Best, Fastest, Cheapest way to Vancouver from Seattle (SeaTac, Blaine: renting, insurance)

[DevanXL]

I'm looking into a possible trip to Rome mid may. While looking at tickets I found out that a roundtrip flight to rome is only $750 out of Vancouver but 1600 out of Sea-Tac. Besides the typical drive, what would be the best way to get to Vancouver without spending too much money?

[analogkid84]

www.boltbus.com?

[PrincessoftheCape]

I would take the train. Not sure if it's the fastest, or even the cheapest (though it isn't that expensive), but it's a fantastic ride, certainly beating the bus. Here's a link to the route.

[Natnasci]

The train takes four hours, but customs and immigration is usually much faster than going by bus, since the bus stops at the border for customs, and the train you go through Canadian customs at the train station.
You then can cross the little plaza to the Skytrain, take it either Vancouver Centre or Waterfront Station, to change lines to the Canada Line. The Canada Line takes 26 minutes to reach the airport.

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by DevanXL

I'm looking into a possible trip to Rome mid may. While looking at tickets I found out that a roundtrip flight to rome is only $750 out of Vancouver but 1600 out of Sea-Tac. Besides the typical drive, what would be the best way to get to Vancouver without spending too much money?

I am not a "frequent" Vancouver traveler, but have traveled 2/3 known ways to get there. Will comment on 2 of those and speculate on the third. Maybe there are more?

1. Drive, alone or with pals

Pros: you control the method and timing
Cons: Blaine (Peace Arch), the fastest way in by-mileage, can be really awful to cross. If going anywhere across the border, study typical crossing delays from historical data.

Mitigation: Sumas crossing, farther away but usually less volumes. Post 9/11, this has been how I've driven to Vancouver. Exceptions: UNLESS going early AM (by 6ish), then I'll take Blaine/Peace Arch.

2. Fly

Take your chances. I've done this a few times, once overseas in exactly the way you specify (not Rome, but the Continent). Issues is two sets of customs at the Canada end, and returning to the US. Hmm. Last time I did the "double" was pre-9/11, too.

3. Train

Undiscovered country for me. I do not know how to link the train with Vancouver's airport, maybe there is a way. Lines at the border are also an unknown. I will try this one day, when NOT on a schedule, to spend a weekend in Vancouver just to see what happens.

Math on the above should be straightforward enough?

[Kayela]

The bolt bus is definitely the fastest, cheapest method aside from driving yourself. After that the train is a good deal - esp when it comes to clearing customs, but Amtrak is known for delays not punctuality, so I'd make sure you have plenty of time. There are bus/truck lanes at the border, but often you have to sit in traffic for awhile before you get close enough to use them.

[strad]

Round trip, the train costs between $65-100 depending on how early you buy your tickets and what options they still have available and takes 4-4.5 hours. Bolt bus costs between $36-45 roundtrip and takes 3.5-4.5 hours and has free wifi :-)

You can get a zipcar all day for about $80 (which includes all costs--insurance, gas, etc.), so if you have two or more people that is pretty much the cheapest option for a day trip. Driving up from Seattle probably takes about 3 hours (including border crossing time)

[Natnasci]

Train also has free wi-fi and a snack bar

[DevanXL]

Does anyone know how far from the Airport I would be by taking the Bolt Bus or Train?

[josie13]

Quick Coach goes from SeaTac or downtown Seattle to the Vancouver Airport. I've taken it several times. It's a great option if you don't want to be bothered with renting or parking a car before you fly.

Vancouver, Seattle Bus Transportation