It’s taken me many years to compile this list of tips for traveling in an Amtrak sleeper car. I’ve learned a lot about train travel in the U.S. since Amtrak officially began in 1971.
In this article, I share what I’ve learned when traveling overnight in an Amtrak sleeper car. Whether you choose a more expensive deluxe bedroom or a cozy roomette, this guide will cover all you should know.
If relaxing in your Amtrak sleeping room to travel cross-country sounds like a break from the rat race, maybe you’re ready to forget flying. Buying an Amtrak sleeper is your ticket to an adventure like no other.
Guide and Tips for Amtrak Sleeper Car Passengers
Amtrak, America’s passenger railroad, is unique and so are the people who travel on it. When it’s time to board Amtrak, passengers don’t push and shove to get on their train.
I can’t say the same for the popular European trains. In Europe, everyone shoves their way to be the first to board. Suitcases are tossed onto the train like misguided Frisbees even though their owners have reserved seats or an overnight sleeper.
So, let’s begin with the basics. What to do when you arrive at the train station.
What to Do When You Get to the Train Station
Unlike at an airport, with Amtrak, you simply walk into the station with your luggage and check-in at the desk. Depending on your departure city will determine how you’ll spend your time until the train arrives. You can even pre-purchase a parking space at many Amtrak stations.
While almost every station has an indoor waiting area, seven Amtrak stations feature a private staffed lounge for those who booked a sleeper. You’ll find private lounges (also used by Acela Business Class passengers and select others) in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Portland OR, Washington DC and Philadelphia.
The station agent or front desk person will note that you’re there, and ask if you will be checking luggage. In major stations, there are Red Caps, (people who help with luggage) to assistance you when boarding the train.
Some trains are really long and a good walk from the lounge or waiting room. Having a Red Cap to help can be extremely helpful. You will ride on their golf cart/tram to your designated sleeping car.
If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, you might want to check the largest bags…as long as you don’t need anything from them. Always pack a small overnight case with whatever you’ll need for your trip.
READ NEXT: How to Pack for an Overnight Amtrak Train Trip
How to Check Baggage with Amtrak
When you have your own deluxe bedroom or roomette, you can bring your luggage into your compartment. But, if you are traveling with more than one or two bags, you can check them for free on Amtrak.
Arrive at the train station at least 45 minutes before your train is due to arrive. The station attendant will attach bag tags to your luggage and they’ll go directly to the baggage car.
Tip: Make sure the correct city code is used when the tags are attached.
When you check your bags at the station, make sure the tag that’s put on your bags has the proper city code for your destination. For example, WPK is Winter Park, Florida and very close in the tag bin to WPB for West Palm Beach. Maximum weight for checked baggage is 50 lbs.
If you prefer to bring your luggage onto the train, there is a small luggage storage area on the first level of the double-decker Superliner. On the Viewliner, there’s really no space to stow your luggage except in your compartment. If you’re in a roomette where space is limited, you might want to check that oversized suitcase.
How to Tip Your Amtrak Sleeping Car Attendant
How much and when should I tip my sleeping car attendant are commonly asked questions. While tipping isn’t required, leaving a gratuity is the norm.
Usually, for one night in a sleeper, I suggest about $10 per person/per night. If your room attendant brings your meals to you in your room, then think about adding more to the tip as you would have left a tip anyway for the dining car waiter.
Sometimes I’ll hand the attendant a $20 at the beginning of a two-night journey, especially if it’s a sold-out sleeper. Things can get pretty busy for one attendant to handle and it’s a nice gesture.
If service has been excellent, I’ll add in another $5, $10 or even $20. These people work really hard and put in long hours to make sure your Amtrak sleeper experience is a good one.
Be Thoughtful of Your Room Attendant
Because Amtrak trains make station stops all night long, your room attendant sleeps in small bites of time. If you suspect he or she is getting a much-needed nap and your request isn’t urgent, wait a few minutes until either the next train stop or if you see or hear your attendant in the corridor.
