The Train from Vancouver to Seattle Explained

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  • čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
  • Want to Take the Amtrak train from Vancouver to Seattle or Seattle to Vancouver? Well this video answers your questions about the 4.5 hour train journey. From border check, to luggage, to what to grab in the restaurant car. How do I go from Vancouver to Seattle?
    Filmed in Vancouver, Seattle and in between
    Copyright Mark Wolters 2018
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Komentáře • 409

  • @clc18mac
    @clc18mac Před 6 lety +79

    My family and I took the Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver several years ago. The scenery was beautiful. At one point we were next to an inlet and there were 100’s of eagles both adults and yearlings. They were sitting on the beach, flying around (racing the train) and fishing. It was amazing. I would do that trip again. Also, if you travel across the border by land you only need a passport card.

    • @einundsiebenziger5488
      @einundsiebenziger5488 Před 2 lety

      ... across the border* ...

    • @Viajerooeste
      @Viajerooeste Před 2 lety +1

      what was the cost?

    • @clc18mac
      @clc18mac Před 2 lety +1

      @@Viajerooeste back then it was $83.50 for 2 adults and 1 child. A lot cheaper than flying from Kansas City to Vancouver that’s for sure.

  • @cogman62
    @cogman62 Před 6 lety +85

    Last year, we considered this trek on Amtrak. My wife booked us a fast ferry ride from Seattle to Victoria and another from Victoria to Vancouver. The boat rides were out of this world. Fun and fast moving (no traffic, except a few boats). If you want to see gorgeous scenery, this is THE way to go.

    • @fsruiz64
      @fsruiz64 Před 6 lety +3

      Jeff Coghill which website did you use to find the ferry rides?

    • @cogman62
      @cogman62 Před 6 lety +7

      Seattle to Victoria, Clipper Vacations: www.clippervacations.com/
      Victoria to Vancouver, Prince of Whales: princeofwhales.com/victoria-tours/victoria-to-vancouver-butchart-gardens/

    • @fsruiz64
      @fsruiz64 Před 6 lety +1

      Jeff Coghill Thank you!

    • @heidimarchant5438
      @heidimarchant5438 Před 6 lety +1

      My Uncle's like to travel by boat to Alaska from the USA, appearantly it's quit the experience.

    • @pac401
      @pac401 Před 6 lety +2

      Just remember, the Prince of Whales boat only operates from May 25th to September 23rd.

  • @michaelwatson113
    @michaelwatson113 Před 6 lety +8

    I have taken this trip (and the reverse) many times over the last 50 years, and I never tire of it. There is some beautiful scenery, the ride is comfortable, the border formalities are easy, the train crew is friendly, and it is way less hassle than flying.

  • @mikedowd6015
    @mikedowd6015 Před 6 lety +20

    Keep in mind too that the train continues south from Seattle to Eugene OR.

    • @ThatOneBuilderGuy
      @ThatOneBuilderGuy Před 4 lety +5

      actually the service from Vancouver, BC terminates in Portland, OR. But the SB service from Seattle and portland terminate in Eugene

  • @danield8244
    @danield8244 Před 6 lety +44

    We took the bus and it wasn't the best experience for many reasons, but mostly because everyone has to get off the bus with their stuff while crossing the border. Definitely will do train next time thanks!

    • @woltersworld
      @woltersworld  Před 6 lety +7

      Thabks for the heads up with the bus option. I was wondering about that.

    • @mats7492
      @mats7492 Před 6 lety +2

      yeah, you have to go through customs and immigration with all your stuff.. its annoying

    • @oryday1133
      @oryday1133 Před 6 lety +5

      one bus passenger who has trouble at the border can hold up the bus a very long time

    • @kibaanazuka332
      @kibaanazuka332 Před 6 lety +1

      I've ridden the bus to and from Seattle to Vancouver, and its adequate for what it is. It's also the cheapest way between both cities, as Bolt Bus and Greyhound generally has tickets for around $20 each way. The border crossing can be a pain, but it's not too bad in my opinion.

    • @asharkinwater
      @asharkinwater Před 6 lety +2

      Daniel D bolt bus is generally the best way to go. I've taken that route 20+ times and the train can be interesting to do once, but it's so expensive and a little bit of a let down. I paid like 140ish I think. Bolt bus tickets are usually less than $20, and are much faster then the train. Plus they run multiple times throughout the day.

  • @salag13
    @salag13 Před 6 lety +12

    I took that train from Portland to Canada and back twice. Glad to see you’re near my neck of the woods. Enjoy the Northwest.

  • @ibaialberdi
    @ibaialberdi Před 6 lety +16

    I took this one from Seattle to Vancouver, it was ok, not too expensive. Definitely worth it.

