Seattle to Nanaimo?
 

I have a friend who needs to travel from Seattle to Nanaimo in mid-August on a tight time table and budget. She would like to arrive in Nanaimo during daylight and not have to stay overnight in Vancouver enroute. She's also too young to rent a car. Does anyone have any suggestions for her? She also would love the experience of taking the ferry, but if there are other options for getting there, she could consider taking the ferry for the return trip to Vancouver. Many thanks in advance!

The ferry schedule http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/m...dp-current.php
What is the problem with staying at either of the HI hostels in Vancouver? Both are fine for an overnight stay.
Amtrak runs 2 trains and 2 buses from Seattle to Vancouver daily.

I would go via Victoria. You can take the "Victoria Clipper" from central Seattle to downtown Victoria. From there it is a short walk to the bus station where you can catch a bus (Greyhound) to Nanaimo. I am sure you should be able to work the schedule so that do it all during the day - likely even with a nice lunch break in Victoria.

She could then go via Vancouver on the return. Ferry Nanaimo to Vancouver and then bus to Seattle. The only problem with this route is that some of the connections aren't particularly public transit friendly.

Schedule for the clipper:
http://www.clippervacations.com/ferry/ferryschedule

Greyhound Canada website to check details on the bus:
https://www.greyhound.ca/

Take the 7:30am departure from Seattle, arrive in Victoria at 10:30 am. Walk (10mins) to the bus station and put her bag in a locker, then have a nice lunch in Victoria. Take the 1:30pm bus from Victoria, arrive in Seattle at 3:45.

Honestly, unless she actually wants to see Vancouver, I would also do this in reverse.

Oops, that should be arrive in Nanaimo at 3:45.

Thank you Tom and Salty - this is enormously helpful information! I will loop back with her and let you all know if she has follow-up questions!