What to Pack for an Amtrak Overnight Coach or Sleeper

After dozens of cross-country Amtrak trips, I finally figured out the necessities needed for the best possible overnight Amtrak trip.  And yes, I’ve done a few overnights in an Amtrak coach seat, too.  Not consecutive nights, but one overnight in coach is definitely doable for me when needed.

Whether you choose a coach seat or sleeper, you really need to be prepared with these essential items.

I’ve put together a list that I hope will help you successfully pack for your Amtrak overnight train trip.  Whether in coach or a sleeping accommodation, for one overnight or even four, here’s what to pack to help make your long distance train journey relaxing and memorable.

Best Packing Tips for an Overnight Amtrak Train

Imagine yourself all cozy in your little roomette or a larger Amtrak bedroom (with an ensuite bathroom) on an overnight train trip.  Maybe you choose to sleep in an Amtrak coach seat (much larger than on an airplane).  How you pack for your trip could mean the difference between a restless night or a good night’s sleep.

Weather can dramatically vary along the route.  This affects what you should pack. Say for example, you’re on an overnight trip in October aboard the Empire Builder route that runs between Chicago and Seattle.  If you step off the train for “fresh air” breaks, it’s going to be a lot colder by the time you get to Wolf Point, Montana even though the weather was much milder in Seattle or Chicago.

What to Pack for a Multi-Night Cross-Country Amtrak Train Trip

Long-haul or cross-country Amtrak trains with nostalgic names like the Texas Eagle, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief and California Zephyr offer some of the most beautiful, off-the-beaten-path scenery in the USA.  You’ll see parts of the country not visible from any highways or country roads.

Maybe you’d like to stay for a couple of days at either end of your trip.  Or even break up the trip with a night or two at a station stop along the way.  Either way, one of the most important aspects to a great train ride is to know what and how to pack for an overnight train trip. Especially if it involves more than one night.

Let’s say you’ve planned a cross-country train trip from New York City to Los Angeles.  That’s a total of almost four days and three nights on trains. You’ll need more than just a change of clothes.

What Luggage to Use for an Overnight Amtrak Trip

Unless you reserved a Bedroom, there’s no extra room in a Roomette for a full-sized suitcase. I always bring a carry-on plus my backpack into my roomette and check my larger luggage or stow it in my car’s baggage area.

Amtrak coach cars have open overhead luggage racks that are much more generous than airline overhead bins. Amtrak allows carry-on bags up to 28 x 22 x 14 inches and 50 pounds, but you must be able to lift your bag onto the overhead rack yourself. Larger luggage can usually go in the designated luggage storage area in the coach car, or you can check your luggage even if you’re traveling in coach, as long as checked baggage service is available at both your departure and arrival stations.

What Clothes to Pack for an Overnight Train Trip

Pack Extra Tops or Shirts

For a three-night cross-country trip, I suggest packing three tops to change into, not including the one you wear on departure day.  No matter what season you travel, one of these three should be some kind of sweater or sweatshirt-type top.

Whether in coach, a sleeping room, dining car or observation car, you never know how cold it could be in there.  If you’re freezing because the air-conditioning is way too cold, you’ll be happy to have packed a sweater or sweatshirt.

Comfy Train Pants

Since you’ll be sitting most of the day, be sure to pack one pair of comfy pants like sweat pants, yoga pants (you know…stretchy!) then pants or jeans for the dining, café or observation car.  So, three pants is good:  one comfy, two for daytime (just in case you spill something on one pair)

Overnight Essentials I Always Pack

What to Pack in Your Ditty Bag

Those who have a roomette (deluxe bedrooms have a private shower) also have access to the shower room down the hall.   This is the hanging toiletry bag ($16.99) that I use on every trip.

What I like most about it is that it folds totally flat in my suitcase or carry-on bag. It also has a hook that can rotate to whatever direction is needed to hang it up.

This flat bag also fits on the inside back of the public restroom door on both Superliner and Viewliner trains.  The top smaller compartments I’ll put earrings, necklace, dental floss, small packets of antiseptic alcohol wipes – for wiping earrings or small scratches, contact lens case and little things like that.

I also bring cheap-o flip-flops (and a quart-size ziplock bag to store them) for the shower.  A travel-size pack of Clorox or Lysol wipes for the public bathroom countertop, the faucet and even the door handle and lock.

