29 Best Tips for an Amtrak Overnight Train

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Yes, I’ve traveled on Amtrak overnight in a coach seat. But I much prefer to have a private room all for myself. No matter how you choose to travel overnight on Amtrak, I’ve compiled a list of what I think are the most important Amtrak travel tips I’ve learned over the years.

I’m a firm believer in being prepared (probably from my days in Girl Scouts!) so I really do practice what I preach. Especially when it means getting a good night’s sleep.

Best Tips For Your Amtrak Overnight Train Trip

I recently completed a circle America Amtrak train journey that included seven overnights on several Amtrak trains. From my experience, here’s my list of what I hope will help you on your Amtrak overnight train trip.

1. Always Pack a Roll of Duct Tape

Let’s face it, unless the train is moving at a snail’s pace as it climbs up and over mountains, there are bound to be some bone-rattling moments. Old equipment plus freight line maintained tracks can cause sliding doors and various in-room mechanics to loudly clank.  Using a wash-cloth or towel plus a tear-able duct tape can help ensure a better night’s sleep.

2. Bring Rubber Flip-Flops

Whether it’s for the public bathroom and shower room or your en suite bathroom shower, I always pack an inexpensive pair of flip-flops. you’ll be glad to have them. I’ll even wear them when I’m just sitting in my roomette. Leave them at your sliding door for those late night bathroom trips.

3. Get Some $5s and $1s For Tipping in the Dining Car

Your dining car wait staff is to be admired. They can carry a tray full of meals for four guests with the steadiness of a mountain goat. Plus they have to bus their own tables, too. As in any restaurant not on wheels, and even though meals are included with sleepers, tipping is highly recommended. My suggestion per person is: $2 breakfast, $3-$5 for lunch and $5 – $10 for dinner. Your server also has to take your alcohol orders, too.

When I’m on the train for two consecutive nights, I’ll generally leave $5 for lunch and $10 for dinner and budget tipping into my travel expenses.

4. Designate One Bag for Your Overnight Gear

In here, pack only what you’ll need for your overnight journey; toiletries, meds, clothes, computer/iPad etc.  Packing cubes like these from Amazon Basics, make this even easier. Plus, the see-through mesh tops mean no more searching for items and tearing through your luggage.

5. Train clothes

Yes, I call them my train clothe, and it’s all about comfort and convenience.  For a two-night train trip, bring at least two extra tops, in case of spills. For a one-night overnight ride, I’ll still bring 2 tops plus the pants I wear for boarding and at my destination.

But as soon as I’m settled in, I’ll change into a comfy pair of pants, something like these loose-fitting yoga/workout pants. Nothing binding for sure. They’re also presentable for the dining car and perfect for wandering in at breakfast time.

Going coach? Make sure everything is comfortable to wear for long periods of sitting.  Taking three Amtrak overnight trains from Montana to sunny Florida in the winter? Remember to put a change of summer clothes in your overnight bag.

6. If You Wear Contact Lenses

If you will need to remove or insert contact lenses, do it at a station stop. Don’t poke your eye while going 80 mph.  Been there, done that.

7. Washing/Make-Up Removal Before Bed

Again, plan ahead and do this at a station stop. It’s much easier than trying to get ready for bed while the train is in motion. 

If you are in a sleeper, wash up before your attendant turns down your bed.  If you have to use communal bathrooms down the hall or down the stairs, again, do this while the train is stopped.

8. Bring (and use!) Disinfecting Wipes

I’ve been wiping down my Amtrak compartment long before COVID-19 arrived.  If you’re in an Amtrak sleeper, wipe the tray table, door handles, even the flip-over door lock and handle.  Whether your private bathroom or the communal ones, wipe the toilet seats or use the paper covers, sink countertop, faucet handles and door locks.

These Lysol travel packs are perfect. I’ll usually end up using two per train ride if I have a sleeper. In coach, I’ll wipe the the arm rests, tray table, area around the electric sockets.

