Tips for Booking an Amtrak Superliner Roomette
OK, this could be more than you’ll ever want to know about booking an Amtrak Superliner roomette, but for some reason, most of us who enjoy train travel love these details. And, based on many conversations I’ve had in the past, there will probably be a nugget or two for just about everyone. The main thing to remember is that all of this is just one guy’s opinion.
Superliner Roomettes: Identical But Not Quite Equal
There are 14 roomettes in each Superliner car — numbers 1 through 10 on the upper level and 11 through 14 on the lower level. They’re identical in every respect, but there are pluses and minuses according to where in the sleeper they’re located. For example, if your roomette is on the upper level, you’ll have a somewhat better view, but you could experience a little more sway.
Best Upper Level Rooms
I try to avoid roomettes 1 and 2. They are, respectively, next to and almost across the corridor from the one lavatory on the upper level. There will be a lot of traffic passing your door and the whoosh! of the flushing could be disturbing during the night. I also don’t care for numbers 9 and 10 because they’re at the end of the car and there’s a lot of noise from the vestibule whenever someone opens the door and passes through to the next car. That leaves numbers 3 through 8 as the best choice of the upper level rooms.
What About the Lower Level?
In a roomette on the lower level, you’ll obviously get more track noise. Personally, I love all those sounds, although not enough to choose a roomette down there. Lower level rooms are also closer to two lavatories and the shower room, as well as the luggage rack. This can be a positive, but it can also mean more noise, as you’ll be hearing foot traffic up and down the stairs when upper-level passengers access these areas.
Another factor to consider: It’s delightful to keep your window curtains open when you go to bed, but if you’re on the lower level, when the train stops at stations during the night, people walking along the platform outside will be able to see you asleep in your berth. In an upper level roomette, that’s not a problem, of course.
Superliner Roomette Amenities
There is one electrical outlet in each roomette; a surge protector is not necessary, but I use one anyway. There is no window for the upper berths in Superliner roomettes and there’s also not a lot of headroom. As a consequence, I find them claustrophobic.
Finally, because there are 10 roomettes on the upper level and only one lavatory, I usually go down to the lower level to use the facilities. The lavatory in the far corner next to the shower gets the least use and is, therefore, usually the cleanest. Pro tip: if, like me, you invariably have to use those facilities in the middle of the night, it’s a huge hassle having to get dressed in your roomette. I sleep in a comfortable pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt and when Nature calls, I just slip on a pair of flip flops or house slipper and off I go. (You’ll thank me for that suggestion!)
Want more Amtrak travel trips? Pick up All Aboard: The Complete North American Train Travel Guide for all the information you need to plan the perfect train trip.
I travel coast to coast at least two times a year, but I always come back to your page to refresh myself on which Roomette is where.
Thank you for keeping your site active.
I am female, travel alone. Will they assign me a roommate in my roomette ?
If they do, will they at least assign a roommate of same gender ?
No they don’t. It’s your room. I traveled alone on a viewliner several years ago.
Hi, Kathy, I had the same question the first time I wanted a roomette. I thought of all those movies from the 1930’s with upper and lower births. Happily, the answer is you’ll be alone in that compartment. In fact, even though many travel in twosomes, I can’t imagine how they do it.
“Those movies from the 30s”. Oh, that is so funny! That’s exactly what I envisioned the first time I traveled in a Roomette! Thank you for giving me a smile!
If I get 2 roomettes as suggested, that means my husband and I are totally separate, right?
Hello jim I’m new to amtrak, looking at taking california zephyr from chicago, so thinking about roomette..have to say i have seen some.posts about how sleep is so terrible the first night with rough tracks through Nebraska that I’m debating on flying to denver and heading west to Emeryville, but a part of me says just leave from.chicago…can you give any advice as far how to handle it when trying to sleep in a roomette when tracks are rough and do you think roomette #5 would be good?..thanks in advance!
Jim, thanks a lot for the info on roomettes. I will be doing the Empire Builder eastbound in march 2024 and got room 6. It seems to be a good assignment.
It is. You’re in the middle of the car (more or less).
So if I call the Amtrak reservations line, I can just request a certain room? Well, one on the upper level anyways.
Yes … absolutely … as long as there is one available.
If you’re assigned a roomette when you book and for the reasons you stated above, you decide you want a different one, Will Amtrak let you switch?
Hi Ken … thanks for the comment/question. If you’re en route, and assuming these’s an empty roomette available, the car attendant will usually make a switch for you. Before your departure, call Amtrak reservations and ask them to do it.
I agree with everything you said. However, I’d add that one advantage of the lower level roomettes is that they are close to the shower so you don’t get your shower stuff all around only to find out that someone else is in there. That said, I still prefer the upper level rooms for the reasons you stated.