Amtrak Superliner Roomettes: Upstairs or Down?
The last couple of posts seem to have struck a responsive chord. Apparently there is a lot of interest in the differences between the several choices of sleeping car accommodations and the pros and cons for each.
In response to an earlier post about Superliner roomettes, I was asked if I preferred being on the upper or lower level in one of those bi-level rail cars. (There are 10 roomettes on the upper level, four
Well, as is usually the case, there are pros and cons to each choice. But, personally, I prefer being in a roomette on the upper level. For one thing, there is less track noise and no stairs to climb. And I think the additional height gives you a somewhat better view of the passing scenery. Also, there’s no need to close the window curtains at night; your berth is probably 10-plus feet above the platform which means no one at station stops during the night can see into your room.
That said, I also know veteran Amtrak riders who insist on a lower level roomette because they are close to not just one, but three lavatories and the shower. There is also less sway. And, for some of these folks, track noise is music to their ears. (I confess: I love all those different sounds, too!)
More questions?
So….are there no bathrooms (toilets) upstairs? I am travelling with my mom who walks with difficulty and a cane. It sounds like the dining is upstairs and the showers down. What about the toilets?
And if you could clue me in to a travel agent in the SF Bay Area that knows about trains, I’d be grateful to know their name. Thanks.
There is one lavatory on the upper level of a Superliner sleeper, three lavatories and a shower on the lower level. If you will send me an e-mail address, I will put you in touch with a rail-savvy travel agent.
Hi….
In response to an earlier post about Superliner roomettes, I was asked if I preferred being on the upper or lower level in one of those bi-level rail cars. (There are 10 roomettes on the upper level, four below.) Well, as is usually the case, there are pros and cons to each choice. But, personally, I prefer being in a roomette on the upper level.
I agree with your previous inquiries – I insist on the lower level as it is so easy to access the shower first thing in the morning while clean. Its also very nice to access your larger suitcase for the extra coat or socks in the middle of the night & the luggage is stored downstairs. For those with canes its also easier to walk up 1 flight for those fabulous dinners then up & down a hundred times to reach the bathrooms as there’s usually only 1 bathroom upstairs.
Hi! My husband and I have just booked a Coast Starlight trip from San Fran to Tacoma for our 20th anniversary next June. We are assigned room 2. Since we’re going North, any guess as to if that’s going to be a good room for views?
It’s really hard to tell. Sometimes they “turn” the train at the end of a run and sometimes they don’t. If budget permits, I suggest getting two roomettes across the hall from each other. That was neither of you has to climb up into the claustrophobic upper berth, one of you can have some privacy for a nap during the day, and you’ll be able to see out of both sides of the train. Second option: head for the sightseer lounge car if the view is on the other side of the train.
Room 2 is right by the coffee, stairwell, and directly across from the attendant room [utility use]; so there is noise and commotion outside your room. Move if you can.
You make a good point. Funny . . . #2 has always been fine with me. I like chatting with the attendant (fodder for these posts) and the lavatory is just a step away.
I had roomette 2 once, luckily was able to relocate downstairs. Two issues, the bathroom had a problem & there were just too many complaints for the room attendant to handle (very noisy), don’t think she ever got any rest. It is nice to access the extra bottle of water though.
I’m taking the Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles in October. I’m booked in roomette #7. I’m thinking the best side of the car for scenic views would be on the ocean (west) side of the car. When making the reservation on the phone the representative said I could request a room change 2-3 weeks before leaving Seatle.
Your thoughts?
There’s no sure-fire way of knowing which side you’ll be on, because you can’t know whether or not they will have “turned the train” before departing. If I had to bet, though, I’d ask for an even numbered room. South of Seattle, the right side is best since you’ll be running along Puget Sound; good views on the left down through Oregon; and that’s the side to be on as you go through the hairpin curve north of San Luis Obispo. Right side is best (ocean view) for the last couple of hours before dark. If you end up on the other side through any of this, there’s always the lounge car. Have a great trip.
Depends on how the train set is configured. No guarantee as to how the car will be headed. I asked for lower level on my Superliner trip, got one on each side as I’m traveling on two Superliner sets. I was the only one on the lower level, on the Empire Builder. Quiet comfy ride, in my opinion.
I’ve found myself on the lower level a couple of times and there are advantages: you’re within a few feet if not one, but three lavatories and the shower room. And I will admit that I love the extra track noise you get.
Your blog was a long time ago, but here is my two cents worth for anyone else who stumbles in. My brother and I ended up downstairs with a lovely large family traveling one way on the Zephyr. We had a wonderful time with them and my brother described it as adult summer camp. Going the other way, we had many families in the end bedroom who were either terrible parents or had difficult special needs children. I feel either for these families, but it was difficult to sleep any of those nights and I was wishing for the upstairs then for sure.
Yes, unruly (for any reason) kids can be a problem. If possible, I avoid the roomettes on the lower level. Lots of traffic to and from the lavatories and the luggage rack. I usually try to get roomette 5 or 6.
Are you able to select which room you want among those still available when you purchase your ticket (like a seat on a plane? I’m asking both for the roomettes when it comes to being on the first or second floor and the bedrooms in terms of those at the end of the hall (no divider) vs the others (with divider).
Also, which side of the car is the best one in terms of views?
That depends on the route. (Maybe I don’t understand the question.)
I guess the right or left side when facing the front (I could also say starboard or port I suppose).
You cannot select a specific roomette or bedroom if you book on line, but book through Amtrak Reservations (1-800-USA-RAIL) and whoever helps you will do that for you. I personally much prefer roomettes on the upper level of the Superliner sleepers.
I’m planning a trip on the Southwest Chief this summer, how do I ensure that I reserve an upper level roomette? I’d hate to end up on the lower level for this big trip. Thanks!!
David: Book your trip through Amtrak Reservations at 1-800-USA-RAIL and make that request. I’m sure they will accommodate you. My suggestion is that you specifically ask for roomette 3 through 6. Any of those four are neither too close to the lavatory nor to the end of the car with people passing through opening the door into the noisy vestibule. That said, any upper level roomette will be fine. Have a great trip!
One of the benefits is less people downstairs, but again, the showers, toilets, and upstairs people you might hear, as well as track noise and people looking in at stations. While it may seem isolated, the constant use of a toilet, or noise from a multitude of other means could make upstairs the better option. I also personally HATE climbing stairs, once I am in a train, I never go to the bottom levels, and when I am exiting a train, I am almost surprised and baffled why people are sitting on the lower decks in the first place, as if I am some sort of new traveller – I’m not – yet still surprised when I see them.
Thanks for clarifying the upstairs/downstairs question. I got it in the nick of time while making a reservation just now – Ru Freeman
I just found your blog – I loved your book! I’m reading backwards through the blog, & I know this post is a few weeks old, but I wanted to add my two cents about upstairs vs downstairs. Personally, I get annoyed by the constant foot traffic & the increased noise when the doors between cars are opened. Downstairs rooms don’t have this problem. However, you can ameliorate this a bit by choosing a sleeping car that’s furthest from the dining & lounge cars.
There is another advantage to upstairs rooms. The doors to the lavatories can make a racket if they are slammed closed. Upstairs it isn’t a problem as long as you are a few rooms away. Downstairs it can wake you up. I agree with your other observations.