- My 11-year-old son and I traveled nearly 27 hours from Boston to St. Louis via Amtrak.
- I booked a private bedroom and two roomettes to ensure we'd be comfortable.
- The journey was long, but it was a fun bonding experience that I'd do again.
A few years ago, my 11-year-old son and I took flights from our hometown of St. Louis on a trip to Boston.
Instead of coming back on a plane, I booked a variety of seating arrangements on Amtrak and embraced the journey with my son.
Our 27-hour train ride wasn't cheap, but I've never regretted the experience we had staying in a bedroom and private roomettes.
I splurged on the bedroom and roomettes because we wanted space to spread out
I booked an Amtrak on the Lake Shore Limited route, an overnight trip running from Boston to Chicago with a train change in Albany, New York.
I got a full bedroom from Boston to Albany and smaller roomettes on the overnight to Chicago and on the Texas Eagle line from Chicago to St. Louis.
Tickets for one adult and one child for a similar journey cost about $1,160.
A private bedroom from Boston to Albany costs $270; a roomette from Albany to Chicago costs $660, the most expensive part of the trip; and similar seating arrangements from Chicago to St. Louis cost $230.
Ticket prices vary depending on the dates you book your trip for and how far in advance you book it, but coach seats can be half the price or less of a roomette and bedroom.
Our upgrades may not have been cheap, but I don't regret investing in more space for a long journey.
I was glad we booked a bedroom because that meant we had access to a lounge
The perks began the moment we arrived at Boston's South Station. Our tickets included access to Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge, where we settled in before boarding.
We rested and nibbled on granola bars, pretzels, and pastries. It's almost always snack time for my son, so I appreciated the access to a place to eat before we boarded the train.
If we'd booked coach seats, we wouldn't have had access to the lounge, so I was glad we upgraded.
I thought the bedroom was worth it, as it was spacious and felt luxurious
The private bedroom was larger than I'd expected, complete with a full-size sofa, a separate captain-style chair, and an area for luggage.
There was even an en suite bathroom with a shower, a sink, and a toilet. Excited for the adventure, we quickly settled in.
As the train swayed out of Boston and toward the Berkshires, I stretched out on the couch while my son perched in his chair and watched the world go by out the window. We chatted, pointed out the sights, played card games, and simply enjoyed each other's company.
I thought the private bedroom was well worth the price.
The roomettes, though not as spacious as the bedroom, were comfortable
As we approached Albany, my son and I repacked what we'd removed from our luggage in preparation to switch trains.
Once the train pulled in, our attendant helped us make the switch seamless by walking us to the correct track.
A new attendant showed us to our roomette, which was about half the size of the private room we'd shared on the previous train. My son and I laughed, realizing that after a spread-out afternoon, it was going to be a crowded evening.
The roomette had two comfortable seats separated by a pull-out table. A shelf directly to the side of one of the chairs also served as a step to the upper berth to access the top bunk that would convert our room for the night.
Eventually, we realized this shelf was a toilet. That feature went unused during our trip.
I was glad we had roomettes throughout the night and on the last leg of the journey
We'd packed smaller overnight bags to prevent having to rummage through our large suitcases, which we stacked on top of the toilet. As the evening continued, we played more Exploding Kittens and rounds of War.
Eventually, an Amtrak employee came over to prepare our roomette for bedtime. When they were done, the chairs formed one twin bunk, and another bed was pulled out from the ceiling. Both beds were made with crisp white sheets and warm blankets.
Once we arrived at Chicago's Union Station, we transferred trains from the Lake Shore Limited line to the Texas Eagle line. Once again, we had a roomette.
The five-hour trip back to St. Louis went by smoothly, and before we knew it, we were at Gateway Station.
For a combined cost of about $890, I thought the roomettes on the Lake Shore Limited and the Texas Eagle lines were worth having a place to sleep and room to stretch out on the last leg of the journey.
Overall, I thought the prices were fair, and the train trip was a fun journey
At the end of our train trip, my son told me how much fun the journey had been.
Both upgrades were worth the price. I think the bedroom and roomettes were a must — we appreciated every inch of extra room on our long journey.
We made wonderful memories on this trip, though I'd recommend thinking about the time commitment a long train journey requires.
Our trains weren't delayed, but I've heard plenty of stories of passengers dealing with Amtrak trains running hours late or having unexpected delays. So, moving forward, I won't plan anything directly after the scheduled arrival time.
In hindsight, I also wish I had packed a few more card games, books, and snacks to help pass the time.
Overall, I thought the Amtrak trip from Boston to St. Louis was an excellent way to travel, and I'd do it again.