Your car attendant will probably tell you when they plan to call it a night, albeit a short one. You’ll be asked what time you’d like your bed turned down as well as when you’d like it put away in the morning. For me, I always request to be one of the last to turn down the bed at night. In the morning, usually right after breakfast.
RELATED: 29 Tips to Try When You’re Onboard an Amtrak Overnight Train
Don’t Overcrowd Your Amtrak Sleeper Space
An Amtrak tip that I mentioned earlier, if you’re traveling solo in a roomette, you can bring your carry-on luggage in the sleeping room with you. With the top bunk empty, you can stow your smaller bags and carry-ons “upstairs” on the upper bunk or the hard-to-reach shelf. Your room attendant can hoist your bags up there.
On the other hand, you can sleep in the top bunk and keep your luggage downstairs. The upper bunk on a Viewliner has a full-width window.
But remember, if you’re traveling with huge pieces of luggage, you can check them through baggage at almost all Amtrak stations. If you opt for the larger deluxe bedroom, there’s room for two or three pieces of medium-sized luggage.
Amtrak Tip: Ask Your Room Attendant for More Pillows
Amtrak pillows are pretty thin. If you like to read in bed, you might need an extra pillow or two. They’re easily available to grab from the upper bunk; just ask your room attendant. While extra pillows can be used for sleeping, they come in handy to cover the air vent by the window, if you’re uncomfortable.
Ask for an extra blanket, too, if you tend to get cold during the night. I’ve had to use my winter coat on top of my blanket when I forgot to ask at turndown.
Tips for Using the “Bathroom” in a Viewliner Roomette
How to Use an Amtrak Sleeper Car Bathroom
There seems to be a mystery surrounding how to use an Amtrak sleeper car bathroom. Unlike the old days of train travel, you can use the toilet in your Viewliner roomette or community bathroom down the hall, when the train is standing in the station.
If you’re sharing your roomette, you may want to make arrangements for privacy, if that’s your thing. Just sayin’.
In a Viewliner roomette, there’s a one-inch gap at the bottom of the sleeper room door. If you’re concerned about “air quality” wafting under the door and offending your neighbors, you can take one of the hand towels from your sink, roll it lengthwise and set it along the gap under your door. Bring a can of Febreeze to spritz your sleeper afterwards.
Having your own toilet in your Viewliner roomette will eventually be a thing of the past. New Viewliner II sleeper cars are slowly being rolled out to the five east coast overnight trains. The new roomette design does not have a toilet. You’ll have to use the communal bathrooms. So…
Amtrak Tip: Be sure to pack some extra Clorox or Lysol wipes for the community bathrooms.
How to Use the Public Shower in Your Sleeping Car
If you want to shower before bed or in the morning, there’s a shower room at one end of your car on the Viewliner, or downstairs on the Superliner.
Here’s my tip when traveling overnight in an Amtrak sleeper car in a roomette and you plan to shower. Bring a pair of rubber flip-flops to wear in the community shower. And a ziplock bag to put them in afterwards if they won’t have time to dry. Fresh bars of soap and towels are provided. You’ll need to bring shampoo.
What’s Included with an Amtrak Sleeper?
There’s always coffee, tea, juice and bottled water available at no charge to sleeping car passengers. One tip I’ll share is to ask your attendant for a couple of extra bottles of water, especially if you’re a water drinker like me. You can also request a bottle of water with your meals from the dining car and that way your room attendant’s inventory isn’t depleted.
In addition, all meals are included when you travel in an Amtrak sleeper. Alcohol, other than one complimentary beer or wine, is additional. The good news is that you can BYOB to consume in your compartment. Need ice? Just ask your attendant. There’s also the Café car where you can purchase snacks and beverages.
Tips for Dining on Amtrak
Unfortunately, unless there’s a drastic change, dining car food is now all microwaved. However, it’s nice to have room service; necessary during the pandemic and as well as at the end of a long vacation.
Back in 2018, Amtrak was forced to switch from fresh meals prepared in the dining car galley, to these boxed microwaved meals. Since then, due to an overwhelming disgust from passengers over these chemical-rich meals, Amtrak has improved in their packaged food selections.
