After traveling across the country on Amtrak trains for many years, I’ve had the chance to stay in nearly every type of sleeping accommodation that Amtrak offers.
If you’re trying to decide between a roomette and a bedroom, or wondering about the difference between Viewliner and Superliner trains, it can feel confusing at first.
Once you understand how the sleeping cars are set up, choosing the right accommodation becomes much easier.
I’ll explain the difference between all Amtrak sleeper cars and how to decide which option is best for your trip.
Taking a “fresh air” break next to my assigned sleeper car. (Photo: Sherry Laskin)
The Two Types of Amtrak Sleeping Cars
As a committed non-flyer, I needed to know how to choose between the different types of Amtrak sleeping accommodations. There are two different types of sleeping cars used on Amtrak’s overnight trains.
Viewliner
Viewliner sleeping cars operate mainly on routes in the eastern United States. Because many tunnels along the East Coast have lower clearances, these trains were built on a single level.
Both train types offer similar private accommodations, but the layout is different.
Superliner
Superliner trains are the iconic double-decker Amtrak trains used mostly on routes west of the Mississippi River. Sleeping accommodations are spread across two levels of the train.
Amtrak Viewliner Sleeping Cars
Viewliner trains operate on several long-distance routes along the eastern half of the country. These trains have a single level of passenger compartments with large windows.
Viewliner I and Viewliner II Routes Include:
Cardinal – Washington DC to Chicago Crescent – New York City to New Orleans Lake Shore Limited – Chicago to New York or Boston Silver Meteor – New York City to Miami Silver Star – New York City to Tampa or Miami
Viewliner sleeping cars offer three types of accommodations.
• Roomette • Bedroom • Accessible Bedroom
Viewliner I Roomette
A Viewliner roomette is designed for one or two passengers. One passenger is optimal, in my opinion.
During the day there are two reclining seats facing each other with a small fold-out table between them. At night the seats convert into a lower bed and an upper bunk folds down from the wall. There is a window for the upper bunk as well as a reading light, and a little pocket for glasses, or a book.
The older Viewliner I roomettes include a small toilet and sink inside the room. The toilet is right next to one of the seats. If you’re traveling solo, it’s no big deal. If two people are traveling in a roomette and modesty prevails, one person may choose to step outside while the other, well…you know.
Privacy curtains at the sliding door have Velcro fasteners and there’s a flip-over lock for the door. There are two electric sockets with 120v, close enough to be able to charge your laptop while working on the pull-up table.
Newer Viewliner II cars no longer include the toilet but still have a sink. Passengers use two shared restrooms located in each sleeping car. There are additional electric outlets than in the Viewliner I roomettes.
There is also a shower room, with fresh towels and soap, located at one end of the car.
In summary, each roomette includes:
• large picture window • upper and lower beds • power outlets • fold-out table • climate control – usually works pretty well.
Amtrak Superliner deluxe bedroom with private bathroom, aboard the Sunset Limited.
Viewliner Bedroom
The Viewliner I and Viewliner II bedrooms are significantly larger than a roomette. Inside the bedroom is a sofa that converts into a wide lower bed and an upper bunk that folds down at night. There is also a small sink area and a private bathroom with shower. Opposite the en suite bathroom is a foldable chair.
Two bedrooms can be opened into a suite if traveling with four people. This is possible in Bedrooms A, B, and C. Bedroom D does not have a connecting room. It’s the last bedroom in the car nearest the doors but not having the connecting bedroom can be more quiet without having neighbors next door.
For couples taking a longer trip, the added space can make a big difference in comfort.
Viewliner Wheelchair Accessible Bedroom
This larger sleeping accommodation holds two passengers, bunkbed style. The ensuite bathroom allows for a wheel chair to easily maneuver to use the toilet and into the shower.
Viewliner roomette at bedtime.Amtrak Silver Star roomette. That’s the toilet with the pink lid cover.
Viewliner Accessible Bedroom with Bathroom
There is one accessible bedroom per car. If you need assistance to get up the two steps into the train, Amtrak has a lift for wheelchairs directly onto the train. Reservations are encouraged.
Viewliner accessible bedroom with full bathroom facilities.
Superliner Sleeping Cars
Superliner trains operate on most of Amtrak’s western long-distance routes. These trains have two levels and a slightly different arrangement of rooms.
