We're considering taking Amtrak from Santa Fe/Lamy to San Diego...departs SAF at 230pm, arrives SD 1130am the next day.

Are those coach seats comfortable enough to sleep on/in?

Yes they are wide enought and fairly comfortable. You won't get a good nite's sleep, with the noise and stops and people moving around you, but you should be able to get a few winks.

I just did a NYC to Boston, trip and slept all the way home, waking as the train slowed and people came on and off.

Also there is a snack car but I would suggest bringing food with you, since the options are not great on the train.

Enjoy the views.

I did this several years ago and I say you'll probably be fine for a trip this short -- mine was three days, but I was younger then.

The seats are much, much better than airplane seats, and there are footrests.

no problem. bring some earplugs and a blanket and pillow and you'll be very comfy.

I have ridden from Eugene to Sacramento-an over night ride. I took an over the counter sleeping pill, had ear plugs and I slept OK . I would also recommend bringing your own pillow and blanket

I took the Desert Wind from Chicago to Los Angeles and then the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles back to Chicago. This was in 1993 and Amtrak had a sale where I bought this roundtrip fare for $189.00. To add a sleeper would have added another $600, and I, being the budget traveler that I was back then decided that I would "rough it" and just sleep in my seat.

Mind you, this was FOUR nights sleeping in my seat.

This trip was more for the train ride itself than to get from point A to point B.

I survived. You adjust to the train's movements. The only time I remember being awakened was the train change in Salt Lake City where the California Zephyr and Desert Wind were separated from each other (they are the same train from Chicago to SLC, well, they were. The DW doesn't exist anymore). More clanging and bumping than usual in separating the two trains from each other.

For just one night, you shouldn't have any issues at all.

The seats on the train are further apart from each other and you are able to recline further back than on an airplane.

We've done this several times with and without our children from N.O. to Washington, DC. It was always fun, but like yours, it was not a trip of several days. The seats are comfy and ltt's list for what to have for the ride is excellent.

I hope the seats are more comfortable than the sleeper beds in which I bounced around in on trips between Seattle and Chicago.

In any event they should be more comfortable than seats on an airplane or cross-country bus.

I did along with my husband and other family members including 3 children.

If it had just been my husband and I it would probably have been fine as the seats were certainly larger than the coach airline seats and were comfortable as I recall. Leg room was fine.

The problem was that the parents of the three children went to sleep, my husband fell asleep and the three children, especially the little one didn't..so I was awake all night! I suffered through it, basically holding the toddler most of the night.

It was the only time I have been on Amtrak when it didn't run late, thank heavens for small favors, lol.

I would think your train trip would be easier than a long westcoast flight in coach to Europe Lucca.

As others have said, do take a pillow and blanket for each of you and I would take some snacks and bottled water.

My sister did the Washington DC to San Diego round trip several times (before she discovered tranquilizers for flying). She recommends taking:

A pillow (or down jacket with pillowcase). The seats are quite comfortable, but a pillow makes it much better.

A blanket- some of the cars are COLD.

A headlight or booklight for reading. Once the car lights go out, others get testy if you turn on your overhead lamp in the middle of the night. This is especially important if you are travelling alone, and have a person in the seat next to you.

An eye mask in case your neighbors didn't adhere to the advice above.

Earplugs.

Plenty of snacks. A small soft-sided cooler with ice is nice too.

Toilet tissue, as it can run out.

Lock your suitcases and consider taking a small bike cable to lock them into the luggage rack.