I could have flown from New York City to Miami. It would have saved me 27 hours and at least $100.
But I’ve always loved traveling by train, so I booked a 30-hour Amtrak journey instead.
This was back in 2021, when the longest train ride I’d taken was less than four hours long, but the thought of spending 30 hours on a train appealed to me.
I booked a roomette accommodation for about $500. A step up from coach seating, it’s a 20-square-foot private suite that sleeps two people.
I romanticized my overnight train trip to Miami until the moment I stepped on the train. I don’t know exactly what I expected, but I felt antsy and anxious about the length of the journey and the constant motion.
Despite having my own room, I felt pretty uncomfortable during my first overnight train ride. Thankfully, I had enough time to find ways to make it easier on myself.
First off, I wore the comfiest clothes I own.
Does it look like I’m wearing pajamas? That’s because I pretty much am. These are the most pajama-like trousers I own that I’d wear in public, although my mother would argue that they should only be for sleeping.
But who cares? Once you get on the train, you’ll be happy you’re comfortable, no matter what you look like.
I went with the comfiest shoes that slip on and off easily.
After years of overpacking, I have a new rule: one pair of shoes per week of travel. That meant I could only bring the shoes on my feet for my six-day trip to Miami, so I picked the comfiest ones I had.
I picked up these memory foam babies at T.J. Maxx for only $20, and they slip on and off very easily. This was great for being able to leave my room quickly with shoes on.
Since I often get motion sickness, I sat in the seat facing the same direction the train was going. It helped.
This is an old trick my mom taught me when I would get train sick during day trips from our home in Stamford, Connecticut, to NYC.
Going against the motion of the train made me feel sicker, so I stuck to one chair for the whole trip.
Since I knew my bathroom would be right next to my sleeping quarters, I brought Poo Pourri with me to eliminate any odors.
A decade ago, I may have had a bigger problem with the toilet situation next to my bed in the roomette. But thankfully, I had packed some Poo Pourri to eliminate any odors.
I also adjusted the lights and the temperature to my liking.
Adjusting the lighting throughout the trip helped me feel like I was changing environments even though I wasn’t.
My ride included breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but bringing my own snacks kept me satisfied between meals.
Trail mix and granola bars kept me full in between meals, which were included with my ticket purchase.
There were about five options for meals. I went with short ribs and mashed potatoes for dinner, and it was decent. The next day, however, I tried the salmon and rice for lunch and found the salmon tough and dry. The rice also tasted like the salmon, which threw me off.
But going to the dining halls to eat my meals kept my room from getting messy and allowed me to get out of the same space for a few minutes.
Even though eating in my room was an option, I didn’t want my bunk to smell like food all night. It was also nice to sit in a different environment for parts of the ride.
Getting out of the train for a short walk during longer stops also helped.
The train took a short break every few stops, and passengers could walk around the platform for about 10 minutes.
Getting up to stretch my legs and take in some fresh air made the next few hours crammed in a room with a window that didn’t open a little more bearable.
To pass the time, get moving, and feel more at home, I took frequent dance breaks in my room, where I closed the curtains and blasted music in my ears.
I tried to make the train feel like home, and at home, I dance periodically to release energy throughout the day.
Shutting the curtains gave me a moment of privacy to be my goofy self, which also helped me keep moving.
I also brought my own entertainment, from video games to playlists.
I brought my own devices and didn’t rely on the spotty internet connection to watch movies and listen to music and podcasts. Downloading these beforehand helped, and made the time go by a little faster.
In between movies, shows, and video games, I looked out of the window and took in the views.
Looking out of the window was a constant reminder that I was on my way to somewhere new, and it helped me stay excited about my trip.
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