Amtrak Sleeper Cars: Sleep All Day?

If you're planning a long-distance journey on Amtrak, you might be wondering about the possibility of sleeping in a coach seat or whether you should book a sleeper car. The good news is that Amtrak offers a range of sleeping accommodations, including sleeper cars with various amenities to ensure a good night's sleep. Sleeper cars are available on overnight and long-distance trains, providing roomettes and bedrooms with restrooms, showers, electrical outlets, climate controls, reading lights, and more. So, can you sleep all day in an Amtrak sleeper car? The answer is yes! With the comfortable accommodations and amenities provided by Amtrak, you can definitely sleep, relax, and arrive at your destination well-rested.

Sleeper car vs coach seat

Sleeping on an Amtrak train can be a unique experience, and the type of accommodation you choose will determine how restful your journey is. There are two main options: a sleeper car or a coach seat.

Sleeper Car

The sleeper car is a private room option, perfect for those seeking privacy, space, and added comfort, especially when travelling overnight or on long-distance trains. The sleeper car comes in various configurations, including the Superliner and Viewliner. The Superliner is a two-level train car, while the Viewliner is a single-level train with higher ceilings, toilets, sinks, and bedrooms. Sleeper cars also include meals, free coffee, and water.

The roomette option features two comfortable seats that can be transformed into upper and lower beds. It includes a big picture window, bedding, pillows, towels, and access to a restroom and shower. The bedroom option provides twice the space, with a sofa and a separate chair that can be converted into beds. It also includes a picture window, bedding, and an in-room sink, restroom, and shower. For families, there is the Family Room option, which can accommodate two adults and two children, with ample space and seating that can be transformed into beds.

Coach Seat

If you opt for a coach seat, there are still ways to make your journey comfortable and restful. Firstly, choose the right seat by opting for the designated Quiet Car, which will have fewer disruptions. A window seat is also preferable as it provides a wall to lean against. Avoid seats near the bathroom, as they tend to be noisier and busier. Bringing a neck pillow, wearing comfortable clothing, and packing earplugs and an eye mask can also enhance your comfort.

Travelling with a friend can ensure you have company and save costs through Amtrak's Share Fares offering. Additionally, bringing your own snacks and water, stretching before sleeping, and relaxing with a good book or podcast can make your journey more enjoyable.

While the sleeper car offers more privacy and amenities, the coach seat provides a more affordable option with reasonable comfort for long-distance travel.

Sleeper car room options

Amtrak sleeper cars are available on overnight and long-distance trains and come in two types: Superliner (two-level train car) and Viewliner (one-level train car). The latter has the added benefit of toilets and sinks in the roomettes and bedrooms, as well as higher ceilings.

There are four sleeping car room options: roomette, bedroom, bedroom suite, and accessible bedroom. A roomette features two seats during the day that convert into upper and lower beds at night. Each room includes a big picture window, bedding, pillows, towels, and linens, as well as access to a restroom and shower in your car. Bedrooms are larger, offering a sink, vanity, and enclosed toilet and shower facilities. Bedroom suites are made up of two adjoining bedrooms, providing double the amenities of a single bedroom, and are ideal for families or groups of four. Accessible bedrooms are located on the entry level of the train, offering ample space for a wheelchair, and include an accessible in-room sink.

Sleeper car amenities

Roomette Amenities:

• Two comfortable seats by day that convert into upper and lower beds by night.
• A big picture window.
• Upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, and linens.
• Access to a restroom and shower in your car.
• A dedicated First Class attendant who will provide turndown service, assist with meals, and help with luggage.
• Complimentary lounge access at major stations, priority boarding, and complimentary meals onboard.
• Electrical outlets, climate controls, reading lights, a small closet, and a fold-down table.

Bedroom Amenities:

• Twice the space of a roomette, featuring a sofa and separate chair by day that convert into upper and lower beds by night.
• A big picture window.
• Upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, and linens.
• An in-room sink, restroom, and shower.
• A dedicated First Class attendant who will provide turndown service, assist with meals, and help with luggage.
• Complimentary lounge access at major stations, priority boarding, and complimentary meals onboard.
• A private sink and vanity.

