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the author hold Poo pouri on the left, her open duffel is on the right
The author traveled 60 hours on Amtrak trains. Here's what she did and didn't pack.

Joey Hadden/Insider

  • I traveled from New York to Miami and back in Amtrak sleeper cars. Each ride was 30 hours.
  • For 60 hours of train travel, I brought a carry-on duffel bag and my camera backpack.
  • I was glad I brought some odor-eliminating spray, but I regret forgetting flip-flops for the shower.

For a weeklong trip to Florida in 2021, I traveled round-trip from New York to Miami on Amtrak trains. Each ride was about 30 hours long, and my tickets included a private room with a bed, access to a bathroom, and complimentary meals.

On my way to Miami, I booked a roomette, a 20-square-foot private space with two seats across from each other, a table that folded out in between, and a bed above the seats that pulled down. The seats also pulled out into a bed. Some Roomettes also include a toilet and sink.

On my way home, I booked an Amtrak bedroom. It's twice the size of a roomette with an additional chair and a shower.

Knowing I'd be staying overnight in sleeper cars, I packed some travel essentials I thought would be helpful for sleeping, eating, working, and relaxing on a train. I tried my best to ensure my duffel bag and backpack included all the items I'd ever want to ensure a comfortable and entertaining 60 hours of travel. But I regretted leaving some items behind.

I packed a duffel bag and my camera backpack, both of which I kept with me on the trains.
The author sits on a wood floor with two bags
The author sits in her apartment with her bags packed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I had the option to check a bag, but I decided to keep all my belongings with me throughout the trip.

Since each ride was an overnight trip, I was glad I packed a comfortable outfit separately from my clothes for the rest of my trip so they were easy to find in my bag.
Clothes for the train on the right and the rest of the trip on the left.
The author's clothes for the train are on the right. The clothes for the rest of her trip are packed together on the left.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I packed comfy pants and shorts since I was traveling south to warmer temperatures. 

I was grateful I packed various forms of entertainment, especially some that didn't require an internet connection, which could sometimes be spotty.
The author plays a Nintendo Switch on the train
The author plays Mario Kart on the train to pass the time.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I brought a Nintendo Switch, a tablet, and a book to pass the time. I made sure to download a bunch of podcast episodes to my phone in case I lost service and internet at any point during the trip.

I always keep a disinfecting spray with me to make sure the surfaces I use are clean.
The author holds up lysol disinfectant in front of the train window
The author carries a disinfectant spray.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Even though Amtrak sanitizes rooms between visitors, according to its website, bringing my own disinfectant gave me peace of mind and made me feel more comfortable relaxing in my rooms.

Every time I travel, I also pack some Vitamin C for an immunity boost.
Vitamin C is seen in a container with greenery in the background
The author carries Vitamin C with her.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This packing tip comes from my mom. She always brought some sort of immunity-boosting chewable to protect us from germs while traveling. And as Business Insider previously reported, Vitamin C can help your immune system fight off some infections.

One of the most important items I brought was my comfiest pair of shoes — they feel like pillows under your feet.
The author holds up her comfy shoe
The author's shoes were an important choice.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I picked up these memory foam babies at T.J. Maxx for only $20. They slipped on and off very easily, which was great for leaving my room quickly with shoes on.

I tried to make the train feel like home, and at home, I dance pretty much all day, so I'm glad I brought a pair of headphones with me.
The author dances in her room in two side-by-side photos
The author dances to music with her headphones on.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took frequent dance breaks in my room, where I closed the curtains and blasted music in my ears. This, of course, required a pair of headphones. 

While I danced throughout the day, I was glad I could listen to music as loudly as I wanted without bothering my neighbors.

I was especially glad I brought my odor-eliminating Poo Pourri spray with me when I saw that my Roomette's toilet was next to my seat.
The author holds a bottle of Poo Pouri on the toilet
The author poses with a bottle of Poo Pourri.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In some roomettes (mine included), a side table swings open to reveal a toilet. Above, there's a folding sink and mirror. 

I may have had a bigger problem with having a toilet so close to my bed, but thankfully, I had packed some Poo Pourri, a spray that goes in the toilet just before you poop to eliminate odors.

While my train tickets included meals, I was glad I brought my own snacks for the in-between times.
The author holds trail mix on the train
The author's trail mix of choice.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought many of my meals on the train were decent, but there were times, like when I tried and disliked a salmon dish, that I was thankful for this bag of trail mix with my favorite ingredient, coconut chips.

But it turns out that I also missed a few key things when packing. While I'm glad I brought a water bottle, I wish I'd brought a smaller one that would fit in Amtrak's cupholders.
The authors water bottle is seen next to a cup holder that's too small
An aerial view of the table shows just how large the author's water bottle is compared to the cup holder.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

An Amtrak attendant brought me disposable water bottles every few hours, but I was still glad I brought my own pre-filled water bottle.

But my bottle was too wide for the provided cupholders, which were just big enough for 12-ounce bottles. So, I wish I had brought a smaller reusable water bottle.

One thing I missed the most on this trip was medication for motion sickness. Both train rides felt as bumpy as a flight when the seat belt sign is on.
Close-up of unrecognizable aged man in casual shirt holding bottle of water and taking dramamine pill in bus
The author didn't bring medicine to combat motion sickness.

shironosov/Getty Images

I figured this would only be temporary, but I thought the whole ride was shaky. I ended up feeling motion sickness for the majority of both trips and kicking myself for not bringing any remedies.

On my way home, I stayed in a bedroom with a private shower. I would have used it, but I forgot my flip-flops to keep my feet safe from germs.
Left: Amtrack shower floor is green with brown marks Right: A pair of gray flipflops
An aerial view of the shower and the author's forgotten flip-flops.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I planned on showering during my 30-hour ride home from Miami, but I decided not to when I realized I had forgotten my flip-flops. I usually wear them in public showers, since experts told BI that it's pretty easy to pick up germs from places where many people have walked barefoot.

Since there weren't many visible outlets in the rooms, I wished I had packed a couple of outlet splitters to charge more than a few devices at a time.
left: outlets on the train right: two outlet splitters stacked on top of eachother
There weren't many outlets in the rooms.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I only saw a couple of sets of outlets in the rooms. With several devices to plug in, I should have brought an outlet splitter or two. 

For the same reason, my portable charging battery would have come in handy had I remembered to bring it.
Left: outlets on the train Right: portable battery
The author forgot her portable charging battery.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I could have sworn I packed this and was so disappointed when I wanted to use it.

I usually bring my neck pillow when I fly, but I didn't think to take it on my Amtrak trek, since my tickets came with beds. But I think it would have made the waking hours more comfortable.
The author leans agains a plane wall with a blue neck pillow on
The author uses her neck pillow on a long-haul flight.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

This specific neck pillow wraps around 1.5 times, making adjusting to various long-term sitting situations easy. 

While the train beds and blankets were much more comfortable than I expected, the pillows weren't as cushy as the ones I had at home. So I wish I'd brought my own.
Left: The author lays on the train pillow Right: the author lays on her bedroom pillow
The author thought about her pillows at home.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The bed on the Amtrak was firm and slightly cushy on top, just the way I like a bed. But when I was drifting off to sleep each night, I thought of my fluffy, dense, soft pillows at home. 

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I spent 60 hours on Amtrak trains with a carry-on bag and a backpack. Here are …