That said, and even though your meals are included with a sleeping room, here’s another Tip for Traveling on Amtrak. You might want to think about bringing snacks. On a crowded train, there’s a chance that some of the better boxed meals will be gone if you choose a late dining time for any of your meals.
Eating in the Dining Car
During the pandemic, Amtrak halted their dining car service. When it returns, hopefully May 2021, and eventually gets back to normal, the dining car has community seating with four passengers per table. Your sleeping car attendant or the dining car chief will come to your sleeper for dining reservation requests. There are set seating times to choose.
To avoid congestion at peak dining times, reservations are required. There are usually three or four dinner dining times to choose; around 5pm, 6:30pm, 7:15pm and 8pm.
Remember to tip your waitperson. Because your meals are included, it’s still courteous to leave a gratuity for your dining car server based on 15%-20% of what the meal would have cost. Guidelines: $2-$3 per person Breakfast; $3-$5 Lunch, Dinner $5-$10 or so.
Amtrak Tip: There’s On Time and There’s Amtrak Time – Plan for Delays
Being “on time” on Amtrak means to allow a little bit of leeway, maybe an hour or so. Having your own sleeping compartment means that you have more time to relax and enjoy the scenery. And if you’re on a Superliner train, you can while away the delay in the observation car.
For me, anytime within 60 or so minutes is as good as on time. More times than not, though, I’ve arrived on time.
Except for the Acela network and some of the northeast corridor, Amtrak doesn’t own or maintain the tracks. Amtrak trains have always been at the mercy of the freight trains like CSX and Burlington Northern. They own the tracks and over the years, have dominated right-of-way privileges over passenger trains.
Whether you are going only a short distance or coast-to-coast in an Amtrak roomette or deluxe bedroom, it really helps to know these tips for traveling in an Amtrak sleeper. A little information and a set plan will help you arrive at your destination rested and ready to roll.
Conclusion: Tips for Traveling in an Amtrak Sleeper Car
In case this seems like a lot of information to absorb, here’s a recap of the Amtrak tips I’ve mentioned in this complete guide.
- What to do when you arrive at the station
- Check excess baggage
- Tipping your sleeping car attendant (room attendant)
- Be considerate of your room attendant, they need to sleep, too.
- Arranging luggage in your sleeper so you still have space to move
- Ask for extra pillows and a blanket
- Using the community bathroom or your Viewliner roomette toilet
- Taking a shower on the train
- What’s included with the price of an Amtrak sleeper
- Dining on Amtrak
- Plan for Delays
- And most important…enjoy the journey!
I’m the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breath…stop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi and thank you for your comment. You are exactly on point! I always ask my attendant when he/she takes their sleeping or nap breaks so as not to disturb them, especially at bed turn-down in the evenings. I’ve used the unsecured luggage rack on the lower level when I’ve been in both and upstairs and downstairs sleeper and no problems. But traveling with smaller pieces of luggage is way much easier, I totally agree.
Thanks again for your positive comment! Great way to start the day. Happy ‘rails!
JKG says
Many Amtrak stops have no open stations and no option for checking luggage. They are basically quick whistle stops (arrive early and check in advance for any parking availability.) Dress for cold weather if your train is due in late at night. If you can’t keep your luggage with you there are non-secured luggage racks on the first floor as you board the train. Otherwise travel light. In a roomette, a few small bags will fit better in available space. than one huge suitcase. Tipping in advance sets up a better relationship between you and attendant. If you wait till you de-train, the attendant has no idea whether you plan to tip or not. They do need to sleep and eat meals, so try to be sensitive. They’ll appreciate it with friendlier service.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Peggy,
Thank you for your question. When you tip your attendant is really up to you. Most people wait until either the last night of the train trip or just before they leave the train as the attendant helps with their luggage. However, sometimes it’s a good idea (especially if the train is full) to give the tip at the beginning. And it might make you more noticeable to the attendant, too, on a crowded train. Again, when you choose to tip is a personal decision and I’ve done both. If you choose to tip at the beginning and if you receive excellent service throughout your trip, then you can always add a few extra dollars at the very end. I hope this is helpful and not more confusing! Have a fabulous train trip with your granddaughter! And thank you for reading my article. Much appreciated.
