Bus from San Francisco to Seattle
 

Hi---My daughter is in San Francisco and would like to travel up to Seattle; recommendations on how to go? She was thinking of taking a bus... she has no time limits; doesn't want to rent a car... many thanks!

If she doesn't want to drive or fly, she should consider the Coast Starlight train rather than a bus.

I discussed this with a close friend who made the trip two years ago, in sum:

There were plenty of rest stops but food options were usually limited to purchases he made at places that were "a step below" a typical convenience store. (On one occasion the bus stopped at a truck stop in southern Oregon where he had access to all the amenities provided for truckers.)

Enjoyment was determined largely by the pleasantness of the various people who shared the seat next to him.

There was a major snafu in Sacramento where he had to change buses. It seems Greyhound cuts things close and doesn't have an extra bus ready until it is essential to do so. There was much confusion and anxiety among travelers--including him.

I'm flying to SF in October; my ticket is $89 plus tax on Alaska Airline.

HTTY

I did Santa Barbara to Anaheim on Greyhound once many years ago, a 3 hour ride. Vowed to never do it again if I could at all help it. It wasn't terrible, just not how I would choose to travel if other options were available. Couldn't imagine doing a San Francisco to Seattle run.

Amtrak is expensive, the bus takes forever. Flying can be cheaper than the train and is definitely easier than the bus.

I don't know why the choice is drive or take the bus. Sorry, but the buses have too many creeps on them. It's the cheap creep factor. I'm sorry, but I think people should really take more care with their daughters. Seriously. Put your daughter on a plane. Virgin America, Alaska, and I think United all fly non-stop from San Francisco into Seattle.

I live in the southern end of the Sacramento Valley. We have a Greyhound bus station. After I moved here a neighbor wanted she and I to take a bus trip. I didn't feel comfortable about that and talked to our PD. I was told that when those let out on parole from our local prison, in otherwords let out of the prison, they were given X amount of cash and a bus ticket. I was told to not use the bus.

Susiebgood, I sure would discourage your daughter to take the bus from SF to Seattle. She doesn't need to rent a car, she can fly or take Amtrak.

The Coast Starlight leaves Emeryville (bus from SF) at 10PM every night. It arrives in Seattle about 8:45PM next day.
If you get the tickets early enough, the fare is as low as $123.
I have no problem sleeping in coach from Sacramento to Dunsmuir.
Never ride a bus anywhere an Amtrak train goes.

I'd fly.

Or maybe take Amtrak, the Coast Starlight as mentioned above (but knkow that it is notoriously late on a regular basis so don't count on that 8:45 arrival time).

No way would I take Greyhound all the way from SF to Seattle. No way.

Many years ago I took Greyhound from Seattle to Philadelphia and from New York City back to Seattle. It was an adventure both ways.

On the trip East I remember most the stop in Fargo, ND, where I had a huge hamburger and fries for $1.25, and the stop in Minneapolis, where I took a shower for $.75.

On the return trip, I have fond memories of the woman who was my traveling companion from NYC to Chicago and of a romantic interlude at night as we crossed the Great Plains.

Why deprive the lass an adventure?

HTTY

because I don't think the "adventure" you'd have on Greyhound now is the same as it was 50 years ago.

Yikes! I wasn't referring to your post. I'm sure you are right that a young lady traveling on Greyhound today would have an adventure very different from mine.

I have taken Amtrak to Seattle (from SF) many times...Have always enjoyed trip--although not always on schedule. Food is good,also have snack bar. A coach tickets buys your seat but you can also sit in Vista Dome car for a change .
also bathrooms available on each coach car-which as you get "older" you wll find is an added asset.
Having traveled for the last 50 yrs. in Western US...I would not take a bus unless it was the only way to get where I wanted to go...Example Santa Rosa to Eureka,CA--Amtrak Bus goes this route and was OK. but not "comfortable" -Tiring sitting in seat all the way and only made one stop.
Of course, flying is quick, SWA has comparable cost flights if book at lest 3 weeks ahead. Seattle airport has very convenient light rail to downtown.

Looking at Greyhound site, the trip is either 21 or 23 hours and costs $89 one way [I checked 30 days ahead]

Southwest fare from OAK to SEA is $79 and takes 2 hours, non stop.

This would be a no brainer for me.

This is REALLY late; thanks for the replies; she ended up flying and being safe!

Thanks for the report. I hope she had an enjoyable trip.

HTTY

Good choice!