Hey Dirk! We're so glad you liked the video. We plan on doing more train trips, we have some big bucket-list type dreams abroad but we also hope to do another Amtrak East to West from Florida to California or Washington State. Fingers crossed! Thanks for the support 😀🙏
Literally taking our first ever Amtrak train tomorrow and staying in the Roomette. This video was SO helpful in learning about what to expect. Thank you both!
Even though the cost may be pricey, not having the hustle bustle of an airport, the long slow moving DMV/Disneyland lines and rude Federal TSA order barking body frisking and xray machines to me is worth it. Thank you for your vlog and information. The luggage and scenic options are a plus.
I am retired from the airlines and can still travel for FREE on the airlines but would rather pay and take the train. It's just a much better experience for me. I don't get molested at the train station just to get into the boarding area like I do at airports. The staff seems less stressed and friendlier on trains than the "friendly skies" staff. Even sitting in coach you get lots of leg room and can lean your seat back without "squashing" the person behind you. You get wider coach seats and they are very comfortable. Like sitting in a Lazy-Boy. Speaking of room, the restrooms are roomier on trains also. I am not a big guy and those airplane restrooms are tight. You can get up and walk around on a train and most trains have diner cars. Try doing that on an airplane and see what happens.
Good morning. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who responded to my inquiry about the Toccoa Train Station. This is what I have learned to be true. 1.) The station has a small waiting room and restroom that opens automatically one hour before scheduled arrival. It was open at 12:05 AM for the 1:05 AM train. 2.) The train picks up passengers and their luggage and is gone very quickly. Don’t be late! 3.) I parked my car in the area where the Amtrak sign was where N Alexander Street ends at the tracks. There are six parking spaces there and a ramp on each side of the parking to take you to the sidewalk and up to the platform easily with your luggage. My car was in the same condition on Friday as it was when I left it on Monday morning. I didn’t notify anybody but did see a police officer or uniformed security officer checking things out on the street just opposite the train station when I got back. 4.) Unless you’re up for a thrashing, I wouldn’t recommend taking the train if you need to sleep. Short trips might be acceptable. But I left at 1:05 AM and arrived in Philadelphia at 4:45 PM the same day. 15 hours and 40 minutes. I had asked that the Roomette be made up into the bed before I boarded. It was changed back to seats while I was at breakfast. I’m a large woman. 6’ tall and heavy. I felt like I had gone 15 rounds with Hulk Hogan in his prime. I had light bruises up and down my arms. I didn’t check elsewhere. The mattress on the bed is probably 2” thick. The Roomette is 6’2” by 3’6”. Every time I got remotely comfortable in the bed we would round a corner and I would be slammed hard against the plastic of the commode/sink wall, or against the wall of the train. Stop’s would plaster me to the end of the bed. We are not talking gently at all. I’m a large woman. I don’t know how smaller and thinner people do it. I would think they would just about break their arms if they had less padding than I. Also using the commode when the bed is down is a feat in and of itself without leg room of any kind and your legs pressed firmly together. This might not be so bad for thinner and shorter people. But tall, fluffy folks beware. The sink was nice to have. But know water splashes with each use. I kept one of the hand towels reserved just to dry off the sink top and environs before closing it. This includes anything you have charging in the outlets. 5.) Changing clothes is quite the challenge when the train is moving and on short stops. Standing can be tricky. I learned to flex my knees just a bit and stand with my feet apart and always have one hand ready to grab something for stability. 6.) When I was ready to disembark, my Carriage Attendant told me to come over to the next car as it was safer. Two other passengers came to the break at the end of the train after I did. I noticed how much the car I had been in moved like a whip, back and forth. I watched as the train slammed the man nearest the exit face first into the wall of the corridor, hard. I don’t understand how these things are running in the shape the cars and the tracks are in. 7.) The good of the trip was the service. My Cabin Attendants on both legs of my trip were awesome. They helped with my luggage, meals, ice and water. Anything. The Red Caps at the Philadelphia train station were good as well. As was the Lounge Attendant at the Philadelphia station. 8.) The food was decent, the lunch, dinner was quite yummy. 9.) On the return trip I didn’t have them make the seats into a bed. I was given 2 pillows. The air was cold, which is weird for me to get cold. So one pillow was stuffed across the vent by the window. The other I used also for cushioning and a pillow. I eventually got the second blanket down to help me get warm. I did manage to sleep an hour or two at a time for about five hours. I had to keep my feet on the floor to be comfortable enough to do so. With the padding from both pillows and blankets I was finally able to nod off. 10.) The lady who mentioned something to the effect of “Why on earth would I want to take the train? It’s horrible” was spot on! I wish I hadn’t already bought my tickets, and had listened to her. Next business trip I have planned with a co-worker in Atlanta to leave my car at her house and we’ll catch an Uber to the airport.
I just won an upgrade (the "bid up" offer) from standard coach to a roomette. Thanks so much, Just Adrift, for all of the information in such an entertaining format! An added plus is that I'm taking the same train from Raleigh to Florida! Y'all (rock and) roll!
My wife and I generally tip $10 per passenger per 24 hours ( assuming the attendant is helpful, friendly and concerned about our trip enjoyment). We always give the tip as we get off the train at our final destination for that specific train.
I travelled from AZ to PA a number of years ago. It was pretty cool watching the scenery go by. That’s something you’ll never notice from a plane. Eating pancakes while zipping across TX was great! I was able to ride in a particular type of car that they don’t have anymore called a domeliner. It was a mostly single level car but had a portion of it that had a second level and the whole second level was glass. It was an excellent view, especially if you could sit in the front row.
Hi Trevor. Thanks for checking out the video! We loved the adventure and filming it. The room is so small and tight, it's challenging to capture. You have to see it for yourself!
The new Viewliners (Viewliner II) do not look like these. They are a different colour and the toilets have been removed. One roomette has been removed in the car to become the new bathroom in the cars.
@@TheMrPeteChannel I don't like the removal either but some study said that others didn't like it due to the smell. My reply is that it likely was people's OWN smell causing the issue. My gf and I have never had an issue and have been in a roomette on Amtrak many times.