9.  Download Videos, Books, Podcasts Before Boarding

Internet on a moving Amtrak train isn’t always possible.  Aside from the East Coast service, most Amtrak long-haul trains don’t even have WiFi. When heading west, you will travel through “No Service” areas quite a bit, too, so tethering to your mobile network isn’t always reliable or fast enough.  Even if it was, you could easily exceed your hotspot roaming plan limit.

Plan ahead and download movies and TV shows to help pass the time. If reading while in motion makes you queasy, join Audible and choose from thousands of books to listen to rather than try to focus while rumbling along the tracks.

10. Plan Your Meal Times to Not Conflict with Long Station Stops

The conductor will announce upcoming “Fresh Air Stops”.  These are longer station stops with enough time to step off the train and walk a bit outside. Read your timetable carefully. before you make your lunch and dinner reservations.

Check to see if any long station stops coincide with your dining times.  For me, there’s nothing more frustrating than getting a hot meal just before a long station stop.

11. Keep a Sweater or Light Fleece Handy

You never can predict when the A/C will be blasting throughout the train. Temperatures fluctuate between train cars as well as in geographic areas. Freezing isn’t fun.  Always keep a sweater handy.

12.  Understand Accommodation Size

Two large-size people may be uncomfortable in a small roomette with an upper and lower super-narrow bed. If you can book your accommodation way in advance, you might be able to snag a deluxe bedroom at a lower rate. Or book two roomettes across the hall from each other.

13.  Dining Car Procedures

It’s community seating in the dining car. For most lunches and all dinners, the dining car attendant will stop at your sleeper and ask you to choose the reservation time for your dining car seating. There are usually 3 or 4 seating times to choose, depending on the route.

When your seating time is announced over the P.A. system, only then should you proceed to the dining car. Once there, you need to wait at the entrance to be seated.  Don’t walk in and grab a seat.

Remember, on Amtrak, it’s community seating. Meaning you’ll be seated at a booth for four people. I’ve made life-long friendships in the dining car.

Be prepared to sit backwards.  Try not to have to bring your backpack or large purse…there may be very little room between you and the person seated next to you. Depending on the dining car design, you may be able to set your purse on the back ledge of your booth seat.

14.  Remember to Tip Your Room Attendant

Every onboard Amtrak employee works hard. But no one puts in the round-the-clock hours like your room attendant. Depending on your needs, $10 – $20 per night is thoughtful. Sometimes I’ll tip a portion upfront when he or she comes around to introduce themselves. Then hand off the balance as I depart the train.

15.  Take Lots of Photos – Here’s How to Do It

Most important thing to remember is to turn off the camera/smart phone flash.  I see people shooting photos through the window and have the camera flash turned on.

Photos are a great way to share your cross-country photo with friends and family and spread the word on gorgeous scenery only visible from the train . Amtrak is the only long-distance train system we have…let’s keep ridership on Amtrak overnight train trips growing!  Take photos! Share on social!

16.  Order Room Service in Your Sleeper

One of my favorite things to do on an Amtrak overnight train trip is to order room service to my sleeping compartment. It’s complimentary, too! Simply ask your room attendant. He or she will deliver your meal direct from the galley. When you place your order, try to include everything you want so your attendant doesn’t have to run back and forth.

17.  Reservations Are Taken for Lunch and Dinner in the Dining Car

More about dining on Amtrak. The good news is that sleeping car passengers get first dibs on dining times. Be sure to leave your compartment door and curtain open when you hear the announcement that reservations are being taken. The dining car manager won’t knock if the curtain is drawn. If you miss getting a reservation, a wait list will be announced for sign-up.

18.  Social Gatherings

Head up to the observation car or find a booth in the other half of the café car, where you can play cards or board games.

