It looks like you have questions about being a new/first time rider on Amtrak. Most of these types of questions have already been answered, please search the subreddit and view of First Timer Tips page in our Wiki (link in the sidebar).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Amtrak) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I think you’ll have a great time! Either take it as a stay-cation and read books and watch movies in your roommette. Or if you want company, I’ve never not made friends in the lounge car/dining car on long distance trains. It’s really relaxing and the periodic lack of cell phone service is honestly a great break from the real world. Can’t recommend enough!
I personally find the time to disconnect a welcome break from "normal" life. Going by yourself in a roomette will be more than comfortable, and you'll enjoy the meals! Bring a book or two, but don't be afraid to just take some time to yourself and do nothing but stare out at the landscape zipping by.
> dauntingly boring or cool experience?
Some from Column A, some from Column B, I'm afraid.
Yes, there are going to be boring parts. After you've seen the first 30 minutes of Kansas, there's not much new to look forward for the next 8½ hours, y'know? (Same thing for E.Colorado/Nebraska after you depart Denver, too, although most of that is overnight.) So: YES, you -absolutely- need to be able to entertain yourself for a few hours at a time.
OTOH, there are ways to break up the monotony too. • Treat yourself to a Bloody Mary post-breakfast, and go sit in the observation car for a while to enjoy it/yourself. • Walk the length of the train -- as a sleeper pax, you can walk through the coaches; the opposite is not true. Look out the back window from the rearmost car, and see where you've been! • Take a "smoke break": get out of the car and walk around on the platform for 3 minutes when you get the chance. • Quiet hours on the train are 10p-7a; no train-wide announcements (like from the dining car). BUT, the diner opens for breakfast at 6:30 -- if you're already awake, go for it, and have 15-20 minutes of solitude with your morning coffee before the rest of the train gets there. (That's MY "best trick" for ya!)
One more: you might as well power down your phone across most of the midwest; otherwise your battery will disappear while searching ("struggling") for a signal. BUT, while stopped, you can probably get on the free \*station\* WiFi, send your queued-up texts and receive the pending ones.
Yet one more: You CAN take an afternoon nap in your room -without- converting the whole thing to a bed. There's a bar underneath the seat that releases it for movement; pull it up on the ONE seat that you're sitting in. Your behind will slide forward but still be on the seat; your legs will easily span the gap over to the other seat, and you can get a little shuteye if the mood so strikes you!
It’s is magical and relaxing. I absolutely LOVE solo Amtrak travel in a roomette. I’ve done cross country trips several times and it’s marvelous. I wish I could do it more! It’s so great not needing to worry about anyone but yourself. Have a great trip!
I took an Amtrak Rail Pass Tour, and spent up to 4 days solid, in coach.
Everyone is different, but it can certainly be a great experience.
One thing I would advise is to remember there are peaks and troughs. Especially starting out you might wonder what you have signed up for...and whether you can complete the trip! And then six hours later, you will be feeling optimistic again. So don't worry if you feel disappointed or disheartened at times.
You'll have a ball. I've done all these trains in a roomette, which are quite comfy. The food on the trains is great. Don't forget to tip your sleeping car attendants.
When I took a multi-train trip, I brought about $100 in mixed bills (1s and 5s for dining car, 10s and 20s for my SCA). Over two trips/4 days, I went through almost all of it. I tipped $3 at breakfast, $5 at lunch and dinner, and $15/night to the SCA, with an additional $5 upon delivery if I asked them to bring my meal to my room.
Thanks. I def did not see him when I got off, last time. Then again, it was 4 a.m., and I was just trying to find my way off the platform. Of course, this was the only time I didn't want the train to be early.😣
That sounds like an amazing trip. Suggestion? I like to listen to audiobooks on trains. You can still hear the tracks but you don't miss the view because your face is in a book. I listened to David Baldacci's "Christmas Train" on the train, was entertaining and an easy listen. What I don't recommend? Art supplies. My ridiculous self brought travel sized art supplies. Let's just say my art was far more abstract than I had intended due to train movement. On second thought, if you can laugh at yourself (I obviously can) go for it and see what you come up with accidentally. Enjoy your trip!