We will be first time riders, and this was exactly the information we need. Even your journey is similar as we will be Orlando to DC. Thank you for your post- direct to the point.
Love Amtrak! I take it to California when I have the flexibility to do so. Board in salt lake with a bed waiting for you. Wake up in Reno in time to enjoy the view over the Sierra Nevada. My favorite way to travel. 🚞
Some clarification is needed.. this tour was a Viewliner, used on most east coast routes. A Superliner roomette used west of the Mississippi is different, they are smaller, no in-room toilet/sink, and no separate window for upper bunk.
Thank you Scott for the clarification!! It is important to know the difference, when we took the trip we didn’t know there were different kinds. Thanks for watching and take care my friend !
Took a train from St. Louis to Salt Lake City in 2015 and that was the most amazing trip I had taken in a long time. It was in the springtime as temps were a tad warmer than normal but not too bad overall. I had a roomette and it cost me $542 as I chose a business class seat from Grand Junction to Salt Lake City as that saved me over $65.
I am retired from the airlines and can still travel for FREE on the airlines but would rather pay and take the train. It's just a much better experience for me. I don't get molested at the train station just to get into the boarding area like I do at airports. The staff seems less stressed and friendlier on trains than the "friendly skies" staff. Even sitting in coach you get lots of leg room and can lean your seat back without "squashing" the person behind you. You get wider coach seats and they are very comfortable. Like sitting in a Lazy-Boy. Speaking of room, the restrooms are roomier on trains also. I am not a big guy and those airplane restrooms are tight. You can get up and walk around on a train and most trains have diner cars. Try doing that on an airplane and see what happens.
I loved your video. I was thinking the amount we spend driving across country on fuel, hotels and wear and tear on our cars. It almost seems more cost effective to travel by train and funner
Hi Anthony! We’re so glad you enjoyed our video. It was certainly fun to make. There are a lot of pros for train travel 🧭 I did some quick math for our trip if we drove vs taken the train… Gas $150 Hotel $100 Food 15 x 4 x 2 = $120 Beers $15 It would have been less expensive to drive if we still had our truck… but you still have the wear and tear on the vehicle and you have to drive vs enjoy the ride. If it’s in your budget I’d say go for it. It’s a fun trip !
I have a seating question with the roomette. I’m 6’2” and my cousin is 5’6”. We plan to travel by Amtrak in March 2025. Possibly sharing one roomette. She already said she’ll take the top bunk. But our current curious issue is the actual sitting in the two roomette seats. Do knees scrape each other? Is the legroom tight? Getting a bedroom on our routes is expensive. I know there’s the BidUp program but that’s closer to March. … Well be on super liners. And also staying a few nights at the Grand Canyon South Rim.
I would like to see how the bed on top was. My husband and I traveled in Southwest Chief on a roomette, and my husband complained that the bed was thin and tight. For one day, you can handle it, but not for two days.
I've travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak merged private Railroad Company for over 53 years. I hopped once or twice a year acrossing in any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because trains travel is a blast with a wonderful socially different people from all over the places and a beauty by looking views passing different areas too. And I'm using mostly sleeper car is the best! I used take Southern Pacific (SP) Peninsula Commuter trains for years. SP ran between San Francisco and San Jose and now it's called Caltrain extended to Gilroy (south of San Jose). For now covid and I will resume traveling again. For you guys taking a short trip on Amtrak to see if like the trains before taking long trip. Enjoy!
Hey Kenneth 👋 thanks so much for watching. It’s great to hear about other routes people love - we’re considering doing a long cross country route next. It is a blast isn’t it 🚂 take care & thanks for the recommendations!!
Nice report👍 25 sq ft is about the size of my 1st NYC flat😅 I love traveling by train. Have taken the Amtrak Silver Service (Star, Meteor) multiple times (pre-pandemic), both solo and with my wife, between New York Penn and Orlando. We found the roomettes comfortable and especially appreciated the in-room toilet (not available on the new Viewliner II sleepers). Will be traveling on the sleeper again in November. Enjoy your travels!!
I glad you said you appreciated the in-room toilet. We really did also. Do you know if there is anyway to know if you will be in a Viewliner I or II when you book? I can't wait to get in the newer model and check it out.
@@JustAdrift I’m not really sure! I book my Amtrak trips thru the app or online. I know my assigned car number, but not if it’s a I or a II. There are typically 3 Viewliner I and 1 Viewliner II sleepers on the Silver Service trains. Maybe if you book on the phone (still possible?), you could make a request. BTW, except for the AutoTrain, all Superliner sleepers are on western routes. They can’t be used on the NE Corridor because they can’t fit thru the ancient tunnels, esp the one in Baltimore!
@@JustAdrift To me, one of the things I always liked about taking sleeper trains is going down the dimmed swaying corridor at night, toothbrush in hand, to the bathroom at the end of the car. The conductor & porter usually kept it quite clean; there was never any big mess. I'm not finicky. The trip would get me out of my compartment, which had 4 beds (bunks). I enjoyed seeing the mysterious man & woman talking in low tones as they stared out the night at the dark forest speeding past at a steady 50 miles per hour... Modern Americans I think are too accustomed to luxury. Roughing it a little is fun, & a good experience. Putting bathrooms & showers in the train rooms means less rooms per wagon, and is one reason why Amtrak prices are so outrageous. The other reason is that Amtrak is top heavy, i.e. it has too many executives, and each executive salary is too high. Put these "suits" out to real jobs, get them laying track; lets get rails & stations built in 300 more cities by 2025. Amtrak can & should go everywhere, & go affordably, just as the trains in Europe do.
Hi, we want to book NYC to Orlando but we want bed, and I'm kind of confused with the roomette and bedroom. We want to try for 1st time with our autistic child. Last time (May 2021) we went to FL on a flight was a nightmare for her. Plus she wanted to stand up and walk and no room on the bathroom to change her diaper.
Hi Joanie! Thanks for checking out the video. I signed up for Amtrak notifications by email and they send me emails about discounted fairs every once in a while. I hope that helps also!
