janisj

Hi . . . In June I'm planning a 3 day trip to Victoria via Seattle. (I was going to stay 2 nights in Victoria and 1 in Seattle, but w/ the limited ferry schedule, the times just didn't work out).

My only trips to Seattle were pre-light rail so I'm not sure if this is feasible.. The Victoria ferry lands at 2:15 and my flight is at 6:45PM. I'll already be checked in and will only need to print the boarding pass and go through security. I figured a taxi to Westlake and then catching the light rail. Do I have time to make the flight????

If not - are there other options? I can change my flight for not too much extra $$

Thanks

azzure

You're talking about the Victoria Clipper, I assume? (Not the Port Angeles ferry.) If so, the taxi/light rail combination should get you to Seatac in plenty of time.

janisj

Thanks -- yes its the Clipper.

Do I need to pre-book the ferry over and back?

azzure

Not sure - I live on the Olympic Peninsula so always use the Port Angeles ferries. Here's a website for the Clipper:

http://www.clippervacations.com/ferry/ferryschedule

Gardyloo

Thanks -- yes its the Clipper.

Do I need to pre-book the ferry over and back?

Absolutely.

You clear US border formalities in Victoria pre-departure, so if you have only carry-on bags you shouldn't have any trouble making a quick getaway from the dock. However I'd recommend you have the taxi take you to the International District or Stadium station (preferably Stadium) rather than Westlake; it will be a straight shot down Alaskan Way rather than zigzagging up the hill and over to Westlake. I'd imagine the cab fare will be close to a push, but in terms of time, quicker.

The light rail takes around 40 min. from Westlake to the airport, and around 30 from the Stadium station. That ought to be plenty of time; if by some misfortune the Clipper is seriously late, then you could just have the taxi run you all the way to the airport.

The only possible glitch is if you're arriving on a cruise day, in which case security at Sea-Tac can be awful. By 3-ish the peak crush of departing boat people will have passed, but still worth considering.

One final note; if you don't mind the extra cost, you can fly on a floatplane from Victoria to Lake Union - www.kenmoreair.com - and not only will have an incredibly beautiful ride, but will have more time in Victoria. I think people sometimes underestimate how tedious (and rough on occasion) the Clipper's 3+ hour ride can be.

janisj

Ooh - great info(!) Thanks. I'll take a cab to Stadium.

Should I also use Stadium or International station for my ride in from SeaTac? I arrive in the early AM and don't catch the ferry to Victoria until 3:15, so have about 1/2 a day to do "stuff" in Seattle.

OR -- Flying is something to think about. Would it make sense to fly from Lake Union TO Victoria? I could fly at 2PM and have more time in Victoria, or at 5:30 and have more time in Seattle. I still want to take the ferry at least one way.

Gardyloo

If you're coming from the airport in the morning, and going to Victoria on the Clipper, then I'd take the train to Westlake, wander down to the Pike Market for a late breakfast/early lunch, then if you're okay with toting your bags, there's an elevator a little north of the main market that goes down to the Marriott hotel on the waterfront. From there it's a pleasant stroll along the waterfront up to the Victoria Clipper dock. Not sure which boat you're taking.

Or, if your bags are a nuisance, I think there's a means of storing luggage at the Clipper terminal, so you could indeed take the train to the Chinatown station, then the no. 99 bus (formerly a waterfront trolley) to the Clipper dock, drop your bags, wander around Seattle, then come back for the boat.

Should have mentioned earlier, the 99 bus runs past the International District/Chinatown light rail/bus stop, and will take you straight to/from the Clipper dock. If you have enough time, you could take it instead of a taxi when you arrive off the Clipper; I recommended the Stadium station because it's slightly closer in taxi terms to the Clipper dock; the ID/Chinatown light rail station is more convenient for access to other public transit.

Or, sure, flying from Lake Union to Victoria is also great. I think Kenmore has shuttles from Sea-Tac if you want to go straight away; otherwise you can take the streetcar from Westlake (up on the street and a block from the light rail station) to South Lake Union; from there it's a short walk to Kenmore's dock/terminal. If you wanted to spend some time in Seattle before flying out, I'm sure you could take the light rail + streetcar to Kenmore and leave your bags there, then streetcar back to downtown and visit the market, returning to Lake Union for the flight. Kenmore flies several times a day, depending on when this is. FWIW, Kenmore's terminal in the Victoria Inner Harbour is very close to the Clipper's.

janisj

"Or, if your bags are a nuisance . . ."

I'm the 'Queen of Packing Light'

Thanks for the detailed info. I'll sit down later tonight to look over the options/timetables and see if I have other questions.

janisj

OK - the unanswerable question

I booked the Clipper to Victoria but want to fly back -- Never been on a seaplane and I think that would be a kick.

But -- the 3:00 flight arrives at SeaTac at 5 PM (from Lake Union to the airport is via Kenmore's shuttle). My southwest flight is at 6:45. Is that cutting it too close on a Friday evening. How bad is security likely to be . . . .

The earlier flight's shuttle gets to Seatac at 2PM and I really don't want to spend than much time at the airport if I can avoid it.

Gardyloo

That's giving you an hour to get from Lake Union to Seatac (lands at 4) when you can use the HOV lanes; plus 1:45 at Seatac. I think that's ample time at both ends.

suze

hey janisj~ welcome to seattle.
great plan taking the Clipper up and Kenmore Air back. i love the Victoria Clipper and all but one way is enough really.
SeaTac to Westlake station on LightRail is how you want to begin. If this is a weekday, you can leave your suitcase at my office for a few hours (i'm serious, i work right in Belltown, exactly the area you'll be for the Market and all).
I think you're OK with the slightly tight connection at the end. SeaTac security is usually reasonably organized, I've never been seriously held up there (allowing 20-25 mins. or so at worst).

janisj

suze: Wish I was spending more time in Seattle but except for a few hours, it will mostly be in transit. I've been to Seattle a couple of times but never for more than 2 or 3 days and will probably have to go back some time. Been to the Market, Space Needle, a Sonics game and saw the Troll under the bridge

Thanks so much for the offer - how nice of you(!!). I phoned the Clipper folks to make sure they have left luggage facilities -- and I can leave my bag for $1. I'm thinking that might be the hot set up -- head straight to the pier, leave my teensy tiny bag (good thing too since the seaplane has a 24 lb limit - whoa) And then retrieve it later in the day before boarding.

Would leaving it at your office be easier/save time??

suze

Yes, it'd be a little easier/closer. I'm sure you have a street map being the savvy traveler you are(!) my office is @ 1st & Lenora. I work Mon-Thur 9-5. If that works let me know at [email protected] (or PM suze2you if you're on Trip Advisor) I'm happy to secure it for you for a few hours!

But the pier isn't ALL that far out of the way either. If you use the *elevator* on the public stair way at the bottom of Lenora Street, just below Western Ave. It's the best shortcut down to the Waterfront level, from up at the downtown & Market area.

janisj

Thanks so much. I'll be in Seattle on June June 22 - a Tuesday. I've got some other arrangements to work out and once I know for sure, I'll send you an e-mail.

janisj

suze

yup I'll be at my office that day, just give me a heads up if you'd want to do it. completely no problem to stick your little roller under my desk. it could help maximize your few hours downtown. best, suze

janisj

suze: Did you get my e-mail? I didn't get an error message, but it isn't in my out box (?). . . .

suze

janisj~ you got mail