  • @charleeng1803
    @charleeng1803 Před 6 lety +10

    We do the Amtrak between Vancouver n Everett often. I enjoy it a lot going down, because it’s the first stop from Vancouver, and you’re assigned seats. But coming back is a different story. Getting on is hectic and trying to find a seat together is a drag, no seat assignments from Everett. Your luggage isn’t checked in either from the Everett stop, so we have to drag our suitcases on lol. At Christmas time it’s busy! But I really enjoy the great Amtrak staff. They’re always so kind and courteous.

    • @maxbuskirk5302
      @maxbuskirk5302 Před 6 lety

      Charleen G The train stops in Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, and Stanwood first.

    • @charleeng1803
      @charleeng1803 Před 6 lety +1

      Max Buskirk the morning train south starts from Vancouver, so it’s the first stop. And I’ve traveled this route quite often, as stated in my post.

  • @ericc3963
    @ericc3963 Před 4 lety +5

    My wife and I(Scotland) did this trip a couple of years ago, (I am a train driver) the one thing that stands out for us was how many times that bloody train horn was used, it was hardly a relaxing 4 hour journey, think I even heard it in my sleep for the next 3 months 😅

  • @heathergladue5726
    @heathergladue5726 Před 5 lety +4

    I live in Alberta and I didn't know this train existed. I will have to check this out, when my husband and I decide to go to the US!!

  • @KayakTN
    @KayakTN Před 6 lety +6

    Mark! Thank you for this. I’ll be in Vancouver on the 8th and needed to get back into the US. A $75 fare is a lot more affordable than a $200+ plane ticket, and I can spend the day in BC.

  • @Lobo_Loco1
    @Lobo_Loco1 Před 2 lety +4

    I came here because a friend and I plan to take this exact trip from Vancouver to Seattle and found this to be such an informative video! Thank you for posting this!

  • @derrick333
    @derrick333 Před 6 lety +15

    Awesome. I take the train from Portland to Seattle a lot to visit family in Seattle area. It's a great ride. One day I will make the trip to go all the way to Vancouver BC. Thanks for sharing.

  • @hasmanism
    @hasmanism Před 5 lety +7

    As a local Vancouverite this is great! Didn't know a thing about the details of the train

  • @MB-qx9vn
    @MB-qx9vn Před 4 lety +3

    Honestly, I took the interstate from Seattle to Vancouver and it was fairly scenic and you have more control if you want to stop anywhere. Would be interesting to ride the train,though.
    The U.S. needs to step up its train game.

  • @m4ngooo
    @m4ngooo Před 5 lety +4

    Took the same route from Van to Seattle last year as well. We considered driving ourselves but the Amtrak was a far better option. You can walk around to stretch your legs or go grab a snack in the cafe cart. Definitely the way to go with a large family and lots of luggage. Fare wasn't too bad as well, about $45 USD.

    • @undisclosedundisclosed6064
      @undisclosedundisclosed6064 Před 9 měsíci +1

      Am a "First Time AMTRAK Rider" and I am taking this train (Seattle to Vancouver) first time soon this week (alone) - do I drag my carry-on along with me to go to the restroom & buy food in the cafe? I read somewhere you must attend to your carry-on at all times?;

  • @marsgal42
    @marsgal42 Před 6 lety +20

    Trains are a uniquely civilized way to travel.
    I haven't done Amtrak to Seattle. Must do it some day. I've driven many times, taken the bus, and flown both commercially (SeaTac) and privately (Boeing Field).

    • @jwil4286
      @jwil4286 Před 11 měsíci

      Now you can fly EITHER one out of Paine Field (strongly recommend; having timed myself on both PAE and SEA passenger terminals, the former takes 12 minutes with everything going wrong, while the latter takes at least 20 minutes with everything going right).

  • @albertramirez5390
    @albertramirez5390 Před 6 lety +2

    We took the boat ride from Seattle to Canada. We had booked it ahead of time. But the day of we had to leave early, because of strong currents. So only spent about 3 hours in Canada. Next time up will use the train.

  • @PerthTowne
    @PerthTowne Před 6 lety +1

    I did this trip between Vancouver and Seattle a few years ago. No problems whatsoever. Lovely conversation with a woman from England who sat next to me. Enjoyed it, and would go that way again.

  • @stevencassidy6982
    @stevencassidy6982 Před 5 lety +13

    I am stunned by this. I live outside London and their is one train to London every quarter of an hour. With amtrak? It's two trains per day. You need more people out the cars and onto your trains

    • @LoongAqua
      @LoongAqua Před 5 lety +1

      The auto manufacturers lobby is too strong. They wouldn't allow train travel to succeed.

