Bus transfer Seattle to Vancouver

[TIMONEY]

Has anyone had any experience with the Seattle to Vancouver bus transfer? Information one way or the other would be appreicated!

 

Garry & Vickie:)

[mtjlr]

We had a bus transfer on Princess this past summer from Vancouver to Seattle. It was on a Saturday following a week-long cruise from Whittier to Vancouver. It can best be described as a nightmare. When we boarded our bus at 8:00 am when we got off the ship, we were told by the bus driver that there was at least a 3-hour delay at customs and that is that way it is every Saturday in the summer. This is something that we were not aware of and thought we had booked our afternoon flight out of Seattle at 3:30 pm late enough in the day. He was right, we were delayed at customs for about 3 hours. We missed our flight and were able to scramble to find a later flight to Chicago, but others in our party were not so lucky. They didn't make it home until late the next day. So, if you are sailing into Vancouver and are trying to make a flight out of Seattle, make sure it is late enough in the day.

 

Mary

[Cruise Gypsy]

I would do the Amtrak train instead of the bus. If you go to the West Coast Departures board there is a lot of information on the train. Quick summary: it leaves from King Street Station at around 8am and arrives in Vancouver at 11:30. You go thru customs in Vancouver.:)

[Norcal Cruiser]

We had a great experience with Celebrity bus transfer Seattle to Vancouver in Sept. of last year.Just to let you know if you're leaving on a Sunday there is only one bus.Call the people you booked your transfer with to make sure of the time.We were told the rest of the week there are multiple buses.Very scenic ride.We thoroughly enjoyed it!

[latterdayesther]

Hi Garry & Vickie,

We had a transfer from Vancouver to Seattle following our cruise. The biggest hassle was a misunderstanding about where the bus would pick us up.

We waited in front of the Pan Pacific hotel on the street, and the bus was waiting underneath where the cruise pax are waiting to embark/diembark.

We finally called and got a the last two seats on a later bus. It is very congested with passengers when there is more than one ship docked.:(

The bus ride was no problem, and customs was an officer walking through the bus asking to see our passports. (5 minutes)

It was an uninspiring ride, but we made our connection at SEA/TAC without any problems. Of course it saves a great deal to fly out of Seattle rather than Vancouver, but I would leave yourself pleanty of time, and get the phone number of the bus company on your cell. ;) Good Luck and have a great cruise!

Esther :)

[fleckle]

We flew into Seattle and were planning to take the Quick Shuttle bus because it was so convenient. Quick Shuttle picks up passengers right outside the Seatac airport terminal door. The bus ride to Vancouver is supposed to take about 3 1/2 hours. It will drop you off in Vancouver at the pier, or downtown, or at a hotel, as you wish.

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

 

While waiting for the bus inside the airport terminal, we glanced up at the departure board and noticed that a flight to Vancouver was scheduled to leave even before the bus. So we went up to the counter to check it out. Sure enough, they had lots of empty seats and gave us a good last-minute walkup price. So we flew up to Vancouver and did not get to ride the Quick Shuttle bus after all.

 

The plane ride took about an hour and was very nice, like a scenic sightseeing flight because it was a propeller plane that flew at much lower altitude than the jets do. We had beautiful views of the coastline looking out the windows on the left side. If you take the Quick Shuttle bus, I hear you also get nice views along the coast if you sit on the left (west) side.

 

[TIMONEY]

Thank you for all the information. We are trying to decide if the bus transfer for $65 is a better deal rather than flying for $250. All your replies will help us make our decision. Our ship doesn't leave until late in the day so we have plenty of time, so thanks for all your help.

 

Garry & Vickie

[Gawga Girl]

Last year we flew into Seattle for a two night stay and then took Amtrak to Vancouver. The train is a wonderful experience. A roomy ride with very comfortable seats. We had breakfast on the train. Left Seattle from downtown station at 8 and arrived in Vancouver about 12 noon. We had 8 in our group. We had arranged for a van and driver to meet us, which was one price for the van full. Great service. Arrived at the Celebrity dock in time to be some of the first to board. We took the Quick Shuttle back from Vancouver to Seattle after the cruise. No problems , the bus picked us up at the pier and took us to the Holiday Inn Express at Seatac, bus also stops at tdowntown area of Seattle and at the airport. The ride is longer than the train and the a/c on the bus nearly froze us. The shuttle service runs a special deal that includes Hotel room and bus service. The hotel runs a shuttle to nearby restauruants and a shuttle to the airport the next morning. We had no problems with customs in Vancouver going to the ship or at the border going back to Seattle. The Customs agent at the US/Can border came on the bus asked if everyone was a US citizen, all were. Thanks!!! he left the bus with in five min. The train doesn't stop at the border, you just show your passport when leaving the train. I highly recommend all of the above, most especially the train.