Sleeping on Amtrak train
 

I am thinking about booking a trip on Amtrak that leaves at night and arrives in the morning-a nine hour trip.

Does anyone know if the seats are comfortable enough for someone to get a good nights sleep?

Thanks for your help.

Karen

You'll only know if you try it once. I have slept in coach many, many nights. My usual start time is 8:00 PM from Chemult Oregon to Sacramento, CA at about 6:15 AM.
The bedroom option is 3 to 4 times the coach fare.
The coach seats recline and have a leg support that folds out.
At least 4 times as many people sleep in coach as in the sleeper cars. Bring a neck pillow or use your jacket as a pillow. Carry a lightweight blanket in your carry on if traveling in cold weather. A few people try it once and never travel by train again. The trains are sometimes late so don't set up an appointment or connection in the morning.

It will be more comfortable than spending the night sitting up in coach on a plane. But can get very cold (even during the day), you need to secure your valuables and trains are often late - sometimes substantially late. (It once took my uncle 7 hours from DC to VA.)

On http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...mtrak/HomePage

Click on the Routes Tab and click on "Historical on time performance" (bottom choice). Choose the train number to see the past 30 days and past 12 months on time performance.
Overall the OTP has been in the 70-80% range. If there are floods or tornadoes along the route, you will be late.
Where Amtrak trains run on freight lines, the Amtrak trains are at the mercy of the freight dispatchers.

I don't know about the chairs, but I know the beds in the sleeper have a very narrow and thin mattress and that the train jerks around all night. If you are looking for a good night's sleep, I wouldn't look for it on Amtrak.

HTTY