Seattle to Vancouver (by Ferry? By Car?)
 

Trying to piece together a cruise for May/June. I have heard that departing from Vancouver is better than departing from Seattle. However, airfare is much more $$$.
Could we fly into Seattle and drive to Vancouver....how long would it take?
Is there a ferry or train...any idea of the time that would take or prices?

It's about a 3 hour drive straight up the freeway. There is also train and bus service. Sorry have no idea of pricing.

There is an AMTRAK train-leaves Seattle each morning. There are also bus companies that make that run. I suspect you'll have trouble finding a one-way rental car for pickup in the US and drop off in Canada. Sorry, I can't help you with information on ferrys.

www.quickcoach.com

7 buses a day during summer months. Direct from Seattle airport.

Go to the Alaska board at cruisecritic.com. These topics are covered at least once a day.

There is no ferry between Seattle and Vancouver. The ferries connect only Vancouver Island (Victoria) with Seattle or Port Angeles (USA) with Victoria (Canada) and Prince Rupert (Canada) with Bellingham (USA).

I suggest you allow 4 hours for the drive Seattle/Vancouver. There is no way to predict border delays and especially first timers with directions in stop and go, congested Vancouver.

Rental cars are available for downtown Vancouver- you DO NOT want Vancouver airport. Hertz, National, Alamo, Budget, Avis. All offices are walkable to Canada Place without luggage- drop off prior and no mobility limitations.

I frequently stay the night prior in Bellingham, 2 hours north of Seattle, then with an early start, less border waits likely and the ability for some Vancouver touring.

Having just traveled B.C. is august, we started by flying into seattle..NExt we hopped on a bus that took 4.5 hours but for only $23...Rented a car for 2 days in Vancouver...Took a $10 ferry to salt spring island...Next a $10 ferry plus $2 bus ride to Victoria...So cheap! Only expensive part was getting back to Seattle..From victoria to seattle by the VictoriaClipper was about $90 i think and took 2 hours...Other options was trekking it back to vancouver and taking the bus again, but its all about time..hope this helps...definatly dont rent a car unless u plan on going to the outskirts of vancouver or the island..Its easy to get around as long as u are used to traveling..

We took the Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver a couple of years ago. It was about a 4 hour trip. Don't know the cost, but worth checking out. The trip was wonderful, with breathtaking scenary. The Puget Sound was on one side and the farmland, mountains, etc. on the other side. We plan to do it again. Highly recommend it! Also, we did breakfast on the dining car. Very nice experience. Hope the price fits into your budget because if it does, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

great suggestions but the Victoria Clipper is much more than 2 hrs. back to Seattle...

The Victoria Clipper takes about 2 3/4 hours.

Nitpick: the body of water is "Puget Sound", not "The Puget Sound".

Check out Kenmore Air for seaplane flights to Vancouver, via Victoria. Takes about the same time as driving or train, and when you get there, you're right in the harbor, er, harbour already.

I doubt that you would find a car rental company that would allow a rental car to be rented in Seattle and Dropped in Vancouver.

There are Shuttle buses that run from Seatac to Stops in Vancouver, that take about 4 1/2 hours. They are about $60 US per person, each way, I think. They exist mainly for Canadians that want to fly out of Seatac. They run on a bi-Hourly basis, I think. Google: Seatac Vancouver shuttle, you will find it.

Virtually all of the car rental car companies allow one-ways between Seattle and Vancouver. Staple of the cruise community.

Some will charge a drop fee, others will just extort more for daily rental.

We've done it on a number of occasions (flying through YVR for instance.) No big deal.

As above, there are PLENTY of car rentals available for one way rentals between Seatac and Vancouver. I have personally used Avis, National, Budget, Alamo. There is also Hertz. Rented twice last year and 4 times upcoming this year. Rates are running me around $100/day.