I sat in coach on an Amtrak train across the border from Canada to Seattle. 6 things surprised me about the $50 ride.
I rode in coach on an Amtrak train from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seattle.
The four-hour ride was more affordable than I expected.
I was also surprised by the baggage policy and the seats in coach.
I couldn't remember the last time I'd traveled in coach on an Amtrak train.
It must have been when I was a kid, before I crisscrossed the US in business and first-class cars and slept in roomettes and bedrooms on overnight trains in the northeast and southwest.
After spending more than 100 hours in Amtrak's premium classes as a travel reporter for Business Insider, I decided to refresh myself on the train line's most basic class, coach.
In May, I spent four hours on an Amtrak train traveling from the Canadian city of Vancouver to Seattle in the lowest-tier car, which cost $50.
The coach ride surprised me in six ways.
I was shocked when I saw the price of my train ticket compared to airfare.
I booked my train ticket for $50 a month before my trip. On the same day, I checked flight prices. From Delta to United, basic economy airfare for the roughly one-hour flight from Vancouver to Seattle cost about $150.
I usually find that Amtrak tickets exceed the price of airfare, depending on the route. So I was stunned when I learned that traveling by train from Vancouver to Seattle on the Amtrak Cascades train saved me $100.
I was surprised by how much luggage each traveler could bring without paying extra.
I stood in line to board with my backpack and carry-on suitcase and noticed that the travelers around me had more luggage. Some had large suitcases in each hand with carry-ons stacked on top, and others had more rolling bags than hands.
Since I traveled quite light, I didn't check the baggage policy before arriving at the station. I was surprised to learn that passengers can bring up to two checked bags, two carry-on suitcases, and one personal item at no charge, according to Amtrak Cascades. Patrons can check up to two more suitcases for $20 each.
On board, there was a luggage rack inside each train car in addition to overhead bin space.
I didn't expect to have so much space on the train.
On the first and business-class Amtrak rides I've taken, the configuration was two seats on one side and single seats on the other.
Since I was traveling in coach this time, I prepared myself for the possibility of ending up in a middle seat, but the coach car's layout had only two seats on either side of the aisle.
Not only did I avoid a middle seat, but I also got a row to myself for the entire ride.
The seats were larger and more comfortable than I thought they'd be.
I assumed the seats would be significantly smaller and less comfortable than those in business and first-class cars. I was wrong.
My seat was slightly smaller with a bit less legroom, but I still had plenty of space to stretch out. I also found the seats to be similarly comfortable to the premium classes. They reclined and had a supportive, curved shape.
The bathroom was surprisingly suitable for a morning routine.
I didn't brush my teeth, blow-dry my hair, or apply makeup on the train — but I could have. The bathroom in the coach car was surprisingly spacious and well-lit with power outlets and a large, round mirror.
The biggest surprise was realizing that I probably won't book first or business class again.
By the end of the trip, I found myself counting the hundreds of dollars I've spent on business and first-class Amtrak rides over the years. After experiencing the surprisingly comfortable and spacious coach seats, I realized that these premium classes weren't worth the additional cost to upgrade.
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