Amtrak Passenger Shares Surprising Insights from 60-Hour NYC-to-Texas Journey

Traveler recounts unexpected experiences on cross-country train trip in coach class.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A Business Insider reporter recently took a 60-hour Amtrak journey from New York to Texas, traveling through Chicago on two separate trains. Despite the lengthy trip in coach class, the traveler found the experience to be quite pleasant and enjoyable overall, sharing several surprising insights from the long-haul trip.

Why it matters

As more Americans consider train travel as an alternative to flying, particularly for longer-distance trips, this firsthand account provides valuable perspective on what passengers can expect when taking an extended Amtrak journey across the country.

The details

The reporter booked two different Amtrak routes to get from New York to Austin, Texas, with a stop in Chicago along the way. While spending over 60 hours on trains in coach class may not be ideal for everyone, the traveler found the experience to be quite nice overall, citing the trains' comfort, the scenery, and the friendly interactions with fellow passengers.

  • The journey took place in February 2026.

The players

Michael Rosenthal

A reporter for Business Insider who recently took a 60-hour Amtrak journey from New York to Texas.

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What they’re saying

“Spending 60 hours on Amtrak trains in coach isn't ideal for a lot of people. Fortunately, I don't mind a long ride.”

— Michael Rosenthal (businessinsider.com)

The takeaway

As more travelers consider train travel as an alternative to flying, this firsthand account highlights the potential benefits and unexpected pleasures of taking an extended Amtrak journey, even in coach class, providing valuable insights for those contemplating a similar cross-country adventure.