Which do you prefer: Upper level or lower level Amtrak?

Question

So I've read that when riding coach, upper level has better views, but rides worse whereas lower level doesn't give as good of views (does it have any view?) but rides better. What are the other perks? Which do you prefer and for what reason?

Answer 1

Ty-

My wife and I are avid Amtrak'ers.  We mostly ride the Coast Starlight from San Jose, CA  into Seattle, WA.

We have ridden coach, but because our trip is scheduled at 22.5 hours we often get the Roomette.

Depending on how long your trip is, you are probalbly going to want to spend the extra for a little more comfort.

Yes, as the other joker pointed out Amtrak seems to run on their own schedules.  But part of that is the hosting railroad company.  Mainly because they give their freight priority on the lines.  Union Pacific is really bad about that.

Just as an FYI, if you are going to be traveling on the Coast Starlight, there is a service change.  There has been a large landslide in Chemult, Oregon which has closed the route to all rail traffic until the end of this month, maybe into the middle of next month.

So Amtrak, is running bus service from Sacramento north to Seattle.  This is due to facilities between Sacramento and Klammath Falls.  There are no major facilities until Eugene.  Eugene is north of that point, (Chemult).

According to what I have been told, everthing should be back to normal at the end of April or May.

As for top or bottom??

Well that depends on a couple of factors.  We have had better luck in the upper compartments.  Better view, and less noise.

Less noise??

Yeah, you just wait until you get a car with a flat spot on one of its wheels.  Oh, boy are you going to be in for a treat! Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, and the rithym goes with the accelleration or decelleration of the train.

Anyhow, I hope you have fun.  Its a nice relaxing ride, and the staff are really good folks!

Answer 2

Take a bus Amtrak has an accident every day some place in this country and the are never on time!

Answer 3

If you get motion sick like me (or if you want to sleep) then lower.

If you're more adventurous, then upper.

Answer 4

the bottom is mostly for Handy cap people that why it cost more to get a seat down there. when on top you will not have to go top side to go to the dinning car or lounge car remember you can walk around. seat will be same but the bottom will be more quiet. less people on bottom but if you really want to sleep well you should get a roomette at lest.