    • @ichaffee1
      @ichaffee1 Před 4 lety

      @@LoongAqua and people can chose the train more often but dont... i wish they did ..

    • @DrVVVinK
      @DrVVVinK Před 5 měsíci

      I know this is 4 years old, but they do have trains that come more often, but it depends where you live and the distantion. For example, I live in Connecticut where they have Metro North a commuter train that goes to and from NYC and New Haven, CT that leaves about every 20 minutes. We also have Amtrak too, which is long distance, the route is from Boston to DC, with a bunch of stops in-between and that comes about every hour. With that said train travel is more common in the Northeast than it is elsewhere in the US, but it is still not comparable to Europe.

    • @DrVVVinK
      @DrVVVinK Před 5 měsíci

      ​@@LoongAquaand airline. In the West SouthWest Airlines stopped a plan for train travel expansion.

  • @DonzLockz
    @DonzLockz Před 6 lety +43

    I took it but from Seattle last year. A bridge was supposedly damaged so they dumped all passengers in Bellingham... I think it was called. It was about 10pm. They didn't arrange alternate travel and left us to our own, I'm from Australia so was lost and finally took a cab, over $200 later, so disappointed and angry.

    • @DonzLockz
      @DonzLockz Před 6 lety +1

      Clarence Boddicker haha, very true! At least I made it, I had a Whistler booked for the morning so I still made it. 😊

    • @garypierce7380
      @garypierce7380 Před 6 lety +6

      Sounds like a lawsuit.

    • @DonzLockz
      @DonzLockz Před 6 lety +5

      Gary Pierce I was told by local travellers that it happens fairly often.😕 I never claimed travel insurance or never chased up Amtrak but but being a visitor to the country was probably not worth it. If I was a US citizen then yes, probably would. 😊

    • @garypierce7380
      @garypierce7380 Před 6 lety +1

      Don'z Lockz I lived in Seattle for a couple years back in the 80’s and never took the ferry, but everybody who did said that was the way to go.
      Most of those went straight to Alaska. But yeah, about the train leaving you stranded, complete bs.

    • @ghost307
      @ghost307 Před 6 lety +1

      Don, that's what you get for trusting the US government with your well-being.

  • @NeighborSenpai
    @NeighborSenpai Před 6 lety +2

    Maybe I'm ignorant but i didn't know that amtrak cascades went to Canada , the train is just so unique and now thanks to this video i wanna go to Vancouver

  • @MikeIzzle_
    @MikeIzzle_ Před 2 lety +1

    Ivar’s is always a must eat when you’re in Seattle! Especially the location on Alaska Way so you can sit outside and feed the seagulls

  • @alexstuart1849
    @alexstuart1849 Před 3 lety +1

    VIA and Amtrak literally take all of the inherent advantages away from rail: such as being able to wait on platforms/board whenever you want, weighing bags etc.

  • @animalsanimals8956
    @animalsanimals8956 Před 6 lety +4

    I'll be relocating to this area with dual countries soon so very timely for me. 🚂🚅🚉 Thank you!

  • @gazhvys9543
    @gazhvys9543 Před 2 lety +2

    Great Video i’m from the UK and didn’t know there was a train ! Planning my trip now !

  • @kshred3043
    @kshred3043 Před 5 lety +2

    I rode this train in the other direction, Seattle to Vancouver. Missed the part I really wanted to see - Puget sound in the Seattle/Edmonds area due to slips on the tracks and got bussed past those to Everett. Very disappointing. The rest of the trip was fine and far more reliable that trying to fly to Vancouver on Air Canada which has been a disaster in multiple occasions with flight delays and outright cancellations.
    I have also extensively ridden trains in China and, sorry to have to say this, but Amtrak is just a joke I comparison. Slow, noisy, uncomfortable, jerky, late. Compare this with Chinese CRH typically running at 300 km/h (162 m/h) and smooth as silk. Latest versions of Chinese trains are even faster, 350 km/h (189 mph).

  • @LeggLife
    @LeggLife Před 5 lety +3

    As with all of your videos, this was super helpful! We're flying into Bellingham, Washington in a couple of months and taking this train up to Vancouver and back,. First time using Amtrak and loved getting a glimpse into what the experience will be like, Thanks!

  • @drarden9556
    @drarden9556 Před 6 lety +3

    I took the train from Seattle to Vancouver and back, overall loved it, just wish it wasn't so damn early of a departure time!

  • @johnslyfield5096
    @johnslyfield5096 Před 5 lety +1

    About customs going north to Canada: they do stop at the border but only to get permission from CBSA (customs) to enter and they promptly move on (albeit SLOOOWWWWLLLLYYYY) to Vancouver. Unlike going to the USA, I think the us CBP is really checking for drugs and the like at the border.

