Tips for sleeping well on Amtrak

[dbkbye]

We just spent two nights on the SWC last week. The regular train noises weren’t nearly as disruptive to my rest as the next sleeper’s toilet flushing in the night.

 

[marcoloco]

My husband and I are new riders this year on Amtrak. My husband has a very hard time sleeping even though we have a room. Do you all have any suggestions to help him pass a peaceful night on the train?

remember that the air conditioner vent doesn't always work exactly right and if it gets to cold, try shutting the vent AND stuffing a towel into the vent. This can make a BIG difference sometimes to keep from freezing all night. I'm a veteran rider.

 

[Asher]

It’s not too bad on a Viewliner, at least you can look out the window. Struggling to sleep while in the upper Berth of a Scenic Cruiser is the pits.

 

[railiner]

It’s not too bad on a Viewliner, at least you can look out the window. Struggling to sleep while in the upper Berth of a Scenic Cruiser is the pits.

Wait…”upper Berth of a ‘Scenic Cruiser’”???
Guess you meant Superliner…

The package rack of an old Greyhound Scenicruiser is too shallow for most to crawl into…

 

[Joe from PA]

The first time is tough. Live with it. IMO opinion, nothing wrong with Amtrak's pillows or mattress.

 

[marcoloco]

The first time is tough. Live with it. IMO opinion, nothing wrong with Amtrak's pillows or mattress.

also a tip for sleeping well is that sometimes the air vents don't close all the way if it's too cold. In this case, just stuff a towel up into the vent to stop the cold air, if it is fact cold to start with. Hope this helps

 

[Dakota 400]

I try not to even try to go to sleep too soon after the SCA makes up the bed. Totally dark roomette/bedroom and watch the night time scenery accompanied by the sound of the horn and the sound of the train riding the rails. Finishing a bottle of wine that I started before dinner and finished after dinner helps in making me drowsy. At that point, I slip under the sheet and blanket and usually get to sleep in a reasonable period of time.

I agree with others that peeking out the curtained window during station breaks the sleep rhythm and causes me difficulty in getting back to sleep. I try to resist my curiosity as to try to see where we are.

Temperature needs to be comfortable (I prefer slightly cool). Haven't traveled since the new blankets have appeared, but those thin blue blankets were usually too thin as the night wore on and I would get too cool and that would wake me up with difficulty getting back to sleep.

 

[Cal]

The first time is tough. Live with it. IMO opinion, nothing wrong with Amtrak's pillows or mattress.

I mean I use the Amtrak bedding to without a problem, but I'm young and agile. I know that Jeb Brooks can't stand the Amtrak pillows and they don't give much support, so yeah.

We just spent two nights on the SWC last week.

Curious, what days? I was on #4 FUL-CHI from the 10th to the 12th.

 

[Asher]

Wait…”upper Berth of a ‘Scenic Cruiser’”???
Guess you meant Superliner…

The package rack of an old Greyhound Scenicruiser is too shallow for most to crawl into…

I knew something didn’t look right. Thank you.

 

[GAT]

I knew something didn’t look right. Thank you.

I always blame typos like that on Google dictation - even if I wasn't dictating it!

 

[dbkbye]

Curious, what days? I was on #4 FUL-CHI from the 10th to the 12th.

We left LA on the 14th.

 

[Sidney]

Wait…”upper Berth of a ‘Scenic Cruiser’”???
Guess you meant Superliner…

The package rack of an old Greyhound Scenicruiser is too shallow for most to crawl into…

I can't sleep in the upper bunk of a superliner. Too claustophobic. Glad I normally travel alone. Plus when nature calls,it's a real ordeal getting out of the bunk.

 

[railiner]

That may well be why the Santa Fe Railway never went beyond a design study for a sleeper version of their Hi Level cars. Having two decks in a car made the ceiling uncomfortably low if there were an upper bunk. The Superliner's are only about 8" taller than they were.

 

[bibty]

I was in a roomette in a Viewliner I sleeping car recently. The room was at the end of the car, above the wheels. A fan or something above the baggage space in the room (by the ceiling) made loud noises. I slept in the upper bunk. I didn’t sleep well.

