Amtrack Train from Seattle to Vancouver

[Venicegal]

We are sailing from Vancouver and need some advice. Our options are flying directly to Vancouver (more expensive) or flying into Seattle and taking the train to Vancouver (from what we've heard very scenic). If we fly into Seattle what is the best way to get to the train station from the airport and how far is it? What would be the best transportation in Vancouver to get from the train station to the pier? Should we take the morning or evening train from Seattle? Would we be ok to take the morning train the day we sail? Thanks so much for your help!

[Putterdude]

I won't try to answer your Seattle question however either option re the train will work. The advantage of the evening train is that will afford you the morning to explore Vancouver, there are tours that will pick you up at your hotel in the morning, have the tour and then drop you and your luggage off at Canada Place in time for your cruise.

Once in Vancouver the train station is about a $10 cab fare from almost any downtown hotel. You also have the option of taking the SkyTrain which is located across the street from the Amtrak station for $2.50 (CDN) pp, however depending on you plans you will likely walking a couple of blocks with your luggage.

http://www.vancouvertours.com/pre-cruise-vancouver-city-tour

[mapleleaves]

The Seattle Amtrak station is about a 20-30 minute drive from the airport, about $40. If you can easily manage your luggage to walk a few blocks at either end, the cheapest option is Light Rail for $2.50 pp, 30 minutes.

If you take the evening train to Vancouver, you could store your bags at the Amtrak station then sightsee in Seattle for a few hours.

[scottbee]

We are sailing from Vancouver and need some advice. Our options are flying directly to Vancouver (more expensive) or flying into Seattle and taking the train to Vancouver (from what we've heard very scenic). If we fly into Seattle what is the best way to get to the train station from the airport and how far is it? What would be the best transportation in Vancouver to get from the train station to the pier? Should we take the morning or evening train from Seattle? Would we be ok to take the morning train the day we sail? Thanks so much for your help!

 

if you arrive later afternoon, the evening train actually originates in Portland and makes a stop nearer to SEA airport at a station called Tukwila (3 miles vs 15 to downtown Seattle). However, it's a pretty basic platform and no services, but might make your transfer a lot easier.

[KAYEF]

You can catch a Shuttle right at the airport, outside where you pick up your luggage. The Shuttle Buses are large, with great legroom.........prompt and comfortable.

You can get %age off by booking online.

We always use them rather than the train; they will drop you right at your cruise terminal.

[teacherman]

We did this 2 years ago and had a GREAT time: flew into Seattle, toured the "market", stayed overnight, took early morning train to Vancouver, spent 1 night in hotel and enjoyed touring Vancouver, took ship to Alaska. Easy to do if you plan ahead and make some reservations. Suggest you book business class on Amtrak. Wider seats, coupon for food on the train, and priority dis-embarking in Vancouver (BIG deal if train is crowded). I wrote a review of this 2 years ago.

[bmsj17]

Last summer my kids and I took the train from Seattle to Vancouver and absolutely loved it. Next to bike riding in Stanley Park it was their favorite part of our Seattle/Vancouver trip. Being from Florida the scenery was so different from what we were used to. The train was so relaxing and we enjoyed looking at all the small towns we passed along the way. I would highly recommend it.

[TheCalicoCat]

We are sailing from Vancouver and need some advice. Our options are flying directly to Vancouver (more expensive) or flying into Seattle and taking the train to Vancouver (from what we've heard very scenic). If we fly into Seattle what is the best way to get to the train station from the airport and how far is it? What would be the best transportation in Vancouver to get from the train station to the pier? Should we take the morning or evening train from Seattle? Would we be ok to take the morning train the day we sail? Thanks so much for your help!

 

We are arriving in Seattle the day before, taking the evening train to Vancouver & staying in a hotel for the night.

 

We are taking the Light rail to the train station.

 

We are taking the late train back to Seattle the day the shop docks & have a hotel booked in Seattle.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=31366222&posted=1#post31366222

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_2022990_train-seattle-vancouver.html

 

More info available on west coast departures board. (Like which light rail stop, etc. - if that is not in the link above.)

[hexdragon]

We did the exact same thing back in August. We flew into SeaTac and took the light rail to downtown. It was a good walk from the terminal to the station, but since there was six of us, it saved a lot of $$$.

 

We stayed at the Marriott (the former Alaska Building). It was one block from the light rail station.

 

The next AM we hopped into two cabs to go to the Amtrak station (King Street Station - less than a mile away). As someone else posted, Business class is the way to go on this leg... Shorter line at the station, bigger seats, off the train first therefore first to customs... We arrived in Vancouver at Noon.

 

We took the Skytrain in Vancouver. It was a short walk across a nice park to get to the station. The elevator to the platform was kind of small, so it took three trips to get everyone up...

 

I do not remember the name of the station we got off at, but we ran into one of our few glitches. The station had no elevators. The escalators were no problem for most of us, but two of our "wimpier" companions refused to use them... :mad:

 

It was a 100 yard walk to Canada place, and then a fair distance around the edge of the parking garage to get to the port...

 

When our cruise was over, we left our bags in storage at the port (I think it was $4 per bag) and we walked to Stanley Park. It was a beautiful day, but a LONG hike...

 

We took the bus back to Canada Place to retrieve our bags. and flipped what we did on the trip up, and took the night train back to Seattle. Unfortunately it was rush hour when we were heading back to the train station. Our "wimpiest" of our "wimpees" got stuck on the Skytrain. Luckily someone showed her how to double back...

[LeftcoastBC]

As of Monday Morning (21 MAY).... Northbound train: Amtrak still running the double Decker train cars. All 5 of them.

 

Saw it crossing the flats at Boundary BAY going under the freeway. Close to on time around 11 AM or so still with a ways to go..

 

I note however that their website now has the option back for either coach or business class for tomorrow and onwards so maybe they are back to normal equipment. ??

[scottbee]

We took the Skytrain in Vancouver. It was a short walk across a nice park to get to the station. The elevator to the platform was kind of small, so it took three trips to get everyone up...

 

It was a 100 yard walk to Canada place, and then a fair distance around the edge of the parking garage to get to the port...

Waterfront Station (Expo & Millenium Lines) does have elevators, but they're at the OTHER end (away from Canada Place) of the platform. The downside is you end up walking 400 yards around instead of 100 yards...

[TexasHikers]

In 2008, we did an inside passage from Vancouver. We took the train from Seattle to Vancouver the morning we sailed. It worked fine. Took a cab to the pier.

This year, we are sailing northbound from Vancouver to Seward. We are flying into Seattle and taking the evening train to Vancouver. This way, we will have a day and a half to see Vancouver.

Either way, you will be fine. The train is a great way to get to Vancouver.

[Sunshine91]

You can catch a Shuttle right at the airport, outside where you pick up your luggage. The Shuttle Buses are large, with great legroom.........prompt and comfortable.

You can get %age off by booking online.

We always use them rather than the train; they will drop you right at your cruise terminal.

 

Here's another vote for the Quick Shuttle. We had 8 in our travelling group & it was 3 years ago, so I don't remember if I bought the tix directly or if we did it thru our TA.

 

We got really lucky & got on an Express Bus leaving Vancouver - meaning no stops until Seattle. I think it was about 3 hours from Canada Place to downtown Seattle (the pick-up/drop-off is at the Best Western near the Space Needle).

 

At the border there's a line just for bus passengers. Everyone off, thru the line to wave passports & back on the bus. I noticed a few folks having a quick smoke since none is permitted on the bus.

 

Here's the link: http://www.quickcoach.com/