  • @johnedreslin
    @johnedreslin Před 4 lety +1

    Took the afternoon one two years ago. Saw sunset over Puget Sound, plus great views of Mt. Baker. Really fun ride if you're not in too much of a hurry.

  • @PugetBill
    @PugetBill Před 11 měsíci +1

    Nice video. Was a little surprised to hear Ivar’s described as a “local fast food place” but I guess for non-natives, that’s understandable. Us (older) locals know Ivar’s mainly for its full service restaurant(s). Their fast food outlets came much later - a few decades AFTER Ivar’s reputation was firmly established.

  • @alanvonau278
    @alanvonau278 Před 5 lety +1

    Ivar's (5:17) is NOT a fast food place, but a reputable seafood restaurant chain based in Seattle, Washington. (See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivar's and www.ivars.com/ .) The restaurant has locations throughout the greater Seattle area. It is famous for its thick and creamy Puget Sound Clam Chowder. You can buy it online by doing a Google search on "ivar's clam chowder shipped".

  • @finned958
    @finned958 Před 6 lety +1

    I considered using it, but the departure times are really inconvenient. The empty seats confirms it. I decided to fly direct from LA to Vancouver instead of stopping first in Seattle.

    • @shawnbell6392
      @shawnbell6392 Před 5 lety

      Its a morning and evening departure schedule on both ends. It was one train a day for years though.

  • @anikun
    @anikun Před 6 lety +3

    Love the vid, planning on a trip to Vancouver myself in a year or 2, but regarding the seat assignment, ask if you can get a specific seat, the more generalized the request is the more likely they will be able to get you that specific seat, but it falls back on how early you got in line

  • @tosht2515
    @tosht2515 Před 6 lety +1

    Beer, banana bread and chowder - breakfast of champions. 👍
    Very cool that you took the train to show travel options. You’re the man.

    • @woltersworld
      @woltersworld  Před 6 lety +3

      I'm trying to show a bit more of the behind the Sean's stuff so people can see how to do it themselves. I know I had questions about the train but there wasn't really anything helpful out there so hopefully this can help a few travelers :)

  • @elizabethbosher1372
    @elizabethbosher1372 Před 5 lety +2

    Connecting from Vancouver to Seattle, end of January next year. Thanks for a very helpful video that convinced us the train definitely the better option although, sadly, I guess our trip (departing 5.45 pm) will be almost entirely in darkness

  • @undisclosedundisclosed6064
    @undisclosedundisclosed6064 Před 9 měsíci +1

    This is great video Mark! You've covered everything I needed to know as a "First AMTRAK Rider"!!! Although I wish you also covered "How to Check-in Carry-on in Seattle Kung Street AMTRAK station" and "How & Where to Claim your luggage or carry-on when you reached Vancouver Pacific Central Station"? And/or most importantly - do we drag and take our carry-on every time we use the restroom or when we go to buy food? Otherwise, this is great video!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Nina

  • @claretjay
    @claretjay Před 4 lety +1

    Going to Vancouver from Seattle via train this April, looking forward to it.

  • @tedharrison4522
    @tedharrison4522 Před 6 lety +1

    Worth noting, the morning Amtrak departure from Vancouver goes all the way to Portland, OR.

    • @janedoe-ke1yw
      @janedoe-ke1yw Před 5 lety

      Ted ! And siqio
      Hdgge
      Hehehhwhewhrhuhue uruq

  • @kymmoulds
    @kymmoulds Před 6 lety +2

    Great video as usual but I would have liked to see what an economy seat looked like and the differences between Business Class and Economy. But still a good video. Thanks.

    • @shawnbell6392
      @shawnbell6392 Před 5 lety +1

      Basically Business Class has fewer seats than economy. So somewhat more room and it tends to be a bit quieter.

  • @jackkuck7948
    @jackkuck7948 Před 4 lety +1

    I took that train like 5 years ago from Seattle to Vancouver but... there was a huge storm so we our train had a delay of 9h ....... I mean we were sitting in the train for like 14-17h

  • @RunTheAtlas
    @RunTheAtlas Před 6 lety +2

    I wish it ran more frequently. I ended up driving because there were no late night trains. Drive is cool too btw!

  • @Broil_The_Loins
    @Broil_The_Loins Před 23 dny

    Thank you for not stretching this out to 20+ mins

  • @fineassamyfresh2387
    @fineassamyfresh2387 Před 6 lety +7

    Thank you so much! I have always wanted to take an amtrak!