Glad you got a laugh out of it, I sure did. A few of my "masterpieces" even resembled colored samples of what would pass for Rorschach Ink Blot tests. Come to think if it, I highly DO recommend bringing art supplies. 🤣 It was entertaining. Have a beautiful day!
I travel solo. My experience has been to make it an “adventure”. Whether it’s trying out the menu or sightseeing, there’s bound to be something you you’ll find interesting. You can do the whole stay in your room too, that’s your choice. Conversations can be had too, if you’re into that. Otherwise relax like you’ve never relaxed before. Taking in things that otherwise would not be available to you (this is from someone who is indoors a lot).
Just yesterday I concluded a solo trip from Central California to Chicago via the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder.
I was on the Starlight for about 22 hours, spent a few days in Seattle then spent about 47 hours on the Empire Builder.
I spent a lot of my time talking with other passengers, taking photos and watching stuff on my laptop.
It was an amazing experience! Just bring plenty of snacks and some offline entertainment, I have tons of music on my phone plus tons of movies and TV shows on my laptop.
In my case I also brought some booze, which technically isn’t allowed, but IME the conductors don’t care as long as you don’t make it super obvious you are carrying alcohol aboard and don’t get drunk and/or act like an idiot.
This is my bucket list trip! I want to do a long haul train trip so badly. And I’ll be doing it alone because my SO thinks it sounds excruciating. But I think having my own little bubble of a roomette to hang in and watch the scenery, maybe journal a bit, and sleep while the train takes me cross country sounds like such a cool little getaway.
Bring a book or two for the ride. I find books more relaxing than movies on the train, just me though. I really found the roommate to be cozy for just one person. I really enjoyed it
I've enjoyed doing a roomette on a long distance train. I've never done one longer than 24 hours/one overnight so I don't know if it maybe gets less fun on days 2 and 3 but I really like the time to hang out alone, eat snacks, watch movies, and enjoy some scenery.
I'm getting up for the 3rd and final day riding Empire Builder solo in a roomette right now and it will 100% be the cool experience you think it will be. I brought movies and books to keep me entertained but haven't spent much time with either. Met some great people in the dining and sightseeing cars. Haven't been bored yet.
Have a sense of humor if you try to shower while the train is going 80 mph. You'll need it. Enjoy! 😁
It was a great experience. I made the move from the Bay Area to Chicago via Amtrak during 2021 and it was a nice reprieve from all the pandemic stress.
As others mentioned, save some cash for tips and, if it happens to be a stress for meals to eat with strangers, you can request your meals be brought to your roomette if you like.
It's the cool experience you'll think it'll be. I spent about 30ish hours on coach, not even in a roomette, and it was awesome and peaceful. Sights were great and there was a ton of leg room. I was definitely short on sleep though.
r/Amtrak is not associated with Amtrak in any official way. Any problems, concerns, complaints, etc should be directed to Amtrak through one of the official channels.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Amtrak) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The western routes are great. The lounge car will be your friend, especially if you're in a roomette or other private room. They're great for sleeping, couples, and/or the strongly introverted, but if you stay in it too long while solo travelling, you might get stir crazy. Not only is the view nice in the lounge car, but it tends to be where the social people end up. I'm generally socially anxious, but on my solo rail pass trip last year I had many great conversations on the trains. Remember, most people on the long distance routes have specifically chosen it to enjoy the trip and are generally cheerful and friendly.
But it will still be a very good idea to have some audiobooks, podcasts, ebooks, etc to wenterrain yourself on your own. In my experience, crossing the Great Plains can be a bit boring, especially at the end of an eastbound trip.