Sounds like a stupid question but it's not. lol In the roomette, where is the toilet paper? I don't see it near the toilet. Also, are there paper towels next to the sink when washing hands?
Prices have gone UP...UP...UP. I took the California Zephyr (9/11/2018) from Martinez, CA. all the way to Chicago. I had a roomette to myself. Price was about $450. I just checked same trip...same train...same departure city and date...$1,479.00. That's over THREE TIMES the amount I paid in 2018. Wow...that's incredible!
@@myracastillo4882 Hope the 2 of you love the trip as much as I have my last 3. The only thing about traveling Thanksgiving time was it getting dark so soon. So many of the sights were missed. You'll have much more sunlight and beauty.
I decided to write "Riding The Train: That's How I Roll", on Amazon, because I had so many unanswered questions before I got on Amtrak for nearly forty-eight hours - Jody Susan
@@peregrino9154 Well, it would be more affordable than going in a roomette to New York from Atlanta, lol. But then I would be able to use the lounge in New York if I rode in a roomette. So maybe you're right, lol.
Hello! Thanks so much for watching. Assuming you’ve already booked your tickets in advance online Amtrak recommends at least 30-45 minutes, if you have to check any baggage earlier. I would plan on 1:30 or 2 to check baggage and pick up any last minute items - and to be able to see the lounge at the station before you board. We wish you an amazing trip!
@@JustAdrift Appreciate it! Going on Amtrak Roomette to Miami (from NY) soon for the very 1st time and so excited! It will be round trip and I've booked 2 different trains- Silver Meteor to Miami and Silver Star back to NY
Correction... You can take carryon luggage over 50lbs...you cannot check in any bags over 50lbs. We thought as you stated that you can only carryon up to 50lbs. But we were told you have to carryon anything over 50lbs.
Great video! I am thinking about taking the train from Chicago to San Francisco. I am 6'3 and my wife is 5'3. Any issues sitting knee to knee in the roomette?
Hi Odas, Great question. We were speculating that the Roomette might have some challenges for anyone over 6'. I'm sure they've made it 'just' big enough but you will definitely be close to each other. My husband and I are both 5'-6" tall and our knees didn't touch but there wasn't a ton of extra room. Also, once they turn down the beds after dinner we both hung out in the bottom bunk at that point it might get tight (we have another Amtrak video that is linked in this video if you want to see what it looks like). Hope this helps and have fun on your trip!
Hi Zane! Thanks for watching man. We had great service so we tipped our car attendant and waiter on the train 🚂 if you have good service be sure to tip!
@@JustAdrift Was mobile data still accessible? In a plane I learned it's not as the last time I flew I was a kid in the pre-smart phone days so didn't even think about not having internet.
@@JustAdrift cool thank you!! Traveled a handful of times on Amtrak, but only ever rode coach. I’m taking a trip here next month and thought about a roomette! Thanks!
I always get a roomette but pls be aware that things are a bit different on the west coast. There's no toilet in the rooms, just one in the hall. Also. The sleeper cars are double decker with a very steep and narrow staircase. But this is the best way to travel in opinion.
Hi Teddy! Thanks for watching. Yes that’s what we’ve heard … having the toilet was convenient once you got used to it. We will be traveling cross country in a few weeks and hopefully will get to experience the new roommette on that trip!
There is a bathroom down the hall so I would suggest they go do that there. The toilet is like on an airplane- it has a vacuum flush. Thanks for watching!
Did the seats lean back, like in coach? It looked like they had to stay upright, which wouldn’t be as comfortable I would think. Thanks for the video, I’ve done Amtrak several times, and love the stress-free trip. To me driving is so stressful. But I have always just done coach, much less expensive.
The seats are on an incline but do not lean back. I however didn’t notice it lacked this until your comment 😂 so I guess they are at an ideal tilt. The seats were surprisingly comfortable and I would recommend them. Yes the room is a bit of a splurge but what a fun time! Thanks for watching 🙌
You should come to China. Unlike the US, train travel is still a huge and affordable way for people to travel all around the country. They have regular trains but also many high speed trains. I am from the US, and the first time I had ever been on a train was here in China. Over the years I have gone by train to many cities. I prefer sleeper on a high speed train, but the slower trains are OK too if it is not too far away.
Hi William! Thanks for the comment. How much is a 24 hour train ride in a sleeper car? Do you have a private bedroom similar to the roomette? I (Mason speaking) have visited Kunming and enjoyed it. I didn't take a train anywhere though.
FYI there is no Dining Car service on any over-night trains East of the Mississippi. What you get for the price of a Sleeping Car ticket is some micro-waved garbage that an attendant will throw at you after it's been nuked. You can do much better ordering your meals via Uber-Eats or Door-Dash if you can get it delivered to the station on time...
That is a good question… I am not sure. When we went they had limited dining, now the full meal service is back up. We are actually going on another train trip next week. I’ll ask!
The roommettes are 6'6" wide, and the bed stretches the whole length. I think the bedrooms have longer beds, but they're definitely wider and can sleep two side by side.
That was our experience also. It seemed like every 4 or 5 stops they would announce a smoke break. Hope that helps, Herbert. Thanks for the help, OppositeofHate7!
We think it's a pretty good deal for long travel. Keep it mind that you get a private room for two and meals are included. There are ways to make it even more affordable. Look out for deals and discount from Amtrak. We get emails with deals from them weekly. If you have lots of luggage, it becomes a better deal because other modes of travel like air travel will charge you for additional baggage. If you make an overnight train part of a vacation experience, that makes it more affordable as well. If you were to take an airplane, buy meals, and stay at a hotel overnight it would probably be more expensive then taking an overnight train. What do you think?
I just took my first Amtrak trip and it was nice until we ate dinner. Amtrak making us eat with strangers is obnoxious and ruined the trip for me. Probably won't go back because of this.
How do they stay in business? Is that $800 per person for a room or is it like how you pay for a hotel and you can have a certain amount of people in it. 22 hours for $800 is insane.
