Inside a $500 Amtrak Roomette: 30-Hour Review

A journalist took a 30-hour Amtrak train ride from New York City to Miami in October 2021. The traveler booked a $500 roomette, the most affordable private cabin option. The cabin measured roughly 22.75 square feet and included two beds, a toilet, and basic amenities.

Inside the enclosed space, the traveler found a sliding door, blinds, and clever storage features. The room contained two seats that converted into a lower bed and a pull-down upper bed. The traveler used a hidden toilet and folding sink located within the cabin. The ticket included dinner service in the dining car. Despite the small size, the traveler appreciated the privacy and temperature control and would book the roomette again.

The journey began with a decision to prioritize privacy over a standard seat. For the trip from New York City to Miami, the traveler selected a roomette as the cheapest private cabin available. The cost for the accommodation was $500. Upon entering the cabin, the traveler noted the efficient use of space. The room measured approximately 20 square feet and felt like a tiny hotel room with no wasted area.

Accessing the room required walking along a narrow corridor and crossing three sleeper cars. Inside, the space was enclosed with a sliding door. The layout included two seats and a table. A bed was positioned above the seats that could be pulled down, while the seats themselves also pulled out into a bed. The traveler viewed this as a significant upgrade from sitting in coach, where passengers share space with others.

The roomette was equipped with several features designed for comfort and utility. The traveler was surprised by the variety of lighting options available, noting there were more than what is typically found in economy on a flight. There was also a dial and air conditioning vents that allowed the traveler to control the temperature; the traveler kept the room at approximately 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

Privacy was ensured by a sliding door that locked and curtains for the window. The room also featured clever storage that reminded the traveler of a tiny home:

• A pullout table between the chairs
• Foldout leaves on the table for extra counter space
• A side table that swung open to reveal a hidden toilet

Above the toilet was a folding sink and mirror. Because there was no privacy curtain around the toilet, the traveler was grateful to be traveling solo. Due to booking availability, the traveler had to switch to a different roomette partway through the trip; that specific cabin did not have a toilet, so the traveler used a shared bathroom at the back of the sleeper car instead.

The ticket included dinner service, which was eaten in the dining car. The meal consisted of braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, and a hard roll. While the traveler did not love the meal as it was served, they improved the taste by making a sandwich out of the ingredients.

For sleeping, the traveler chose the top bunk. The available blankets, which were wrapped in plastic, were described as surprisingly soft and comfortable. Although the train movement was a little unsettling, the traveler appreciated a dim, blue light on the wall next to the bunk. This was a favorite feature because it reminded the traveler of a colorful night light at home. Even though the sleep was not perfect, the traveler was glad to have chosen the top bunk for the views in the morning.

Looking out the window provided a welcome distraction from the tight quarters. As the journey neared the full 30 hours, the roomette did begin to feel small. However, the traveler felt the cabin made impressive use of the roughly 20 square feet available.

After completing the trip, the traveler stated they would book the accommodation again. However, for those who require more room to stretch out, the traveler recommends booking the Amtrak bedroom instead of the roomette.