Sleeping on the Rails: Amtrak Brings Back a Northeast Tradition of Private Overnight Accommodations

Starting today, Amtrak brings back a tradition that has been offered for decades: private sleeping accommodations between Boston and Washington, DC.

A fixture of train service in the Northeast for many years through 2004, travelers could skip the need of a hotel and early morning flight between Northeast cities by taking the train instead. Effective today, Amtrak is bringing back this classic travel option to its Northeast Regional trains with the introduction of newer equipment that allows the service to be offered again.

Travelers can select from three types of accommodations: Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Accessible Bedrooms. Private rooms feature comfortable seating that folds into a bed, newly-upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, and linens. A dedicated attendant provides turndown service, assists with meals, and helps with luggage. An upgrade to a Bedroom offers a trip with twice the space as a Roomette as well as other added amenities including a private shower.

Private room passengers receive complimentary Metropolitan Lounge access at Washington Union and Boston South stations, as well as a complimentary alcoholic beverage upon boarding and continental breakfast before arrival.

The schedule:

• Train 66 travels daily and departs Washington Union Station at 10:00 p.m., arriving at New York Penn Station at 1:55 a.m. and Boston South Station at 7:58 a.m.
• Train 67 travels Sundays to Thursdays and departs Boston South Station at 9:30 p.m., arriving at New York Penn Station at 2:30 a.m. and Washington Union Station at 7:00 a.m.
• Train 65 operates with slightly different arrival times on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sample itineraries with one-way fares for one person traveling in a private room (including continental breakfast) are as low as:

For more information, visit Amtrak.com.

Image: Amtrak