)
All of the bedrooms are on the upper floor, so yes you'll be up top.
@@GroundedLifeTravel Thanks. I look to be next to the stairs so easy on/off. I can be a heavy sleeper if needed. Years of on-call have taught me how to id then fall asleep.
@@GroundedLifeTraveldo you think it’s worth the price difference to have your own bathroom? I was thinking about doing a big loop. Rather ambitious since I’ve never been on a train for longer that 10 hours. I’m thinking about starting in LA to Seattle. The Seattle to Chicago. And then either Chicago back to LA or Chicago to New Orleans to LA. What are your thoughts. Any reply is helpful. Thanks!
Seemed like you mainly described optimal roomette choices on the Superliners. What about optimal bedrooms? I believe they’re all upstairs anyway, but are some bedroom placements better than others? And how do the numbers run for the bedrooms? Thanks!
I had room 12 on the Sunset Limited and liked it, because since the aisle was a dead end there was less passing foot traffic, and I never had to wait for a toilet or the shower. I didn't find the view to be that much poorer. As for the Viewliners I've never had a complaint about the Viewliner I, and I rather like the idea of having the toilet right in the room. I onlu wish the Crescent would return to "traditional dining".
Amen, brother, We have to use the Eagle for the first segment of any trip, it also is treated like a rented mule. FLEX garbage, no Sightseer Lounge... It is so sad too see such a venerable train as the Crescent treated in this manner.
Adoro essa dupla
São os talentosos amigos da Amtrak 😂
Thanks for sharing
Love it!