Seattle trip!
Oct 2nd 2007 | 12:22 am
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 43
Seattle trip!
Has anyone managed to find/use a promo code for bus/train travel between Vancouver and Seattle? 
Hoping to do the trip next week, but can't find suitable Amtrak/Greyhound/Canrail promo codes. Any tips welcome.
Cheers
Hoping to do the trip next week, but can't find suitable Amtrak/Greyhound/Canrail promo codes. Any tips welcome.
Cheers
Oct 2nd 2007 | 1:13 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 904
From: Vancouver since Aug 2008!!!!!
Re: Seattle trip!
I went on a boat from Victoria to Seattle once. Not sure of transport from Vancouver itself.
have a nice trip.
Bx
have a nice trip.
Bx
Oct 2nd 2007 | 7:38 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,201
From: Vancouver, BC
Re: Seattle trip!
We did Amtrak to Portland stopping in Seattle, but the promo code was just valid for May.
Oct 2nd 2007 | 8:51 am
#4
Magnificently Withering
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,908
From: Oakville, ON
Re: Seattle trip!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625507
Oct 2nd 2007 | 9:46 am
#5
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 43
Re: Seattle trip!
And thanks for the link - just missed out on the Cascades summer discount:
Northwestern Routes
H715 - 15% off Cascades
Save 15% off the lowest applicable fare fare when traveling on the Cascades. Good for purchase and travel between June 1, 2007 and August 31, 2007.
Oct 2nd 2007 | 9:49 am
#6
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,708
From: White Rock BC
Oct 2nd 2007 | 11:06 am
#7
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,715
Re: Seattle trip!
... although the scenary in Puget Sound is great. I do get motion sickness easier than most people. I haven't taken it in years so I'm not sure of cost. One thing to note it is passengers only, no cars. IMO, the Coho ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles is a nice trip. http://www.cohoferry.com/ The crossing is 90 mins. You can take a car on this ferry and then drive from Port Angeles to Seattle 2.5 - 3 hours ? via Bainbridge Island (another ferry takes you into downtown Seattle). Or there's a coach service. I've never taken it so I've no idea about it.
There are usually only 2 sailings per day though 8-ish am and 2pm... so it can be inconvenient in terms of timing if you're short on time... and then there's getting to Victoria (I'm assuming you're coming from the mainland?). Might be best to take the train!
It's very nice and the train station in Seattle (King's Street?) is a good location and a neato building in itself (IMO).Have fun.
Oct 2nd 2007 | 1:33 pm
#8
Canadian Wet Coaster
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 758
Re: Seattle trip!
As JonboyE pointed there is the Victoria Clipper http://www.clippervacations.com/ - it is a highspeed catamaran. I personally don't enjoy the trip. It's about 3 hours long, bumpy and refer to it as the vomit comit ... although the scenary in Puget Sound is great. I do get motion sickness easier than most people. I haven't taken it in years so I'm not sure of cost. One thing to note it is passengers only, no cars.
IMO, the Coho ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles is a nice trip. http://www.cohoferry.com/ The crossing is 90 mins. You can take a car on this ferry and then drive from Port Angeles to Seattle 2.5 - 3 hours ? via Bainbridge Island (another ferry takes you into downtown Seattle). Or there's a coach service. I've never taken it so I've no idea about it.
There are usually only 2 sailings per day though 8-ish am and 2pm... so it can be inconvenient in terms of timing if you're short on time... and then there's getting to Victoria (I'm assuming you're coming from the mainland?). Might be best to take the train! It's very nice and the train station in Seattle (King's Street?) is a good location and a neato building in itself (IMO).
Have fun.
... although the scenary in Puget Sound is great. I do get motion sickness easier than most people. I haven't taken it in years so I'm not sure of cost. One thing to note it is passengers only, no cars. IMO, the Coho ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles is a nice trip. http://www.cohoferry.com/ The crossing is 90 mins. You can take a car on this ferry and then drive from Port Angeles to Seattle 2.5 - 3 hours ? via Bainbridge Island (another ferry takes you into downtown Seattle). Or there's a coach service. I've never taken it so I've no idea about it.
There are usually only 2 sailings per day though 8-ish am and 2pm... so it can be inconvenient in terms of timing if you're short on time... and then there's getting to Victoria (I'm assuming you're coming from the mainland?). Might be best to take the train!
