Amtrak Cascades train from Seattle to Vancouver...seating questions
Apr 6th, 2012, 01:47 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amtrak Cascades train from Seattle to Vancouver...seating questions
A couple questions about the train from Seattle to Vancouver...everything I've read about seating says that you get to the station early , your ticket is checked and you are given a seat assignment. However, when I called Amtrak the woman on the phone said it's just a free for all, no one assigns you a seat. Anyone know the accurate information on this?
Heard a lot about the train being very dirty and bathrooms unusable. We'll have a toddler with us so that's a little disheartening. Any truth to it??? We'll have a toddler with us, just trying to be mentally prepared.
I know a lot of people in the Europe forum direct to the man in seat 61, but I didn't find any info on his site about this train.
Heard a lot about the train being very dirty and bathrooms unusable. We'll have a toddler with us so that's a little disheartening. Any truth to it??? We'll have a toddler with us, just trying to be mentally prepared.
I know a lot of people in the Europe forum direct to the man in seat 61, but I didn't find any info on his site about this train.
Apr 6th, 2012, 03:02 PM
#3
More often than not I take the Amtrak bus between Seattle and Vancouver. The bus bathroom has a higher potential to be dirty than the train. The Amtrak Cascades trains are Talgo cars and are quite comfortable with bathrooms that are clean with empty holding tanks when you leave the station.
Read the Amtrak website concerning the requirements for crossing the border with your child.
I have on occasion seen an overflowing toilet on a cross country train many hours into the trip.
If the train is near capacity, the conductor will tell single passengers to sit together so that parties of 2 or 4 can have seats together. Don't put purses or personal items on the seat next to you. I have heard conductors ask if the person wants to pay for the seat next to them. Put your carry on in the bin overhead and the purse or diaper bag under the seat in front of you. Enjoy your trip to Vancouver.
Read the Amtrak website concerning the requirements for crossing the border with your child.
I have on occasion seen an overflowing toilet on a cross country train many hours into the trip.
If the train is near capacity, the conductor will tell single passengers to sit together so that parties of 2 or 4 can have seats together. Don't put purses or personal items on the seat next to you. I have heard conductors ask if the person wants to pay for the seat next to them. Put your carry on in the bin overhead and the purse or diaper bag under the seat in front of you. Enjoy your trip to Vancouver.
Apr 6th, 2012, 06:45 PM
#4
Watch the Amtrak Cascades video on this link: http://www.amtrakcascades.com/RidersGuide.htm
Be assured you trip will be pleasant.
Be assured you trip will be pleasant.
Apr 9th, 2012, 11:00 AM
#5
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Giulia, a friend and I trained Feb 2011 north and south via Amtrak first class. Little difference in price (from what I remember, I am very middle-aged), don't remember any washroom issue, and the border, both ways, was easy. Vanc-Seattle border was done on the tracks and Seattle-Vanc border was done in the Vanc terminal. We really enjoyed it.
Apr 10th, 2012, 11:36 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry excuse my ignorance but when you say the border was done in the vancouver terminal do you have to get off the train? Or stay on? I was really bummed that the business class coach is out for maintenance during our trip so it's not even offered. I always prefer the 1x2 seating since I have crowd/tight space issues. We are flying in to seattle and home from vancouver, so we're only taking the train one way!