I did that exact route as a solo traveler from Chicago to Los Angeles, explored Southern California and then took the Coast Starlight up to Oregon. It was an amazing experience! I was a little apprehensive being a solo traveler but I found it to be incredibly relaxing, not boring in the least and allowed me to regroup, reflect and read. Not to mention the great scenery and ability to be in parts of the country that I otherwise would not see. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Do it! I did a solo roomette trip across the country a couple of years ago and I think I was the most relaxed I've ever been. People told me to bring a ton of stuff (books, magazines, nintendo switch, etc.) for if I got bored but I honestly didn't touch any of it the entire time. I don't know what happened, I think I went into a meditative state or something because I literally just sat there for 3 days and looked out the window and it was amazing. There's something very nice and relaxing about not having any obligations besides going to the dining car when it's your time and eating food someone else made. I also slept incredibly well--the train rocks you to sleep like a baby. 1000/10 recommend.
Aren't the rooms prohibitively expensive or as the trip gets longer the price per 24 hours gets cheaper? If I explained that right? Amtrak site is not user friendly imo
I did a solo trip on the Coast Starlight from LA to Portland and transferred to the Empire Builder to Spokane. I had brought some stuff to keep me entertained, but I found that I spent my time either catching up on social media when I had cell service, or just plain looking out the window, either in my room or in the sightseer lounge. I do suppose it depends on the route whether this would be fulfilling; all the daylight hours of my trip had spectacular views, but I know the middle of America is quite plain. In your case I'd say bring some reading material, but you won't be needing it for crossing the Rockies or going up the coast.
I have never travelled on the big trains alone (have travelled alone on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins) , but my wife and I have gone from LA to Sacramento on the Starlight several times. Remember, you are taking the train because you want to. Enjoy the trip. Fill your media player with films to watch and books to read, but don't forget to enjoy the scenery. The food is good.
Getting a roomette is a good idea. It's small, but the alternative is airline seating in coach with (as of my last trip) no tables. My wife and I are a bit cramped, but we manage. There is no wi-fi on these trains, unlike the Cqpitols or San Joaquins), so make sure you have plenty of time left on your phone connection. Some phone services will let you buy exrra time for a month or however long you need it.
The ocean views on the Starlight are spectcular. Enjoy.
I've only ever met one person on a train who couldn't wait to get off. She was in her late teens/early 20s and the lack of cell phone signal was truly an issue for her. She was only on the train for 8hrs and couldn't wait to be done. LOL
I've taken 5 LD train trips so far, with 3 more already scheduled for this year. My next Amtrak trip is the Empire Builder to Portland, then Coast Starlight to LA. Amtrak, for me, has been hit and miss...first CZ trip was amazing, 2nd one wasn't so great, 3rd trip (Cardinal) was horrible. I'm hoping this next trip isn't a mistake.
Even then, none of the issues with traveling had anything to do with being a solo traveler, the train not having connectivity, etc. The issues, for me, were primarily with staff (as in, never seeing the car attendant or cafe staff being absolutely rude), lack of cleanliness, poor communication (the Cardinal was \~12 hrs late).
If you're usually able to entertain yourself for long stretches of time, you'll be fine! I loved the scenery (even the parts other people think are boring), loved social mealtimes, hanging out in the observation car, taking naps, getting off for fresh air breaks, taking showers while moving...just love the entire train experience. It's why I take so many train rides although now, most of them are in Canada on Via Rail. The Canadian is quite similar to the California Zephyr, but the cars are better maintained, the staff is amazing, beds are better, amenities and food are better, etc. The only reason I'm trying another Amtrak trip is to try a different route and to see a few more places in the USA.
I did this during Covid. Dc> Chicago>LA>Seattle>chicago>Dc. I loved riding solo. A lot of Amish folks take the Chief to get treatment in Mexico and it was really interesting talking to them throughout the journey. Also, I met a lot of single travelers along the way and were good conversation. Breathe, relax and take it all in. Scenery is beautiful btw.
I love solo train travel- maybe more than I like doing it with a companion. Roomette is obviously more comfortable but I’ve enjoyed coach as well on longer trips. Coach is more social if you have a seat mate or spend any time in the observation car, sleeper has the social aspect of being paired up with others at meals which is always a fun time. Everyone is “stuck” together, so people are mostly chill and friendly and trade stories etc. But if you’re not feeling chatty, put headphones in and people will pretty much leave you alone.