  • @StevenGrahamHypnotherapist

    Really great and helpful video. Yes, Ivar’s is g-r-e-a-t clam chowder! This was fun and helpful. Thank you! 😎

  • @fjin1
    @fjin1 Před 5 lety +1

    I took the train with business class, very old and slow train. But the sight is very enjoyable

  • @reikasdad
    @reikasdad Před 5 lety +1

    Is business class a lot more comfortable than economy/2nd class? I am 6'2".. ard 230lbs. Also, apart from boarding earlier, are there any other perks for business class? Thanks for reading

    • @shawnbell6392
      @shawnbell6392 Před 5 lety +2

      There are fewer seats in Business Class carriages so you have some further room, you get priority boarding and get to go through Canada Customs first, and its generally quieter.

    • @reikasdad
      @reikasdad Před 5 lety +1

      @@shawnbell6392 thanks shawn!

  • @patrickmurray4405
    @patrickmurray4405 Před rokem +1

    Thanks man, we’ll be on the train next month. Keep up the good work.

  • @karinwiebe1321
    @karinwiebe1321 Před 4 lety +2

    Thanks! Something to look forward to next year ❤️

  • @shawnbell6392
    @shawnbell6392 Před 6 lety +1

    The trip overall takes longer than driving or the bus because its on freight owned tracks and some of that is the long way rather than a straight line. But the parts along the water are nice. One day we saw numerous eagles. More scenic overall than watching concrete on !-5. Block to block flight time between Seattle and Vancouver is listed as 55 minutes and even on a jet I have had it take that flying.

  • @tnrpvideo1414
    @tnrpvideo1414 Před 6 lety +2

    Great tour! That's more info than a train nerd like me even knows about this train!

  • @ssumrall70
    @ssumrall70 Před 5 lety +1

    I was looking forward to the Clam Chowder for breakfast but they only offer it on afternoon trains so I had to settle for beers for breakfast instead. I really want the chowder still :(

  • @ianwyj1
    @ianwyj1 Před 6 lety +1

    Thanks for the tips. I'm planning to do the same ride in October this year, taking the morning train...just for the views.

  • @sweetwater88
    @sweetwater88 Před 6 lety +1

    Weird that the platform is not at-level. Raleigh, NC just got their new train station and at-level platform makes such the difference especially for less-able people and elderly.

  • @casperblackcat1975
    @casperblackcat1975 Před 6 lety +1

    Train is the only way to travel fantastic video.

  • @smitajky
    @smitajky Před 6 lety +1

    It was a number of years ago when I did this trip. All the customs and immigration was handled at the Canadian end then. So the only thing done at the US border was to let on some police and sniffer dogs. They walked up the train checking for drugs but the train kept going during this. I am sure that it was about an hour faster then than the figure given here. Progress is wonderful.

    • @jwil4286
      @jwil4286 Před 11 měsíci

      And compared to the lines at the peace arch, customs must have been a breeze

  • @penelopepitstop762
    @penelopepitstop762 Před rokem +1

    I wonder if anything has changed since your video was before Covid. We will be taking the train from Vancouver to Seattle in September. We are doing an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle that disembarks in Vancouver, but we are staying there for a few days before going home. We did look at flights directly from Vancouver, but they were all VERY long flights for some reason and we had better luck with flights from Seattle. Already have our train tickets booked!

  • @choosehappygratitude8802
    @choosehappygratitude8802 Před 4 lety +1

    We took the Cascades last week (the other way!) from the fabulous King St Station in Seattle up to lovely Vancouver! Sir Anthony Robinson and his film crew were aboard for his show “World by Train”. Everything was fabulous with ONE exception: the dirty windows... really Amtrak? All our videos of the incredible scenery had to be taken while standing to find a clean spot through the 🌫 glass 😟😖 thanks for your review

  • @andrewmorrison5359
    @andrewmorrison5359 Před 5 lety +2

    Planning a trip from Vancouver to Seattle and found this guide really helpful - thanks for taking the time to do it. :)

  • @LeoFtravels
    @LeoFtravels Před 6 lety +37

    I learn so much from your vids
    Thanks for posting

    • @woltersworld
      @woltersworld  Před 6 lety +1

      glad we can add a bit of something something :)

    • @samlsd9711
      @samlsd9711 Před 6 lety

      His contents are for advertisement, but very useful.

  • @samlsd9711
    @samlsd9711 Před 6 lety +3

    You forgot the price?????

  • @jwil4286
    @jwil4286 Před 11 měsíci

    I recently took Cascades down to Albany (Oregon) to meet up with a friend who was going to drive me and another friend (who hopped on the train partway down) to Crater Lake for a long weekend trip. Unfortunately, we were not on the Talgo trainsets, but the journey was still nice.
    And I’ve heard that customs at Pacific Central Station is a breeze (one person I spoke to said it took 6 minutes to get through, 3 of which were spent walking).

