I've spent 128 hours on overnight Amtrak trains. These are the 8 biggest mistakes I've made. — Business Insider

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

I've spent 128 hours on overnight Amtrak trains. These are the 8 biggest mistakes I've made. — Business Insider | AIPROPX

Business Insider's reporter has spent over 120 hours on overnight Amtrak trains. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Overnight Amtrak train travel can be the journey of a lifetime if you can avoid common mistakes.

After spending 128 hours traveling 5,000 miles on overnight Amtrak trains, I have some regrets.

I've forgotten to check for WiFi access, slept in the wrong bunk, and overlooked lounge access.

I've made far more than eight mistakes in the 128 hours I've spent on overnight Amtrak trains. These are just the biggest ones.

It all started in October 2021, when I took two 30-hour Amtrak rides between Miami and NYC. My next Amtrak sleeper journey was in January 2025, when I traveled 15 hours from Denver to Salt Lake City. Most recently, in February 2026, I took Amtrak's longest train from Chicago to Emeryville, California, in 53 hours.

Looking back on those trips, I've narrowed down my many mistakes to the ones anyone taking their first overnight Amtrak ride can learn from.

I should have joined Amtrak's rewards program when I booked my first trip.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After my first overnight Amtrak trip , I learned that the train line has a loyalty program that awards passengers two points per $1 spent. Points may be used for tickets, hotels, shopping, and dining, and it's free to join.

If I'd signed up, I would have earned 3,000 points toward my next Amtrak adventure. I missed out that time, but I joined the program after my Denver to Salt Lake City journey and have since accumulated nearly 7,000 points.

I also didn't realize that my ticket included complimentary lounge access.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I booked my first overnight Amtrak ride, I didn't check if my ticket included access to the Metropolitan Lounge at NYC's Penn Station, where I departed.

Available at select Amtrak stations, the Metropolitan Lounge is a quiet waiting area that's free for Amtrak customers in first class and sleeper cabins. It has comfortable seats, free snacks, and drinks.

I missed the opportunity to take advantage of this perk on my first overnight trip, but I've since made use of the lounges in NYC, Washington, DC, and Chicago, for overnight and first-class trips.

Another mistake I've made on extra-long rides is not upgrading to the most comfortable space available.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Amtrak sleeper trains have a variety of accommodations, from regular seats to private rooms.

I traveled from NYC to Miami in a $500 roomette , a 20-square-foot enclosed private space with a foldout table, two chairs that fold out into beds, and an additional bed that pulls down from the ceiling.

On my way back to NYC, I spent 30 hours in the next level up, a bedroom accommodation . It cost $1,000 for twice as much space as the roomette, with a private bathroom.

After these rides, I thought the roomette felt cramped and realized that spending twice as much for double the space in the bedroom was worth it.

Since my 2025 ride was only 15 hours long, I didn't regret booking a roomette for $400. But when I booked my 53-hour Amtrak trip in 2026, I splurged on a bedroom accommodation for $2,200 and was happy with my choice.

Sleeping in the top bunk as a first-timer was a mistake.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I knew opting for the top bunk on my first overnight Amtrak ride was a mistake before I fell asleep. I wasn't used to how bumpy trains can be for long periods, and I found the ride felt even shakier up top.

I wouldn't recommend the top bunk to newbies. But now that I'm used to the rumbly rails, I enjoy sleeping up there.

I've forgotten key items that would have made my trips more comfortable, like motion sickness medicine, flip flops, and snacks.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Unfortunately, I felt sick for most of my first overnight train ride, so I've learned that motion sickness medicine is a must-have on my Amtrak packing list.

I also won't forget snacks. Although Amtrak sleeper tickets include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I regretted not bringing my own food to tide me over between meals on that first trip.

On the second ride, when I had a bedroom with a full bathroom, I didn't use the shower because I hadn't thought to bring waterproof shoes to protect my feet. So the next time I booked a bedroom in 2026, I was sure to pack a pair of Crocs.

I've also wasted luggage space on items I didn't end up using, like toiletries and noisy activities.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

While I'm glad I had shower shoes on my 2026 trip, I should have left my towel and toiletries at home because the train provided both.

I also regretted packing my ukulele and drumsticks. I'm a musician and thought it would be a good way to pass the time on the 53-hour journey, but once I was on board, I realized they'd be too loud to play without disturbing other travelers.

I've boarded overnight trains without checking whether they had WiFi.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My first two overnight Amtrak rides between NYC and Miami had onboard WiFi. So when I got to my Amtrak train in Denver for my ride to Salt Lake City, I was surprised to find this route didn't include it.

In hindsight, I should have checked if I'd have an internet connection before boarding. Had I known I wouldn't, I'd have downloaded some TV shows and movies for the journey.

Every time I've skipped a chance to step outside for some fresh air on an overnight train ride, I've regretted it.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

For me, the most uncomfortable part of overnight train travel is being stuck in a confined space. Luckily, Amtrak trains sometimes stop for long enough for continuing passengers to get out and stretch their legs.

I usually take this time to walk up and down the platform and do some light cardio, but every once in a while, whether I'm entranced in a book or deterred by the weather, I stay inside. And every time I do, I end up stirring with pent-up ene...