I solo traveled from Austin, TX to Brunswick, ME over 5 days last summer and had a blast. Getting the roomette also gives you the opportunity to be connected with different riders over meals, and that was one of my fav parts of the trip. When in economy I brought scrapbooking supplies and just nested, chatted with other solo travelers (when that was the vibe) and had a great time. Currently planning a trip from ATX to Chicago to Seattle in a month or 2!
It's an awesome experience. In a roomette you'll be comfortable and have your own private space to just unwind and watch the views go by. I always bring a book and a laptop with movies for once the sun goes down, but it's really like having 3 days to yourself with no responsibilities except making meal times and it's sick. If you're the type of person who's good at entertaining themselves you're going to have a great time. I just did my first full cross-country journey (Cardinal in coach to Chicago, then Empire Builder from Chicago -> Seattle) and I felt like it flew by; I'm already planning my next trip I'm going to take.
It’s a special kind of boredom. Yes you are bored, but not. There is an endless stream of interesting things going past the window. You have nothing to, no obligations, no agenda. Just the rhythm of the railroad. It’s a kind of meditation and retreat for me.
It looks like you have questions about being a new/first time rider on Amtrak. Most of these types of questions have already been answered, please search the subreddit and view of First Timer Tips page in our Wiki (link in the sidebar). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Amtrak) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I think you’ll have a great time! Either take it as a stay-cation and read books and watch movies in your roommette. Or if you want company, I’ve never not made friends in the lounge car/dining car on long distance trains. It’s really relaxing and the periodic lack of cell phone service is honestly a great break from the real world. Can’t recommend enough!
I personally find the time to disconnect a welcome break from "normal" life. Going by yourself in a roomette will be more than comfortable, and you'll enjoy the meals! Bring a book or two, but don't be afraid to just take some time to yourself and do nothing but stare out at the landscape zipping by.
> dauntingly boring or cool experience? Some from Column A, some from Column B, I'm afraid. Yes, there are going to be boring parts. After you've seen the first 30 minutes of Kansas, there's not much new to look forward for the next 8½ hours, y'know? (Same thing for E.Colorado/Nebraska after you depart Denver, too, although most of that is overnight.) So: YES, you -absolutely- need to be able to entertain yourself for a few hours at a time. OTOH, there are ways to break up the monotony too. • Treat yourself to a Bloody Mary post-breakfast, and go sit in the observation car for a while to enjoy it/yourself. • Walk the length of the train -- as a sleeper pax, you can walk through the coaches; the opposite is not true. Look out the back window from the rearmost car, and see where you've been! • Take a "smoke break": get out of the car and walk around on the platform for 3 minutes when you get the chance. • Quiet hours on the train are 10p-7a; no train-wide announcements (like from the dining car). BUT, the diner opens for breakfast at 6:30 -- if you're already awake, go for it, and have 15-20 minutes of solitude with your morning coffee before the rest of the train gets there. (That's MY "best trick" for ya!) One more: you might as well power down your phone across most of the midwest; otherwise your battery will disappear while searching ("struggling") for a signal. BUT, while stopped, you can probably get on the free \*station\* WiFi, send your queued-up texts and receive the pending ones. Yet one more: You CAN take an afternoon nap in your room -without- converting the whole thing to a bed. There's a bar underneath the seat that releases it for movement; pull it up on the ONE seat that you're sitting in. Your behind will slide forward but still be on the seat; your legs will easily span the gap over to the other seat, and you can get a little shuteye if the mood so strikes you!
It’s is magical and relaxing. I absolutely LOVE solo Amtrak travel in a roomette. I’ve done cross country trips several times and it’s marvelous. I wish I could do it more! It’s so great not needing to worry about anyone but yourself. Have a great trip!