Hi Andrew! Thanks for watching. I think it depends on how you look at it, remember it is also your transportation. If we were flying we could maybe save but a big part of going is the experience. It’s also not like a hotel room in that aspect- each person needs a ticket to ride 🎟. Have a good one !
@@LancerX916 Depends on the trip. In reality those 22 hours are more like 12 if you factor in time for sleep/shower. But most people don't travel end to end, they usually travel from end to midpoint. For example, on the NEC, the ride from DC to NYC is 3+ hours, which is acceptable and more convenient than flying. However, the trip to Boston is 7 hours and it would make more sense to fly. But, I could take the Night Owl which is 10 hours from DC to BOS (they slow down the train), but I'm sleeping on my way there (10PM to 8AM).
I think they tried to cram a bit too many people into the Superliner sleeping cars... If they cut out a few Roomettes and arranged the space among remaining Roomettes, the situation might be better for passengers.
Hi Richard! Do you know if they are making any floor space changes in the new Viewliner II Roomettes? We are shorter then average (we're both 5'6) and it was comfortable. But if you are 5'10 or taller, I could see it felling pretty tight. Thanks for checking the video out.
That's basically what the bedrooms are. The Bedrooms are double the size of the roommettes and can sleep 3. Then there's the suites that's double the size of the bedrooms.
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That was cool AF everything you need to know quick and to the point.
Will y'all be taking more trips via train?
Hey Dirk! We're so glad you liked the video. We plan on doing more train trips, we have some big bucket-list type dreams abroad but we also hope to do another Amtrak East to West from Florida to California or Washington State. Fingers crossed! Thanks for the support 😀🙏
Literally taking our first ever Amtrak train tomorrow and staying in the Roomette. This video was SO helpful in learning about what to expect. Thank you both!
So glad it was helpful … have a great trip !
I did the California Zephyr last year and it was one of the greatest trips I've ever taken in my life. TAKE IT, GET A ROOMETTE! Cheers!
How all travel review style vlogs should be formatted. Y'all knocked it out of the park. Thanks, looking forward to my December trip now!!
Even though the cost may be pricey, not having the hustle bustle of an airport, the long slow moving DMV/Disneyland lines and rude Federal TSA order barking body frisking and xray machines to me is worth it. Thank you for your vlog and information. The luggage and scenic options are a plus.
I am retired from the airlines and can still travel for FREE on the airlines but would rather pay and take the train.
It's just a much better experience for me.
I don't get molested at the train station just to get into the boarding area like I do at airports.
The staff seems less stressed and friendlier on trains than the "friendly skies" staff.
Even sitting in coach you get lots of leg room and can lean your seat back without "squashing" the person behind you.
You get wider coach seats and they are very comfortable. Like sitting in a Lazy-Boy.
Speaking of room, the restrooms are roomier on trains also. I am not a big guy and those airplane restrooms are tight.
You can get up and walk around on a train and most trains have diner cars. Try doing that on an airplane and see what happens.
I’m preparing to travel by Roomette next week this answered a lot of questions. Thank you.
How was it
Good morning. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who responded to my inquiry about the Toccoa Train Station. This is what I have learned to be true.
1.) The station has a small waiting room and restroom that opens automatically one hour before scheduled arrival. It was open at 12:05 AM for the 1:05 AM train.
2.) The train picks up passengers and their luggage and is gone very quickly. Don’t be late!
3.) I parked my car in the area where the Amtrak sign was where N Alexander Street ends at the tracks. There are six parking spaces there and a ramp on each side of the parking to take you to the sidewalk and up to the platform easily with your luggage.
My car was in the same condition on Friday as it was when I left it on Monday morning. I didn’t notify anybody but did see a police officer or uniformed security officer checking things out on the street just opposite the train station when I got back.
4.) Unless you’re up for a thrashing, I wouldn’t recommend taking the train if you need to sleep. Short trips might be acceptable. But I left at 1:05 AM and arrived in Philadelphia at 4:45 PM the same day. 15 hours and 40 minutes. I had asked that the Roomette be made up into the bed before I boarded. It was changed back to seats while I was at breakfast.
I’m a large woman. 6’ tall and heavy. I felt like I had gone 15 rounds with Hulk Hogan in his prime. I had light bruises up and down my arms. I didn’t check elsewhere. The mattress on the bed is probably 2” thick. The Roomette is 6’2” by 3’6”. Every time I got remotely comfortable in the bed we would round a corner and I would be slammed hard against the plastic of the commode/sink wall, or against the wall of the train. Stop’s would plaster me to the end of the bed. We are not talking gently at all.
I’m a large woman. I don’t know how smaller and thinner people do it. I would think they would just about break their arms if they had less padding than I.
Also using the commode when the bed is down is a feat in and of itself without leg room of any kind and your legs pressed firmly together. This might not be so bad for thinner and shorter people. But tall, fluffy folks beware.
The sink was nice to have. But know water splashes with each use. I kept one of the hand towels reserved just to dry off the sink top and environs before closing it. This includes anything you have charging in the outlets.
5.) Changing clothes is quite the challenge when the train is moving and on short stops. Standing can be tricky. I learned to flex my knees just a bit and stand with my feet apart and always have one hand ready to grab something for stability.
6.) When I was ready to disembark, my Carriage Attendant told me to come over to the next car as it was safer. Two other passengers came to the break at the end of the train after I did. I noticed how much the car I had been in moved like a whip, back and forth. I watched as the train slammed the man nearest the exit face first into the wall of the corridor, hard. I don’t understand how these things are running in the shape the cars and the tracks are in.
7.) The good of the trip was the service. My Cabin Attendants on both legs of my trip were awesome. They helped with my luggage, meals, ice and water. Anything. The Red Caps at the Philadelphia train station were good as well. As was the Lounge Attendant at the Philadelphia station.
8.) The food was decent, the lunch, dinner was quite yummy.