Peggy says
Hi
Great article!!! I am traveling with my granddaughter overnight and my question is do we tip the attending at the very end of the trip?
Thank you
Peggy
Sherry Laskin says
Hi and thank you for your question. All sleeping compartments have two berths, so yes, two people can occupy one sleeper. However, a lot depends on a person’s size and whether or not you choose a roomette or a larger deluxe bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Over at Amtrak.com you can view the two different sleepers and that may help you to decide. Some couples choose to get two roomettes across the hall from each other, depending on pricing. I hope this is helpful in making your decision.
REVEN FELLARS says
Is the sleeper car big enough for 2 people???
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Janice,
Thank you for reading my article and for your question. I’m going to assume that you have a bedroom and not a roomette. If that’s the case, there’s really not much headroom to stow you bags in the upper bunk…and the lower is kind of narrow for two people. There is a luggage rack on the main level and you can stow your excess luggage there. You can also fit a couple of regular-size suitcases in your bedroom, too. You’ll just need to scoot around them. If not too high, they can also fit under the lower bunk. Ask your car attendant and he or she will know what is the best plan. Have a great train ride! Thanks again for reading my Amtrak article.
JANICE L RODAL says
Hubby and I are traveling from Tacoma, WA to Chico, CA – because Chico is not manned we cannot check our luggage. If we choose to store luggage on top bunk is there enough head room for us below?
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Michael, Thank you for reading my Amtrak article and taking the time to write. Your upcoming train trip sounds terrific. I’ve taken the train to Flagstaff from Chicago back in the 90s in January. I think you’ll have less snow when you go!
I am not certain if the new equipment will be on your route by late August. This week I’ll reach out to my contact at Amtrak. If he says yes, I’ll send another email to you. You could also call Amtrak reservations and someone there might have the answer, too. Thank you again for taking the time to read my article…much appreciated. Have a wonderful train trip!
Michael Brown says
Sherry, Great article and very timely as my wife and I will be traveling Amtrak from Cincinnati to Flagstaff in late August. We’ve booked the roomette on the short leg to Chicago, then a bedroom on out to Flagstaff. My question is, will the newly refurbished equipment rollout be available for the Soutwest Chief in time for our August 21 trip?
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Tracy,
Great question…thank you for sharing this important issue. I would definitely contact Amtrak about it. That said, there is at least one electric outlet in each roomette and bedroom, depending on which train you choose. Occasionally, the train could lose electricity for a short time, especially when standing in a station. If you had a battery backup, it might be a good idea. But please contact reservations at Amtrak for all the details. I hope this all works for you. Thank you again for your question.
Tracy Ray Farmer says
Hi Sherry,,
I have sleep Aptana and have a machines called an C-pap that I require. Do you know if you can use a c-pap machine in the bedrooms on trains.
Tracy
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Ramona,
Thanks for your question. Yes, lunch would be included and it would be fun to have a roomette for the ride. If you do get a roomette, I would suggest an early lunch so you don’t have to rush. It really doesn’t matter too much which side of the train to reserve your roomette. But when you are near water, the right-hand side of the train would be a good location for your roomette. Thank you again for your question and have a wonderful train ride.
Ramona T says
If we were to take a roomette for a 4 hour journey leaving 9.45 and getting in at 2pm would a lunch be included or not? We’re going Seattle to Portland in September and temped to pay the extra $90 for the novelty and privacy of a roomette but can only find info online about overnight trips. Also guessing they will sell the roomette again to passengers boarding after Portland so a tip is still appreciated because the attendant will have to turn around the roomette quickly?
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Lois,
Thank you for reading my article and for your questions. Both trains are Superliners. On the Capitol Limited, your Bedroom A is upstairs and has a private bathroom and shower. On the Southwest Chief, your Roomette 12 is (or should be) on the lower level. This is good because while your roomette doesn’t have a private bathroom, you are only steps away from an array of four bathrooms. It’s very convenient.
