Land transportation

Any suggestions for transportation from the docks in Vancouver to SeaTac airport?

We rented a car - but it was years ago so do not recall the car rental agency. I would recommend you post this on the ports of call boards - you will get better answers there.

Edited July 16, 2015 by phoenix_dream

I did some research and this is what I found.

 

 

 

Here is what I found on transport options from Seattle to Vancouver.

 

Here is a post with the summary of options:

 

Seattle to Vancouver options

 

There are several transportation options between Seattle and Vancouver. In addition to cost, look carefully at the schedule of each; not just the departure time but how long it takes and how many stops it makes. Also look at the drop off location .... in some cases you'll need to take a taxi from pier to bus station or airport to train station.

 

Options include: Amtrak Cascades train, Amtrak Cascades bus, Quick Coach, Bolt Bus, cruiseline transfer, one-way rental car, Alaska Airlines.

 

Depending on your flight times and overall cost, it can be a real money saver to use Seatac, or, it might be too inconvenient for a savings of only $100. You really have to do the math and factor in all the considerations.

 

 

Amtrak

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak

If you take the train, you would need to take the early train that arrives just before noon. Remember, Amtrak can be unreliably late.

Wed 7:45 am Wed 11:45 am

 

 

Cheapest tickets are $31 one way. You would still need to pay for a taxi from the airport to train station. Also, your flight would likely not arrive that early in the morning and you would need to fly in the night before and stay in a hotel, then catch the early train.

 

The Best Way to Experience the Great Pacific Northwest

From Vancouver, British Columbia to Seattle, Portland and Eugene, Oregon, past Mount St. Helens and across the Columbia River Gorge, you'll witness some of our continent's most distinctive cities and most spectacular natural attractions.

 

Onboard these sleek, European-style trains, you'll enjoy wide, reclining seats, laptop outlets and bike racks. Relax in the Bistro Car, which features fresh, regional cuisine, wine, microbrews, and the coffees Seattle made famous.

 

To truly experience the luxury of travel on Amtrak Cascades, book a seat in the Business Class. You'll enjoy priority boarding and deboarding, wider seats with more legroom, a quieter car with fewer passengers, and complimentary newspapers.

 

For current news and information on Amtrak Cascades — including Bistro menus, and special promotions — please visit AmtrakCascades.com.

 

Popular Attractions near Each Train Station

Seattle Space Needle - Vancouver Science World

 

If you’re looking to get started with your trip immediately after detraining, you're in luck. Both the Seattle King Street Station and the Vancouver Pacific Central Station put riders within close proximity of many neighboring attractions.

 

Passengers destined for the Seattle King Street Station can walk to SAFECO field and CenturyLink field for a Mariners or Seahawks game. Other close and prominent sites include Pioneer Square, Seattle’s historic district; the original Starbucks; and the Seattle’s towering space needle.

 

Likewise, passengers destined for the Vancouver Pacific Central Station can walk or find quick transportation to a host of prevalent localities. If you're traveling with kids, consider soaking in a bit of inspiration at Science World. Head over to the Vancouver lookout for a 360-degree view of the city or appreciate fine art at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

 

Onboard Benefits

Hindering Traffic delays that affect buses and cars won’t be an issue when you opt to ride the Amtrak Cascades or Coast Starlight. The Amtrak Cascades and Coast Starlight will escort you north and south along the astonishing Pacific Rim, providing a host of amenities. You'll appreciate the wide reclining seats, electric outlets for your mobile equipment and a Quiet car to relax in. Something you won't find on a bus from Vancouver to Seattle but you will on the train is the Bistro car where passengers can purchase delicious microbrews, wines, regional cuisines and famous Seattle coffee blends. You can even bring your bike to and from Vancouver and Seattle.

 

We even offer great deals to our passengers traveling alone or with family. Children ages 2 through 15 ride at half-price every day and infants ride for free. Students carrying a Student Advantage Card may purchase tickets at a 15% discount. Travelers in large groups (20 or more) are eligible for up to 20% off each passenger's ticket cost. Others who benefit from choosing the train over the bus include, but are not limited to: AAA Members, Military, NARP Members and Veterans. No matter who you are, if you buy your ticket 14 days in advance, you’ll receive 25% off the lowest available fairs.