9.) On the return trip I didn’t have them make the seats into a bed. I was given 2 pillows. The air was cold, which is weird for me to get cold. So one pillow was stuffed across the vent by the window. The other I used also for cushioning and a pillow. I eventually got the second blanket down to help me get warm. I did manage to sleep an hour or two at a time for about five hours. I had to keep my feet on the floor to be comfortable enough to do so. With the padding from both pillows and blankets I was finally able to nod off.
10.) The lady who mentioned something to the effect of “Why on earth would I want to take the train? It’s horrible” was spot on! I wish I hadn’t already bought my tickets, and had listened to her. Next business trip I have planned with a co-worker in Atlanta to leave my car at her house and we’ll catch an Uber to the airport.
I just won an upgrade (the "bid up" offer) from standard coach to a roomette. Thanks so much, Just Adrift, for all of the information in such an entertaining format! An added plus is that I'm taking the same train from Raleigh to Florida! Y'all (rock and) roll!
Just a reminder...tip your car attendant. They work hard to make your trip enjoyable...
Hi Royster! That's a great point. How much would you suggest for a trip around 24 hours?
My wife and I generally tip $10 per passenger per 24 hours ( assuming the attendant is helpful, friendly and concerned about our trip enjoyment). We always give the tip as we get off the train at our final destination for that specific train.
*** bring cash **** no ATM.. $2-3 tip per person/meal to waiter. 🚂
The fact that you say 10 years, that means everything. I will be try on board to some day.Thank you.
Hey! I hope you can find a time to take the trip soon!
I travelled from AZ to PA a number of years ago. It was pretty cool watching the scenery go by. That’s something you’ll never notice from a plane. Eating pancakes while zipping across TX was great! I was able to ride in a particular type of car that they don’t have anymore called a domeliner. It was a mostly single level car but had a portion of it that had a second level and the whole second level was glass. It was an excellent view, especially if you could sit in the front row.
It's so cool to hear other great experiences. Definitely a unique way to see the states. Thanks for watching!
I always wondered what these rooms looked like. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Trevor. Thanks for checking out the video! We loved the adventure and filming it. The room is so small and tight, it's challenging to capture. You have to see it for yourself!
The new Viewliners (Viewliner II) do not look like these. They are a different colour and the toilets have been removed. One roomette has been removed in the car to become the new bathroom in the cars.
@@TrainMike2013 To me removing the toilet is a downgrade.
@@TheMrPeteChannel I don't like the removal either but some study said that others didn't like it due to the smell. My reply is that it likely was people's OWN smell causing the issue. My gf and I have never had an issue and have been in a roomette on Amtrak many times.
@@TrainMike2013 If you don't like the smell don't use it! I think some people just don't like the thought of sleeping by a toilet.
Booked my 1st trip from PA TO MIAMI...in a roomette. Can't wait!!
We will be first time riders, and this was exactly the information we need. Even your journey is similar as we will be Orlando to DC. Thank you for your post- direct to the point.
Love Amtrak! I take it to California when I have the flexibility to do so. Board in salt lake with a bed waiting for you. Wake up in Reno in time to enjoy the view over the Sierra Nevada. My favorite way to travel. 🚞
I LOVE this! I just recently discovered Amtrak and I had a lotta questions about the roomette. THANK YOU!!
Randomly checking my TH-cam feed and found your video. Congratulations you got one more subscriber 👍🏻
Hi Mihir! Glad TH-cam connected us. Thanks for subscribing. Talk to you later!
Thanks very information for sure. Looks like a nice time
Thanks for watching!
Some clarification is needed.. this tour was a Viewliner, used on most east coast routes. A Superliner roomette used west of the Mississippi is different, they are smaller, no in-room toilet/sink, and no separate window for upper bunk.
Thank you Scott for the clarification!! It is important to know the difference, when we took the trip we didn’t know there were different kinds. Thanks for watching and take care my friend !
I've traveled on West Coast. I noticed same difference too.
Amtrak really needs to update the superliner trains. They are outdated, in disrepair and dirty.
To be clear it was a viewliner 1 car since it had the toilet in the roommate, the viewliner 2 cars have no toilet in the roommate but still a sink
Great Video! Glad You had Fun
Took a train from St. Louis to Salt Lake City in 2015 and that was the most amazing trip I had taken in a long time. It was in the springtime as temps were a tad warmer than normal but not too bad overall. I had a roomette and it cost me $542 as I chose a business class seat from Grand Junction to Salt Lake City as that saved me over $65.
I am retired from the airlines and can still travel for FREE on the airlines but would rather pay and take the train.
It's just a much better experience for me.
I don't get molested at the train station just to get into the boarding area like I do at airports.
The staff seems less stressed and friendlier on trains than the "friendly skies" staff.
Even sitting in coach you get lots of leg room and can lean your seat back without "squashing" the person behind you.
You get wider coach seats and they are very comfortable. Like sitting in a Lazy-Boy.
Speaking of room, the restrooms are roomier on trains also. I am not a big guy and those airplane restrooms are tight.
You can get up and walk around on a train and most trains have diner cars. Try doing that on an airplane and see what happens.
Thank u. I'm currently leaving from Houston to California with my 5 yr old autistic son and it's gonna be fun
You are so welcome 🙏🏻 thank you for watching! You two are going to have a blast! Kids love the train 🚂
Very well done!
Thank you very much!
Wow, thanks for video. I've been researching and wanting to do this.
You are so welcome 🙏🏻😊 we hope it helps and that you have a great trip!! Thank you for watching.
A random video I choose to watch ... but surprisingly - you're going to my hometown, lol. I had to watch the rest after hearing that ...
Well that’s cool. Thank you for watching 😊
I loved your video. I was thinking the amount we spend driving across country on fuel, hotels and wear and tear on our cars. It almost seems more cost effective to travel by train and funner
A room on a train is definitely not cheaper.
Hi Anthony! We’re so glad you enjoyed our video. It was certainly fun to make. There are a lot of pros for train travel 🧭 I did some quick math for our trip if we drove vs taken the train…
Gas $150
Hotel $100
Food 15 x 4 x 2 = $120
Beers $15
It would have been less expensive to drive if we still had our truck… but you still have the wear and tear on the vehicle and you have to drive vs enjoy the ride. If it’s in your budget I’d say go for it. It’s a fun trip !