Have a wonderful train ride! And thank you again for taking the time to send in your questions.
Sherry
Lois Tu says
I just want to know, I am booked on the Capitol Limited from Pittsburgh to Chicago…car 2900, room A..
I would just like to know ahead of time if i am upstairs or downstairs. And am I near a bathroom? I get up several times
during the night to the bathroom.
Also, I am booked on the Southwest Chief roomette 012, car 330. Is this roomette upstairs or downstairs? Will I be near a bathroom?
I enjoyed your article! Thank you.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi John,
Thank you for your question. Until June 30, Traditional Dining is suspended on all long distance trains. During that time, Flexible Dining is available.
Here is what I found on Amtrak’s site:
Flexible dining: Amtrak is temporarily offering flexible dining service in the dining or lounge car on all long-distance routes (except Auto Train) and encouraging Sleeping Car customers to select optional room service.
Unless something specific applies to the Zephyr, you should be able to have your Room Attendant arrange room service for you. I could not find anything that said the Zephyr would not provide room service to sleeping car passengers.
After June 30, this may change and the dining car might be partially open? But if it were me, I’d play it safe and have my meals delivered to my room. I can’t imaging having to pass another passenger in the narrow corridors or walking through car after car to the dining car. I would suggest that you phone AMTRAK (1-800-USA-RAIL) and confirm Zephyr room service.
Thank you again for taking the time to write and read my article. Have a wonderful cross-country train ride.
John Oller says
Hi, informative site. I read something on Amtrak’s website that suggested that room service in the sleeper cars was not available on the California Zephyr leg to Chicago, only on the Chicago to New York leg. Do you know if you can dine in your private car all the way from San Fran to NYC? Thanks.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Richard,
Despite the fact that, as I mentioned, I was on the July 7 eastbound Empire Builder from Portland and the woman in the Metropolitan Lounge asked if I wanted to check a bag. I’m not sure why this person with whom you spoke said there is no baggage car. (I always tell people that if they don’t get a “good” answer, call back and hopefully speak with an “old-timer.”
I can post a photo of the wooden baggage cart in Whitefish, MT. The only and I mean the ONLY hiccup I can think of is that maybe from Portland to Spokane they’ve suddenly eliminated the baggage car? Here’s a link to the actual PDX Amtrak page: Scroll down to “Baggage” and unless they’ve not updated their site, all should be okay. I really hope so. Please let me know how this turns out so I can help others. Thank you very much.
Sherry
Richard D Mallory says
Sherry,
Thanks for your generous and informative reply.
I was told by an Amtrak agent on the phone this morning that there is no baggage car on the Empire Builder east bound. I sensed she was not well informed and may have been reading off the company web site. She was quite definite on this and I couldn’t quite believe my ears.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Richard,
I’m not sure where you learned that there isn’t a baggage car. Well, that’s partially true. There is a baggage car on the Empire Builder and suddenly there’s not one on the Lake Shore Limited. So yes, for half the journey, you’ll need to stow your luggage in your accommodation. If there’s an empty roomette, sometimes the attendant will put extra luggage in there so you’re not cramped. I’ve had that happen. It’s really a shame what the new Amtrak president is doing to our trains…between losing dining cars, closing or unstaffing stations, cutting services and now no baggage car.
Please note: Neither train has a traditional dining car. They did add a separate dining area in the car where you or your attendant pick up your boxed meals. But the good news is that once you join Train 8 in Spokane, you will have a full-service diner the rest of the trip.
Also, when you leave Portland, all you get is a cold boxed dinner. But there is a cafe car where you may purchase something additional. You will though, be offered a complimentary wine, beer or soda with your “dinner.”
What I think is more convenient than using the baggage car ise the baggage storage racks on the lower level of the Superliner out of Portland. This is not available on the Chicago eastbound Lake Shore Limited.