Any tips for getting a good night’s sleep in a Viewliner, in addition to stuffing a napkin or towel at the edge of the door so that the door doesn’t rattle, wearing a sleep mask (to block light) and using earplugs?

Is the lower bunk more comfortable, with a thicker mattress?

Is getting a room in the middle of the car better?

Are the beds larger in larger rooms?

If the hallways had dimmer lights at night, or curtains that blocked all light, that would help.

Thanks.

I take one of the facecloths and stick it in the door to stop that noise.

 

[Caro]

I agree with others that peeking out the curtained window during station breaks the sleep rhythm and causes me difficulty in getting back to sleep. I try to resist my curiosity as to try to see where we are.

But peeking out can be part of the magic. Abiding memories of my Sunset trip a couple of years ago was waking and looking out at a totally dark Texas sky lit only by millions of stars, then again later as we crossed the bridge over the Amistad reservoir. Those rich memories were worth ten times the loss of sleep that night and still sustain me.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I tend to be curious about our surroundings on new and infrequent routes but if it’s the same route I’ve traveled dozens of times in the past I’d rather sleep through as much of the night as possible in order to feel rested the next day. Amtrak’s endless PA announcements make it hard to catch up on sleep during the day.

 

[Cal]

But peeking out can be part of the magic. Abiding memories of my Sunset trip a couple of years ago was waking and looking out at a totally dark Texas sky lit only by millions of stars, then again later as we crossed the bridge over the Amistad reservoir. Those rich memories were worth ten times the loss of sleep that night and still sustain me.

That is an amazing picture of the sky. Too bad the bridge is in the way.

 

[Dakota 400]

But peeking out can be part of the magic. Abiding memories of my Sunset trip a couple of years ago was waking and looking out at a totally dark Texas sky lit only by millions of stars, then again later as we crossed the bridge over the Amistad reservoir. Those rich memories were worth ten times the loss of sleep that night and still sustain me.

I had a similar experience when I was on the California Zephyr. Early morning, as the Sun was rising, opened the curtains and had a beautiful view of the Utah countryside.

 

[joelkfla]

I had a similar experience when I was on the California Zephyr. Early morning, as the Sun was rising, opened the curtains and had a beautiful view of the Utah countryside.

I'm rarely up to see the sunrise when at home, but I always try to retire early on Amtrak so I can watch the dawn the next morning. Even if I don't have an eastward view, I love watching the passing landscape gradually lighten.

 

[Asher]

I like to watch that sunrise also. But, doubling up on that bottom bunk usually gets me heading for the lounge,

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

Any tips on sleeping on Amtrak trains on overnight journeys?
I've gotten better since taking Amtrak but still could use some advice.

 

[Sauve850]

Any tips on sleeping on Amtrak trains on overnight journeys?
I've gotten better since taking Amtrak but still could use some advice

Everyone has different sleeping habits and ideas. Read this whole post and you will have additional information.

 

[pennyk]

Any tips on sleeping on Amtrak trains on overnight journeys?
I've gotten better since taking Amtrak but still could use some advice.

It will be easier to sleep if you are in a room than in coach. Even in a room, I rarely sleep well on the first night of a trip.

 

[zephyr17]

I am a side sleeper but try not to onboard. The sideways jerk of a rough switch is enough to jostle me and wake me up. It is much more stable on my back or stomach.

 

[Bob Dylan]

There are lots of tips and tricks that people use to get to sleep, but the most important one is to try and keep your regular Schedule, ie if you normally sleep 1030pm-630AM,try to maintain this schedule while on the train.

Temperature is very important ( too warm or too Cold is not helpful to sleeping) amd wearing comfortable night clothing ( or a la natural if thats your practice) is important.

Also.Cars vary in temperature on Amtrak, but a Cool one is preferable to a Warm one.And stopping rattles and annoying sounds as much as possible helps.

If you drink alcohol, try to limit your intake @ night.( and caffiene also)And don't eat late @ night, say after 8pm.

Taking a Shower before bed is helpful also for some folks.

Lastly,a non-habit forming Sleep Aid helps some people when they have trouble getting
to sleep.( Melatonin is a natural substance that helps me).

As others have said, the first night on a train is usually not relaxing for several reasons, but the second night is usually where one "Sleeps like a Baby!"