Seattle to Vancouver on the Amtrak Cascade

[themerle]

We're flying into Seattle and taking the Amtrak Cascade to Vancouver. I'd like to hear your experience if you've done this or what are your plans for doing this?

[LeftcoastBC]

This is the way to go if you can fit into their two trains a day schedule. Border is not a great issue. Northbound clear in Canada Southbound clear at Border. (soon to be changed to a preboard in Vancouver)

 

Use the search tool to find out more..

[Cruising-along]

We've done it once and would book Amtrak again in a heartbeat. It's the way to go. :)

[themerle]

Thanks for the replies.

[INDIANA JOE]

We did this September 2010 . First time ever on a train . Booked business class seats. Worth the little extra money. Nice scenery at times. Several stops along the way but they are quick. Would do it again to get to Vancouver

[trophy_23]

We did it in 2010 and it was wonderful. We did it the other direction though, as we live in Vancouver and chose to cruise out of Seattle on that trip. We decided not to spring for the business class seats and we were quite happy with the comfort of the coach seats, much better than airline seats!!

[iceleven]

How does one get from the cruise terminal to the train station and approximately what is the cost?

[LeftcoastBC]

Sky train or taxi.

 

Taxi to port likely under 15 bucks tip in and the same in time if no traffic problems (my choice). Being first off the train in business class and subsequently first through customs and out for taxi is a bonus.

 

Sky train is easy without luggage and not all that much walking. With luggage for sure good rollers and easy carry stuff.

Kitty corner across the front of train terminal & up to sky train at WaterFront either use street and walk up hill for a bit or use tunnels to almost inside Canada Place. $2.50 or $1.75 for over 65.

[themerle]

Flights became available for us to fly into Vancouver so we won't be flying into Seattle this time. Someday we might choose to do this just so we can see the scenery. Thanks again for the replies.

[cole]

How does one get from the cruise terminal to the train station and approximately what is the cost?

Let's do this the other direction. Is it difficult to get from the train station in Vancouver to the cruise terminal? Are taxis readily available after one gets off the train?

Thanks,

B. Cole

[Urban trekker]

Assuming that you are cruising out of Canada Place which is where most cruises depart from it is quite easy to get from the train station to the port.

 

You have two options - either take our rapid transit system called Skytrain which is across the street from the Amtrak depot and lands you a block from the port or taxis which are usually waiting just outside the depot.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[LeftcoastBC]

Let's do this the other direction. Is it difficult to get from the train station in Vancouver to the cruise terminal? Are taxis readily available after one gets off the train?

Thanks,

B. Cole

 

Sky train or taxi.

 

Taxi to port likely under 15 bucks tip in and the same in time if no traffic problems (my choice). Being first off the train in business class and subsequently first through customs and out for taxi is a bonus.

 

Sky train is easy without luggage and not all that much walking. With luggage for sure good rollers and easy carry stuff.

Kitty corner across the front of train terminal & up to sky train at WaterFront either use street and walk up hill for a bit or use tunnels to almost inside Canada Place. $2.50 or $1.75 for over 65.

 

Yup..go the opposite way ..:D (First off the ship means a taxi without problems. later may be a wait especially if more than one ship in.)

[my_crib_too]

We took this train trip in September, the same day our cruise left Vancouver. What a great trip. Plenty to see along the way and the food car had plenty of coffee and a place to sit during the ride.

 

The seats on the west side of the train are the best. This is not a secret and if you don't get in line early when the seats are assigned, you will end up on the wrong side of the train.

 

From the Vancouver train station we only waited a few minutes for a cab to the ship. ($12). We were the last people off the train. Plenty of cabs of all different sizes available.

 

Business Class on our trip sold out several months ahead of time. All seats on our trip sold out two months ahead of time. Book early.

 

This was a fun way to start a cruise!!!