Seattle to Vancouver

ptprism · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 10:27 AM

We are going to be in Seattle for Labor Day

and thought about taking the Cascades train up to Vancouver for a few days. Has anyone done this? If so, is it a scenic trip or just a typical boring train ride? Also, on the way back we have to take the AmtraK motorcoach as no train is available when we need to travel. Is that OK? Or is it just driving a big interstate with nothing to see?

We have never been to this area before and definitely don't want to drive it, but we thought this might be a way to realax and enjoy the travel.

We would like your help and suggestions.

Nancy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 11:05 AM

We took the Cascade to Vancouver a couple of years ago and really loved it, but I'm a train person. We opted to pay for the upgrade to business class, it was cheap, and there was only one other couple in our car with the 3 of us. Some of trip is along coast line and scenic.

We did not take train or bus back. We took the ferry to Victoria and then took boat from there back to Seattle. We used Clipper tours from Seattle and let them plan it for us and were very happy with them.

If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer them.

Nancy

randyzjr · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 03:04 PM

I have not taken the train but as Nancy indicated parts of the route are definitely scenic. If this is your first time to the Northwest most all of it should be interesting.

As for the drive in I5, yes it is an interstate but definitely not the most boring. Driven it far more times than I can count but have always found the section from Bellingham to south of Mount Vernon very pleasant as you have to traverse a pass through the Cascades, past Lake Samish, and down into the Mount Vernon valley. About 1 hour of the up to 3 hour trip. Definitely far more interesting than any Florida interstate I have been on. Of course if you do the Sea to Sky drive while your up here the Interstate will be boring by comparison.

You can do as Nancy suggested and try the ferry loop via Victoria. Definitely one of the most scenic (if not most scenic) ferry trips one can do anywhere.

Randy