Superliner Bedrooms: Are They Worth the Extra Money?
There are five standard bedrooms in an Amtrak Superliner sleeping car, all on the upper level. They’re quite a bit bigger than a roomette, and that’s nice, but unless the Amtrak computer comes up with a bargain price for one, I really don’t think these bedrooms are worth the extra money.
Even at premium prices, however, these bedrooms are still very popular and if you want one, especially on the more popular trains, book well in advance. I just checked several random dates in May, July and September for both the California Zephyr (Chicago-Bay Area) and the Southwest Chief (Chicago-Los Angeles) and almost half the time, the bedrooms were already sold out.
There’s a long upholstered sofa-type seat and a chair in each bedroom, plus a wash basin and a phone booth-sized lavatory which doubles as a shower. As in the photo, the large seat flattens out into a bed which, as the two pillows imply, accommodates two adults. As you can see, I hope, it’s not as wide as a standard double bed … more like a twin-and-a-half. Two people? Sleeping comfortably? I don’t think so. That leaves the upper berth, which is pretty much like the one in the roomette: no window, but perhaps a bit more headroom.
Given the choice, ask for Bedroom A when booking because there’s a solid wall between it and Bedroom B. Partitions between the other four bedrooms are removable, permitting each pair of rooms to convert into “suites”. It was a good idea in theory, but with those flimsy partitions firmly in place, anything but a very subdued conversation can be overheard by whoever is in the adjacent bedroom.
However, if you’re traveling as a couple, here’s what I consider to be a better alternative to one of these bedrooms: reserve two roomettes across the corridor from each other. Yes, you’ll have to go “down the hall” to the lavatory, but you’ll each have privacy whenever you want it; you’ll have a view out of both sides of the train, and neither of you will have to climb up into that damn upper berth. Finally, depending on the whim of the Amtrak computer, you could save some money … maybe even a lot of money. On one of those dates I was checking for fares, two roomettes on the Zephyr were $600 cheaper than one of the bedrooms.
I should note here that there are two additional bedrooms on the lower level of every Superliner sleeping car. One is a “family bedroom”, which has two adult-size berths and two smaller ones for children. The other is a so-called “accessible” bedroom which will accommodate someone in a wheelchair plus a companion. The family bedroom can be reserved anytime in advance; the handicapped bedroom becomes available to the general public 48 hours before that specific train is scheduled to depart. But you gotta ask.
And finally: in many of the combination lavatory/showers that come en suite with the five standard bedrooms, there are two buttons—one flushes the toilet, the other starts the shower. Be sure you push the right one.
Hello, I am travelling from San Francisco to Washington D.C via seattle and Chicago in June 2024.
I have a roomette booked for the 10 day trip, but was wondering if it is worth booking a bedroom.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
James
I’m getting dotty in my old age. Did I respond to your question? Or was it a similar question from another reader?
Hi there, am travelling on California Zepher from Emeryville to Chicago on 05/31/23. Have been assigned a roomette in car 631, room 13. Would you know if this is bottom or top floor of the train? Thanks
I was recently (8/30/2023) aboard Empire Builder car 730, roomette 13. it was downstairs next to the Family Bedroom. A roomette downstairs is a first for me. I prefer the upstairs rooms, but the “upside” of this was the smooth, quiet ride.
Jim, we will be traveling on August 2 -11 on a 10 day Amtrak Vacations from Fort Worth Tx to Glacier National Park. This is our first trip on a train. We will be on the Texas Eagle from Fort Worth to Chicago and from Chicago to Glacier on the Empire Builder. We have a bedroom and on the Texas Eagle we are assigned to Room E (both ways) and on the Empire Builder we are assigned to Room B going and Room C returning. Are these rooms okay or do I need to request a change? Also do you know if there is any difference in the sizes of the restrooms for these rooms? Thanks
Sorry for the delay in responding. Both bedrooms are identical. Rest rooms are tight and awkward because it’s also a lavatory with a commode to work around. When my wife and I travel, we get two roomettes across the aisle from each other. No toilet, but we each have privacy if we want it, neither of us has to climb up into that small upper berth, and we can see out of both sides of the train. We much prefer that arrangement to the big bedroom. Now . . .doesn’t that make you feel better? Don’t worry . . . you’ll have a fine time.
Hi….
