Vancouver to Seattle?
 

We are spending 14 days in the Vancouver area and would like to see something of Seattle while we are there. One hotel in Vancouver talked about a Quick Shuttle to Seattle but we can only find a four hour journey on Amtrak. Can anyone tell me about the Shuttle? Is Seattle really doable for a couple of days by train or not? Do we really need to hire a car to see the area?

There is bus service by the Quick Shuttle (I think the website is something like quickcoach.com but I'm not positive...you'll find it if you do a search). However, I'd MUCH rather take the train than a bus between the two cities as the train goes right along the coast for much of the way, while the freeway is inland.<BR><BR>You could leave Vancouver on the train at 6 PM, have a late dinner in Seattle, stay the night, explore Seattle the next day, stay another night, then head back to Vancouver on the following day (there's only one train a day and it leaves around 7:30 AM or so).<BR><BR>You could of course rent a car which would give you more flexibility in your schedule as well as allow you to stop and see things on the way to and from Seattle.

Joan, Here's a link to Quick Shuttle:<BR><BR>http://www.quickcoach.com/<BR><BR>I've never used it, but maybe the Web site can answer some of your questions about it.<BR><BR>If you're interested only in seeing things like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Pioneer Square and Underground Seattle, all within relatively close proximity in the downtown area, you can probably get by with buses/monorail or walking. (The Space Needle would be the one you'd want to use the bus/monorail for; the other ones are fairly close together.)<BR><BR>If you're interested in seeing places like Snoqualmie Falls, Whidbey Island, Bainbridge Island, Port Townsend, Mt. Rainier, or attractions outside the downtown area, you'll definitely need a car.<BR><BR>Enjoy the trip!

an auto is quite useful in Vancouver, at least for a few days of your trip. This would give you the freedom to drive to Whistler (more scenic than the train trip) and give you the ability to drive to the beautiful waterfalls and suspension bridges in North Vancouver. Seattle is a wonderful city, but it is surrounded by even more wonderful scenery. Without a car, you would not be able to get to the local mountains, farm areas, or Puget Sound coastline. Lastly, I wouldn't trust Amtaks timeliness. Do avoid driving rush hour in the Seattle area, especially if your using any ferries. If you have 14 days, don't forget Victoria and Vancouver Island.

Take the train down to Seattle and then stay at one of the hotel's that offers downtown shuttle service. This way you can avoid having to rent a car and the high price of parking lot expenses.