 

Tickets can be booked anytime online, over the phone or at the station. You can complete your trip with our best price guaranteed hotels, car rentals and prearranged things to do in your destination. So forget the bus from Seattle to Vancouver and take the train instead.

 

Photo credit, Vancouver Science World: Kenny Louie

 

 

 

BUS Service from Seattle Airport to Vancouver

 

http://search.gotobus.com/search/bus.do?nm=&st=0&gid=&option=Select&from_vendor_page=&hotel_bus_package=&is_roundtrip=0&submit_flag=submit_flag&roundtrip=0&bus_from=Seattle+Airport%2C+WA&bus_to=Vancouver%2C+BC&filter_date=2015-03-18&return_date=&adult_num=1&child_num=0

 

Cost $59, but you depart from the airport. First bus leaves at 8am.

 

http://search.gotobus.com/search/bus.do?nm=__AFFID__&st=&gid=&option=Select&max_price=&lowest_price=&left_point=&right_point=&min_price=&operator=&arrival_bss=&depart_bss=&time_left=&time_right=&d_position=&a_position=&operator_names=&x=220&y=507&roundtrip=0&bus_from=Seattle+Airport%2C+WA&bus_to=Vancouver%2C+BC&filter_date=2013-08-07&return_date=&adult_num=1&child_num=0&x=66&y=13

 

also,

 

Quickcoach

 

http://www.quickcoach.com/schedule.htm

 

http://www.quickcoach.com/index.htm

 

 

 

SeaTac Airport,

 

Pier 66,

 

Pier 91 Adult $59.00 $99.00 $90.00*

 

Senior/Military $55.00 $98.00 $85.00*

 

Student $49.00 $85.00 $69.00*

 

Child $20.00 $40.00

 

 

 

Downtown Seattle,

 

Tulalip Adult $43.00 $69.00 $51.00*

 

Senior/Military $41.00 $67.00 $49.00*

 

Student $29.00 $49.00 $47.00*

 

Child $15.00 $30.00

 

 

 

Bellingham Airport Adult $29.00 $49.00 $39.00*

 

Senior/Military $27.00 $47.00 $37.00*

 

Student $25.00 $45.00 $35.00*

 

Child $10.00 $20.00

 

http://www.soundtransit.org/Schedules/Central-Link-light-rail

 

BUSTOCITY

 

http://www.bustocity.com/Washington-Bus/Bus-From-Seattle-Airport-to-Vancouver/

 

http://www.whygocanada.com/seattle-to-vancouver-via-train-or-bus.html

 

 

 

Here are some cruise critic post relevant to the issue:

 

1.

 

For Amtrak, closest station is Tukwila (TUK) - about 4 miles due East of Seatac. However, only trains coming from further south than Seattle stop here - i.e. only one of the two daily trains that come up to Vancouver BC (the evening one). For the morning train, you have to go to Seattle King St (SEA) as that's where the train starts. Public transit requires LINK light rail and/or bus to TUK - it's not much faster and it's more hassle than just taking the LINK all the way downtown to International District stop within a couple of blocks of King St.

 

Vancouver is easy - there's only one station, Pacific Central (VAC). It's a bit more than a mile to the port - public transit is feasible if you can carry your luggage as one of our Skytrain lines runs right past it and terminates within 3 blocks of the pier - morning and evening trains arrive at relatively quiet times of day so you should have room for bags onboard (this line is NOT designed for tourists, but for commuters - it lacks the huge legroom of the Canada Line to the airport).

 

Unless you're traveling solo though a cab can be almost as cheap as transit and much less hassle with luggage (distance-wise the fare should be under $10, but there is always some traffic around as folks arrive for the cruise so expect to pay about $15 incl tip).

 

NB: train times. Amtrak are a bit weaselly IMO in that they charge the same for bus trips as train, so read the page carefully to ensure you're not paying over the odds for a bus ride you could do just as comfortably for a fraction of the price with Bolt or Greyhound. Unless your flight into Seatac is outrageously early and on time you need to spend at least one overnight in Seattle or Vancouver to be able to take the train up.

 

2.

Okiebaugh - if you're overnighting already after a late flight, then I'd agree with SBs reference to Quickshuttle as the Simplest way to get the job done. Basically all the Seatac airport hotels offer a shuttle to & from the airport, so no extra expense for you. They are often cheaper than Amtrak buses too depending how far in advance you book - Amtrak Saver fares start at $29 without a specific sale being on (actually that might be up to $32 this year now I think about it...) but a last-minute Amtrak bus can be $80+ and 'last minute' can be a month ahead of departure during cruise season as a LOT of people like the train!