I have a seating question with the roomette. I’m 6’2” and my cousin is 5’6”. We plan to travel by Amtrak in March 2025. Possibly sharing one roomette. She already said she’ll take the top bunk. But our current curious issue is the actual sitting in the two roomette seats. Do knees scrape each other? Is the legroom tight? Getting a bedroom on our routes is expensive. I know there’s the BidUp program but that’s closer to March. … Well be on super liners. And also staying a few nights at the Grand Canyon South Rim.
I think your knees will knock into each other. Mason and I are both 5’6” and it was ok but being taller you may have an issue
Great video thank you!
I would like to see how the bed on top was. My husband and I traveled in Southwest Chief on a roomette, and my husband complained that the bed was thin and tight. For one day, you can handle it, but not for two days.
I've travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak merged private Railroad Company for over 53 years. I hopped once or twice a year acrossing in any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because trains travel is a blast with a wonderful socially different people from all over the places and a beauty by looking views passing different areas too. And I'm using mostly sleeper car is the best!
I used take Southern Pacific (SP) Peninsula Commuter trains for years. SP ran between San Francisco and San Jose and now it's called Caltrain extended to Gilroy (south of San Jose).
For now covid and I will resume traveling again. For you guys taking a short trip on Amtrak to see if like the trains before taking long trip. Enjoy!
Hey Kenneth 👋 thanks so much for watching. It’s great to hear about other routes people love - we’re considering doing a long cross country route next. It is a blast isn’t it 🚂 take care & thanks for the recommendations!!
@@JustAdrift You're welcome!
Great job folks, wasn't boring 👍
Right on! We’re so glad you liked the video we had a great time making it 🚂 thanks for watching 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hope to do that trip very soon thanks for the video
You'll love it. Thanks for checking out the video!
Nice report👍 25 sq ft is about the size of my 1st NYC flat😅 I love traveling by train. Have taken the Amtrak Silver Service (Star, Meteor) multiple times (pre-pandemic), both solo and with my wife, between New York Penn and Orlando. We found the roomettes comfortable and especially appreciated the in-room toilet (not available on the new Viewliner II sleepers). Will be traveling on the sleeper again in November. Enjoy your travels!!
I glad you said you appreciated the in-room toilet. We really did also. Do you know if there is anyway to know if you will be in a Viewliner I or II when you book? I can't wait to get in the newer model and check it out.
@@JustAdrift I’m not really sure! I book my Amtrak trips thru the app or online. I know my assigned car number, but not if it’s a I or a II. There are typically 3 Viewliner I and 1 Viewliner II sleepers on the Silver Service trains. Maybe if you book on the phone (still possible?), you could make a request.
BTW, except for the AutoTrain, all Superliner sleepers are on western routes. They can’t be used on the NE Corridor because they can’t fit thru the ancient tunnels, esp the one in Baltimore!
This is so good to know all of this - I have no idea if you can still call to book 😂 the website makes things so easy with that one exception
@@JustAdrift To me, one of the things I always liked about taking sleeper trains is going down the dimmed swaying corridor at night, toothbrush in hand, to the bathroom at the end of the car. The conductor & porter usually kept it quite clean; there was never any big mess. I'm not finicky. The trip would get me out of my compartment, which had 4 beds (bunks). I enjoyed seeing the mysterious man & woman talking in low tones as they stared out the night at the dark forest speeding past at a steady 50 miles per hour...
Modern Americans I think are too accustomed to luxury. Roughing it a little is fun, & a good experience. Putting bathrooms & showers in the train rooms means less rooms per wagon, and is one reason why Amtrak prices are so outrageous. The other reason is that Amtrak is top heavy, i.e. it has too many executives, and each executive salary is too high. Put these "suits" out to real jobs, get them laying track; lets get rails & stations built in 300 more cities by 2025. Amtrak can & should go everywhere, & go affordably, just as the trains in Europe do.
Hi, we want to book NYC to Orlando but we want bed, and I'm kind of confused with the roomette and bedroom. We want to try for 1st time with our autistic child. Last time (May 2021) we went to FL on a flight was a nightmare for her. Plus she wanted to stand up and walk and no room on the bathroom to change her diaper.
Thank you! Great video.
Thank you for watching 🙌💗
Thank you for this video! I'm doing this from tampa to NC soon just for fun. GREAT VIDEO- MrBucketlist
MrBucketlist! What's up man? Are you from Tampa? We live in St. Petersburg when we're not on the road. I think you'll enjoy the train experience.
I'm going to greensboro nc to miami, or i think greensboro, nc to new orleans to miami
Thanks for including the cost
Hi Joanie! Thanks for checking out the video. I signed up for Amtrak notifications by email and they send me emails about discounted fairs every once in a while. I hope that helps also!
I lived 2 summers on a 32 foot boat. That room is huge
Nice and helpful
Thanks
Wow this is amazing
Well done. Thank you.
Thanks so much 🙏🏻☺️
I’m at the airport stressed again lmao this seems so much calmer. Is it or am I romanticizing it lol
Sounds like a stupid question but it's not. lol In the roomette, where is the toilet paper? I don't see it near the toilet. Also, are there paper towels next to the sink when washing hands?
I just booked my first amtrak trip from San Francisco to New York in October. I hope I like it, because I'll be spending three days on those trains!
Nice! I think you'll love it! Let us know how it goes.
Tell um that dude from Indiana says hello
Oh, this is one of my dreams!
Baller!
Prices have gone UP...UP...UP. I took the California Zephyr (9/11/2018) from Martinez, CA. all the way to Chicago. I had a roomette to myself. Price was about $450. I just checked same trip...same train...same departure city and date...$1,479.00. That's over THREE TIMES the amount I paid in 2018. Wow...that's incredible!
Nice video thanks for sharing!
THANK YOU!!
You're welcome!
Love LD train travel. I highly recommend the empire builder from.Chicago to Seattle. Taking my 3rd trip on it this November.
