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- I booked a roomette and a first-class seat on Amtrak trains. The cheaper ride was way more comfortable. (businessinsider.com)
A Business Insider reporter recently compared two very different Amtrak experiences: a $400 roomette on a 15-hour overnight train from Colorado to Utah, and a $450 first-class seat on a three-hour Acela ride from Washington, DC, to New York City. The surprising takeaway? The shorter, pricier Acela trip cost more than the longer journey in a private cabin.
In January 2025, the reporter booked a roomette on Amtrak’s Superliner train, traveling from Denver to Salt Lake City. This 23-square-foot private space included two chairs that convert into beds, a tiny closet, a pullout table, and amenities such as power outlets and temperature controls.
The ticket also provided priority boarding, all meals, a dedicated attendant, and access to station lounges. Despite the lengthy trip, communal dining and observation cars offered breaks from the cozy roomette.
Fast forward to September 2025, the same reporter took a first-class seat on Amtrak’s brand-new NextGen Acela, which launched in August. This high-speed Northeast train runs from Massachusetts to Washington, DC, reaching speeds up to 160 mph.
The sleek, modern design featured spacious seats with plenty of legroom, tray tables, and individual reading lights. The first-class ticket included priority boarding, lounge access at select stations, attendant service, and one upscale meal.
Though the Acela offered WiFi and a stylish café car, the shorter trip meant the reporter mostly stayed seated.
Meal quality stood out on both trips. The roomette experience included a full day of dining with French toast breakfast, Caesar salad lunch, and a three-course steak dinner-each surprisingly tasty for train fare. The Acela’s single first-class meal was a well-presented charred chicken thigh with sides and a Key-lime pie dessert, served on real plates with glassware.
Bathroom facilities also differed. The roomette’s shared bathrooms were small but clean, while the Acela’s first-class bathroom was larger and equipped with touch-free fixtures and occupancy indicators.
Distance-wise, the overnight Superliner route covered roughly 500 miles, more than twice the 230 miles traveled on the Acela. Despite this, the roomette ticket was $50 cheaper. An Amtrak spokesperson explained that pricing is dynamically managed based on demand, regardless of train type.
While the Acela impressed with its modern amenities, speed, and WiFi, the private space, meals, and value offered by the roomette made it a more appealing option for travelers seeking comfort on a budget. Ultimately, the overnight roomette felt like a tiny moving hotel, delivering more for less compared to the pricey first-class Acela seat.