I hope this is helpful. Have a nice journey despite the baggage issue.
Sherry
Richard D Mallory says
I have reservations for Empire Builder from Portland to Chicago and Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to Boston. I just learned that neither train has a baggage car and all baggage must fit into my sleeping compartment(not the smaller roomette).
I recall from a previous train trip that there was space on the first level of the car for larger suitcases. Is this accurate? Otherwise, I will have to ship or mail the larger suitcase to my final destination.
Thanks
Sherry Laskin says
Hi – I tried your email address but it failed.
Thank you for your question and for reading my Amtrak article. The Sunset Limited runs daily but to get to Phoenix, you will need to leave the train in Maricopa and take the Amtrak motor coach. For Santa Fe, it isn’t so easy. You’d need to leave the train in El Paso and take the motor coach to Albuquerque. From there, you will find a motor coach up to Santa Fe.
I would suggest that you call AMTRAK at 1-800-USA-RAIL and tell the reservation person what you want to do. An alternative would be to contact Amtrak Vacations 1-800-268-7252 (this is a separate tour company contracted with Amtrak) and tell them what you would like to do…they could combine the rail with hotels, too.
It’s definitely possible to do this…you just need to put the puzzle pieces together until they fit. If you aren’t satisfied with the first Amtrak reservation person, politely hang up and call back. This is more of a job for, as we say, an Amtrak old-timer, lol. It’ll all work out.
W says
I’m having all kinds of problems understanding the sleeping cars .I would
like to take my husband from New Orleans to LA on Sunset line. We would like to get off on San Antonio Phexoix and Santa fe. How do we do that ? How do I get help with this on and off staying couple days at each ? Can you send answer to my email I don’t know how o get back here for sure . Thanks kindly w jordan
Sherry Laskin says
Yes! For sure. Your car attendant will ask if they walk alone into your car, so just let the attendant know. Have a nice train ride!
Sherry
pam says
If I have friend traveling in coach and I am in Roomette can they come and visit
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Shirley,
No worries! You’ve paid for your roomette for the entire journey. No need to have to get up and move to coach. It’s a beautiful train ride, too. If the train is running late, you’ll be able to get lunch before you arrive in Sandpoint! Keep your eyes open on the left side of the train as you follow the Colorado river. You might see why some parts of the river are called, “Moon River”!
Have a wonderful first train ride. Thank you for your question.
Sherry
shirley meyer says
I am traveling from Waterloo,In. to Sandpoint Idaho in June of this year, my question is I am getting a roomette in Chicago for one night ,I arrive in Sandpoint at 11:30 the next day ,is there a time limit for the roomette?like maybe I need to go out to the coach seats in the afernoon ,don’t know what to expect as this is my first train ride and I am a senior,
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Renae,
You didn’t mention where you will board the Coast Starlight, but the scenery is amazing almost the entire route.
No, the rooms do not lock when you go to the dining car. While I wouldn’t leave a wallet with cash sitting on the sink near the door, I’ve never heard of anyone having something stolen while they were in the dining car or observation car. When I leave my compartment, I automatically take my purse/handbag with me. Everything else is just left out of sight. When you leave your bedroom, you’ll first close and velcro the curtain and then close the door. Most times, the door stays closed but if it should slide open, the curtain obstructs the view into your room. Your car attendant also monitors who comes and goes into the sleeper car.
Have a wonderful train ride!
Sherry
Renae Seegmiller says
Thanks for the information. As we prepare for our trip on the Coast Starlight with a bedroom reserved, we wonder if our room is lockable while we go to the dining car. Amtrak’s site states they are not liable for baggage, but should we plan on making sure essentials are with us when we leave our car?
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Chris, I’m glad you’re enjoying your time aboard the Lake Shore Limited. It’s really unfortunate that the higher-ups at Amtrak cut the dining car. But I’m also glad that you found the boxed meals to be good. Thanks for reading my article on tipping on Amtrak.
Sherry
Chris Butler says
Hi there. I am currently in a roomette on the Lake Shore Limited. Although I am a frequent coach passenger, this is the first time I have had a sleeper. I found this site after checking on tipping.