Additional Amenities for Families and Customers with Disabilities:

• Family bedrooms span the width of the train car and offer a cozy option for a family of four.
• Each family bedroom comes with two sets of bunk-style beds, a sofa, and two reclining seats.
• Accessible bedrooms are located on the entry level of the train and offer ample space for a wheelchair.
• Each accessible room features seating by day that converts into upper and lower beds by night, a big picture window, upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, and linens, and an accessible in-room sink.

General Sleeper Car Amenities:

• Meals are included when traveling in a sleeper car, with a menu offering a wide variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Lounge access at major stations, with comfortable seating, refreshments, and access to a dedicated agent.
• Sleeper car passengers also receive hotel-like amenities, including fresh linen and towel service and complimentary bottled water.

Sleeper car vs first class

Amtrak sleeper cars are available on overnight and long-distance trains, and they offer a unique travel experience. The main difference between a sleeper car and first class is the level of privacy and comfort. Sleeper cars provide a private space for passengers to rest and relax, while first-class offers more spacious seating but without the option to convert into a bed. Sleeper cars are ideal for those seeking a comfortable night's sleep during their journey.

Privacy and Comfort:

Sleeper cars offer private rooms, providing passengers with a quiet and comfortable space to sleep during their journey. First-class seats, on the other hand, do not convert into beds and are more akin to spacious airline seats. Sleeper cars are ideal for overnight or long-distance travel, while first-class may be preferable for shorter trips.

Amenities:

Sleeper cars typically include amenities such as restrooms, shower rooms, complimentary meals, coffee, and water. Some sleeper cars even offer family rooms, accessible bedrooms, and suites. First-class passengers also have access to dedicated attendants, complimentary meals, and priority boarding. However, sleeper cars tend to have more amenities geared towards a comfortable sleeping experience.

Pricing:

The cost of a sleeper car can vary depending on the route, the number of passengers, and the time of booking. Generally, sleeper cars are more expensive than first-class tickets. Booking in advance can help secure better fares for sleeper cars, and discounts are sometimes available for seniors or veterans on select routes.

Availability:

Sleeper cars are only available on certain routes, typically those that are overnight or long-distance. First-class, on the other hand, is usually available on more trains and routes. Sleeper cars are often found on cross-country or scenic routes, such as the California Zephyr or the Empire Builder.

Experience:

Travelling in a sleeper car offers a unique and memorable experience. The gentle rocking of the train and the unfamiliar sounds can make for an enjoyable and restful sleep. Sleeper cars also provide a sense of privacy and security, allowing passengers to relax and unwind during their journey.

Sleeper car routes

Amtrak sleeper cars are available only on overnight and long-distance trains. These sleeper cars contain roomettes and bedrooms, and meals, free coffee, and water are included in the purchase of an overnight sleeping option. There are two types of sleeper cars: Superliner (two-level train car) and Viewliner (one-level train car). The main difference is that Viewliner roomettes and bedrooms have toilets, sinks, and higher ceilings.

• The Auto Train travels directly between Virginia and Florida. Tickets are only available to those travelling with a vehicle.
• The California Zephyr travels between Northern California and Chicago via the Rocky Mountains.
• The Capitol Limited travels between Washington D.C. and Chicago.
• The Cardinal travels between New York City and Chicago through Washington D.C.
• The Coast Starlight is a scenic route on the West Coast that travels between Los Angeles and Seattle.
• The Crescent travels between New Orleans and New York City through Atlanta and North Carolina.
• The Empire Builder is one of the great West routes, travelling between Chicago and either Seattle or Portland, with a stop at Glacier National Park.
• The Lake Shore Limited travels between Chicago and either Boston or New York City, with views of the Great Lakes.
• The Palmetto travels between New York City and Savannah, Georgia, on the East Coast.
• The Silver Meteor and Silver Star are Florida trains that travel between New York City and Miami.
• The Southwest Chief offers beautiful scenery and services between Chicago and Los Angeles via New Mexico and Arizona.
• The Sunset Limited trains travel between Los Angeles and New Orleans three times per week in each direction.
• The Texas Eagle trains travel between Chicago and Los Angeles via Texas.

Frequently asked questions