  • @linkfan160
    @linkfan160 Před 5 lety +8

    I didn't even know this was a thing, and I've lived in British Columbia my whole life. Might just do this if I ever want to go to Seattle.

  • @zav9475
    @zav9475 Před 6 lety +7

    I'm curious what was the cost?

    • @nmzj
      @nmzj Před 5 lety +2

      Right now, looking out 6 months, it's $28 to $63 for a seat.

  • @rotitelor
    @rotitelor Před 6 lety +1

    Flying Vancouver to Seattle may be 30 minutes but once you factor the 2 to 3 hour check in time for the flight, the train looks compelling.

    • @ronclark9724
      @ronclark9724 Před 5 lety

      You can drive the distance in around two hours...

  • @jordangraff2254
    @jordangraff2254 Před 6 lety +1

    Hmm maybe next year I'll pack up my road bike and make the 10 minute walk to Pacific station and take the train to Seattle... Been living in Vancouver for 8 years now and not once gone down lol (except walking across the border by accident in White Rock lol)...was in Washington for 3 hours before I knew lol. Luckily the cop that asked to see my ID understood when he saw my Manitoba ID lol. "You're not from here"... Nope

  • @srirangaswamy8986
    @srirangaswamy8986 Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks brother. Can't wait to do this trip!

  • @roxymang1
    @roxymang1 Před 6 lety +2

    I can’t believe you were just in my city. I love your channel!!!!

  • @vicboada
    @vicboada Před 2 lety +1

    So incredibly helpful! super awesome

  • @PDNB214
    @PDNB214 Před 6 lety +3

    Enjoyed your travel videos. Thanks for all your first hand experience.

  • @cyndie26
    @cyndie26 Před 6 lety +1

    1:14 That sounds like what people used to do on planes. Canadian trains as well as the Eurostar seem to allow their customers to book their seats in advance.
    Also, passengers go through US customs in Vancouver.

    • @barvdw
      @barvdw Před 6 lety

      Every TGV does that, too, and all long-distance trains by SNCF, Renfe, Trenitalia, PKP, MÁV, TrainOSE... Germany and other similar systems give you the option to book your seat in advance for a small fee (think €5 or less), but no obligation. In the UK, if it's possible, you have to do it at least one day in advance.

    • @PerthTowne
      @PerthTowne Před 6 lety

      You do book your seat in advance on Amtrak. He seems to be referring to the specific seat you sit in--which they tell you when you are boarding. But in my experience, you can change if you want to, once the trip starts. I do wish Amtrak would allow you to choose the specific place where you sit.

    • @cyndie26
      @cyndie26 Před 6 lety

      PerthTowne They haven't told me where to sit at any time I rode with them.

  • @Peldyn
    @Peldyn Před 6 lety +1

    Good advice! I was thinking of going from Los Angeles to Seattle. Now maybe we will go all the way to Vancouver

  • @clintonelliott5967
    @clintonelliott5967 Před 6 lety +5

    Thanks for posting! Your videos are always enjoyable and informative.

  • @jlawrence0181
    @jlawrence0181 Před 6 lety

    We found that two adult RT tickets on Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver was more expensive than just renting a car from an agency in downtown Seattle. Having a rental car made it a lot easier to get to Whistler and to UBC, and some of the areas off the beaten bus paths. Of course, we stayed in the suburbs and parked in the commuter lots on the days that we headed into the DT area.
    I have to confess that I have used the passenger service on Southern Railways and the Union Pacific as well as Canada's Via Rail so I cannot get to thrilled with Amtrak service.

  • @peter_smyth
    @peter_smyth Před 6 lety

    Schengen is great. Traveling from Germany through Austria to Italy, the only border checks were Italian police doing a few spot checks at one of the stations, otherwise the borders meant nothing.

  • @OverSoft
    @OverSoft Před 6 lety +1

    We booked the train the other way round (from Seattle to Vancouver) last year, but unfortunately we got a replacement bus service which was pretty annoying.
    The ride was still pretty good, but we would've much preferred going by train.

  • @craigobeirne9956
    @craigobeirne9956 Před 6 lety +1

    Why no mention of the Rocky Mountaineer??????

    • @lovehandr
      @lovehandr Před 5 lety

      I took the Rocky Mountaineer from Lake Louise to Vancouver in April, arriving at Pacific Central. A lovely experience even at the lower silver class .

  • @kavik2825
    @kavik2825 Před 6 lety +12

    The US really needs to update trains. Many countries like Japan and China are so much better...along with Europe...for trains anyways. But, in the US, we developed automobile travel more so, since it was originally much cheaper way to travel than anything else.