If you are mobility-impared, consider a roomette or the wheelchair-accessible accommodation on the lower level. The stairs that lead to the upper level are narrow and twisty and need care to use them.
However, the dining car is on the upper level so you would probably want to order your meals to be served in your room if the stairs are too difficult.
Superliner Routes Include:
California Zephyr – Chicago to Emeryville, CA (across the bay from San Francisco) City of New Orleans – Chicago to New Orleans Coast Starlight – Los Angeles to Seattle Empire Builder – Chicago to Seattle Sunset Limited – Chicago to Los Angeles (3 times a week) Southwest Chief – Chicago to Los Angeles Texas Eagle – Chicago to San Antonio (daily and connects with Sunset Limited)
Sleeping accommodations are on both upper and lower levels of the train.
Superliner Roomette
Superliner roomettes are similar to Viewliner roomettes but do not include a toilet or sink inside the room.
Passengers use shared restrooms and a shower room located in the sleeping car.
Upper level roomettes are quieter and provide slightly better views. Lower level roomettes are closer to the bathrooms and shower.
Insider Tip: If you opt for a lower level roomette (there are only four but have easy access to the bathrooms), bring a small bottle of Windex and paper towels. You may need to clean off your window from the outside if the weather get rainy.
Superliner Bedrooms
Superliner bedrooms are larger private compartments that include:
• sofa that converts into the lower bed • upper bunk • private toilet and shower • sink and vanity area
They are more spacious than roomettes and offer room for luggage and easier movement during longer trips. Not to mention the luxury of your own toilet and shower.
What Is Included With Any Amtrak Sleeper
When you book any sleeping accommodation on Amtrak, several things are included in the price.
Meals in the dining car are included for the entire journey. You can even have your meals served to your room. Long-distance trains departing Chicago to the west typically offer traditional dining with freshly prepared meals.
Your sleeping car attendant also provides:
• turn-down service for the beds • unlimited bottled water • coffee, tea, and juice plus one alcoholic beverage at dinner • towels and soap • access to the shower room if you’re in a roomette
Is an Amtrak Sleeper Worth It?
I’ve tried overnight in coach and while it was okay and really budget-friendly, I won’t do it again.
In my opinion, and at my age, for overnight journeys, a sleeper is usually worth the upgrade.
Having a private space to stretch out, sleep in a bed, and enjoy meals in the dining car turns the trip into a travel experience rather than simply transportation.
No matter what accommodation you choose, on trains with a observation lounge any passenger can go there and enjoy the view.
Once travelers try a sleeper, many find it difficult to go back to spending the night in a coach seat. I’m one of them.
Insider tip: If a roomette or bedroom is out of your price range and you are going on a Superliner, try to get a coach seat on the lower level. There are only 12 seats and it’s generally quieter and easy access to the bathroom.
Can You Lock the Door If You Leave Your Sleeper?
Unlike in Europe with keycards for entry, Amtrak sleeping accommodations have no lock on the outside.
When you leave your compartment to go to the Dining Car, Café/Lounge Car, Observation Lounge, or simply to step off at a stop to stretch your legs, your compartment is unlocked.
The good news is that your car attendant seems to know who does and does not have a reservation for a sleeper and keeps an eye out for trespassers. Europeans, used to having their compartment locked when they leave it, are usually a little flustered at first. But it all works out fine.
New Viewliner II Sleeping Cars
At the end of 2020 and moving ahead, Amtrak introduced new Viewliner cars, the first new cars in over 25 years. As I mentioned above, the new Amtrak Viewliner roomettes do not have their own toilet. Instead, there are two community bathrooms per car. For twelve roomettes.
Amtrak coffee station in sleeping car. Gone of course during COVID-19. Let’s hope it returns.
Amtrak Viewliner and Superliner Bedrooms in Detail
If you can afford a bedroom, go for it. With plenty of room for your luggage, two people can travel in comfort in an Amtrak bedroom. As you enter the bedroom, there’s a fold-out, full-length sofa (a smidgen wider than a twin bed) that runs just about from the doorway to the window. Above it is a drop-down bunk bed.
Across from the sofa is a small sink and countertop, with room for your toiletries. Facial tissue is provided (in the roomette, too) as well as wash clothes, hand and bath towels and soap.