There are five standard bedrooms in an Amtrak Superliner sleeping car, all on the upper level. They’re quite a bit bigger than a roomette, and that’s nice, but unless the Amtrak computer comes up with a bargain price for one, I really don’t think these bedrooms are worth the extra money.
Yup, I agree.
Hi…
They’re quite a bit bigger than a roomette, and that’s nice, but unless the Amtrak computer comes up with a bargain price for one, I really don’t think these bedrooms are worth the extra money. Even at premium prices, however, these bedrooms are still very popular and if you want one, especially on the more popular trains, book well in advance.
I have been travelling by Amtrak several times a year for about half-a-dozen years and just now found your blog. Very useful! Some great ideas that had not occurred to me before! (Particularly the one about two roomettes instead of one bedroom for my husband and myself.)
Welcome aboard! Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.
I just found your blog and love it. My husband and I are pondering the Auto Train, so we could take our car to Florida. We’re in our 50s and I have mobility issues, so I would have trouble getting into and out of the upper berth. My husband is 5’10” and 225 lbs, but he can climb a ladder. Will he actually be able to fit in the upper bunk well enough to turn and shift in his sleep? Right now, the 2 roomettes would be more expensive than the single bedroom. Thank you for your informative blog.
Thanks for the note.
Well, I can tell you that 20-plus years ago I spent one night in the upper berth on a Superliner sleeping car and that was enough for me. I don’t know how old or how agile your husband is, but climbing up there os only half tjhe problem … at least for me. I found it claustrophobic. I could only lie on my left side facing into the little room.
I’m not sure which post you read, but I would recommend that you opt for two roomettes located across the corridor from each other; i.e.3 and 4 or 5 and 6. That will give either of you privacy should one of you want to take a nap during the journey; no one has to crawl up into thw upper bunk; and you’ll be able to see out of both sides of the train.
I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me again if you have more questions or concerns,
Jim
Can me and my wife get a room to ourselves
Yes, of course. However, it depends whether or not the train has sleeping cars. Call Amtrak, speak to an agent, tell him or her where you want to go.
Hi Jim my sister and I are traveling from australia next november 2020 we would like to catch the cal zephyr from chicago to winnemucca some concerns are the 2 large 20kg bags each,and the size of the roomettes,,MY question is would we be able to book our rooms at the station in chicago and pick which room suits us,,
No! The Zephyr is probably Amtrak’s most popular train and you need to book well in advance. It sounds like you’re planning to book two roomettes, which is the way my wife and I travel. The primary benefits are (1) no one has to climb up into the upper berth and (2) you have a window on both sides of the train. (Be sure to book one odd-numbered roomette ad on e with an even number; ie: 3 and 4 or 5 and 6. There is a large storage area on the lower floor of the Superloiner sleepers
Just found your blog! My two sons and a friend (age 30) are trying to experience a cross country train ride. Sacramento area to Newark New Jersey. We can’t find any pricing at Amtrak. They are very flexible. Want to stay 3-4 in NJ before returning. Can you or an associate help? Boys want to travel in summer or good golf weather time. Need to take golf equipment. Can you also recommend most cost effective comfort. Thank you, MOM
Welcome aboard. We’ve arranged a consultation.
This is a great Blog I saw your name on Amtrak Fans. I just booked a trip from Chicago to Sacramento in June. I decided on a sleeper- I have on Train 5 Bedroom D Car 0532 and Train 6 Bedroom E Car 0633. As this is only my 2nd time on Amtrak (first time was a disaster as I tried to do it myself and didn’t do the research..) Are these pretty good rooms..Thanks…
You didn’t say whether or not you will be traveling alone or with a companion. If alone, you could save a substantial amount of money by opting for a roomette. The bedrooms are larger and there is an en suite combination lavatory/shower. I usually travel alone and opt for a roomette. The en suite toilet is handy, but I would never use the shower since the community shower/changing room is really spacious. I hope this helps.
I’m glad to hear you say that 2 roomettes are better than 1 bedroom for a couple traveling together. This worked out great for us on the Phila to Florida Silver Meteor. This June we will get 2 roomettes on the Sunset Limited from New Orleans to AZ. I know these will NOT have a sink or toilet. Is there anything else we should know before we book the trip?
My only suggestion would be to specify when booking that you be across the hall from one another. 3 and 4 would be best; 4 and 5 good, too. Have a great trip!
We are planning to take the auto train from lorton Virginia to Sanford florida for a family wedding end of January
Other than family bedroom any other options you suggest
It will be my wife and 1 and my 7 yr old boy
When my wife and I travel, we get two roomettes across from each other. We prefer that to the big bedroom.
