One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Amtrak’s Roomette is a Relic of the Past

Too expensive, too uncomfortable, and not enough space: Amtrak’s roomette isn’t the innovative economy sleeper it once was. Even though it makes up the bulk of Amtrak’s sleeping cabin inventory, the tiny roomette no longer serves the needs of today’s travelers. While it retains a nostalgic appeal for some, this compact sleeping accommodation often fails to align with the needs of modern passengers.

Amtrak’s modern iteration of the roomette concept was originally designed in the 1970’s to meet new operational needs as the company took over failing intercity passenger services. Amtrak had inherited a fleet of 1940’s-era sleeping cars that were cramped, dated, and difficult to maintain. At the time, the new roomettes were an innovative solution to offer privacy and comfort in an economy package.

Roomettes feature two seats facing each other that are converted into a lower bunk at night, with an upper bunk that drops down when it’s time to go to bed. It also has a fold-out table and wash basin in the room. Bathrooms and showers are located in common areas of the car.

Amtrak has used this basic design across its entire fleet of sleeping cars. Even in their latest order of new sleeping cars, completed just a few years ago, the roomette design and interior finishes remain largely unchanged.

That design is now older than the equipment they were meant to replace. Over the 40 years that Amtrak’s sleeping cars have operated, traveler needs and preferences have shifted to where the roomette can no longer effectively meet them. The mainstay sleeping cabin on an Amtrak train is left without a clear target market.

Outdated Amenities in a Tech-Savvy World

In a digital age where connectivity is a priority, the roomette’s amenities feel outdated. Power outlets are limited, and Wi-Fi connectivity, where available, is unreliable, making it challenging for passengers who want to work, stream TV shows and movies, or stay connected during their journey. These shortcomings are particularly glaring when airlines are increasingly offering fast in-flight connectivity and a variety of entertainment options.

Amtrak has made limited upgrades to its sleeper cars over the years, and the roomette’s design reflects that stagnation. Modern travelers expect smart, ergonomic designs, climate control, and innovative features that make small spaces feel more functional and luxurious. Amtrak’s biggest upgrade to the roomette in several decades has been to remove the toilet located just a few inches from where travelers are expected to lay their heads for the night.

Security-wise, Amtrak’s sleeping cabins only lock from the inside. This means leaving belongings unsecured while away in a dining car, using the restroom, or otherwise moving around the train. The arrangements are less than ideal when more people than ever are travelling with expensive items like laptops and smartphones, and leaving them unattended can feel uncomfortable. It stands in stark contrast to Amtrak’s European counterparts, many of which have implemented electronic door locks that use hotel-like keycards for cabin access.

Space Constraints in an Era of Comfort

The roomette is marketed as a cozy, private retreat for passengers, but its compact dimensions means that all activities like relaxing, working, in-room dining, and sleeping all take place in a single, tight area.

Measuring just 3’6” wide and 6’6” long, having two travelers in the roomette puts a strain on available space. Adding luggage to the room only exacerbates the issue, as there is only limited room for bags. Larger suitcases don’t fit at all, forcing travelers to check bags, leave them in communal areas, or to pare down essentials—a tough sell for long-haul journeys.

The roomette is best when occupied by a single traveler. After all, the roomette’s footprint was originally designed to accommodate just one person. Amtrak added the second bed when it had new equipment built in the 1970’s. In fact, Amtrak’s roomette is almost identical in size to VIA Rail’s “cabin for one” offered in Canada. Being able to stretch out and move around the cabin should be a major selling point for traveling by train over flying and driving, but the roomette greatly diminishes that value.

Price vs. Value

There is nothing inherently wrong with the lack of space and amenities. Many of the roomette’s drawbacks would be perfectly acceptable trade-offs if it were priced as an economy option. However, Amtrak sells the roomette as a first class accommodation. Roomettes can often cost anywhere between two and six times the price of an airline seat on the same route.

A traveler headed to Orlando, Florida from New York City for a week-long trip, for example, has the option of riding on Amtrak’s Silver Meteor, or flying on one of several airlines. If booked six months from today, a round trip in a roomette on the Silver Meteor would cost $1,102 for a single traveler, and a total of $1,664 if including a second adult. Across all three legacy airlines, you could expect to pay between $312 and $567 for a nonstop, round trip flight in a main cabin/economy seat between the same cities. (We excluded basic economy tickets to keep the comparison more fair.) A first class seat would cost you between $802 and $997 on those same flights.

Regardless of which full-service carrier a traveler might choose, Amtrak’s offering is significantly more expensive than the equivalent service class on an airline. Considering the cramped quarters and limited amenities, travelers would be forgiven for questioning whether the premium pricing is justified. For budget-conscious passengers, competing transportation modes will often seem like better options.

Despite this, Amtrak frequently sells out of roomettes on long-distance trains. This is because demand for sleeping cabins vastly outpaces supply. Amtrak currently has many of its sleeping cars out of order, and they didn’t have that many to begin with. Without a major influx of funding for capital expenditure, there is little chance that the supply of sleeping cabins will increase any time soon, keeping prices elevated.

Catering to a Broader Demographic

While the roomette makes up the bulk of Amtrak’s sleeper inventory, it isn’t the only cabin option. Amtrak also offers a bedroom cabin and an accessible bedroom. Bedrooms feature two bunks, a captain’s chair, and in-room toilet, shower, and wash basin. The prices, however, are even more eye-watering than the roomette. It’s not uncommon to see ticket prices over $3,000 for a round trip as a single passenger — or about four times the price of a round trip first class seat on an airline.

Neither the roomette nor the bedroom cater to families or groups traveling together — each only sleeps two adults. For bigger groups, you would need to book multiple cabins. Taking a family of four on a round trip in multiple sleeping cabins could cost anywhere from $3,000 all the way up to $6,000 or more. (Amtrak also has a family suite that can accommodate small children in addition to two adults, but that cabin is not available on east coast trains.)

Today’s travelers encompass a wide demographic, from digital nomads to families and retirees. While the roomette was designed with simplicity and affordability in mind, it falls short of catering to diverse needs. Families need more space, solo travelers seek high-tech conveniences, and retirees often prioritize comfort. The roomette fails to meet the needs of any of these groups.

The roomette is simultaneously too expensive for solo travelers, too uncomfortable for couples, and too small to accommodate families with children and groups traveling together. Amtrak’s bedroom, while slightly more spacious than the roomette, suffers from much of the same issues. The dated interiors have not held up with modern standards, and the lack of technology limits its usefulness.

If train travel is going to be a serious competitor to driving and flying, operators must offer a variety of cabin types that meet the needs of different types of travelers. Lunatrain is actively designing several types of cabins that can dynamically meet the needs of solo travelers, couples, and families. We look forward to sharing more details about this over the coming months. To be the first to hear about our progress, sign up for our waitlist and Insights newsletter below.