Best way to travel RT Seattle/Vancouver

Old Dec 31st, 2005, 06:26 AM
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Best way to travel RT Seattle/Vancouver

Need to travel Seattle to Vancouver & return after a cruise. Is Amtrak business class the best? Would not car rental one way each time be much more expensive?
Thanks for any input.
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Old Dec 31st, 2005, 07:40 AM
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Yes, it will be more expensive. Amtrak leaves Seattle in the early morning, leaves Vancouver in the evening, so if you want the best combo of scenery/speed, take the train north and drive south. Since your cruise ship will disembark in the early morning, driving south will help you avoid a whole day in Vancouver and a late-night arrival in Seattle.
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Old Dec 31st, 2005, 10:40 AM
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You might want to check on schedules and rates for the Seattle/Vancouver Quick Coach at www.quickcoach.com as we did a five day cruise to the San Juan Islands in the fall of '02 and found this transportation option after much searching in our pre-fodorite years. If you are driving your own vehicle, as we were, the Downtown Holiday Inn & Suites has an fairly secure underground parking garage with reasonable rates and you may rent a space there if you stay in their facility for one night.

In no way do I want to dispute Gardyloo's advise, however. He 'walks on water' in my eyes... just offering you another option.
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Old Dec 31st, 2005, 03:00 PM
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There is also shuttle service between Seattle and the cruise ship terminal in Vancouver. Check: http://www.quickcoach.com. This, I believe, would be the most convenient and economical alternative for you.
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Old Dec 31st, 2005, 05:20 PM
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Amtrak business class? Sorry never heard of it. Do you mean "couch"? Seats are not assigned.

There are 2 types on Amtrak between Seattle and Vancouver: the train runs only once a day. But Amtrak has its own buses, they run more often, check www.amtrak.com
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Old Dec 31st, 2005, 05:40 PM
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Maybe you have not heard about Amtrak business class, but Amtrak does have it.

Service
Departs
Arrives Duration Amenities Seats/
Rooms
510 Cascades Seattle, WA
(SEA)
7:45 am
31-MAR-06 Vancouver, BC
(VAC)
11:40 am
31-MAR-06 3h 55m Checked baggage, Dining car, Snack car 1 Business Class Seat


Happy New Year!

See Ya next year.
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Old Jan 1st, 2006, 06:00 PM
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:-?
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Old Jan 18th, 2006, 03:57 PM
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I wouldn't waste my money on business class. The regular coaches are perfectly fine for a short train trip. You can eat in the dining car or the snack bar either way.

Amtrak is a great way to get to Van. Remember that in a car you're going to be stuck in a monster line at the border, creeping at 1 MPH for an hour or two. The city-street traffic in Vancouver once you hit the city limits (where the freeway ends) is pretty long and atrocious as well.

My favorite way, though it costs more and can be a little rough in winter is to take the seaplane. Kenmore Air leaves from Lake Union in Seattle, flies to Victoria, then you get a second plane (can't remember the line, Kenmore can book) to Vancouver. Total time works out actually a bit faster than drive or train -- these places are really not that far apart as the propeller flies. Plus, you get a real experience. Last time I did it I got to ride shotgun, up front, with a 270 degree view.

Warning: the little planes are LOUD.

And if the weather's rough, it's REALLY rough -- nothing like looking out the window directly over a city to see the plane moving horizontally to the direction it's pointing. If you hit that, you'll be filling the little bag in the seat pocket...
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Old Jan 18th, 2006, 04:14 PM
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The trouble with using the floatplanes to get cruise pax to cruise ships is that the baggage limits on Kenmore and Harbour Air are miniscule compared to (typical) cruise luggage. The extras for your dog-leg routing would be punishing or even deal-killers for most cruise pax.
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Old Jan 18th, 2006, 04:35 PM
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Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. It's true, you can only carry on 70 pounds. That's about four times my typical load, but I'm not a cruiser.
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Old Jan 18th, 2006, 04:38 PM
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Er, make that 24 pounds. That's enough for me but possibly not you.
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