    • @supportervandeeuropeseunie1625
      @supportervandeeuropeseunie1625 Před 6 lety +1

      Kavik 28 The USA doesn't have sufficient population density to support a high-speed train financially speaking. Just like Russia the USA only has like 1 high-speed rail traject. If the USA is going to do so, it should be state by state just like in the EU. Luckily, that's one of the few things that Trump is understanding (for normal trains): www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-budget-plan-for-2019-defunds-amtraks-long-distance-routes/ Still... Just continue the way you're doing so in California and Texas.

    • @kavik2825
      @kavik2825 Před 6 lety +2

      By the way, by US law, the locomotives have to be a certain weight...which ends up being a lot heavier than other trains in other countries...Congress states that this is for safety reasons. The US needs to update it's thought process. But, also needs to remove passenger rail from freight rail. At least in the west, all passenger rail rides on tracks that are owned by the freight companies, and the tracks are not set up for high speed.

    • @BigSleepyOx
      @BigSleepyOx Před 5 lety +2

      US railways also have a different philosophy. The tracks are owned by freight train companies, and they lease right of ways to passenger trains. In Europe, it's the opposite. Since the US tracks are designed for freight first, passengers second, high speed is not viewed as a high priority. Sadly.

  • @OrdinaryDude
    @OrdinaryDude Před 5 lety +2

    I didn't realize you meant Vancouver CANADA until you mentioned passports.
    (There's another Vancouver in south Washington near Portland Oregon...)

    • @PugetBill
      @PugetBill Před 8 měsíci +1

      I always thought that would make a great 'Geography Quiz' question: "You just arrived in Vancouver after driving three hours from Seattle. When you left Seattle, did you A) get on Interstate 5 heading NORTH or B) get on Interstate 5 heading SOUTH?"
      Either answer is correct. Vancouver, BC (Canada) is about a 3 hour drive North from Seattle along (mostly) I-5. Vancouver, Washington is about a 3 hour drive South from Seattle. Also on I-5.

  • @mats7492
    @mats7492 Před 6 lety +2

    pretty sure, they serve cocktails at the restaurant car as well ;-)

  • @AntonioCaruso906
    @AntonioCaruso906 Před 2 lety

    Awesome Tripreport, Greetings from The Netherlands (Europe)

  • @mikhailiakovlev1936
    @mikhailiakovlev1936 Před 6 lety +2

    This train looks amazing! Thanks so much for this video :)

  • @undisclosedundisclosed6064
    @undisclosedundisclosed6064 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Am a "First Time AMTRAK Rider" and I am taking this train (Seattle to Vancouver) first time soon this week (alone) - do I drag my carry-on along with me to go to the restroom & buy food in the cafe? I read somewhere you must attend to your carry-on at all times?;

  • @allenking9459
    @allenking9459 Před 5 lety +2

    took about 8 times by now. Not one time wasn't delayed.

  • @sajans8743
    @sajans8743 Před 5 lety +1

    Personally, I would prefer to drive from Vancouver to Seattle as it is only 2 hours. Rent a car, and then drive to Seattle. If you have more time, drive around an hour south of Seattle and you can see mount st. Helen's.

  • @j.k.1198
    @j.k.1198 Před 6 lety +159

    Only in the US the bus is faster than the train 😂
    /European

    • @barvdw
      @barvdw Před 6 lety +12

      There are some places in the EU where buses are faster, too, like many lines in Bulgaria or Romania, Eastern Poland, the Balkan countries... In most cases, trains are faster, though.

    • @paulayost123
      @paulayost123 Před 6 lety +1

      Ha Ha Ha! So true!

    • @samlsd9711
      @samlsd9711 Před 6 lety +3

      Americans will catch up soon.Don't worry. 😆😂🤣

    • @BoldOne8760
      @BoldOne8760 Před 5 lety

      In Ireland the train from Dublin to Galway (east to west) is half the time of the bus but that's probably because buseireann can't function at all..

    • @BigSleepyOx
      @BigSleepyOx Před 5 lety +1

      The bus is not literally faster. The bus trip takes a shorter amount of time, but not due to the bus being faster. It's that the train stops at multiple places between Vancouver and Seattle (like Bellingam, Everette, Edmonds), and the offboard/onboard process takes longer than a bus at each stop due to the larger number of people involved. Also, it takes longer for the train to get through customs than for a bus, again, because of the larger number of people involved. But yes, the US doesn't have high speed rail. :(

  • @stanleyyyyyyyyyyy
    @stanleyyyyyyyyyyy Před 6 lety +6

    I am so glad that I live in the Schengen zone! :) I didn't know that there are such "serious" border procedures between United States and Canada... We had the same stuff here in Europe some 15 years ago, but it looks like a distant past to me now. Thanks for another nice video Mark!