 

Quickshuttle is ~$50 one way (prices vary a little depending whether you do go from Seatac or downtown, are a Senior etc.) and has really only one logistical downside, that you have to schlep your suitcase into the border control post and back out to the bus again when crossing the border. Unless you are one of very unfortunate folks who have a fellow passenger that needs secondary inspection, it's usually almost as quick as the train station customs & immigration process.

 

For me, if the train schedule fits around your travel plans it beats all the bus options - it's more scenic, smoother, less hassle at the border and you can buy booze on board;-) Most of the significant delay risks are done by cruise season start time (mudslides are common in Winter/Spring, part of the track upgrading works has been to address this issue) so the train will generally trend upward in on-time reliability going forward (and worst-case, they put you on a bus which takes a more direct route than Bolt or Greyhound as they both veer to the East through the burbs around Vancouver).

 

Caniacdeb - pier storage is available until 4pm. They only take stuff to the airport if you a) tell them to do so, and b) pay them $40! This timing is actually ideal for the evening Amtrak as you are supposed to show up an hour before departure to check bags and do immigration - so you would have to go back to the pier for your bags around 4pm anyway in order to make it back to the station in time. You can also store bags at the train station, but hours of operation are based around Canadian VIA train schedules not Amtrak - whether the storage is available at a useful period for you depends which day you're traveling. Link to Station info.

 

Night time trains get as much as 3 hours of nice views on a 4 hour trip - sunset is after 9pm for much of cruise season, with twilight going past 10pm some nights. And of course you get to see the sunset from a train, with drink in hand - hard to do legally in a rental car;-)

 

3.

I've also done this. Flew into Sea-Tac (from the midwest) on a early flight. Picked up a Hertz car drove to Vancouver. Had made arrangements with a city office Hertz for an after hours drop-off. (Dropped bags and mom and hotel, went and dropped car and walked back down to the hotel). We stayed directly across from the pier, so it was an easy walk (even with bags) to board the ship. As mentioned, the one-way drop off fee was high, but at that time it was cheaper than the higher airfare or other transport options.

 

4.

 

 

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I recommend quick shuttle. For $50 you go from SeaTac to Vancouver in one bus.

http://www.quickcoach.com/schedule.htm

http://www.quickcoach.com/fares.htm

No need for extra transportation from SeaTac to train station. While the train is more scenic.... it only runs twice a day. Quick shuttle has 5 to 6 departures a day to better match your flight arrival times.

 

SUMMARY

 

I didn’t mention a one-way rental car, but that is an option. Consensus is that it is pricey. I would not do this.

 

The Amtrak option has the benefit of a comfortable trip along a scenic route. Apparently, there are fewer delays at the border than with the bus or car.

Disadvange is you have to pay for a taxi on both ends.

 

Bus option is great if you go directly from Seattle airport to Vancouver. Slightly more expensive than train, but cheaper if not staying in Seattle overnight.

 

One other thing, I did some test flight costs and sometimes flying in to Vancouver instead of Seattle was only modestly more expensive (not worth the hassle of the Seattle transfer) Other times, there was a fair difference.

Any suggestions for transportation from the docks in Vancouver to SeaTac airport?

 

Check the West coast departure board - or better yet post your questin there.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=413

Quck coach leaves from vanc dock to Seatac. If you take the express with no stops that would be the best choice. If its not the express and it makes lots of stops then Amtrak train, Bus or Bolt bus would be preferred. All buses will stop in downtown Seattle so if you want to get to Seatac Qucick Shuttle is the most logistically easy, however its not always the fastest or cheapest.

Quick coach/shuttle is the simpliest.... train and bolt requires paying for transportation from cruise terminal to the station.

 

$50 from cruise terminal to Seattle.

 

Car rental?

• Hope you are not crossing South on a weekend morning when the waits can be long.
  
• Alamo/National is my prefered rental because they have a fleet right at the terminal for convenience. Want to book months ahead to secure that luggage friendly minivan.
  
• Avis likes you see you wait for a shuttle
  
• Hertz likes you see you drag your luggage 3 blocks
  
• others have you paying for a cab.
  

Another vote for quick coach.