Train to Seattle

We are taking the 5:30pm train Vancouver - Seattle, Sunday May 21. What time do we need to plan to arrive at the train station. We want to get a seat on the right side of the train for best view. Thank You!

We are taking the 5:30pm train Vancouver - Seattle, Sunday May 21. What time do we need to plan to arrive at the train station. We want to get a seat on the right side of the train for best view. Thank You!

You need to be there an hour before departure . The US customs and immigration pre clears passenger before the board.

Check to see if you can reserve seats on the train.

We are taking the 5:30pm train Vancouver - Seattle, Sunday May 21. What time do we need to plan to arrive at the train station. We want to get a seat on the right side of the train for best view. Thank You!

Boarding process starts 1 hr before departure. If you arrive there right at 1 hr to go, you will probably get the left side. Get there by earlier so you can be one of the first ones in line.

Process goes as follows:

1 arrive at station

2 fill out customs declaration

3 wait in line

4 present Amtrak officials with ticket, customs declaration, and WHTI compliant identification.

5 enter line for US Customs

6 go through customs

7 security screening of luggage

8 proceed to train

9 check bags at luggage car of train (I recommend this because you don't have to deal with the luggage until Seattle 😀)

10 board and find seats

11 enjoy the ride!

Check to see if you can reserve seats on the train.

You cannot prereserve certain seats. They are assigned at check-in, at the station, after presenting your documents to the Amtrak agent.

May 21? Sunset will be 9pm.... daylight until 9:20pm. Enjoy the view!

Also if you have business class you will clear US Customs first.

Enjoy the train ride and if you get the right side have your camera or smart phone handy - lots of great pics to be had and since it is an evening train possibly a great sunset.

Cheers!

Dennis

:):):)

Thanks Everyone! We do have business class seats.

How early should we plan to get there to hopefully get a good seat?

The issue is that you need to beat most of your fellow pax - trains run pretty full in cruise season, so it's unusual to have lots of empty seats. Since everyone with a ticket should know that Amtrak state 1 hour early, if you really want to get waterside seats you should aim for 75-90mins, even with bus class.