19.  Etiquette in the Observation Car

If you have an observation car on your train – Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief, Texas Eagle – seats are first come, first served. Sometimes coach passengers will try to spend the day in the Observation car…but it’s not the place to bring a pillow and sleep.

The conductor will ask loiterers to return to their seats. And similarly, since seats are at a premium, be sure not to overstay too long and give others a chance to experience this window to the world.

20.  Yes, You Can Take a Shower

Sleeping cars are equipped with a communal shower at the end of the car and are remarkably well maintained. Deluxe bedrooms feature an en suite combination toilet and shower stall. Towels and soap are furnished.  Unfortunately, the electric outlets in compartments are no longer able to handle hair dryers or flat irons.

21.  Pack an Extra Pair of Socks

If my flip-flops are wet from the shower, I also pack a pair of old socks or those hotel slippers to wear in your room. More cozy and you may not want to walk barefoot in your compartment or in your “good” socks.  Shoes are always required when walking between the cars.

22.  Dietary or Medical Needs

You will need to bring your own cooler. Amtrak cannot heat or store personal items. Your room attendant can get ice for you to replenish as needed. A collapsible fabric cooler like this one works great. Your sleeping car or coach car attendant can get ice for you if your freezer packs start to defrost.

23.  Mobility Limitations

Amtrak has lifts for wheelchairs or if you are unable to climb the steps onto the train. Make sure Amtrak is notified well in advance that you’ll need lift assistance. Lower level accommodations include roomettes and a wheelchair accessible room with en suite facilities.

24.  Staying Charged

There are electric outlets in every room so you can keep your phone etc. charged. Some of the older Amtrak sleeper cars have only one outlet. Coach passengers in the aisle seat may have to use a cord across the space of the window seat passenger.

Aside from bringing a charging block, i have this USB/USB-C wall plug and these fabric flexible charging cables. They can conveniently reach across your coach seat neighbor’s foot space as well as across your roomette or deluxe bedroom.

25. Danger, Will Robison

If you’re waiting in line to be seated in the dining room and the line is too long, do not stand in the vestibule. It’s way too dangerous. Just wait in the previous car until you can safely cross into the dining room.

26.  B.Y.O.B. – Yes, You Can

If you’d like a cocktail before dinner in the comfort of your room, you can bring your own booze. Just ask your room attendant for a cup with ice. Or you can buy beer, wine and spirits in the café car.  You can’t bring your own alcohol into the dining car, but you can order it.

27. I Always Ask My Attendant for a Second Blanket

You never know how cold or drafty it might get during the night. The new blankets are thinner and each one is cleaned and sealed in plastic. Don’t open the second blanket unless you need it. Keep it clean for the next passenger. If you’re in coach, it’s wise to bring a small, warm throw blanket.

28. Take Advantage of Longer Train Stops

What used to be called “cigarette stops” are now called “fresh air breaks.” You can get exercise walking the length of the train. For me, a train car length is about 35 steps.

If an average Amtrak overnight train is 10 cars (not including the engine or baggage car) then I can walk about 1500 steps in a 10 to 15-minute stop (dodging other passengers and smokers slows you down). To make the most of your Fresh Air Break, be ready to detrain immediately as soon as departing passengers have stepped outside.

29.  Order a Pizza!

If there happens to be a long stop that coincides with meal time, call ahead and order train delivery! Yes, you can! For example, in Havre, MT, you can order a pizza from Pizza Hut and they’ll deliver it when your train arrives. Just quickly hop off the train and look for the delivery person.

30.  BONUS TRAIN TIP!

If you really want to kick back, relax and enjoy the journey, ask your sleeping car attendant for an extra pillow.  While the new pillows are so much better than the old flat pancake pillows, it’s nice to have an extra.

Sit back, take a nap, read or gaze for hours at the changing scenery. You’re finally off the grid…enjoy it!

I hope that I’ve covered everything on this list of Amtrak overnight train tips.  If you think of something I’ve missed, please let me know. I’ll share it with others.

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