I took a 52-hour Amtrak train ride from Chicago to California by myself. Here are 11 things that surprised me most.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The silver, blue, and red Amtrak train at the concrete platform
I didn't know what to expect from such a long Amtrak ride, but it wasn't bad.

Sojourner White

I spent 53 hours on Amtrak's longest train. These were the 6 best and 4 worst parts of the journey.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author stands smiling in front of a train
The author took Amtrak's California Zephyr train from Chicago to Emeryville, California.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took a 32-hour Amtrak trip up the West Coast. It was great, but I wouldn't recommend it for routine travel.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A woman sitting in a private roomette on an Amtrak train.
I took a 32-hour Amtrak ride up the West Coast.

Ripley Mayfield

I rode for 6 hours on Amtrak's coach and business class. Here's how they compared.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Smiling person in sunglasses poses beside a passenger train at a station platform.
Comparing Amtrak coach and business class on the Ethan Allen Express from New York to Vermont. I wouldn't pay for the upgrade again.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

My friends and I take a 14-hour Amtrak trip together every year. It's the cheapest way to spend time together.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Four friends posing in front of an Amtrak train in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
I love taking a 14-hour round-trip Amtrak train ride with my friends every year.

Leighana Luther

After spending hundreds of hours on Amtrak trains, I always prepare for 5 mishaps that can make journeys more difficult

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author taking a selfie in the observation car of an Amtrak train while wearing a red sweater.
I enjoy traveling by train, but doing so can take preparation.

Diana Kruzman

I slept in private rooms on overnight trains in the US and Europe. The experiences were completely different, but I'd book both again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A composite image of trains stopped at outdoor platforms: a Nightjet at night on the left and an Amtrak during the day on the right
Business Insider's reporter booked overnight train rides on Nightjet and Amtrak trains.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I used Amtrak's USA Rail Pass to travel to 11 states in 30 days. Here are 6 things I wish I knew before buying it.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Malia sits in a seat on a train with her legs stretched out.
I bought the Amtrak USA Rail Pass, and there are a few things I wish I had known beforehand.

Malia Yoshioka

I spent 2 nights in an Amtrak bedroom and tried both bunks. The smaller bed won me over.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author lays in the top bunk of an Amtrak bedroom
The author booked a bedroom on Amtrak's California Zephyr and slept in both bunks.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've spent 128 hours on overnight Amtrak trips. I wish I had known 10 things before stepping aboard.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of a train stopped at a snowy outdoor platform, and the author sitting with her knees up in an Amtrak roomette
A Business Insider reporter spent 128 hours in Amtrak sleeper cars and learned things about overnight train travel she regrets not knowing beforehand.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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