Older. Superliner bedroom. Pretty much the same as on a Viewliner. Except for compartment “C”. Smaller than “A” and “B”.
Best of all, there’s a private bathroom with a shower. It’s not big and the shower is above the toilet. Make sure to securely close the door so water doesn’t leak out onto the carpet. It’s really nice after an overnight train ride to arrive at your destination totally refreshed.
This is the en suite bathroom in a bedroom compartment, on both Viewliner and Superliner. Bath amenities are on the ledge next to the towels.
Opposite the door to the tiny bathroom is a small fold-up chair with storage rack and hooks above it. This makes it possible for two people to sit by the window facing each other. The door locking system is the same as the roomette.
Public Shower for Roomette Passengers
At one end of each sleeping car on a Viewliner is a public shower room. Able to accommodate only one person at a time, your car attendant will have it stocked with fresh soap for each person and neatly folded towels. There’s a laundry basket where you can toss your used towel and wash cloth.
Every sleeper car has a shower room. The attendant has even made a pretty flower with the wash cloth.
How the Superliner and Viewliner Differ
As I mentioned earlier, onboard the Superliner, sleeping compartments are on two levels. The Viewliner is one level. Roomettes on the Superliner do not have an ensuite sink or toilet, as they currently do on the Viewliner.
On the lower level of the Superliner you’ll find four roomettes plus a family bedroom at one end of the car and an accessible bedroom at the other end. It’s on this level that there are three private bathrooms, each with sink and toilet and one separate shower room. Paper towels are available or your can bring towels from your compartment if you’re just using the bathroom to wash your hands.
Upstairs on this train, you’ll find both roomettes and bedrooms. The four Superliner bedroom sleepers have their own enclosed bathroom. For the ten roomettes there is only one public bathroom on the upper level. Occasionally, I’ve been in an upstairs roomette when there were two public bathrooms. But it’s not the norm.
How to Choose a Superliner Roomette
If you want a roomette, how do you decide which level of the Superliner is best for you?
If you’re on the upper level, the train ride is quiet and amazingly smooth. But, as I mentioned above, there is only one bathroom to share with nine or more other roomette passengers.
If you’re in a roomette on the lower level, you will feel the train movement and hear the clickety-clack of the wheels. But, on the lower level you have easy access to more bathrooms and the shower room.
For those who have difficulty walking, they may prefer the lower level to not have to climb the narrow staircase to the second level. Very convenient if you’re on the train for two or three days across country.
Roomette vs Bedroom: Which Should You Choose?
If you’re traveling alone or trying to keep costs down, a roomette is usually the best option. It provides a comfortable place to sleep, meals in the dining car, and access to the shower room in the sleeper car.
For couples taking a longer journey, a bedroom offers noticeably more space and the convenience of a private bathroom and shower.
On shorter overnight routes a roomette is usually more than enough. On trips that last two or three days across the country, the extra space in a bedroom can make the journey much more comfortable.
Tips for First-Time Amtrak Sleeper Passengers
If this is your first overnight train trip, a few small tips can make the journey easier.
Book sleeping accommodations as early as possible because they often sell out weeks or months ahead of departure.
Things like when to book, what to pack for the trip, and how sleeping car attendants handle meals and turn-down service can make the experience feel much more relaxed.
Bring a small overnight bag with anything needed during the trip so larger luggage can stay stored in your room or on the luggage racks on a Superliner.
And don’t forget to spend time in the observation lounge if your train has one. Watching the scenery roll by is one of the best parts of traveling across the country by train.
Rather than sit in a chair on an overnight Amtrak train, opt for a sleeper whenever possible. You’ll never go back to sleeping in a coach seat again!
If you find yourself in coach and want to upgrade if a sleeper is available, you can do so without a change fee. It’s done either by phone to Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) or on the Amtrak app. If you ask your conductor, he or she will likely tell you to call Amtrak for pricing and to do the upgrade.
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Creator of TravelUpClose.com, I'm a solo traveler exploring the world on wheels and waves. I've been traveling on trains long before Amtrak began in 1971. I hope my train articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world by train and without flying. I've worked hard to make sure that TravelUpClose.com has everything you need to plan your Amtrak trip.