My husband and I want to travel from Niagara Falls to Denver end of September 2019. We are from SA and need to know how much a ticket will be for us when we have in a room with shower and toilet. Thanks
It’s to soon to tell what the fares will be, but I would recommend that you contact Ted or Sylvia Blishak at Train Travel Consulting. They are the experts and I always refer people with any kind of complicated rail itinerary to them. Their web site is http://www.traintravelconsulting.com
I am scheduled to take the auto train to FL in Jan, returning in Feb.
I have been reading the comment regarding room A , and also How B has a removable wall with C.
We were assigned room B, and I was glad as it is late in the season heading there.
Need I be concerned that the wall between the rooms might open on its own?
Also, I will need to sleep in the upper bed. My mom will have the lower.
Are their stairs for that?
I thnk I answered you inan earlier email, but I am having computer problems and am not sure, so will answer you again. You do not need to worry that the wall between the rooms will open accidentally. That will not be a problem. You will have a small ladder to help you get into the upper bed. Have a wonderful trip1
Make sure to get Bedroom A. On the rocky Capitol Limited; the door will slide open while you’re trying to sleep exposing yourself to complete strangers. Luckily, we were a family.
Are you referring to the partition between B and C? If so, that’s a first. I’ve never heard of that happening before. It was clearly a malfunction and I assume you reported it to the car attendant.
Jim I have a client who has booked the Calif Zephyr to Capitol Limited to DC and has a bedroom for both trains. On the first segment Amtrak assigns the room and it is a roll of the dice however in all the posts on your site and others there is mixed reviews of room A with the biggest complaint being the bathroom is MUCH smaller then other rooms. The plus is it is a wall and not a partition. This client wants to be at the end or the corner so he doesnt have anyone on one side of him but he also wants room. The other thought I was curious about is being at the end someone mentioned about the door to the next car is there so there is potential noise with it being opened and closed often. They were assigned D and trying to find a superliner floorplan for the upper deck. Also on the Capitol there is no chef as they put it so meal service is cold and via cart. Any feedback on this segment that will enhance their comfort? They can get a good hot meal while layover in Chicago but cold breakfast. Any and all advice and suggestions would be appreciated. I want to disclose as much as possible in advance to them.
It’s a trade-off, all right. Yes, the lavatory on Bedroom A is smaller, the reason being the corridor changes direction right outside that room, from the side of the car to the middle. Balanced against that is the partition between rooms D and E. A lot depends on who’s in E. If courteous and thoughtful, great. If not, can be annoying. It’s a crap shoot, really.
What would a roomette cost on Amtrack going from Denver to NYC
I cannot find this on ANY Amtrack website! Thank you
Cost depends on when you travel. Email me your travel dates and I’ll get you some costs.
Sorry this took so long, a lot of family stuff going on.
We want to travel in mid-September. From Denver to Norfolk.
Then from Norfolk to Jacksonville
Then Jacksonville to Denver Thank you!
Sorry … what’s your question?
Dixie is following up on your previous post telling her to give you her travel dates, so you will look up prices for her. (I wonder why she can’t simply use amtrak.com and search for them herself…)
-m
Truthfully, I don’t think I did. I may have offered suggestions as to routing or accommodations, but not to look up fares. Let’s wait until I hear from here and see what it is she needs. I’ll help if I can.
I got a room for myself iam a senior iam wondering if I have a lower bed I cannot climbed to upper bed
If you are going to be alone in the room–whether or not it’s a roomette or a bedroom–your seats convert to berth so you will not need to climb into an upper berth. Have a great trip.
Try this site: http://www.biketrain.net/amsnag/amSnag.php it will give you a pretty good idea of fares and upgrades.
