I took my first long-distance Amtrak ride on short notice. Here are 5 mistakes I'd try to avoid next time.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author selfie and view of Amtrak train from outside
I took a 20-hour Amtrak trip on a whim amid airport chaos. I made some rookie mistakes along the way.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

I upgraded to Amtrak's business class for $50. As nice as my 8-hour ride was, I'll probably stick with coach.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Woman taking selfie on Amtrak train
My eight-hour ride in Amtrak's business class allowed me to work on the move while also being quite comfortable.

Alexis Buncich

I've taken over 20 Amtrak routes around the US and Canada. These 5 offered the most stunning views.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Sojourner looks out the window of a train.
As a frequent Amtrak rider, I've found some of the most beautiful train routes in North America.

Sojourner White

I traveled over 8,000 miles on Amtrak in one year. These are the 10 items I never board the train without.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Kylie holds a bag on top of a suitcase on a train platform.
My travel bag is one of my favorite things I pack for train rides.

Kylie Stoltzfus

I've spent over 2 decades riding trains all over the US. I wish passengers would stop doing these 7 things.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Train by trees, mountains
Over the years, I've seen passengers making some basic mistakes and social faux pas on train rides.

sculpies/Getty Images

I spent 60 hours traveling on Amtrak trains from New York to Texas. Here are 10 things that surprised me most.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Composite of man smiling on train next to image of Amtrak train
I rode two Amtrak trains on a long-haul journey from New York to Texas.

Michael Rosenthal

I'm a frequent Amtrak passenger and have traveled in business class and coach. The best seat isn't where you'd expect.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
People sitting in booth-style seats on an Amtrak train.
When available, I always sit in the café car on Amtrak trains.

Andrea McHugh

I traveled to 11 states in 30 days using Amtrak's USA Rail Pass. 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 bunked with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on an overnight train in Europe. I'll never do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A blue train with a red stripe stopped at a platform at night
A Nightjet train travels from Venice, Italy, to Vienna, Austria in TK hours.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent 77 hours traveling from California to DC by train. It was worth it, but there are things everyone should know before any long ride.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
diana riding an amtrak train and an interior shot of an antrak observation car
I spend days riding two Amtrak trains to get from California to Washington, DC.

Diana Kruzman

Subscribe to Train