Traveling by train is by far the most sought after experience anyone could have. As opposed to driving and flying, there can’t be a more rewarding way of seeing the country. Traveling on Amtrak to iconic cities such as Boston and Washington, DC is always worth talking about. Traveling overnight on Amtrak’s Silver Meteor, Floridian, Crescent, and Lake Shore Limited are experiences in a classes all by themselves. Being a Amtrak first-timer presents a unique scenario. Preparing for a three-hour ride to Washington, DC or a four and a half hour journey to Boston is a walk in the park. Preparing for an overnight journey is a whole other story. For a first-timer, it’s a learning experience. For a first-timer, learning how to pack for an overnight train journey may cause a little bit of anxiety. Whether traveling in a roomette, bedroom, family suite, or a handicapped accessible suite, preparing a checklist for such an experience is a step-by-step process. Once one trip is complete, preparing for the next is second-nature. Before answering the call, “All aboard!”, following a simple approach will ensure a stress-free journey without incident.
Before getting ready for a trip on any Amtrak long-distance overnight train, it is vital to plan accordingly. For the first-timer, when it comes to preparing for a sleeping car experience, it should be considered equivalent to packing for two hotel stays. There’s sleeping on board the train and then there’s sleeping in the hotel bed in the destination city. With that in mind, passengers must pack two bags; one for the sleeper car and the other for the hotel. Further, passengers should watch YouTube videos of what their sleeper car accommodation looks like. Having done so, they can get an idea of what kind of space they’re sleeping in. Also, they’ll have a vivid idea of what kind of carry-on luggage they’ll be able to pack and stow in their sleeper car cabin. For example, the roomette has a stowage shelf with just enough room for two carry-on bags. As far as what should be packed in the bag for the sleeper car, here is a helpful first-timer guide to preparing for a sleeper car experience. For details on sleeper car accommodations can be found at https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/onboard-accommodations-for-all-your-needs/sleeper-car-accommodations.
Each passenger should have one bag packed for the sleeper car cabin. Whether the journey is one or two nights, being prepared goes a long way. Passengers should pack the following: toiletry kit; bottle of shampoo (in case not provided on board); shaving cream/gel (travel size); toothpaste (travel size); one to two sets of clothes (not including undergarments); one to two pairs of undergarments; cellphone charger; portable DVD player; reading material; endless hours of entertainment (including DVDs and small traveling board games; digital Walkman. Of course, passengers must not forget a charger for their digital Walkman. Ultimately, passengers must have an alarm clock. Passengers would score brownie points if their cellphones features an alarm clock app. Amtrak’s sleeper cars are generally not equipped with USB chargers. Passengers should pack adapters for the electric receptacles.
In case a first-timer isn’t aware, passengers with medical or special dietary needs must pack additional nourishment. Passengers must note that cafe car could run low. The same goes for the dining car. Everyone has unique eating habits. All passengers have their likes and dislikes. The cafe car menu may have a wide array of choices, but it could get old in the tooth. It pays to bring additional snack items. Passengers should pack non-heatable and non-refrigerated items. In accordance with FDA rules and regulations, Amtrak staff cannot store non-Amtrak food items and medications. Sleeping car cabins aren’t equipped with mini-fridges. Passengers must pack refrigerated medications in a cooler with ice packs. Note: Special meal requests can be made only if passengers call Amtrak seventy-two (72) hours prior to traveling.
What time is train time? Anytime! When it’s train time, it’s time to be packed accordingly. Whether it’s traveling overnight to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited, overnight to New Orleans aboard the Crescent, or two nights to Los Angeles aboard the Southwest Chief, packing the adequate amount of clothing, toiletries, and entertainment items makes a huge difference. Traveling on any Amtrak long-distance overnight train is an experience like no other. As said before, it involves packing for two hotel stays. Passengers must have adequate clothing packed in each of their two bags. More importantly, roomette passengers may have to share a community bathroom on board. Packing sensibly and being considerate of fellow passengers dually go the ‘distance’. Passengers, including first-timers, should not stress over this type of traveling. Traveling overnight by Amtrak is meant to make memories become reality. Preparation and common sense together make any overnight journey memorable. Not only will the journey be memorable, it will be truthfully unforgettable. For first-timers traveling in a sleeper will be more than a walk in the park. Candidly, it will all come together ‘overnight’.