I took a 5-hour Amtrak ride with just a backpack and carry-on. There are 5 things I'm glad I packed and 3 I wish I had.

I brought some of my favorite things on my long Amtrak train ride.

Amanda Shammas I packed lots of essentials for my five-hour Amtrak ride , but I didn't think of everything I needed.

My Kindle, tripod, and headphones came in handy for keeping me entertained on my journey.

However, I wish I had brought more comfort items such as a travel pillow, blanket, or even slippers.

When I hauled a heavy suitcase into the overhead on my Amtrak train car, I thought I had everything I'd need for my trip.

Three jackets, two pairs of boots, and a scarf to match every sweater — I was ready for anything.

However, I quickly realized I wasn't nearly as prepared for the five-hour ride itself.

My trip from New Jersey to Boston on the Northeast Regional line gave me just enough time to settle in, stretch out, and enjoy a little downtime.

Soon, I learned that what I had — and didn't — made all the difference in how much I enjoyed my trip.

Here are five items I'm glad I brought, and three I wish I'd packed.

My ticket didn't include complimentary snacks, so I was glad I'd brought my own.

Amanda Shammas Due to the length of my ride, I knew I'd be hungry at some point.

My basic ticket didn't come with complimentary snacks from Amtrak, but I didn't mind much since I had brought plenty of food from home.

I stopped at a bagel shop before boarding, packed a homemade latte, and had more than enough snacks to keep me satisfied throughout the ride.