The car attendant keeps a fresh supply of little bars of soap for each person.  If you’re in a Roomette, the community shower room will have a stack of new terry bath towels and wash cloths.

Shoes to Pack for an Overnight Train Trip

Be sure to pack easy-on shoes (slip-ons) and sneakers plus flip-flops for the shower.  From previous hotel stays, I pack my unused bedroom slippers to wear in my room.

On Amtrak I wear my trusty slip-on Skechers Go-Walk comfy shoes.  They’re super-easy to put on in the dark for a walk down the hall to the bathroom, whether I’m in coach or a sleeper.

Read next: Cross-country aboard Amtrak Southwest Chief

Snacks and Beverages

You’re allowed to bring alcohol onboard only if you have a sleeping compartment.  Want a pre-dinner cocktail?  Pack a small, collapsible fabric cooler with a jar of olives and munchies.  When it’s empty and you’re ready to leave the train, it will lay flat in your suitcase. You can ask your room attendant for ice or just bring a couple of ultra-slim freezer ice packs.

If you’re in a coach seat, pack soda or sparkling water, some snacks or sandwiches so you don’t have to go to the snack bar all the time.

ALWAYS Pack Duct Tape and Kid-Scissors

I never travel on an Amtrak overnight train trip without duct tape and a pair of kid scissors.  You’ll find that there are rattles and clanking sounds that can drive you nuts, even in the new cars.  Plus, your car attendant will think you’re an extremely experienced Amtrak passenger!

Occasionally I’ve had to use a wash cloth to cover the ceiling vent when the control slider doesn’t work held in place with said Duck Brand duct tape.  And used folded paper cups to stuff between the cracks in the sliding door between bedrooms.

Water

If you’re like me and drink up to 2 liters of water a day, ask for a bottle of water every time you’re in the dining car for a meal.  It’s complimentary for sleeping car passengers and will get you through a long journey.  Sometimes your car attendant’s bottled water supply can nearly be depleted, so pick up extra water when dining.

Of course you can always bring your own water, too.  Especially if you plan to overnight in a coach seat.

Download Entertainment Before Your Amtrak Trip

Not all Amtrak overnight trains have wifi. And if they do, it’s not always a good connection. Don’t expect to have cell service for most of the ride. Much of the time while in the middle of nowhere, there isn’t a cell signal. It’s really nice to have everything that you might want to watch or listen to already downloaded.

Bring Small Bills for Tips

While not everyone tips, your dining car staff and room attendant work their tails off to make your train trip as pleasant as possible.

I recommend the following tips for Amtrak crew:

• $5 per person for breakfast and lunch
• $10 per person for dinner
• $20/for one night for your room attendant and $10 for each additional night
• If you use a Red Cap for luggage assistance at the station, $5 is much appreciated.

Luggage and Your Space on an Overnight Amtrak Train

Luggage Storage on Amtrak

You’ve reserved a roomette, traveling with a little too much luggage but prefer to not check a bag.  Rather than hoist your luggage onto the top bunk, sleep on the upper bunk and keep your luggage on the lower bunk at night. Or vice-versa.

If you’re in a sleeper on a Superliner, there’s a storage rack downstairs for the biggest pieces of luggage.  Make sure you don’t need to get anything out of whatever you store on the luggage rack. 

If your coach seat happens to be on the lower level of a Superliner, you might be able to find a small space near your seat.

Keep Your Space Clean

Last but not least, I always pack Clorox wipes, hand wipes and sanitizer.  As soon as I’m in my roomette, out pop the Clorox wipes.

I clean everything, from the metal flip-over door locks to the slide-out tray table and the flat surfaces and everything around the sink area.  This includes the toilet area whether in my room or the public ones.

Stretch Out and Relax

Unless you’re lucky enough to afford to travel in a deluxe bedroom, it’s important to remember that roomettes are tiny.  An Amtrak overnight train trip with two grown-up people in one roomette can be a challenge.

If two adults are traveling and if it’s within your budget, check the price if you reserve two roomettes across from each other.  This was no one feels crunched and gives you a view from both sides of the train, too.

Ready for Your Overnight Amtrak Trip?

Whatever Amtrak cross-country train you choose, whether in coach or in a sleeper, now you know what to pack for your Amtrak overnight train. You’ll be prepared for a wonderfully relaxing and memorable journey.

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