I didn’t even use the biggest thing I packed. And the item I longed for most could have fit in my jacket pocket.
I didn’t think I’d make packing mistakes on my most recent long-distance Amtrak adventure. As an experienced overnight train traveler, I’ve had plenty of time to learn exactly what to pack for a night on the rails.
But this wasn’t just any overnight Amtrak train. In February 2026, I took the 53-hour California Zephyr, the longest train ride in the US.
I’d spent 30 hours on the rails on multiple occasions. I’d even spent back-to-back nights on different routes. Still, this was my first time spending three days and two nights on one train.
I booked a $2,200 bedroom for the three-day journey. Here’s a rundown of what I packed and didn’t.
I stepped aboard the train with a carry-on suitcase and a backpack.
My journey on the California Zephyr was part of a five-day trip that began with a two-night stay in Chicago, so I packed more clothing than I would have for this ride alone. Other than that, everything else I brought I used on the train — or at least, I planned to.
Families and other travelers with heavier loads should know that each Amtrak passenger can bring two carry-on bags, two checked bags, and one personal item at no extra fee.
Since sleeper cars have showers, I’m glad I packed waterproof clogs and slippers.
Amtrak sleeper cars have private cabins, some with their own showers and others with access to shared ones.
I booked a bedroom accommodation. For $2,200, this 50-square-foot cabin had a full bathroom, but I probably wouldn’t have used the shower if I hadn’t brought my Crocs. The waterproof clogs made me feel like my feet were safe from germs.
And when I stepped out of the shower with wet feet, I was grateful I’d packed a soft pair of slippers that slid into my bag seamlessly.
I’m also glad I brought toiletries to maintain my hygiene habits, like skincare and mouthwash.
The cleaner I am, the more comfortable I feel. Packing mini skincare and oral hygiene products was worth the space they took up in my suitcase.
Amtrak provided some toiletries (more on that next), but I didn’t find any toothpaste or deodorant in my room, so be sure to pack your own, as I did.
If I’d known the train provided towels and shower products, I would have left mine at home.
I found Beekman 1802 shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, as well as three towels in the shower.
Packing an assortment of activities was the right move.
When spending 53 hours in a confined space, the last thing I want to be is bored. That’s why I packed my Nintendo Switch with a dozen downloaded games, a book about train travel, and a spiral pad for drawing, journaling, and writing poetry. Time passed quickly as I jumped from one activity to the next.
But I should have left the noisy ones behind.
For context, I’m a singer and drummer in a band. And as a touring musician, I wanted to use this long-haul trip as an opportunity to practice.
So I brought a small drum pad, a pair of sticks, and a ukulele, which I clipped to my backpack while flying so it would count as a single item. It was a bit of a hassle that wasn’t worth the effort since I didn’t end up using either of them. Sound traveled far in the sleeper car, and passengers were asked to play any audio through headphones in their cabins.
I’m glad I downloaded movies and shows on my phone since there was no WiFi on the train.
There’s no WiFi on the California Zephyr train, so I downloaded movies and episodes of shows in different genres to satisfy whatever I was craving. Watching TV at night made me feel at home on the train.
But it would have been worth bringing my iPad for a larger screen.
With my work laptop, smartphone, and Nintendo Switch, packing my iPad seemed like a little much, but I didn’t think about watching TV at night. I didn’t want to risk falling asleep with my laptop in bed, since the rails were bumpy and it could fall off.
I settled for squinting at my phone screen and regretted leaving the tablet at home.
The California Zephyr is known for being one of the most scenic train rides in the US, so I’m glad I packed my cameras and lenses.
I brought two cameras with me on this trip. One was small and light, which was great for quick snaps in crowded spaces without disturbing others. The other was larger, with detachable lenses, so I could get a variety of perspectives on the passing landscape.
More than anything else, I wish I’d packed a pair of binoculars.
The California Zephyr route took us through the wilderness, from the Rockies of Colorado to California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Zooming in as much as my camera lens allowed didn’t satisfy my craving to get closer. A pair of binoculars would have been perfect.
From Illinois through Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada to California’s Bay Area, the lands we passed through are home to a variety of wildlife: birds such as eagles, hawks, geese, and herons; bighorn sheep; antelope; coyotes; and even moose. I think I would have been able to spot some of these animals if I’d had a closer look. Missing this opportunity to see wildlife was my biggest regret of the trip.
Without my towel, toiletries, and noisy activities, I would have easily been able to pack my iPad. But even with the extra items I didn’t need, binoculars would have been easy to fit into my backpack, suitcase, or possibly my pocket.
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