Great info this is gold.
I would have thought upper cars had better views? Bathrooms are all on first floor then right?
Noob looking for tips on the Empire Builder
- Thread starter ThePun
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I would have thought upper cars had better views? Bathrooms are all on first floor then right?
Maglev
Conductor
I do not find a significant difference between the view upstairs and downstairs.
There is one toilet shared by ten Roomettes upstairs, while there are three toilets shared by four Roomettes plus the Family Bedroom downstairs. There is often a wait for the upstairs toilet, since people seem reluctant to go from upstairs rooms to the downstairs toilets.
Try upstairs one way and downstairs the other!
I don't think being on the lower level really ever means you can't see the best views, but I do love the feeling of being on the upper floor.
Even when upstairs I usually go downstairs anyway. Good to get your steps in.
At the risk of hijacking the thread, I'd like to know how we can improve the UX on RailForLess for this search!
Feel free!At the risk of hijacking the thread, I'd like to know how we can improve the UX on RailForLess for this search!
It took me a few tries until realized I was putting in Portland Maine hence why no Empire Builder. Lol user error.
I got my mom using it now for her Floridians trip. Love it.
Can't lie I love those times, it makes it so much fun IMO. But I can definitely understand why some wouldn't.
That depends on the individual. There is slightly more motion on the upper level, especially if you’re at the ends of the car, however there is less roadway noise penetrating from pebbles, debris, or crossovers …
And that is why I almost always use a lower-level toilet when I have an upper-level roomette. The lower-level facilities always seem cleaner and more private to me. Note the operative word "seem,"
.Well, my admittedly small sample size would confirm this belief. I prefer using the downstairs facilities, since being plural, they are more likely to be free at any given time, and do seem generally tidier. I will also say, caveat to even a smaller sample size, that the EB seems to keep cleaner facilities than other LD trains.And that is why I almost always use a lower-level toilet when I have an upper-level roomette. The lower-level facilities always seem cleaner and more private to me. Note the operative word "seem,"
Maglev
Conductor
I don't have any experience with bidding. I have watched fares as my travel date approaches, and paid for upgrades when I saw the Bedroom price drop.
Here is a thread about bidding:
https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/bid-up-questions-and-experiences.80709/
Update, so I finally leave Tuesday morning. This community has been a great help so thank you all for the above and linking me to relevant threads.
Few followup questions because I have major OCD and couldn’t find an existing thread on it.
1. Is there a checklist of things to bring for a cross country trip in a Roomette? I have a full desk of chargers, cords, fans, snacks, warm stuff etc but want to make sure not missing anything.
2. The lowest bid on BidUp is more then the upgrade from Roomette to Bedroom. Worth it the extra for a 6 foot 275 pound man to have the bigger bed, I am traveling solo. Do they ever let you upgrade day of or when you board if it’s not full? Can you slip them a tip to upgrade in that case also?
Few followup questions because I have major OCD and couldn’t find an existing thread on it.
1. Is there a checklist of things to bring for a cross country trip in a Roomette? I have a full desk of chargers, cords, fans, snacks, warm stuff etc but want to make sure not missing anything.
2. The lowest bid on BidUp is more then the upgrade from Roomette to Bedroom. Worth it the extra for a 6 foot 275 pound man to have the bigger bed, I am traveling solo. Do they ever let you upgrade day of or when you board if it’s not full? Can you slip them a tip to upgrade in that case also?
There is one restroom upstairs and three downstairs. All four are shared by the entire car.
I would have a small backpack for easy access in your room, in which, in addition to the items you mention, contains a pair of easy slip on shoes for trips to the rest room, a couple of clothing layers so you can easily adjust your comfort level depending on the room temperature, a warm hat if you plan to take advantage of the fresh air breaks in the frigid North, a small ziptop baggie of meds like cough drops, OTC pain reliever, bandaids, tummy meds like Immodium, Pepto Bismal, Tums, or whatever, plus extras of any prescription meds you ordinarily take. Having a little first aid kit will hopefully go unused, but I have to say that the one trip where I desperately needed some and failed to pack any taught me a lesson! I also bring a small packet of baby wipes which double as hand wipes and face wipes in the room, a pair of flipflops for use in the shower, and a tasty adult beverage for when times get tough!
Maglev
Conductor
I certainly think $200 per night extra for a Bedroom is reasonable. There is a feeling of being cramped in a Roomette, while Bedrooms offer a feeling of spaciousness. I'm 5' 10" and 160 pounds, and I find sleeping on the berth in a Roomette to be uncomfortable; either my butt or my knees are against the wall. The lower berth in a Bedroom is a full foot wider than the lower berth in a Roomette (3' 4" vs. 2' 4").
Then there's the matter of bathrooms. While you might find the bathroom in a Bedroom to be confining, at least it's only used by you and you don't need to go outside your room for a potty trip. It just takes one person to make the shared bathrooms unpleasant for everyone else, and only once in fifty years have I seen a car attendant with a toilet brush.
To upgrade onboard, you would use the Amtrak app.--if cell service is available. The conductor does not sell upgrades, and keeps track of which rooms should be occupied--you shouldn't try to bribe the attendant.
Then there's the matter of bathrooms. While you might find the bathroom in a Bedroom to be confining, at least it's only used by you and you don't need to go outside your room for a potty trip. It just takes one person to make the shared bathrooms unpleasant for everyone else, and only once in fifty years have I seen a car attendant with a toilet brush.
To upgrade onboard, you would use the Amtrak app.--if cell service is available. The conductor does not sell upgrades, and keeps track of which rooms should be occupied--you shouldn't try to bribe the attendant.
