I took the longest train ride in the US. 6 things surprised me about the 53-hour adventure across the country.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author sits in an Amtrak bedroom with a mirror on the left back wall and a window on the right
A Business Insider reporter spent 53 hours on Amtrak's California Zephyr train.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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 chose a 20-hour train over a 2-hour flight to avoid airport chaos. See what the experience aboard was really like.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Split image of Amtrak train from the outside and author selfie.
Perks like comfortable seats and spacious bathrooms made my train trip enjoyable.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider

I canceled my flight and paid $200 for a 20-hour Amtrak ride to avoid TSA airport chaos. It was better than flying.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Photo composite of the author in Amtrak and long TSA lines at airports
I took the Amtrak to avoid airport chaos. It took 10 times as long and cost twice as much as flying.

Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider/Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

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 spent 53 hours on the longest train ride in the US. Here are 10 ways I made the 2-night Amtrak trip more bearable.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author sits looking out a window to the right in the Amtrak bedroom
The author took Amtrak's California Zephyr train from Chicago to Emeryville, California.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent 53 hours in a bedroom on an Amtrak train for $2,200 and made 5 mistakes

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author sits looking out a window to the right in the Amtrak bedroom
The author made some mistakes on board the California Zephyr.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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

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