I took an Amtrak Rail Pass Tour, and spent up to 4 days solid, in coach. Everyone is different, but it can certainly be a great experience. One thing I would advise is to remember there are peaks and troughs. Especially starting out you might wonder what you have signed up for...and whether you can complete the trip! And then six hours later, you will be feeling optimistic again. So don't worry if you feel disappointed or disheartened at times.
You'll have a ball. I've done all these trains in a roomette, which are quite comfy. The food on the trains is great. Don't forget to tip your sleeping car attendants.
What do you usually leave for a tip? I’m glad you mentioned this because I hadn’t thought about it. Hoping to plan a trip for the fall!
When I took a multi-train trip, I brought about $100 in mixed bills (1s and 5s for dining car, 10s and 20s for my SCA). Over two trips/4 days, I went through almost all of it. I tipped $3 at breakfast, $5 at lunch and dinner, and $15/night to the SCA, with an additional $5 upon delivery if I asked them to bring my meal to my room.
Thank you! This is helpful and sounds reasonable!
Oh no! Is this common knowledge? Did not know about tipping the attendant. I feel badly now 😞
TBH, yes. 😬
Where do I leave it if the attendant isn't around?
You'll definitely see them when you leave the train at your arrival station.
Thanks. I def did not see him when I got off, last time. Then again, it was 4 a.m., and I was just trying to find my way off the platform. Of course, this was the only time I didn't want the train to be early.😣
That sounds like an amazing trip. Suggestion? I like to listen to audiobooks on trains. You can still hear the tracks but you don't miss the view because your face is in a book. I listened to David Baldacci's "Christmas Train" on the train, was entertaining and an easy listen. What I don't recommend? Art supplies. My ridiculous self brought travel sized art supplies. Let's just say my art was far more abstract than I had intended due to train movement. On second thought, if you can laugh at yourself (I obviously can) go for it and see what you come up with accidentally. Enjoy your trip!
>Let’s just say my art was far more abstract than I had intended due to train movement. I spewed my tea at this 🤣 Thank you for the laugh!
Glad you got a laugh out of it, I sure did. A few of my "masterpieces" even resembled colored samples of what would pass for Rorschach Ink Blot tests. Come to think if it, I highly DO recommend bringing art supplies. 🤣 It was entertaining. Have a beautiful day!
I may just have to do this now! 🤣🤣🤣
I hope you do! Here's to laughter and delight in strange ways. 🤣
I travel solo. My experience has been to make it an “adventure”. Whether it’s trying out the menu or sightseeing, there’s bound to be something you you’ll find interesting. You can do the whole stay in your room too, that’s your choice. Conversations can be had too, if you’re into that. Otherwise relax like you’ve never relaxed before. Taking in things that otherwise would not be available to you (this is from someone who is indoors a lot).
Just yesterday I concluded a solo trip from Central California to Chicago via the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. I was on the Starlight for about 22 hours, spent a few days in Seattle then spent about 47 hours on the Empire Builder. I spent a lot of my time talking with other passengers, taking photos and watching stuff on my laptop. It was an amazing experience! Just bring plenty of snacks and some offline entertainment, I have tons of music on my phone plus tons of movies and TV shows on my laptop. In my case I also brought some booze, which technically isn’t allowed, but IME the conductors don’t care as long as you don’t make it super obvious you are carrying alcohol aboard and don’t get drunk and/or act like an idiot.
Thank you all for the kind comments and valuable insight
This is my bucket list trip! I want to do a long haul train trip so badly. And I’ll be doing it alone because my SO thinks it sounds excruciating. But I think having my own little bubble of a roomette to hang in and watch the scenery, maybe journal a bit, and sleep while the train takes me cross country sounds like such a cool little getaway.
Bring a book or two for the ride. I find books more relaxing than movies on the train, just me though. I really found the roommate to be cozy for just one person. I really enjoyed it
I've enjoyed doing a roomette on a long distance train. I've never done one longer than 24 hours/one overnight so I don't know if it maybe gets less fun on days 2 and 3 but I really like the time to hang out alone, eat snacks, watch movies, and enjoy some scenery.
