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I took a 32-hour Amtrak trip up the West Coast.: It was great, but I wouldn't recommend it for routine travel.
I took a 32-hour Amtrak ride up the West Coast.Ripley MayfieldI rode the Amtrak Coast Starlight by myself from Santa Barbara to Seattle, a roughly 32-hour trip.My private roomette was great, but it was pretty bare bones for the nearly $500 price tag.The journey offered incredible coastal views, but I wouldn't recommend it for routine travel.Last year, while visiting a friend in California, I decided to stop in Seattle to see my sister before returning home to Texas.Instead of booking another flight, I decided to go an alternative route: Amtrak's Coast Starlight, a 32-hour train ride from Santa Barbara to Seattle.At the time, my social media feeds were flooded with videos of flight delays and air traffic control disasters, so taking a train felt like an easy choice.Plus, I thought a solo travel journey all the way up the West Coast with my own personal roomette sounded like the perfect main-character moment.The ride was an unforgettable experience full of breathtaking views, but in the end, I'm not sure the scenery was worth the nearly $500 price tag.When I boarded, I noticed the roomette was pretty bare bones.Ripley MayfieldOnce on the double-decker train, I was eager to see the roomette I had booked on the second floor. Even though I chose the smallest private room available, my ticket still cost nearly $500.The roomette wasn't fancy — just two seats facing each other with a fold-down tray table. There wasn't a toilet or sink in the room, but luckily, the shared bathroom was located just downstairs.Overall, it was sparse, but the roomette had all the essentials I needed, including a door lock and conveniently placed outlets.Additionally, an attendant was available to assist with any of my needs throughout the whole journey — truly making me feel like I was getting VIP treatment.The roomette was expensive, but the views were incredible.Ripley MayfieldPaying nearly $500 for a solo train ride wasn't ideal for me, but I was truly delighted to see that. my window faced west, offering consistent views of the Pacific Ocean — and occasional glimpses of dolphins — throughout the journey.Watching the changing scenery was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.I didn't have WiFi, but still enjoyed working while traveling up the coast.Ripley MayfieldAfter I got settled into my roomette and opened my laptop, I quickly learned there was no WiFi, something I had forgotten to check before hopping aboard.Had I not been working, I think the romantic notion of disconnecting and living in the moment would have been appealing. But since I have a full-time job, I prayed my hotspot would hold up.Despite the lack of internet, it was a lovely afternoon, passing stunning coastlines and seashores and sinking into the privacy of my own little world.I loved talking to fellow passengers while in the dining car.Ripley MayfieldWhen it was time for dinner, I headed to the dining car, since my roomette fee included three meals.I enjoyed roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables that tasted like a step above airplane food.The train staff sat four people to a booth, no matter the size of your party, allowing. me to meet other people on board and see where their journeys were headed.I ate next to a couple en route to the Pokémon convention in Vancouver, and a woman traveling for work.Sleeping was a challenge, but having a full roomette to myself had its perks.Ripley MayfieldAfter countless hours of sketching, watching TV, journaling, and editing footage for a TikTok video about this very Amtrak journey, I decided it was time to get some sleep.To create my bed, I folded down the table in my roomette and did my best to push the two seats into their reclined positions. However, I needed a bit of help from the attendant to get it right.Since a roomette is meant for two people, and I was traveling solo, I was able to use both sets of pillows and blankets, a perk that gave the somewhat stiff cushions a little give.Once my bed was ready, I gathered my toiletries and headed downstairs to the bathrooms, which felt slightly more. roomy than an airplane bathroom.I was scared I would get motion sickness lying flat, but as soon as I put on my jammies, climbed into bed, and saw the starry sky out my window, I was cozy.I'll never forget the cinematic scenery in the observation car.Ripley Mayfield.The next morning, after breakfast, I went to the train's observation car, where I caught glimpses of hundreds of snow-covered trees. It looked like a scene straight out of a movie.When the train stopped, my fellow passengers and I would step out for a fresh-air break and a stretch.I exchanged some smiles and pleasantries, but I didn't even need to chat at length with others to feel a sense of camaraderie, making the ride feel more like a community than just a commute.It was at this point that I wished I had more time aboard.Getting off the train was bittersweet.Ripley MayfieldOverall, the Amtrak Coast Starlight gave me a wonderful new experience, incredible views, and the opportunity to travel the country in a way I've never experienced before.However, I don't think I'd use a long-distance Amtrak train for routine travel. Instead, I'd love to hop aboard again once a year or for special occasions, since the price and time commitment are not feasible for frequent excursions.Was it faster, cheaper, or more luxurious than a plane, or even a car? No. Was it worth it? Yes.Read the original article on Business Insider
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