Here's how to get from Seattle to Vancouver (2024)

FAQs

Here's how to get from Seattle to Vancouver? ›

Rail enthusiasts and sightseers are in for a treat on the train from Seattle to Vancouver. Amtrak Cascades' service covers some of the best views of the Salish Sea, framed in the Olympic Mountains and the beautiful fertile Skagit Valley, with Mt. Baker rising in the background among the Cascade Mountains.

Rail enthusiasts and sightseers are in for a treat on the train from Seattle to Vancouver. Amtrak Cascades' service covers some of the best views of the Salish Sea, framed in the Olympic Mountains and the beautiful fertile Skagit Valley, with Mt. Baker rising in the background among the Cascade Mountains.

Which border crossing is the best one? Peace Arch is the main crossing and has the longest delays, while the Pacific Highway is usually faster in comparison. The Lynden/Aldergrove crossing is worth considering if you are traveling to the North Shore or to the east side of Vancouver.

The cheapest way to get from Seattle to Vancouver Island is to drive and car ferry which costs $80 - $170 and takes 7h 34m. What is the fastest way to get from Seattle to Vancouver Island? The fastest way to get from Seattle to Vancouver Island is to fly which takes 5h 16m and costs $290 - $600.

The cheapest way to get from Seattle to Vancouver is to bus which costs $14 - $60 and takes 3h 55m. What is the fastest way to get from Seattle to Vancouver? The fastest way to get from Seattle to Vancouver is to fly which takes 1h 5m and costs $218. Is there a direct bus between Seattle and Vancouver?

Trains on the Amtrak Cascades route travel between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. multiple times each day. Total trip time is about four hours. In comparison, drive time is 2.5 hours and flight time is about one hour.

In a car, it's a quick shot up I-5 from Seattle to the Canadian border and on to Vancouver. Outside of rush hours, the trip typically takes 3-3.5 hours but although customs and Border Control is efficiently run, back-ups can slow your journey down.

Seattle to Vancouver by ferry

For a more leisurely jaunt from Seattle to Vancouver, consider taking the ferry. While there's no direct Seattle-to-Vancouver ferry route, you can still travel between the two cities by water if you have time for a little side trip to Victoria, British Columbia.

Most vehicles rented in the US can be driven throughout US and Canada. Some vehicle classes like Exotics, Large Passenger or Cargo Vans, and other specialty vehicles may not be allowed to travel outside of the US. Please reach to the renting location directly for details on cross-border restrictions.

Do you need a passport to go to Vancouver Island from Seattle? ›

A valid Passport, USA Passport Card, USA Enhanced Driver License (EDL) or an Enhanced ID Card (EDL/ID) is required to cross the USA/Canadian border by land and sea. A passport is required for all air travel.

The best way to get from Vancouver to Seattle is to fly which takes 1h 5m and costs $218. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $14 - $60 and takes 3h 45m, you could also train, which costs $6 - $95 and takes 4h 25m.

No matter your travel purpose, the bus between Seattle and Vancouver is slower and less picturesque than Amtrak train routes. Both Pacific Central Station in Vancouver and King Street Station in Seattle rest in the heart of each city, providing immediate access to metro buses, taxis, hotels and popular attractions.

Interstate 5 is not only the most direct route between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, it also offers plenty of lovely scenery to enjoy while you drive—or even while you relax on a BoltBus. However, to see the best scenery in the area, you'll need to rent a car and take a detour off the main highway.

The scenery along the Coast Starlight route is unsurpassed. The dramatic snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, lush forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline provide a stunning backdrop for your journey.

One of the classic scenic train rides in Washington is at the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad in Elbe. The passenger train service, pulled by historic steam engines, runs along the heritage railroad to the Mount Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum.

Although I hear complaints about safety on Link, my experiences have been uniformly safe and comfortable, certainly better than on buses. I recall a bumpy, uncomfortable bus ride from the University of Washington to downtown I frequently made before light rail.