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

Before Air Force One, US presidents traveled aboard a luxury train car. Look inside the 'White House on wheels.'

Tech Insider : Politics, Travel, Politics
presidential train car
The Ferdinand Magellan was in presidential use from 1943 to 1954.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

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 compared coach and business class seats on a 4-hour Amtrak ride. One perk made the $120 upgrade worth it.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A split image showing Talia Lakritz and an Amtrak train.
Is upgrading from coach to business class on Amtrak worth it? I traveled in both to find out.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

I booked the cheapest accommodation on an overnight train in Europe. I'll never do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A close up of the exterior of a blue sleeping car on a train
Business Insider's reporter got no sleep in a reclining seat on an overnight train through Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I rode in business and first class on Amtrak's NextGen Acela, the fastest train in the US. Here's how they compared.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
People board a train on the right in an underground platform
The author traveled in first and business class on the Amtrak NextGen train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Amtrak is booming: Why more Americans are taking its trains than ever before

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Environment
People with suitcases approaching an Amtrak train.
Amtrak has reported a record number of riders on its trains as well as record revenue.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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

I took a 5-hour Amtrak ride with a backpack and carry-on. Here are 5 things I'm glad I brought and 3 I wish I'd packed.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A backpack and suitcase on an Amtrak train track.
I brought some of my favorite things on my long Amtrak train ride.

Amanda Shammas

I chose a 9-hour Amtrak over a 2-hour flight home. It's not perfect, but I'll always choose the train over flying if I can.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Inside of Amtrak train car
Inside of coach car on the Pennsylvanian Amtrak train.

Agnes Applegate/BI

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