I've spent 100 hours on trains in the US, Canada, and Europe. I found that trains abroad are more comfortable.

15.10.2023 - 13:09 / insider.com

Trains are my favorite mode of transportation. 

I've taken local coach trains in the US throughout my life. Two years ago, I started taking long-haul train trips up and down the East Coast, trying out upgraded accommodations from business and first class to private sleeper cabins.

In October 2021, I spent a total of 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trains between NYC and Miami in Amtrak sleeper accommodations, including roomette and bedrooms.

Then, in February 2022, I rode in first and business class on Amtrak Acela trains between NYC and Baltimore. And in August, I spent 10 more hours in Amtrak's business class from NYC to Niagara Falls, New York. From there, I crossed the border into Canada and spent six hours traveling in business class from Toronto to Montreal, and then four more hours in coach from Montreal to Quebec City on Via Rail trains. 

By October 2022, I was ready to experience something different: train travel in Europe. I rode the rails through four European countries over the course of two weeks — Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland — trying out classes on multiple different lines, including OBB Nightjet, Trenitalia, and InterCity Express, from coach to first class, and shared sleeper cabins.

Since I haven't traveled in private sleeper cabins abroad, I can't speak to how they compare. But when it comes to day trips, from coach to business class, I found that train travel abroad is more comfortable than it is in the US.

"We are constantly evaluating ways to improve the customer experience, including further differentiating the classes of service across the network," a representative from Amtrak told Insider of the following critiques.

On a long train ride, nothing is more important to me than a comfy seat. 

In the US on Amtrak trains, I expect to feel slightly uncomfortable in coach since the chairs are less spacious than in other classes. But in first and business class on Amtrak trains, I remember thinking that the chairs appeared to be big, so I expected them to be comfy and plush. However, once I sat down, they felt stiffer than I thought they would be. 

During my first rides abroad on Canada's Via Rail trains, I was surprised by how comfortable I found the seats in business as well as coach classes. Unlike Amtrak seats I've sat in, the top of my Via Rail seats was curved, so I was able to rest my head in a comfortable position for lounging. In business class on the same train line, I was surprised to find that I had a side table in addition to a tray table that pulled out in front of me which felt like a luxury.

In Italy, I sat in the most comfortable train seat I've ever experienced in Trenitalia's business class. With a soft, cushy exterior and a curved headrest, I thought it