Why I Chose an Amtrak Roomette Over a Flight
In January 2025, instead of hopping on a quick one-hour flight from Denver to Salt Lake City, I decided to slow things down and book an overnight Amtrak train. The journey clocked in at 15 hours, and I paid around $400 for a private roomette accommodation — a compact 23-square-foot cabin equipped with two facing seats that convert into two stacked beds at night.
This wasn't my first rodeo with sleeper trains. I had previously completed two other overnight Amtrak rides and several overnight trains across Europe, some of which were twice as long as this particular trip. Going in, I felt confident. I had the experience, the packed bag, and the mindset of a seasoned rail traveler. Yet somehow, I still walked away with four regrets that I'm determined not to repeat on my next journey.
If you're planning an overnight Amtrak trip — especially in a roomette — consider this your insider's guide to avoiding the same pitfalls. These mistakes might seem small in isolation, but together they made a meaningful difference in the quality of my experience aboard the California Zephyr.
Mistake #1: Not Understanding Amtrak's Dining Car Etiquette
One of the most underrated perks of booking a sleeper accommodation on Amtrak is that meals in the dining car are included in your ticket price. That's a genuinely great deal — and one I almost mishandled entirely.
What I didn't know going in is that Amtrak's dining car operates on a communal seating model. Rather than being seated alone or with your travel party, you're often placed with strangers at a four-person table. It's part of the charm of train travel, and many passengers actually enjoy the social aspect. But if you're not expecting it, the experience can feel jarring.
Beyond the seating setup, I also wasn't aware of reservation windows and how quickly certain meal slots fill up. Next time, I'll introduce myself to the dining car attendant early in the journey and lock in my preferred meal times as soon as boarding is complete. Arriving late to inquire about dinner options meant I had fewer choices and less flexibility than I would have liked.
Mistake #2: Skipping the Rest Stop
Overnight Amtrak long-distance trains occasionally make longer station stops — sometimes 20 to 30 minutes — where passengers are permitted to step off the train and stretch their legs. These stops are a golden opportunity that I, foolishly, decided to skip on this trip.
I told myself I was too comfortable in my roomette to bother getting up. That logic made sense at the time, but hours later, as the cabin walls began to feel a little closer than usual and my body craved movement, I deeply regretted not taking advantage of those fresh-air moments. Even five minutes on a train platform can reset your energy and mood dramatically during a long overnight journey.
On future rides, I'll track the scheduled stops in advance using Amtrak's app or the route timetable, and I'll treat every permitted platform stop as a non-negotiable stretch break. Your body will thank you, especially when you're confined to a 23-square-foot space for the better part of a day.
Mistake #3: Misjudging My Sleep Setup
The roomette beds are comfortable enough, but preparation matters more than I anticipated. The berths fold out from the facing seats and are positioned one above the other. The lower bunk is more spacious and accessible, while the upper bunk requires a bit of climbing and offers less headroom.
My mistake was assuming I'd naturally fall asleep with ease given the gentle rocking of the train — something that had worked in my favor on previous trips. This time, I hadn't packed a proper sleep kit. No earplugs, no eye mask, no travel pillow. The train's ambient noise and the occasional bright lights at station stops made drifting off much harder than expected.
Amtrak does provide a pillow and blanket in the roomette, but the quality varies. Bringing your own compact travel pillow and a good sleep mask is a simple upgrade that costs almost nothing and makes a significant difference. If you're a light sleeper, foam earplugs are equally essential.
Mistake #4: Not Maximizing the Scenery Windows
This might sound like the least practical regret on the list, but hear me out. One of the primary reasons to take an Amtrak long-distance train — especially on a route like the California Zephyr — is the scenery. The train cuts through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the American West: the Colorado Rockies, red-rock canyon country, sweeping high-desert vistas.
I spent far too much of my journey staring at a screen or dozing when I should have been pressed against that window with my eyes wide open. By the time we rolled through some of the most breathtaking stretches of the route, the light had faded or I was only half-awake.
Next time, I'll research the route's scenic highlights beforehand and set reminders for the most visually spectacular segments. Many Amtrak routes even include commentary from the train's staff about points of interest along the way — don't tune that out.
Final Thoughts: Would I Take an Amtrak Roomette Again?
Absolutely — without hesitation. Despite these four mistakes, the overnight Amtrak roomette experience remains one of the most memorable and enjoyable ways to travel across the United States. The privacy, the included meals, the unhurried pace, and the stunning landscapes make the $400 price tag feel entirely worthwhile compared to a rushed airport experience.
The beauty of travel is that every trip teaches you something. My Denver-to-Salt Lake City journey taught me to eat early, step off at every stop, pack a sleep kit, and keep my eyes on the window. Armed with those lessons, my next overnight Amtrak ride is going to be considerably better — and I can't wait to book it.