Train between Seattle and Vancouver (Canada)
 

Starting from Denver, we're planning to take our grandson (10 years old) on a trip to Seattle and Vancouver (not necessarily in that order). We've been to both several times (he hasn't), but we've always driven between the cities. This time, we're going to skip the driving, and would like to take a scenic train ride between them (no problem for us with public transportation in either city).

Can you please provide some first-hand information that would help me plan the rail part of the trip, such as options, cost, schedule, preferable direction (Seattle or Vancouver as the first stop), etc.

Thanks.

There are two trains daily in both directions, leaving in the early morning and early evening, so it doesn't matter which direction you choose.

You want to sit on the west side of the train, i.e. left side northbound, right side southbound, and it's worth reserving business class seats (if available) or else get to the station early.

US immigration and customs takes place in Vancouver, so make allowance for some extra time if going in the southbound direction.

The morning Amtrak Cascades train leaves Seattle at 7:45AM. After that there are 3 Amtrak buses that go to Vancouver before the evening train.
If there are no problems at the border, the bus takes 3.5 hours but the train takes nearly 4 hours.
If you buy your tickets early for the early train, you can save about $20US getting a "saver" fare.
At a Canadian bank your $10US bill will get you about $14CDN.
Be sure to see Stanley Park including the totem poles.

The train leaves Seattle at an inconvenient time in the morning, and it returns to Seattle at an inconvenient time in the evening.

Sometimes the train doesn't run because of a problem with the tracks.

Sometimes the train turns out to be a bus.

Nonetheless, a train ride is likely to be a treat for a 10-year-old boy.

HTtY

Thanks for your replies.

Tom, we prefer the train, rather than the bus, so we'll probably opt for the morning train from Seattle to Vancouver.
Since we like to ensure that we get seats on the ocean (west) side, we'll probably go for the reserved business seats (with the added benefit that we won't have to get up at a ridiculously early hour (although 7:45 AM already qualifies as ridiculously early for this retired grandfather!).

Gardyloo, do you know if we can choose which seats we get if we reserve business class, or is it a crap shoot?

The seats on the Talgo trains are quite comfortable. The only thing that the buisiness class is a voucher for some food in the lounge and a a slightly more comfortable seat.
You'll be arriving just in time for lunch in Vancouver.
I also answered in the Canada forum.

Tom, the Amtrack reservation site only mentions the Cascades train. What is the Talgo train?

Also, you're implying that the major difference between business class and other seats is the food voucher, is that correct? Specifically, will we be able to choose specific seats (east side or west side) with any class of reservations?

>>Tom, the Amtrack reservation site only mentions the Cascades train. What is the Talgo train?<<

Talgo is just the company that manufactures the trains . . . nothing to do w/ the booking/route.

Another benefit of business class if you are on the northbound train is that you arrive at the customs and immigration checkpoints in Vancouver ahead of all the coach passengers so you avoid long lines.

I also suggest getting seats on the west side of the train in whichever direction you take it.

Thanks for that info, dwoodon.

So only one question remains: will I be able to choose which side I sit on if I book tickets online?

You will be able to choose the seat you sit in. It is unassigned seating but you should try to get on as soon as possible to pick a choice seat.
If you buy the tickets online you can have the Qcode on your smartphone to have the conductor scan.
You can also print out your ticket on a printer with an alphanumeric code for the conductor to enter in his scanner.

Tom, I think I need to clarify my question.

What I need to know is if I can choose and guarantee my seats in advance (at the time of booking) if I book business class seats online, even if I don't arrive early . Unassigned seating is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.

At the time of boarding there are no assigned seats on any Amtrak train even if you pay extra for the business class seats which are 2 on one side of the car and 1 on the other side. The on board staff can and will assign seats in the coach section.
The only way to get an assigned space on an Amtrak train is to buy a sleeper (bedroom or roomette).
If you leave your coach car, you can go to the lounge and sit on the left side if you were forced to get a coach seat on the right side.
I never pay the extra to get a business class seat.
Nearly all of my trips between Seattle and Vancouver have been on the buses which stop at the border and you have to put your luggage on a conveyor belt to be scanned.