jimhoelzel

We are flying in Thursday night and taking Amtrak to Vancouver early Friday morning. Is it better to get a hotel near the airport or near the Amtrak station.
If near Amtrak, what would be a reasonable price hotel in that area? I dont see many (any?) listed right around the Amtrak station. Thanks.

Gardyloo

Nothing very close to King St. Station but most downtown hotels around a 5-10 min. cab ride. Try Priceline (www.biddingfortravel.com for pointers.) Definitely do NOT stay at the airport - too far.

FainaAgain

I would stay closer to Amtrak, but it's just my personal preference - I always like to be closer to the departure point. Taxi service is great in Seattle. Are you just staying overnight without spending at least a day there? That would be a mistake.

Bird

Since we just returned from a similar trip, I would recommend a downtown hotel for Thursday night and on the way home an airport hotel the night before you fly out. The Cascades train that runs back from Vancouver often runs an hour late or so and will put you back in Seattle around 11:00 PM. We enjoyed our train ride, some great scenery, and going through customs coming back to the US was more civilized than if you went by car. (You can even eat a bowl of Ivar's clam chowder in the snack bar of the train.)

In case you were wondering, there is a sky train station across the street from the train station in Vancouver that will wisk you downtown or to the cruise terminal easy and cheap.

wowwanda

Concur with staying downtown.--taxi is 5 - 10 minutes about $10, airport would be 25 minutes and $30.

Various hotel options --try priceline or hotwire. Both allow you to specify "downtown" in your search.

On the train heading north to Vancouver, sit on the Left side of the train for great views of the water without the glare of the sun in the morning. Consider staying on the left on the return (cooler) and get another vantage point. Also consider upgrading to 1st class for a little nicer seating.

Wanda

Kostroma

Do go business class if you hadn't planned to. It's only about $10 more and for that, you get to avoid the long coach passenger line in the station, which means an better choice of seating (seats are assigned shortly before departure). In addition, you get a $3 voucher toward a meal on the train. It's well worth it IMO.

Also, please excuse the condition of King Street Station. They've been vowing to remodel it for years. I heard a few weeks ago that they're finally going to actually start within the next year. I'll believe it when I see it.

jimhoelzel

Thank you for all the advice. We are now staying near Pikes Market (rather than the airport) and reserved the Business class of Amtrak. Best way to get from the airport to the hotel?

Gardyloo

Some hotels are served directly by a bus/limo from the airport. Which hotel are you at?

Otherwise, a cab will be around $30 plus tip. It will be the fastest and most convenient way.

Bird

Good advice from Gardyloo (let me know the origins of your name sometime, eh). The bus will be a hassle with all of your luggage. You can also take a limo for a few bucks more and go in style.

Gardyloo

Bird, here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...2&tid=34399488

jimhoelzel

We just returned from the trip. We used Hotwire to get Summerfeld Suites downtown ($75) and it was a short ride to the rail station. Business class on Amtrak was great and really worth the $12 per ticket. Lines were much shorter and the rail car much better. Scenery on the route is awesome. The train was on time. Thanks for the help.