Are Private Rooms On Trains Worth The Extra Cost? Here's What To Know Before Booking

When booking a train trip, most rail services typically allow you to choose between different seating options like coach, business class, or private rooms and sleeping cabins. In most cases, choosing coach means you get access to comfortable reclining seats, complete with leg support and a footrest for each passenger, while business class also offers individual seating — but with a little more space — along with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Private rooms, on the other hand, replace said seats with beds or berths, giving you added privacy that standard coaches can't provide. Better yet, this option usually includes meals and dedicated luggage storage, making it ideal for longer journeys.

But is shelling out the extra cash for a private room worth it? It depends. As it turns out, these types of accommodations can offer real benefits to certain types of travelers — but only if you value privacy and comfort enough to pay the big bucks. That said, for the more budget-conscious bunch, you might want to avoid this option if you're hoping to save money while on vacation. Especially since booking a private room or sleeping cabin could upset your plans for sticking to a truly cost-effective itinerary.

For instance, on both Amtrak's long-distance trains and European services run by Eurostar or Nightjet, private rooms (such as "roomettes" or "bedrooms") allow travelers to sleep, dine, and even shower onboard. However, as expected, these rooms are usually more expensive than standard seats. On certain journeys, Nightjet's private sleeper cabins in Europe cost about $200, while shared bunk cabins on the same train typically range from $80 to $100. In contrast, Amtrak private rooms start at approximately $500 and can exceed $1,000 for a bedroom.

Although sleeper trains in Europe have become a popular choice for certain trips, the question of whether a private room is worth the extra cost depends solely on you and what you think matters most. For example, you might consider booking a private room if you're taking an overnight train and want to rest comfortably. Similarly, you can also choose that option if you're traveling with your family or partner and want extra privacy. Similarly, light sleepers might also benefit, since they won't have to deal with too much noise. 

For many travelers, the ability to lie down and sleep, which usually means arriving at the next destination feeling refreshed, makes it worth the price. To them, there's no comparison between sleeping in a coach seat during a long overnight trip with sleeping on a bed. Put simply, according to Redditor u/tuctrohs, "The main reason to get a roomette is to be able to get better sleep than you can in coach." However, they also argue that spending money on a private room is only worth it if your financial situation truly permits it. 

However, if you're on a tight budget, or traveling on a short trip between Europe's most affordable destinations, there's no reason to feel like you need to pay that much. As u/DirtyPenPalDoug plainly writes: "8 hours in coach won't be a big deal." Many travelers are comfortable in coach seats on routes that are just a few hours long, and they'll likely prefer picking up a quick meal, or stretching at stopovers, instead of paying extra. Ultimately, while private rooms can turn a long train trip into part of the adventure instead of an uncomfortable necessity, they aren't always necessary to enjoy the ride.