I spent 53 hours in a bedroom on an Amtrak train for $2,200 and made 5 mistakes

The author made some mistakes on board the California Zephyr.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

• I recently traveled on the California Zephyr, an overnight Amtrak train, from Chicago to California.
• I booked a $2,200 bedroom accommodation for the 53-hour ride.
• I regretted packing toiletries that Amtrak already provided and choosing to sleep in the lower bunk.

If you travel a lot like me, I highly recommend logging your mistakes so you're less likely to repeat them.