I am writing to contribute insight on the mobility-limited (handicapped) bedroom versus the Superliner room A for a person wearing a leg cast. I took the Capitol Limited from DC to Chicago, and then the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Albuquerque. Both trains are equipped with “Superliner” sleeping car equipment. I could not put any weight on the leg with the cast and used a hands-free crutch (the iWalk 2.0). On the first leg of the trip, I was traveling alone so also used a walker. On the return, my husband travelled with me and I did not bring the walker. I had the mobility-limited room both ways on the Southwest Chief, but only one way (first leg, traveling alone) on the Capitol Limited. The limited mobility room is on the bottom floor of the car and has a much smaller window than either the roomettes or the regular bedrooms, which was disappointing. The beds are shorter than the beds in the regular bedroom (not a problem for me at 5’4″, but uncomfortable for my 6′ husband). The limited mobility room has only two seats, one facing forward (direction of travel) and the other backwards (so when traveling alone, I had my choice of which way to sit, though to see out both windows at the same time, it was necessary to sit backwards). I requested additional pillows and was able to prop up/elevate my leg on the second seat in the limited mobility room, but when my husband was with me on the return trip this was harder to do since he also had to sit in that second seat. The floor in the limited mobility room is completely flat, which made navigating it on my crutch and walker very easy. There is a lot of floor space, since it is designed to accommodate someone using a wheelchair. I was able to set up the walker in the middle of the room when traveling unaccompanied and use it to transfer from the seat/bed to the bathroom area without having to strap on my cast (about 3-4 “hops”). There is only a curtain to separate the toilet from the rest of the limited mobility room, which was fine when traveling alone and fine for me and my husband, but might be less desirable if your companion is not a close family member. There is another bathroom right outside this cabin that a non-limited-mobility companion could use if more privacy is desired. The limited mobility room extends the entire width of the car, so has a window on both sides of the room: one next to the chair/bed, and one in the bathroom area (but again, smaller than the windows in the other sleeping rooms). The car attendants took my dining order and brought meals to me in the room when I was traveling alone, but the tray table was broken in the Capitol Limited limited mobility room (it had pulled away from the wall and slanted downwards), which made it challenging to eat on that table. I propped it up with my cast to even it out. On the return trip, I ventured to the dining car which was upstairs and a couple of cars away. I think the narrow hallways would be difficult to navigate with traditional crutches under each arm, but with my hands-free knee crutch, I was able to manage by resting a hand on each side of the narrow corridors for stability when the train was moving. Those using a walker would not be able to get up the stairs, as they are extremely narrow. Turning now to the regular bedroom, it is upstairs so you have to be able to get upstairs for this to even be an option. The regular Superliner bedroom has a long sofa (and so a longer bed), plus an extra seat, so there is more seating but far less floor space. We were in Bedroom A, which I now know was not a good choice, as the space was too tight to allow me to wear the crutch when trying to get into the bathroom. Possibly one of the other bedrooms that didn’t have such a tight turn into the bathroom would have worked better. There is a door frame that you have to step over (in my case, my husband helped me swing my torso onto the toilet from outside the bathroom, and then I would pull my legs in and close the door). So if you have a leg cast and are in one of the regular bedrooms, ask for a room other than Room A. In all rooms, I wished I could have moved the tray table up higher, as its placement meant it rested on my cast (or was pushed up by my cast) when my leg was propped up. My bottom line opinion is that the limited mobility room was an excellent choice despite the small windows (sightseeing was not my motivation for the trip), and quite manageable with or without a companion. Suggestions: They should add a “doorbell” that lights up (like fire alarms in hotels that flash for hearing-impaired people) as sometimes I could not hear the attendants knocking on my door when I was wearing headphones while watching movies on my computer.
Very helpful information. Thanks.
thank you. I have two accessible rooms booked for January. i am in a wheelchair and travelling companion needs a walker. I feel much better now that I Know what to
expect.
Have a great trip!
Hi Jim, great blog and really informative. We are a party of six adults, traveling on a day trip on the Zephyr from Denver to Salt Lake. Would a bedroom suite give us room to hang out for the day? Or is there a better configuration for us? FYI, we’ll be on our way to a ski vacation, so will have a fair amount of luggage. Thanks very much!
I’d say, yes, buy two bedrooms–adjoining bedrooms–and open them up into a suite. That would be fun! And there would be plenty of room for six adults since you won’t be having the berths made up since the train is due into SLC at 11:00 p.m. The question–and you should check with Amtrak Customer Service to clarify the issue–would be whether or not all six of you would have your dining car meals included. My guess would be yes, but it would be a good idea to find out for sure before you leave. Gee … sounds like fun! Re: luggage, there is a large luggage rack on the lower level of ever Superliner and between that and the two bedrooms, you should have room for your nags ad gear. Also between Denver and SLC you can check some of your stuff and it will travel in the baggage car. Just get to the station in Denver at least an hour ahead of departure to arrange it.
