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Post-cruise Seattle to Vancouver

claudiniusmaximus

By claudiniusmaximus,
in West Coast Departures

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claudiniusmaximus

claudiniusmaximus

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Hi Folks hoping someone can help.

 

We fly into Vancouver, spend a few days then cruise Alaska before arriving in Seattle for a couple of days. I booked a one way flight from London to Vancouver and now have to get home;-)

 

(We booked the one way flight on credit I had with the airline).

 

Flights home are much cheaper from Vancouver than Seattle. Much, much cheaper so I need to get to Vancouver.

 

I've found three options

 

1) I've looked at the train, most of the daytime routes seem to be on a bus? The "thruway bus"? Plus of course it only goes to downtown not the airpor

 

2) I had a look at "Quick Shuttle" bus/coach and they don't seem to go to the airport in Vancouver. They say they do in their intro but when you click through to schedules it only goes as far as downtown?

 

3) I could fly. It's the quickest Option and not massively expensive but worry about delays to the Seattle-Vancouver flight meaning I might miss the Vancouver-London flight

 

Just wondering if/hoping that some of you might have some expertise or experience in this area:)

 

Any suggestions welcome.

 

Thanks in advance

 

X

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Gardyloo Excellent Advice! Rare

Gardyloo

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Posted

You can also hire a car for a one-way trip; it can be cost-competitive for two or more people, and can give you the option to see something of this marvelous region as you go. By the direct (rather boring) route (I-5, BC99) it takes around three hours plus some time at the border; there are indirect routes (including islands and scenic roads) that can expand that to 5 or 6 hours.

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claudiniusmaximus

claudiniusmaximus

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Thanks Grant - it does show the River Rock Casino, I can see that on there. It helps to have your local knowledge as i would never have realised that. Would the airport be listed as a different name? I just can't see it. This is the site I'm using is it the right one?

 

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

 

Gardyloo interesting suggestion. Normally I'd jump at the chance to make it in to a mini road-trip but would probably spend the whole day anxious about delays and road works etc etc. Are you the igbardyloo from the tripadvisor road trip forum by any chance?

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Gardyloo Excellent Advice! Rare

Gardyloo

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Gardyloo interesting suggestion. Normally I'd jump at the chance to make it in to a mini road-trip but would probably spend the whole day anxious about delays and road works etc etc. Are you the igbardyloo from the tripadvisor road trip forum by any chance?

Yes.

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martincath Holiday Sharing Rare

martincath

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Quickshuttle USED TO stop and pickup at YVR. They also used to charge in CAD. The service has increased in price an decreased in options over the last two-three years, and is frankly NEVER the cheapest way to get between the cities. They do remain the EASIEST, if you want to go from SEA airport or a cruise terminal, but it's generally cheaper for a couple to take Amtrak train, Bolt Bus, Greyhound and then use taxis to get to where you need to be.

 

If your flight timing is tight, then I would strongly recommend the hire car as mentioned above. You will find it fastest, especially if you arrange a drop at YVR, as well as often cheapest for a small group - as to traffic, you will be stuck in it on a bus as well. While coaches do have a separate lane at the border, northbound that lane is short enough that any border wait time approaching an hour means no bus can actually REACH the separate bus lane! It's just a regular road with all traffic stuck together until you get close to the border.

 

Furthermore, should there be an issue at the commercial vehicle crossing, all buses have to either suck it up or divert an hour or more out of their way to the next crossing they are allowed to use - whereas a car has the choice of the main I5 crossing at Peace Arch or the commercial crossing just tens mins deviation away. Options are your friend when it comes to border wait times!

 

Lastly, I'd note that Grant2000's advice remains out of date and still based on advertising pretty poor quality travel websites. All of those sites are linked to a local Vancouver area business, which I've asked if Grant is connected to before - since the terms & conditions of posting here require people connected with business to abide by additional rules that Grant is in breach of. Unless of course you believe it's a total coincidence that every post of his links to various travel websites that all wrap back to one owner...

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xlxo

xlxo

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Posted (edited)
Hi - thanks. Does that mean it doesn't actually go *to* the airport? But rather it goes very close to?

 

At 7 minutes taxi or subway..... Yes the casino is very close to the airport.

 

Other bus/train options won't be closer. It will 30 minutes or more from the bus/train station.

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claudiniusmaximus

claudiniusmaximus

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Hey cheeseclan, that's the site I've been talking about. They go close but not to the airport.

 

Tbh it's looking more and more likely I will just fly. It's fastest, gets me right into the airport and I might be able to get a through-flight with westjet for only a few bucks more than the bus, that would negate the need to worry so much about layover times. That's looking to be my favourite, most straightforward option.

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xlxo

xlxo

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Posted
it's looking more and more likely I will just fly. It's fastest, gets me right into the airport and I might be able to get a through-flight with westjet for only a few bucks more than the bus, that would negate the need to worry so much about layover times. That's looking to be my favourite, most straightforward option.
Thoughts...

-if Quick Shuttle about $70.... what does it cost to get from cruise terminal to Seattle's airport and then fly into Vancouver?

-if Quick shuttle to Vancouver is 4hrs.... how long does it take to fly to Vancouver, plus getting to Seatac, plus the time you need to be at airport pre-flight?

-casino to airport is not far by cab

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atc1344

atc1344

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Posted

I have recently been contemplating the same dilemma i.e how to get from seattle to vancouver for a flight back to the UK. The options I considered were:

1. amtrak train - only runs twice daily around 7.45am and 6pm so not considered

2. bus, Bolt bus and one other looked at but not preferred option

3. Hire car - one way rental can make it prohibitive but Budget was the cheapest at around £85 and comparable with the cost of bus or train for 2

 

Hire car was my choice before ultimately deciding to switch from Air Canada to BA to allow me to return from Seattle.

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