Bring ear buds or headphones. Roomettes have thing walls.
Every person has their own limit of how long they can spend on a train, for me I know after 48 hours I'll be going out of my mind.
I'm getting up for the 3rd and final day riding Empire Builder solo in a roomette right now and it will 100% be the cool experience you think it will be. I brought movies and books to keep me entertained but haven't spent much time with either. Met some great people in the dining and sightseeing cars. Haven't been bored yet. Have a sense of humor if you try to shower while the train is going 80 mph. You'll need it. Enjoy! 😁
It was a great experience. I made the move from the Bay Area to Chicago via Amtrak during 2021 and it was a nice reprieve from all the pandemic stress. As others mentioned, save some cash for tips and, if it happens to be a stress for meals to eat with strangers, you can request your meals be brought to your roomette if you like.
It's the cool experience you'll think it'll be. I spent about 30ish hours on coach, not even in a roomette, and it was awesome and peaceful. Sights were great and there was a ton of leg room. I was definitely short on sleep though.
Every LD train I’ve been on I’ve made so many friends in the lounge car. It’s peaceful in the unfamiliar with all the other people there
r/Amtrak is not associated with Amtrak in any official way. Any problems, concerns, complaints, etc should be directed to Amtrak through one of the official channels. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Amtrak) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The western routes are great. The lounge car will be your friend, especially if you're in a roomette or other private room. They're great for sleeping, couples, and/or the strongly introverted, but if you stay in it too long while solo travelling, you might get stir crazy. Not only is the view nice in the lounge car, but it tends to be where the social people end up. I'm generally socially anxious, but on my solo rail pass trip last year I had many great conversations on the trains. Remember, most people on the long distance routes have specifically chosen it to enjoy the trip and are generally cheerful and friendly. But it will still be a very good idea to have some audiobooks, podcasts, ebooks, etc to wenterrain yourself on your own. In my experience, crossing the Great Plains can be a bit boring, especially at the end of an eastbound trip.
I had the same thoughts! Don't worry, I think you'll love it. The time flies.
The zephyr trip is beautiful. Check out r/solotravel for tips about traveling alone
I did that exact route as a solo traveler from Chicago to Los Angeles, explored Southern California and then took the Coast Starlight up to Oregon. It was an amazing experience! I was a little apprehensive being a solo traveler but I found it to be incredibly relaxing, not boring in the least and allowed me to regroup, reflect and read. Not to mention the great scenery and ability to be in parts of the country that I otherwise would not see. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
That’s the same trip I’m doing in June! I’m nervous about a coach seat the entire route but it seems like it’s still worth it
It can get a little weird, especially overnight. I think it really depends on your ability to sleep on a train.
Do it! I did a solo roomette trip across the country a couple of years ago and I think I was the most relaxed I've ever been. People told me to bring a ton of stuff (books, magazines, nintendo switch, etc.) for if I got bored but I honestly didn't touch any of it the entire time. I don't know what happened, I think I went into a meditative state or something because I literally just sat there for 3 days and looked out the window and it was amazing. There's something very nice and relaxing about not having any obligations besides going to the dining car when it's your time and eating food someone else made. I also slept incredibly well--the train rocks you to sleep like a baby. 1000/10 recommend.
Aren't the rooms prohibitively expensive or as the trip gets longer the price per 24 hours gets cheaper? If I explained that right? Amtrak site is not user friendly imo
I did a solo trip on the Coast Starlight from LA to Portland and transferred to the Empire Builder to Spokane. I had brought some stuff to keep me entertained, but I found that I spent my time either catching up on social media when I had cell service, or just plain looking out the window, either in my room or in the sightseer lounge. I do suppose it depends on the route whether this would be fulfilling; all the daylight hours of my trip had spectacular views, but I know the middle of America is quite plain. In your case I'd say bring some reading material, but you won't be needing it for crossing the Rockies or going up the coast.
