Amtrak Bedroom: Sleeping in the Top Bunk Vs. the Bottom Bunk

Inside the bedroom, there was a bathroom on the left, a foldout couch on the right, and a table and chair against the back window. Above the couch was a lever to pull the top bunk down from the ceiling.

Train attendants offer turndown service to set up both beds, but as an experienced overnight train traveler (I’ve spent 193 hours on them), I did it myself.

When I pulled the top bunk down from the ceiling, I found a ladder, straps to hook to the ceiling, and bedding. I hooked the ladder to the end of the bed and climbed up to fix the straps. There was also a pair of pockets on the wall where I stored my water bottle and phone.

If you’re new to overnight train travel, I wouldn’t recommend the top bunk. The shakes and rumbles of the rails felt more intense up there than on the couch below. But I’ve slept on so many trains that this motion rocks me to sleep now.

I slept for seven hours and woke up feeling well rested.

I slept in the top bunk above my brother growing up. Back then, it felt like just another mundane detail of my day. But as an adult, lying up there in that Amtrak bed, I was overwhelmed with nostalgia. It was like traveling back in time and having the chance to appreciate something I never did as a kid.

With the couch still intact, adding the top bunk gave the tiny space another piece of furniture without taking up more square footage. I stored my belongings on the couch below and used the bunk as a loft throughout the next day.

Beneath each corner of the couch was a pedal that read “Push for bed.” With my foot on the pedal, I pulled the bar spanning each cushion to make the bed. I had easy access to the power outlets and a cupholder by the window.

The bottom bunk was wider than the top bunk, so I had more room to stretch out. At the same time, the lower bunk took up a lot of the floor space. I suddenly felt cramped. There was no longer space to stand in front of the sink, so I brushed my teeth in bed. I stuffed all of my belongings in the corner of the room.

I slept for eight hours in the bottom bunk and felt just as well rested as I did the day before.

The window in my room was only visible from the bottom bunk. So I appreciated waking up, opening the curtains, and seeing the sunrise without leaving my bed.

I’m sure most would prefer the bottom bunk for its size and slightly smoother ride, but on future overnight Amtrak trips, I’ll always take the top bunk.

If I’m riding solo, it’ll make the room feel bigger. But even if I’m not, I’ll give my partner the bigger bed and enjoy feeling like a kid again.