I paid $400 for a roomette on a 15-hour Amtrak train. The 23-square-foot space was more comfortable than I expected.

• I spent 15 hours in a sleeper car on an Amtrak Superliner train going from Denver to Salt Lake City.
• For $400, I stayed in a private cabin, which had two seats during the day and two bunks at night.
• The 23-square-foot space was cozy and full of space-saving hacks that made it feel larger.

Taking a sleeper train from Denver to Salt Lake City was more expensive than flying or driving — and it took a lot longer. But for a locomotive enthusiast like me, it was worth it.

In January, I took a 15-hour ride through the American Southwest on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, an overnight train. I paid $400 to stay in a private, enclosed 23-square-foot space with two chairs and two bunks — also known as a roomette.

I found that 23 square feet is plenty of space for me to feel comfortable on a long journey. And with an efficient arrangement and a design that seemed to prioritize relaxation, I was far cozier than I am on flights and road trips.