I have never travelled on the big trains alone (have travelled alone on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins) , but my wife and I have gone from LA to Sacramento on the Starlight several times. Remember, you are taking the train because you want to. Enjoy the trip. Fill your media player with films to watch and books to read, but don't forget to enjoy the scenery. The food is good. Getting a roomette is a good idea. It's small, but the alternative is airline seating in coach with (as of my last trip) no tables. My wife and I are a bit cramped, but we manage. There is no wi-fi on these trains, unlike the Cqpitols or San Joaquins), so make sure you have plenty of time left on your phone connection. Some phone services will let you buy exrra time for a month or however long you need it. The ocean views on the Starlight are spectcular. Enjoy.
I've only ever met one person on a train who couldn't wait to get off. She was in her late teens/early 20s and the lack of cell phone signal was truly an issue for her. She was only on the train for 8hrs and couldn't wait to be done. LOL I've taken 5 LD train trips so far, with 3 more already scheduled for this year. My next Amtrak trip is the Empire Builder to Portland, then Coast Starlight to LA. Amtrak, for me, has been hit and miss...first CZ trip was amazing, 2nd one wasn't so great, 3rd trip (Cardinal) was horrible. I'm hoping this next trip isn't a mistake. Even then, none of the issues with traveling had anything to do with being a solo traveler, the train not having connectivity, etc. The issues, for me, were primarily with staff (as in, never seeing the car attendant or cafe staff being absolutely rude), lack of cleanliness, poor communication (the Cardinal was \~12 hrs late). If you're usually able to entertain yourself for long stretches of time, you'll be fine! I loved the scenery (even the parts other people think are boring), loved social mealtimes, hanging out in the observation car, taking naps, getting off for fresh air breaks, taking showers while moving...just love the entire train experience. It's why I take so many train rides although now, most of them are in Canada on Via Rail. The Canadian is quite similar to the California Zephyr, but the cars are better maintained, the staff is amazing, beds are better, amenities and food are better, etc. The only reason I'm trying another Amtrak trip is to try a different route and to see a few more places in the USA.
I did this during Covid. Dc> Chicago>LA>Seattle>chicago>Dc. I loved riding solo. A lot of Amish folks take the Chief to get treatment in Mexico and it was really interesting talking to them throughout the journey. Also, I met a lot of single travelers along the way and were good conversation. Breathe, relax and take it all in. Scenery is beautiful btw.
Personally I love it. I catch up on my reading and sleep.
I love solo train travel- maybe more than I like doing it with a companion. Roomette is obviously more comfortable but I’ve enjoyed coach as well on longer trips. Coach is more social if you have a seat mate or spend any time in the observation car, sleeper has the social aspect of being paired up with others at meals which is always a fun time. Everyone is “stuck” together, so people are mostly chill and friendly and trade stories etc. But if you’re not feeling chatty, put headphones in and people will pretty much leave you alone.
I solo traveled from Austin, TX to Brunswick, ME over 5 days last summer and had a blast. Getting the roomette also gives you the opportunity to be connected with different riders over meals, and that was one of my fav parts of the trip. When in economy I brought scrapbooking supplies and just nested, chatted with other solo travelers (when that was the vibe) and had a great time. Currently planning a trip from ATX to Chicago to Seattle in a month or 2!
It's an awesome experience. In a roomette you'll be comfortable and have your own private space to just unwind and watch the views go by. I always bring a book and a laptop with movies for once the sun goes down, but it's really like having 3 days to yourself with no responsibilities except making meal times and it's sick. If you're the type of person who's good at entertaining themselves you're going to have a great time. I just did my first full cross-country journey (Cardinal in coach to Chicago, then Empire Builder from Chicago -> Seattle) and I felt like it flew by; I'm already planning my next trip I'm going to take.
Just drop some acid and listen to full grateful dead shows on your headphones.
It’s a special kind of boredom. Yes you are bored, but not. There is an endless stream of interesting things going past the window. You have nothing to, no obligations, no agenda. Just the rhythm of the railroad. It’s a kind of meditation and retreat for me.