Hi Jim – An Amtrak agent just told me it would require a fare increase to make any change in my westbound Empire Builder bedroom assignment (E) in late March. She also said there was no way to know which direction the main bench would face, in direction of travel or opposite, as the cars don’t always get put in the consist the same way. When I was on the Capitol Limited, Bedroom E faced backward, which I want to avoid.
I’m used to VIA Rail agents on the phone making it easy to switch cars and room assignments after booking online. Please will you explain Amtrak’s policy on this, as I could not find the answer in your excellent book? Thank you. MG
Hi, Megan. There really isn’t a foolproof way to know which side of the train the bedrooms will be on because they don’t always “turn the train” at the terminus of a route. In my experience, I haven’t had a problem with a res agent switching rooms assuming they have some available. For instance on a recent trip the computer gave me roomette #9 in a Superliner sleeper. That’s right next to the door at the end of the car and you get a lot of noise there when people en route to the dining car open the door to the vestibule. A quick phone call to Amtrak Reservations got me moved to another car, but to #5 right in the middle of the row of roomettes. It was one car farther from the diner, but a trade-off I was happy to make.
Thank you Jim! I’ll keep calling until I get an agent who is more helpful.
Thank you again Jim – It worked! A friendly agent switched me from room E to A on both the Capitol Limited and the Empire Builder, WB, with no additional fare. This trip goes on to Amtrak’s Cascades, Seattle to Vancouver, then VIA Rail’s Canadian to Toronto. Thanks to advice in your book, I’m in the F bedroom on VIA#2. Will be interesting to contrast Amtrak and VIA service. Only the fantastic sales this week made such a great trip possible, much less the luxury of a bedroom for 2 the whole way, just for me!
We are a family of 4 (2 yo and infant) and have reserved a superliner bedroom. 2 yo with sleep with a parent on bottom bed and we are hoping there is enough footprint left to put a small infant travel bed somewhere on the floor. Do you think there is enough floor space to accomodate some kind of crib?
Also, we are traveling with another family with the same demographics as ours, would there be an advantage to trying to get adjoining rooms?
Any tips are welcome! Thank you!
Easy answer first: Sure, work with Amtrak Reservations to see if you can get adjoining bedrooms. It will probably give you a bit more moving-around room.
I think you can make it work in the bedroom, but it will be crowded and awkward. Leave all your luggage in the storage area snd take only what you’ll need for the overnight to the bedroom.
Thoughts:
1. Look into the Family Bedroom. There is one in each Superliner sleeper and each has berths for two adults and two small kids. You can probably secure the little one’s crib onto one of the small berths.
2. Consider two roomettes as an alternative to thew one bedroom … ideally across the hall from each other. They each convert to an upper and lower berths at night. There is no en suite toilet, but that shouldn’t be the deciding factor anyway. You could save some money, too.
Boy! This is a tough one. Best bet, it seems to me, would be the Family Bedroom. Again, there’s no toilet in the room, but they are on the lower level and there are three lavatories and a shower room there within a few feet.
I hope this helps. Send me an email and let me know what you decide and how it all works out.
Jim, I found this information so important. So happy I found you and this great post!!
Delighted to be of help! Appreciate the feedback very much.
Another question. As someone who has never been in a Superliner Bedroom, are they all the same in size and features or is the one I want, Room A different than the others? Obviously partitions separate the B,C, D, and E rooms.
The only difference is that Bedroom A is closest to the door at the end of the car, so you will be a little more aware of people moving between cars. That room is slightly smaller than the others with one corner of the room closest to the vestibule cut off to permit passenger somewhat easier turn that corner a bit easier before opening the vestibule door. I would guess the loss of space to Bedroom A to be nor more than a couple of square feet. It’s hard to describe, but a Superliner floorpan will make it clear immediately. The little bit of area lost in no way affects the functionality of the room.
Thank you thank you thank you for your advice! I had booked the Amtrak Superliner Bedroom and got room E. I read your article and immediately called them back and got Room A. I feel better with a solid wall than a partition.
Happy to help. Have a great trip.
Hi – can you provide an estimated cost for the Superliner and Viewliner Roomettes?
Sorry, I really can’t. The prices vary quite a lot depending on which train, the time of year, and how many of the bedrooms and roomettes have already been sold. Best bet is to go to the Amtrak website and plug in your likely dates. Then, if your schedule is flexible, check a few dates on either side. You could find cheaper fares if departing in the middle of the week.