That sounds amazing, we were talking about how cool it would be to go the other direction, thanks so much for the suggestion! 🚂
My sister & I going on this trip in. May 16-20 2022 from Chicago to Seattle. Can’t wait.
@@myracastillo4882 Hope the 2 of you love the trip as much as I have my last 3. The only thing about traveling Thanksgiving time was it getting dark so soon. So many of the sights were missed. You'll have much more sunlight and beauty.
I decided to write "Riding The Train: That's How I Roll", on Amazon, because I had so many unanswered questions before I got on Amtrak for nearly forty-eight hours - Jody Susan
Lots great info…was those prices for a round trip?…I live near winter haven great little town!
the best review
Pretty good. I'm thinking of going to New Orleans next Carnival in a roomette from Atlanta.
You wouldn’t need a roommette for that trip since it’s in the daytime unless privacy is a big thing for you.
@@peregrino9154 Well, it would be more affordable than going in a roomette to New York from Atlanta, lol. But then I would be able to use the lounge in New York if I rode in a roomette. So maybe you're right, lol.
Thanks for the video!
If my train is at 3:15pm what time I have to be at the train station?
Hello! Thanks so much for watching. Assuming you’ve already booked your tickets in advance online Amtrak recommends at least 30-45 minutes, if you have to check any baggage earlier. I would plan on 1:30 or 2 to check baggage and pick up any last minute items - and to be able to see the lounge at the station before you board. We wish you an amazing trip!
@@JustAdrift Appreciate it! Going on Amtrak Roomette to Miami (from NY) soon for the very 1st time and so excited! It will be round trip and I've booked 2 different trains- Silver Meteor to Miami and Silver Star back to NY
Correction... You can take carryon luggage over 50lbs...you cannot check in any bags over 50lbs.
We thought as you stated that you can only carryon up to 50lbs. But we were told you have to carryon anything over 50lbs.
That's not entirely accurate
Thank you for the clarification!
Great video! I am thinking about taking the train from Chicago to San Francisco. I am 6'3 and my wife is 5'3. Any issues sitting knee to knee in the roomette?
Hi Odas,
Great question. We were speculating that the Roomette might have some challenges for anyone over 6'. I'm sure they've made it 'just' big enough but you will definitely be close to each other. My husband and I are both 5'-6" tall and our knees didn't touch but there wasn't a ton of extra room. Also, once they turn down the beds after dinner we both hung out in the bottom bunk at that point it might get tight (we have another Amtrak video that is linked in this video if you want to see what it looks like). Hope this helps and have fun on your trip!
If you want to sit with your knees jammed into each other.
You can sit outboards, that would fix any issues with the knees. Otherwise, you can always go to the lounge car which is open to the public.
Wow that’s so impressive,also do u need to tip the guide and waiter in the train?
It's recommended.
@@TheMrPeteChannel by who? Tipping is based off service.
Hi Zane! Thanks for watching man. We had great service so we tipped our car attendant and waiter on the train 🚂 if you have good service be sure to tip!
$2-3 tip per meal per person 🚂🍴🍜. $5 or more to room steward... *** Bring cash **** no 🏧 ATM..
I loved your awesome videos
Thank you so much 😊
Maybe I missed it but do any windows open? Small space, toilet.....
Are there roomettes without a toilet next to your bed or it's the only option?
Thanks!!! Is there a car you can smoke in?
Nope!
No. They take 'fresh air stops' a.k.a. smoke stops but that's it.
Did the roomette have any plugs?
How was it, I want to try it
Amazing! Do it!
@@JustAdrift 👍
“Great way to disconnect “. That’s where they lost me. I need to cruise the internet on a trip like that. I guess I can download stuff and books.
Someone has pointed out that you need Amtrak's App to get WiFi. I haven't checked that yet but there's hope.
@@JustAdrift Was mobile data still accessible? In a plane I learned it's not as the last time I flew I was a kid in the pre-smart phone days so didn't even think about not having internet.
My friend and I got a roomette on the way back from Orlando in 2002. It worked
Definitely!
Is it customary to tip the attendant?
Yes. I've heard that tipping $10-$20 per night is customary. Thanks for watching, Sally!
Tipping,. $2-3 per meal/ per person,. ***Bring cash ****. No ATM 🚂
Question, does the door lock?
Was it possible to get high quality sleep?
How long would you say the beds are when they are made out?
I would say 6’ long !
@@JustAdrift cool thank you!! Traveled a handful of times on Amtrak, but only ever rode coach. I’m taking a trip here next month and thought about a roomette! Thanks!
Did you get round trip?
I always get a roomette but pls be aware that things are a bit different on the west coast. There's no toilet in the rooms, just one in the hall. Also. The sleeper cars are double decker with a very steep and narrow staircase. But this is the best way to travel in opinion.
3:45 They don't have the toilets in the roommettes in the new viewliners that they're rolling out. ☹
Hi Teddy! Thanks for watching. Yes that’s what we’ve heard … having the toilet was convenient once you got used to it. We will be traveling cross country in a few weeks and hopefully will get to experience the new roommette on that trip!
Wouldnt want to share room with someone who has the big D. Is there a ventilation fan in the room to air it out after someone is done?
There is a bathroom down the hall so I would suggest they go do that there. The toilet is like on an airplane- it has a vacuum flush. Thanks for watching!
Did the seats lean back, like in coach? It looked like they had to stay upright, which wouldn’t be as comfortable I would think. Thanks for the video, I’ve done Amtrak several times, and love the stress-free trip. To me driving is so stressful. But I have always just done coach, much less expensive.
The seats are on an incline but do not lean back. I however didn’t notice it lacked this until your comment 😂 so I guess they are at an ideal tilt. The seats were surprisingly comfortable and I would recommend them. Yes the room is a bit of a splurge but what a fun time! Thanks for watching 🙌
Wait, your supposed to just poop out in the open with your friend sitting a foot away from you?
Well that’s up to you and what you’re into… we used the bathroom down the hall. 😂
Nice video
Hi EC! Thanks for the comment. Have a good one!
