Roomette or Bedroom: Chief to Los Angeles from Chicago?

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One traveler or two travelers? If one, the roomette is adequate; the bedroom is luxurious (private bathroom, y'know). If one adult and a child the roomette is do-able; the bedroom gives room to spread out. Two adult travelers in a roomette can be done (I've done it with my own father around the Western U.S.), but you're better advised to spend the extra for a bedroom if you can afford it (in 2016, I couldn't!).
 
My wife and I have done both. We decided the Bedroom was worth the extra, especially if one passenger has mobility problems. By myself I use the roomette.
 
And just in case you weren't aware of it, there are two different trains that go between Chicago and Los Angeles: The Southwest Chief and the Texas Eagle. Both have the same fare structures which can be seen. So you could not only take different rooms on your round trip, but different trains for variety. Fares for both trains both can be found here: Long Distance Train Coach & Sleeper Fares (Buckets)
 
Roommete or Bedroom? Ialready know costwise roommette is cheaper.

For a 2 night trip I’d always vote for a bedroom if you can afford it.

I usually get a roomette when it’s just me since I like to spend most of the daytime in the lounge anyways but having more room and a private bathroom and shower is a huge bonus.
 
And just in case you weren't aware of it, there are two different trains that go between Chicago and Los Angeles: The Southwest Chief and the Texas Eagle. Both have the same fare structures which can be seen. So you could not only take different rooms on your round trip, but different trains for variety. Fares for both trains both can be found here: Long Distance Train Coach & Sleeper Fares (Buckets)
This is exactly what I am doing this coming August. Texas Eagle CHI - LAX and then Southwest Chief LAX-CHI. Theoretically, if TE is on time, I have about 11 hours to spend in LA. Any suggestions of what I could do/see in that time
 
Please let us know what fare you get. We were trying to book a bedroom trip on the SWC this August and couldn't find anything close to being worth the cost.
I guess I hit the jackpot when I made my reservations (at the beginning of April). I got a roomette for $623.
 
You lucked out. $899 is the lowest fare now between Chicago and LA. I'm on The Texas Eagle now heading to LA
I got a $461 price. $13 Coach from Chi to Bloomington $448 roomette to LA. Saving $139 by taking Coach the first two and a half hours was worth it. Since I booked fares on the TE have gone up $270.
 
This is exactly what I am doing this coming August. Texas Eagle CHI - LAX and then Southwest Chief LAX-CHI. Theoretically, if TE is on time, I have about 11 hours to spend in LA. Any suggestions of what I could do/see in that time
You'll be downtown. Phillipes is a great place for french dip. With that much time you can take the subway into Hollywood. You board at Union Stationm
 
I took the roomette and my mother the bedroom. I don't mind the roomette for one person although compared to the Pullman Roomettes they are somewhat less cozy, and no toilets either. However the bath room feature of the Bedroom refused to work when we got in the higher elevations and much of the trip she had to use one in the next car meant for the roomette people. We did though get a generous refund because of it, enough to pay our way to New York later!
 
I just made a booking in a Bedroom for two on the Auto Train to go Up North to visit family later this summer. A Roomette is practically luxurious for one person compared to other travel options these days, but a bit tight for two adults (even physically flexible and thinner ones like we are), although it is not as bad on AT vs "mainline" since you can keep larger luggage in your car and so you only need to take what you need for the night in a smaller duffel bag or whatever to your room. But, I figure we are worth it; we have foregone several trips during Covid, including two to Europe, so we have some vacation budget to blow. :D

I thought of going the two-Roomette route, but can you do that on AT with only one car? Anyway, I want my private shower in the morning, and a private toilet for those middle-of-the-night calls when you are not fully dressed. :eek:
 
I just made a booking in a Bedroom for two on the Auto Train to go Up North to visit family later this summer. A Roomette is practically luxurious for one person compared to other travel options these days, but a bit tight for two adults (even physically flexible and thinner ones like we are), although it is not as bad on AT vs "mainline" since you can keep larger luggage in your car and so you only need to take what you need for the night in a smaller duffel bag or whatever to your room. But, I figure we are worth it; we have foregone several trips during Covid, including two to Europe, so we have some vacation budget to blow. :D

I thought of going the two-Roomette route, but can you do that on AT with only one car? Anyway, I want my private shower in the morning, and a private toilet for those middle-of-the-night calls when you are not fully dressed. :eek:
Yes, you can do the two roomette booking...FYI,,,
 
Yes, you can do the two roomette booking...FYI,,,
Thanks, good to know. I figured there must be a way (like what if you have a big SUV with a group of six) but didn't bother to look into it too hard because of the shower / toilet thing. Plus I like being in the same space with my +1.
 
Yes, you can do the two roomette booking...FYI,,,

Thanks, good to know. I figured there must be a way (like what if you have a big SUV with a group of six) but didn't bother to look into it too hard because of the shower / toilet thing. Plus I like being in the same space with my +1.
We've done it a couple of times (although not on Auto Train) since climbing to upper bunks has become more difficult. The key - which requires an agent's help - is to get two roomettes directly across from each other. That gives you the lower bunks for sleeping and a little more storage space, plus the ability to sit together during the day and shift from one side of the train to the other as dictated by scenery. Works equally well on Viewliners or Superliners.
 
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