British YouTuber spends $1,000 on 28hr first-class Amtrak ride from New York to Miami in a tiny cabin

Published on Jul 12, 2025 at 11:29 PM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan

Last updated on Jul 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Emma Matthews

A first-class Amtrak ride from New York to Miami might not be everyone’s idea of luxury, but for British YouTuber Simon Wilson, it was the perfect recipe for adventure.

Instead of hopping on a quick flight, he spent $1,000 on a 28-hour train journey packed with quirky moments and cross-country charm.

With 31 stops, a tiny cabin, and plenty of time to kill, it was less about speed and more about the experience.

And as he quickly discovered, train life comes with its own surprises.

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The 28-hour journey got off to a rocky start

The first-class Amtrak journey from New York to Miami began with a little confusion at the station.

Expecting passengers to be boarding already, Wilson was surprised to learn that Amtrak boarding only starts 10-15 minutes before departure, which is a far cry from the airport hustle he’s used to.

To make things even more fun, the train was delayed, and no one knew which platform it would arrive on.

Fortunately, the delay wasn’t too long, and soon he was aboard.

His first-class cabin was compact, but it offered privacy, a bed, and access to a few exclusive amenities.

He found a coffee and ice machine down the hall, which are first-class essentials.

His neighbor, who was also traveling long-haul to Fort Lauderdale, became one of many friendly faces on the ride.

First-class Amtrak: A unique experience with good food and awesome people

Curious about the facilities, Wilson explored the rest of the train.

The toilets were surprisingly decent, and the dining car was a highlight, with a solid menu.

Unsure whether meals were included in his pricey ticket, he was relieved when the staff confirmed: three meals were included as part of his fare.

The food was tasty, and the YouTuber couldn’t help but finish the decadent slice of chocolate cake he was given.

He also wandered into the regular dining carriage, where things were a little more chaotic.

Back in his cabin, a cheerful staff member helped make up his bed.

Wilson managed a full night’s sleep, waking just in time for breakfast the next morning.

Two more meals, several conversations, and countless views later, he rolled into Miami, tired but content.

His verdict? The first-class Amtrak ride was a fun, unique experience with good food, great service, and lovely people.

But he left it to his viewers to judge whether the steep price tag was worth it for this New York to Miami journey.

“$1,000 for 30 hours? I’ll let you decide on that one”, he said.

With a new state-of-the-art train connecting Los Angeles and Las Vegas currently under construction, perhaps traveling by train in the US will become more mainstream.

Of course, if cost is the main concern, flying is usually cheaper, as this man who flew from New York to London for just $129 can attest.

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Jason Fan is an experienced content creator who graduated from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore with a degree in communications. He then relocated to Australia during a millennial mid-life crisis. A fan of luxury travel and high-performance machines, he politely thanks chatbots just in case the AI apocalypse ever arrives. Jason covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on technology, planes and luxury.