I took a 32-hour Amtrak trip up the West Coast. It was great, but I wouldn’t recommend it for routine travel.

Once on the double-decker train, I was eager to see the roomette I had booked on the second floor. Even though I chose the smallest private room available, my ticket still cost nearly $500.

The roomette wasn’t fancy — just two seats facing each other with a fold-down tray table. There wasn’t a toilet or sink in the room, but luckily, the shared bathroom was located just downstairs.

Overall, it was sparse, but the roomette had all the essentials I needed, including a door lock and conveniently placed outlets.

Additionally, an attendant was available to assist with any of my needs throughout the whole journey — truly making me feel like I was getting VIP treatment.

Paying nearly $500 for a solo train ride wasn’t ideal for me, but I was truly delighted to see that my window faced west, offering consistent views of the Pacific Ocean — and occasional glimpses of dolphins — throughout the journey.

Watching the changing scenery was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

After I got settled into my roomette and opened my laptop, I quickly learned there was no WiFi, something I had forgotten to check before hopping aboard.

Had I not been working, I think the romantic notion of disconnecting and living in the moment would have been appealing. But since I have a full-time job, I prayed my hotspot would hold up.

Despite the lack of internet, it was a lovely afternoon, passing stunning coastlines and seashores and sinking into the privacy of my own little world.

When it was time for dinner, I headed to the dining car, since my roomette fee included three meals.

I enjoyed roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables that tasted like a step above airplane food.

The train staff sat four people to a booth, no matter the size of your party, allowing me to meet other people on board and see where their journeys were headed.

I ate next to a couple en route to the Pokémon convention in Vancouver, and a woman traveling for work.

After countless hours of sketching, watching TV, journaling, and editing footage for a TikTok video about this very Amtrak journey, I decided it was time to get some sleep.

To create my bed, I folded down the table in my roomette and did my best to push the two seats into their reclined positions. However, I needed a bit of help from the attendant to get it right.

Since a roomette is meant for two people, and I was traveling solo, I was able to use both sets of pillows and blankets, a perk that gave the somewhat stiff cushions a little give.

Once my bed was ready, I gathered my toiletries and headed downstairs to the bathrooms, which felt slightly more roomy than an airplane bathroom.

I was scared I would get motion sickness lying flat, but as soon as I put on my jammies, climbed into bed, and saw the starry sky out my window, I was cozy.

The next morning, after breakfast, I went to the train’s observation car, where I caught glimpses of hundreds of snow-covered trees. It looked like a scene straight out of a movie.

When the train stopped, my fellow passengers and I would step out for a fresh-air break and a stretch.

I exchanged some smiles and pleasantries, but I didn’t even need to chat at length with others to feel a sense of camaraderie, making the ride feel more like a community than just a commute.

It was at this point that I wished I had more time aboard.

Overall, the Amtrak Coast Starlight gave me a wonderful new experience, incredible views, and the opportunity to travel the country in a way I’ve never experienced before.

However, I don’t think I’d use a long-distance Amtrak train for routine travel. Instead, I’d love to hop aboard again once a year or for special occasions, since the price and time commitment are not feasible for frequent excursions.

Was it faster, cheaper, or more luxurious than a plane, or even a car? No. Was it worth it? Yes.