    • @auroraborealiscanada9160
      @auroraborealiscanada9160 Před 6 lety

      Damn right we have serious border procedures. A lot of you Europeans love calling us Canucks as Americans, now you know the difference.

    • @dneel1000
      @dneel1000 Před 3 lety +1

      When you consider the size of the countries within the Schengen Zone, it is much like the free travel one enjoys living in the US or in Canada (or Mexico). I'd like to think the US and Canada were inspirations for Europe to do what they did creating the SZ. But just like how there are border checks as you pass between Croatia and Slovenia or Poland and Ukraine, there are indeed substantial checks as you go between Canada and the US or the US and Mexico.

    • @jwil4286
      @jwil4286 Před 11 měsíci

      Go to Poland, and then take a train east of there. You will have to do customs there too.

  • @samanthali1650
    @samanthali1650 Před 4 lety +1

    this is extremely helpful so thank you!

  • @Gagon32
    @Gagon32 Před 5 lety +3

    I love North America, but everybody seems so obsessed with their own cars. I'm half Swiss and it's the opposite there. Train infrastructure is perfect and people like to travel and commute by trains as it is very convenient and affordable. The Swiss Federal Railway company invests And travelling to France, Italy, Germany & Austria is much faster (of course the European borders are more open). There is even a train from Zurich to Budapest, Hungary with a few stops in Eastern Switzerland and Austria costing only 43 US$ or 56 CA$. And you'll be there in about 10 to 11 hours.

  • @derekoliver5011
    @derekoliver5011 Před 4 měsíci

    Thank you so much. That has really helped our understanding. Brilliant video

  • @marcioalmeidadossantos8279

    Is it like the airport, do you clear customs at the pacific station and arrive in Seattle as a domestic?

  • @eyginhardnunziato2060
    @eyginhardnunziato2060 Před 5 lety

    I really enjoyed the video. :)

  • @realcanadianrailfan110
    @realcanadianrailfan110 Před 6 lety +1

    Don't they scan your passport like the road or airport border crossings do? Very nice video!

  • @samuelmikulasko
    @samuelmikulasko Před 6 lety +7

    I’m just soooo glad I’m from Europe and I don’t have to deal with all this stuff. If I want to I can take a train to Paris and just arrive there with no strings stranded. Thank you ancestors for European Union

    • @twinsonic
      @twinsonic Před 6 lety +5

      Samuel Mikuláško you have illegal immigrants instead..

    • @barvdw
      @barvdw Před 6 lety

      As does the the US. You apply for a tourist visa, take a flight, and disappear into the city, it's easy enough to be an illegal immigrant. Within the EU, most border checks have vanished, on the borders outside of Schengen (that's the treaty that dissolved border checks within most of Europe and where most of the EU and some other countries are a member of) however, they will check you thoroughly, like when I came back from Ukraine into Slovakia, or going to Greece from Macedonia, you will easily loose an hour or more.

    • @PerthTowne
      @PerthTowne Před 6 lety +4

      Samuel Mikulasko+ Deal with all of what? I've crossed the border between the US and Canada many times, on trains and in cars. Never a problem.

    • @barvdw
      @barvdw Před 6 lety

      It's not necessarily a problem, just a pain in the *ss to have to go through the whole procedure. Not having to go through customs and border checks is one of the things I love about travelling in Europe. Especially as borders are a lot more common, I still remember the times when they woke you up each time you are at the border, even if you were sleeping. Not fun.

    • @ronclark9724
      @ronclark9724 Před 5 lety

      @@barvdw So not all of Europe is free of customs...

  • @jgd2338
    @jgd2338 Před 5 lety +3

    The Amtrak food is better on long distance trains. It is much better than airline food.

    • @ronclark9724
      @ronclark9724 Před 5 lety

      Amtrak is dialing food service back more and more on different routes. Amtrak loses most of its money not on ridership, but serving food. Simply put they overpay their diner car staff. With a former airline executive in charge of Amtrak presently expect more airline type precooked food on paper plates. Amtrak doesn't even want to pay for a dishwasher today.

  • @bebop504
    @bebop504 Před 5 lety +1

    Can I go from Seattle to Vancouver and back in 1 day? Do you think it's with going there just to stay for like 4 hours?

    • @JB-cg1rn
      @JB-cg1rn Před 5 lety

      It’s not worth it. Too much too see. You need at least 3 days to really appreciate it

  • @vasilikibeauregard8428

    Good info I will take my grandson he wants to go on the Train and will be a nice trip for us

  • @PennieDeeStudio
    @PennieDeeStudio Před 5 lety +1

    Great informative video! Thanks!

  • @kturner251
    @kturner251 Před 2 lety

    Thank you for these video. I will travel to Seattle hopefully this December 2022.