Dining is different now as all meals are pre-packaged. You have several options, and the two meals we tried were good with lots of food. Also, there was a complimentary drink at night.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Oliver, thank you for the kind comment. Glad to learn that my Amtrak article(s) are helpful. And excited that you’re going to try the Coast Starlight to San Francisco. Yes…you can have ALL of your meals in your compartment. Room service on a train…go figure. You simply mention to your car attendant that you’d like to see a menu to order your meal. He or she will take your order (be sure to think of everything you might want…even condiments) and you’ll be served in your roomette. At the end of a long trip, I almost always am burned out and I’ll have that first night’s dinner in my room. There should be a coffee urn in your car and first thing in the morning, your attendant brews a fresh pot and the coffee aroma finds its way into each compartment. So I’ll usually walk over and get a first cup and then take that with me into the dining car for breakfast. That way, if the waitstaff is swamped, I’ll at least have my first cup to sip while I wait.
Maybe you didn’t see this – https://cruisemaven.com/amtrak-coast-starlight-overnight-train-los-angeles-to-portland-oregon/ They may have stopped the wine and cheese party and the movie theatre isn’t there anymore.
Have a wonderful time and thanks again for your comment.
Sherry
Oliver says
Absolutely fantastic read, and helped a lot in weighing my options. As a frequent flier, I thought I’d ought to give the train a chance from LA up to San Fran/Oakland at least once when I’m not in such a rush. I do wonder though, as a sleeper car passenger in a roomette, can you order all the meals (perhaps breakfast aside) to your room, and can you order whatever you’d like off the menu, or are there just certain items? Thanks for your help and again, great read!
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Debbie,
Wow…that really brings back memories. You didn’t mention which train you will be on for this adventure. If you’re heading out west, yes, there will be No Service areas…you’re traveling through some of the most beautiful parts of our country. If you’re going between Florida and New York…there’s service almost everywhere, depending upon your provider. In fact, the Silver Service trains have wifi…though when everyone else is on, the bandwidth can get jammed. Some of the trains heading west also have wifi but again, you’re on a moving vehicle trying to relay to a satellite and back to earth again. He’ll be fine, I hope!
Sherry
Debbie says
Sherry,
I will be traveling with a teenager who is dreading the separation from his girlfriend. Despite assurances that we’ll pay for data overages and a mobile hotspot, he is convinced there are significant portions of the trip that won’t be covered by cell service. Can you provide any details / assurances?
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Tim,
Great question and one that’s familiar to me, too. Sometimes it depends on your car attendant. When I’ve had a post-midnight boarding (due to a late train) I’ve found my bed already made up and ready. Since you’re supposed to board at 10PM, there’s a good chance that your room attendant will then ask you what time you’d like your bed made-up for the night. He or she will also show you to your sleeper, and give you a quick rundown on the various buttons on the panels. Have a nice train ride!
Sherry
Tim B. says
We are boarding a the Coast Starlight (Superliner) in Klamath Falls at 10:00 pm. What is the procedure for converting the Roomette into a sleeping accommodation? Is it already made up at that late hour? Or must you request the steward to do so once on board?
Thank you for any information you might have.
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Lii, Glad to hear you’re moving to Amtrak. In my years of traveling Amtrak and even before (I was very little!) I have never encountered a rude sleeping car attendant. Occasionally, one of the wait staff in the dining car is sullen but when I realize how overworked they are, I understand. Usually the entire car becomes like one big family dining event! I always leave a tip even though our meals are included with the accommodations fare. Bad food? It’s come a long way…and mostly downhill. However, eggs are still cooked fresh in the morning and having a hot meal in the dining car is compensation enough for me. Enjoy your travels!
Lii Hammond says
I am giving up on air travel. After reading over 500 consumer complaints regarding Amtrak, it was refreshing to read your columns.
Traveling in a sleeper car is a prerequisite for an enjoyable cross country journey for me. I realize delays are sometimes unavoidable and being able to retreat to the privacy of your compartment would alleviate some discomfort. However, have you not typically encountered rude service, bad food, etc.?