It's very nice and the train station in Seattle (King's Street?) is a good location and a neato building in itself (IMO).Have fun.
http://www.clippervacations.com/ferry_schedule
they are back to off-season-schedule now. which means one sailing in each direction - mainly setup for tourists based in seattle who want to make a (half-)daytrip to victoria: leave seattle 8am, arrive in seattle around 11am, leave victoria 6pm, back in seattle around 9pm. check-in an hour earlier, don't forget, that you have to pass US pre-customs in victoria.
if you book more than 7 days in advance you get the better rates.
still not used to the flying part of canadian (nordamerican or even clearer non-european) transportation i prefer the ground option. and thinking of the hassle to change planes in yvr and the flight prices...
so, the clipper has been the best alternative for my two seattle trips this year.in march i had an unscheduled sightseeing tour through the san juan islands: due to a small number of passengers they had the smaller boat running, and the juan de fuca strait was more than choppy, so the captain decided to take the longer but more sheltered route. it meant a delay of about 2,5 hours - and that i was home at midnight instead of 6pm (vi greyhound connections s***)...
and the other three sailings were on the fully booked clipper IV - reservations well in advance might therefore be a good idea anyway.
enjoy your trip.
Oct 2nd 2007 | 6:48 pm
#9
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 43
Re: Seattle trip!
http://www.clippervacations.com/ferry_schedule
they are back to off-season-schedule now. which means one sailing in each direction - mainly setup for tourists based in seattle who want to make a (half-)daytrip to victoria: leave seattle 8am, arrive in seattle around 11am, leave victoria 6pm, back in seattle around 9pm. check-in an hour earlier, don't forget, that you have to pass US pre-customs in victoria.
if you book more than 7 days in advance you get the better rates.
still not used to the flying part of canadian (nordamerican or even clearer non-european) transportation i prefer the ground option. and thinking of the hassle to change planes in yvr and the flight prices... so, the clipper has been the best alternative for my two seattle trips this year.
in march i had an unscheduled sightseeing tour through the san juan islands: due to a small number of passengers they had the smaller boat running, and the juan de fuca strait was more than choppy, so the captain decided to take the longer but more sheltered route. it meant a delay of about 2,5 hours - and that i was home at midnight instead of 6pm (vi greyhound connections s***)...
and the other three sailings were on the fully booked clipper IV - reservations well in advance might therefore be a good idea anyway.
enjoy your trip.
they are back to off-season-schedule now. which means one sailing in each direction - mainly setup for tourists based in seattle who want to make a (half-)daytrip to victoria: leave seattle 8am, arrive in seattle around 11am, leave victoria 6pm, back in seattle around 9pm. check-in an hour earlier, don't forget, that you have to pass US pre-customs in victoria.
if you book more than 7 days in advance you get the better rates.
still not used to the flying part of canadian (nordamerican or even clearer non-european) transportation i prefer the ground option. and thinking of the hassle to change planes in yvr and the flight prices...
so, the clipper has been the best alternative for my two seattle trips this year.in march i had an unscheduled sightseeing tour through the san juan islands: due to a small number of passengers they had the smaller boat running, and the juan de fuca strait was more than choppy, so the captain decided to take the longer but more sheltered route. it meant a delay of about 2,5 hours - and that i was home at midnight instead of 6pm (vi greyhound connections s***)...
and the other three sailings were on the fully booked clipper IV - reservations well in advance might therefore be a good idea anyway.
enjoy your trip.
Oct 3rd 2007 | 12:59 pm
#10
Canadian Wet Coaster
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 758
Re: Seattle trip!
the pr card as a partial travel document (you still need your non-canadian passport!) is in first place a prove for the commercial carriers that you are allowed to enter canada (as a permanent resident). the vw passport serves a similar purpose. that's at least how i understand it.
good luck for your landing - and have fun on your travels!
Oct 3rd 2007 | 7:01 pm
#11
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 43
Re: Seattle trip!
there has been a whole thread about the pr card lately... traveling with a visa waiver passport should be no problem to enter the us for a short trip. and having a brandnew copr in it shouldn't give the cbsa any reason to deny your re-entry to canada.
the pr card as a partial travel document (you still need your non-canadian passport!) is in first place a prove for the commercial carriers that you are allowed to enter canada (as a permanent resident). the vw passport serves a similar purpose. that's at least how i understand it.
good luck for your landing - and have fun on your travels!
the pr card as a partial travel document (you still need your non-canadian passport!) is in first place a prove for the commercial carriers that you are allowed to enter canada (as a permanent resident). the vw passport serves a similar purpose. that's at least how i understand it.
good luck for your landing - and have fun on your travels!
That's put my mind at rest. Will be in Vancouver this time next week. Can't wait!
