Coast Starlight with luggage

Question

Good morning.

I will travel from Seattle to SF by Coast Starlight. Have booked roomette, for myself.

I understand there is limitation on the luggage. Mine is of the size of a checked in luggage so a little big. But not heavy as I cannot take it either. Hah.

Can I put it in the cabin ? Since I book the room all for myself.

many thanks.

Answer

Good morning — great question. Yes, there are some luggage-considerations for a roomette on the Coast Starlight, and whether your “checked-sized” bag will fit in the cabin depends a lot on how big it is, and which storage options you use. Here’s a breakdown of what Amtrak’s policies are, how other passengers handle large bags in a roomette, and some tips to make it work.

Amtrak’s Baggage Policy for Roomettes

Amtrak recommends that roomette passengers bring two overnight bags.
For carry-on, Amtrak allows up to two carry-on items (per passenger) that are ≤ 50 lbs and up to 28 × 22 × 14 inches.
Items must be stored either in overhead racks, under seats, or in designated baggage areas; you are not supposed to block aisles or use other passengers’ spaces.

What Other Travelers Say — Roomette Storage Reality

Several passengers report that roomettes are quite small, and “there is not much room” for large suitcases in the room itself.
According to frequent riders, there is no dedicated luggage cubby inside Superliner roomettes; instead, there is a “big, common use luggage rack” on the lower level of the sleeper car.
Some recommend checking a large suitcase (if your origin station allows checked baggage) rather than trying to stuff it into the roomette.
Reddit users say that yes, you *can* bring a bigger bag up to the train, but they often leave the large suitcase on the lower-level rack rather than in the room: > “Even with a carry-on sized bag, you may be able to put it in your room … If it’s larger … I have stored suitcases … on the downstairs luggage rack many times …”
Others note that the upper berth (if used) in some cars has very tight space, so stashing bags there is not ideal.

Practical Advice Based on Your Situation

If your suitcase is “of the size of a checked-in luggage,” it’s probably too big to comfortably store inside the roomette, especially when the room is in “bed mode.”
Plan to store that large suitcase on the lower-level luggage rack of the sleeper car. That’s the common solution many solo-roomette travelers use.
If you prefer not to risk leaving your large bag downstairs (or want easier access), consider checking that bag at your departure station, if checked baggage service is available.
Bring a smaller, softer bag or duffel (or a carry-on sized roller) for the items you’ll need during the trip, which you can better manage inside the roomette.
Make sure your checked or carry-on baggage is tagged with your name and address, as required by Amtrak.

Bottom Line: It’s unlikely your large “checked-sized” suitcase will fit neatly inside the roomette. Your best bet is to use the lower-level luggage rack for that bag, and bring a smaller, more manageable bag for the space inside your roomette. If possible, check the large suitcase at the station so you can travel lighter in your private cabin.

Coast Starlight with luggage

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