vancouver to seatac

[momx8]

We are docking in Vancouver at the end of our alaska cruise and plan on flying home from seattle. What is the best way to get to the airport from the ship, and how much time do we need to plan on?

[Putterdude]

You have several options:

• Rent a car and drive - allow a minimum 5 hours including a 2 hour wait at the border.
  
• Amtrak operates two trains and a number of buses each day, this will require a transfer to light rail or a cab from the Amtrak station to SEA. Again about 5 hrs.
  
• Quick Shuttle which operates a number of buses each day including an express service on certain days during the cruise season. Allow about 4.5 to 5 hrs.
  

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

[scottbee]

We are docking in Vancouver at the end of our alaska cruise and plan on flying home from seattle. What is the best way to get to the airport from the ship, and how much time do we need to plan on?

 

Alaska Air (operated by Horizon Air), or Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz) fly a lot of daily YVR-SEA as well.

[eskiemomo]

How reliable is the Amtrak service?

 

we have heard different stories about the reliability of the trains along the pacific coast.

[mskaufman]

We bought Vancouver to Seattle transfers from the cruiseline (HAL). We picked up the bus at the cruise terminal and went through US customs in Canada.

[mapleleaves]

you very rarely hear of issues during the summer months. In the fall, winter and spring, heavy rains cause mudslides that occassionally close the tracks. When that happens, Amtrak puts passengers on buses.

[zephyr17]

How reliable is the Amtrak service?

 

we have heard different stories about the reliability of the trains along the pacific coast.

The Cascades service is very reliable. They are not long distance trains, with thousands of miles to have problems in, they originate in Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. As another poster pointed out, in the winter there are problems with mudslides closing the tracks. This is exacerbated by BNSF's policy imposing a 48 hour embargo of passenger trains after a slide.

 

With that said, if you are flying out of SeaTac the same day as you arrive in Vancouver, Amtrak's train schedules don't fit very well. There are 2 trains from Vancouver, one leaving at 6:45 am, and one at 5:45 pm, arriving in Seattle about 10 pm. I don't recommend Amtrak's buses, as, if you are going to be on a bus anyway, you might as well take QuickCoach which offers service right from the pier directly to SeaTac.

[TrnrMom]

We tried QuikCoach last September. Good thing we stopped for customs, because the bathroom on the bus reeked like it hadn't been cleaned in weeks. No one used it, unless desperate. (There apparently aren't bathrooms at the US check point going Southbound).

 

Plus the driver in Seattle was late to the pick up point, and couldn't read the passenger roster. We just hoped he could see the road. Fortunately, despite the late start, we did get dropped right at the dock (even though QuikBus didn't know we were at Ballentyne, not Canada Place). We'll try an Amtrak bus next time.

[scottbee]

We tried QuikCoach last September. Good thing we stopped for customs, because the bathroom on the bus reeked like it hadn't been cleaned in weeks. No one used it, unless desperate. (There apparently aren't bathrooms at the US check point going Southbound).

 

Plus the driver in Seattle was late to the pick up point, and couldn't read the passenger roster. We just hoped he could see the road. Fortunately, despite the late start, we did get dropped right at the dock (even though QuikBus didn't know we were at Ballentyne, not Canada Place). We'll try an Amtrak bus next time.

 

Why wouldn't you just fly SFO-YVR on Westjet? Picking a random date in June it's $214; vs what, $150+luggage to Seattle, plus a $50 transfer?

[arizonaperson]

We are docking in Vancouver at the end of our alaska cruise and plan on flying home from seattle. What is the best way to get to the airport from the ship, and how much time do we need to plan on?

 

Most cruise lines have transfers from Vancouver piers to Seattle airport. I know Princess does. Just ask your T.A.

[West Coast Gal]

Seriously, forget the train, I sat on Amtrak once waiting for a Freight train on the Vancouver to Seattle run, for 5 extra hours. Amtrak does not have priority on these tracks and though it is rare, it can happen. The cruise line only picks coaches with a good reputation, they will get you there on time.

[zephyr17]

Seriously, forget the train, I sat on Amtrak once waiting for a Freight train on the Vancouver to Seattle run, for 5 extra hours. Amtrak does not have priority on these tracks and though it is rare, it can happen. The cruise line only picks coaches with a good reputation, they will get you there on time.

I ride this train all the time and things like this are VERY VERY rare on this train. You probably were not waiting for a freight train to pass. What probably happened with a delay that bad is that freight train broke down in front of you and there was nothing that could be done until it got fixed.

BNSF does give priority to the Cascades, subject to general operating conditions like break downs.

I don't doubt you were seriously delayed, but just because it happened to you on your one and only trip does not mean it happens all the time. It simply does not with this train.