You should come to China. Unlike the US, train travel is still a huge and affordable way for people to travel all around the country. They have regular trains but also many high speed trains. I am from the US, and the first time I had ever been on a train was here in China. Over the years I have gone by train to many cities. I prefer sleeper on a high speed train, but the slower trains are OK too if it is not too far away.
Hi William! Thanks for the comment. How much is a 24 hour train ride in a sleeper car? Do you have a private bedroom similar to the roomette? I (Mason speaking) have visited Kunming and enjoyed it. I didn't take a train anywhere though.
Best sleep I've had was on a 24 hour train ride in China!
FYI there is no Dining Car service on any over-night trains East of the Mississippi. What you get for the price of a Sleeping Car ticket is some micro-waved garbage that an attendant will throw at you after it's been nuked. You can do much better ordering your meals via Uber-Eats or Door-Dash if you can get it delivered to the station on time...
good video only suggestion is to drop the spinning "X", that's annoying, it's like a popup on a webpage.
I'm considering the trip. Can you take your meal to your room though (during COVID)? thanks
That is a good question… I am not sure. When we went they had limited dining, now the full meal service is back up. We are actually going on another train trip next week. I’ll ask!
Do all roometes have toilets?
What is maximum height for a person to be able to sleep comfortably in those berthings?
The roommettes are 6'6" wide, and the bed stretches the whole length. I think the bedrooms have longer beds, but they're definitely wider and can sleep two side by side.
We are both 5’6” and were really comfortable. If you’re over 6’ I think it would start to get cramped.
@@JustAdrift that’s too bad for all the alphas and Chads out there cuz ✈️ not much better
We love roomettes, but you better at least like who you are sharing it with :)
Absolutely!!
Is smoking allowed in private rooms
No smoking on the train at all, even in your room. however, they do tell you when stops are coming up for smokers/how long you have
That was our experience also. It seemed like every 4 or 5 stops they would announce a smoke break. Hope that helps, Herbert. Thanks for the help, OppositeofHate7!
No. Outside on stops. Only.....
How child friendly is train travel , ( my under 13yo daughter is autistic) ?
I think it’s very kid friendly - all the kids we saw were having a blast ! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Do you know usa rail pass
❤ omg
👍👍👍
Thank you!
Is Amtrak affordable
We think it's a pretty good deal for long travel. Keep it mind that you get a private room for two and meals are included. There are ways to make it even more affordable. Look out for deals and discount from Amtrak. We get emails with deals from them weekly. If you have lots of luggage, it becomes a better deal because other modes of travel like air travel will charge you for additional baggage. If you make an overnight train part of a vacation experience, that makes it more affordable as well. If you were to take an airplane, buy meals, and stay at a hotel overnight it would probably be more expensive then taking an overnight train. What do you think?
If you ride coach and don't eat it's very affordable.
@@jeffdur1330 Don't have to starve, just bring your own food.
Toilet in the living space? I’ll pay extra for the bedroom.
You got used to it.
I wouldn't blame you for that. Whatever makes the journey work for you!
I just took my first Amtrak trip and it was nice until we ate dinner. Amtrak making us eat with strangers is obnoxious and ruined the trip for me. Probably won't go back because of this.
How do they stay in business? Is that $800 per person for a room or is it like how you pay for a hotel and you can have a certain amount of people in it. 22 hours for $800 is insane.
travel Travel is a Luxury, that people pay for :)
On the flip side, people pay $1200 for a first class transcontinental flights for only 6 hrs to stay at a TV and are stuck in the same seat.
@@jeffreycoooper3893 Yeah but you are off in six hours not 22 hours.
Hi Andrew! Thanks for watching. I think it depends on how you look at it, remember it is also your transportation. If we were flying we could maybe save but a big part of going is the experience. It’s also not like a hotel room in that aspect- each person needs a ticket to ride 🎟. Have a good one !
@@LancerX916 Depends on the trip. In reality those 22 hours are more like 12 if you factor in time for sleep/shower. But most people don't travel end to end, they usually travel from end to midpoint. For example, on the NEC, the ride from DC to NYC is 3+ hours, which is acceptable and more convenient than flying. However, the trip to Boston is 7 hours and it would make more sense to fly. But, I could take the Night Owl which is 10 hours from DC to BOS (they slow down the train), but I'm sleeping on my way there (10PM to 8AM).
if I pay for a roomette and my wife pays for a coach ticket can she join me in the roomette
traditional dining needs to come back to all long distance routes.
Amtrak is slow, and it is expensive, therefore; it should be about the experience.
Yes it is definitely about the experience!
I think they tried to cram a bit too many people into the Superliner sleeping cars... If they cut out a few Roomettes and arranged the space among remaining Roomettes, the situation might be better for passengers.
Hi Richard! Do you know if they are making any floor space changes in the new Viewliner II Roomettes? We are shorter then average (we're both 5'6) and it was comfortable. But if you are 5'10 or taller, I could see it felling pretty tight. Thanks for checking the video out.
@@JustAdrift no space changes, just the removal of the toilet. There are videos on TH-cam showing the new rooms.
That's basically what the bedrooms are. The Bedrooms are double the size of the roommettes and can sleep 3. Then there's the suites that's double the size of the bedrooms.
Your video shows the bedroom not the roomette. Roomettes are much smaller and don't have a toilet/sink.
The cost is the #1 reason I won't travel by train. It's just cheaper to fly.
Who’s is your favorite Disney princess
Roomette from KC to Albuquerque $500 to $1000 each way if you can book one. Coach is not an option.
The fares are much cheaper if the train isnt full
Sadly most roomettes don’t have toilet or water in room
Don't forget that they cost over 1000$ round trip most places.
Wrong! Maybe last minute, but roomettes are usually under $500, sometimes $300 when on sale.
@@TrainMike2013 um from where to where? Cross country rooms are never under 1000$ round trip.
@@jeffdur1330 you must be thinking bedrooms. This video is for roommettes, much different.
@@TrainMike2013 it's the same for roomettes.
@@TrainMike2013 instead of arguing why don't you just tell me what cross country route has roomettes for less than 1000$? And dates too. Thanks.