We took an overnight Amtrak train from Chicago to Denver on our honeymoon, and had one of the “small sleeper” rooms. The lower bunk was fine, but the upper bunk was awful. It was very claustrophobic (the ceiling curves, but it feels like it’s rightagainstyourbody), and, as the train bounces and rolls along, you feel like you’re going to get pitched out of the bunk (at least in 1992, there was only a thin strap to you from getting tossed out.).
Despite what Amtrak says the Roomettes really aren’t fit for 2 adults (2 kids, or an adult & a kid would fit nicely). Their predecessors on the old private railways were strictly one person affairs. If you’re traveling with a companion you need a Bedroom.
In 1977 I took a sleeper from LA to Chicago. It was January, the train got delayed in snow, some toilets backed up, and they ran out of food near the end, but it would have been much worse trying to sleep on a seat. Fold down toilet in the room, comfortable couch during the day and a nice bed at night, and a sink. Definitely worth it, especially because my parents paid.
I’ve been on planes longer than the OP will be on the train, but I’d take the sleeper because I would be a lot more rested the next day.
This is all good to know, since I’ll be riding a train overnight soon and I wanted to know if paying the extra $200 was worth adding onto a $113 train ticket. Since I can sleep anywhere I’ll stick with sitting in my seat to sleep.
We’ve done it - including one time from Florida to Raleigh NC. Most recently, taking the Auto Train from Lorton VA (very near our house) to Sanford (near Orlando). Most recently was 2007, I think.
I’d definitely choose it over sitting up in coach all night - even with the seats reclined, a bit, you won’t get any real restful sleep.
The cheapest rooms are a couple hundred a night on top of the coach fare, so it’s NOT an inexpensive way to go. But you’ll be feeling a lot better the next morning even if you don’t sleep all that well.
The cheap rooms accommodate two people so there’s not a lot of leg room. If you’re travelling alone, that won’t be an issue. Also you’ll have more head room when the bed is folded out, since you won’t have to fold out the upper bunk. Note that it’s the same price whether 1 or 2 people will occupy it.
Actually, they do have shower facilities on those cars - shared of course, and you won’t necessarily want to bother and you won’t feel like luxuriating in the shower while you’re lurching from side to side. For such a short jaunt I wouldn’t bother, but it is at least an option if you feel the need.
I didn’t say there aren’t showers, just that you probably won’t want to take one except in dire need. My shower experience was such that I wouldn’t want to try it in a shower that opened to a public area. And who thinks of shower shoes? I didn’t remember they existed until I was standing on the dingy gray floor of the shower, wondering if I was contracting planters warts or athlete’s foot. Yuck.