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Ellen, sorry I couldn’t get back to you sooner. So glad you enjoyed the narration by the docent. By now it’s too late. I took the Empire Builder twice last year and never noticed anyone giving a tip. If you have a chance, please let me know the outcome. Thanks! Sherry
Ellen says
Hi can you tell me if we tip the National Park Docents who are riding the Empire Builder with us right now? They are phenomenal!
Sherry Kennedy says
You can bring your own if you have a sleeping compartment. According to Amtrak’s online cafe car menu, beer can range from $4.50 to $7.00 depending upon what you choose. Thank you for your email.
Hilde says
Do you happen to know what the charges are for beer / a glass of wine.
Can you bring your own?
Dave says
Great article, lots of great information….however, I have a little problem with tipping the dining room staff at the normal 15 to 20%. My son is a waiter and I waited tables and bartended through my early years so I am a chronic over-tipper. That said, my son currently makes $7.50 per hour waiting tables (before his tips) and that is considered high for a lot of restaurants. I believe the Amtrak union employees in the dining car make $25-$35 per hour (before tips). If I’m correct on their wage, then I intend to leave more like 10% per meal.
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Keith,
Glad you and your son had a good train trip. Your video is cute!
Sherry
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Jenni,
Thank you for reading the article. Unfortunately, roomettes on your trains do not have an en suite bathroom. There is one or sometimes there are two on the upper level. The main level has 3 or 4 plus a shower room. My suggestion is to pack a little ditty bag (that’s what we called it at overnight camp!) with your toothbrush, etc. to bring everything with you to the bathroom. There is a hook on the door so it’s really helpful to have a bag with a loop to hang it up. Have a great “circle” trip!
Sherry
PDXJenni says
Thanks for the tips. I’m taking my first extended train trip (Empire Builder, SW Chief, and Coast Starlight) shortly and was unsure of the etiquette, especially with regard to tipping. I was unaware that my roomette included facilities. I thought I’d be sharing, so that is pretty awesome!
keith parsons says
It was an enjoyable ride. definitely recommend a roomette for the longer trips. My kid enjoyed the top bunk! check out the room here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA4jrySr6d0
Tom McCormack says
We traveled from Chicago on the Southwest Chief to LA in early November. We paid $1800.00 for a bedroom for my wife and me. We did not get a morning paper, there was no ice in the sleeping car and our second night out we were unable to find our sleeping car attendant to set up our beds. We ended up doing it ourselves.
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Claire,
I’m not quite sure what it is that you need the exact space dimensions. Is it for a portable crib? There are more Amtrak photos on my site that might give you a better idea of space in the deluxe bedrooms. I’ll check around to see if I can get more details. Thank you for your comment.
Claire says
Hi! I’m traveling Amtrak with a 6 month old in a few weeks. I really appreciate your info about tipping! Thank you for this article.
Do you Sherry–or anyone else– know if the Superliner (Empire Builder) Bedrooms have 23″X32″ between the bottom bed and the wall with the “chair” when the bed is up/sofa position? (I’m having a heck of a time finding definitive info about the floor space when the bed is in sofa position. (Even the Amtrak phone folks couldn’t tell me). ANY help is appreciated!
Sherry Laskin Kennedy says
Hi – Absolutely not. It’s your own room. You can even order room service! Have fun!
LuAnn says
Hi! Thanks for the informative article. Just booked my first train trip. Traveling solo and I’ll be in a sleeper car. Amtrak doesn’t double up solo travelers in their sleeper cars do they? I hope not!
Sherry Laskin Kennedy says
Hi Jools,
Thanks for reading the article. Tipping on Amtrak seems to be a grey area for Americans, too! On your next Amtrak trip, if you try tipping right after you board the train, please let me know how it goes.
Sherry Laskin Kennedy says
Hi Muriel,
It just takes a lot of planning and learning the schedules. Somehow it all fits together. And yes, it does take an extended period of time.
Sherry