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Old 12-18-2009, 11:38 AM
 
129 posts, read 388,584 times
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Anyone done this train ride?

How & where are customs/immigration done? Does that delay the trip significantly?

Any other feedback would be great..I'm hoping its a scenic ride !
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Old 12-18-2009, 02:47 PM
 
Location: Vancouver, BC
1,048 posts, read 6,444,974 times
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I haven't done it, but I do know customs/immigration is done on the train itself, so there are no train delays.

It's supposed to be a scenic ride because it goes along the coast. The last few moments into Vancouver will take you through some bleak warehouse districts... you know, typical of any railroad yard. But other than that, should be pretty scenic!

Have fun!
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Old 12-19-2009, 05:20 PM
 
Location: Kirkland, Ca
23 posts, read 107,834 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by specificnorthwest View Post
Anyone done this train ride?

How & where are customs/immigration done? Does that delay the trip significantly?

Any other feedback would be great..I'm hoping its a scenic ride !
I have! Flew up from So Cal into Seattle, and then took train into downtown Vancouver to look for a place to live. The ride in all took about 5 hours. Lots of water to look at, travel through some cool little towns as well. It was only supposed to take 3 hours I think but there were many times we had to stop and switch tracks to let freight trains pass by. I guess they share the same tracks.

Beautiful ride really, other than what the other person said. When you get into Vancouver, you pass some ugly parts.. lots of trash, lots of graffiti but.. it's a city! That's what you should expect.

On the way in, we didn't hit customs until we got off the train and into the station in Vancouver. It was so easy. Way easier and less of a hassle than that of an airport.

I don't remember going through customs on the way back into the U.S. However, you will be stopped at the border and border guards will come in and ask you questions, sometimes bring on bomb/drug sniffer dogs (no bringing that BC bud with you back home) so be aware of that.

Other than that, I highly recommend the trip. My girlfriend and I loved it and in all, one of our best experiences traveling.
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Old 12-22-2009, 10:46 AM
 
5,781 posts, read 11,873,729 times
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HMMM, I'm interested, does the Amtrak line run alongside the Puget Sound and pass through Anacortes, and Bellingham ? does the train stops in smaller (a.k.a. picturesque) towns ?
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Old 12-22-2009, 10:52 AM
 
9,618 posts, read 27,342,201 times
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Not Anacortes, but the train does run along the water from Seattle, and some of them stop in Edmonds, Everett, and Mount Vernon, while others are more express like, and stop in Surrey or Richmond BC Canada.
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Old 01-02-2010, 07:56 PM
 
129 posts, read 388,584 times
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Figured I should follow up..

Ride up was beautiful. The last hour or so was a bit slower, and disembarking at the station in Vancouver was slower since they only let off one car at a time to go through customs. Once there you are an easy skytrain ride or taxi away from the heart of the city.

On the way back, customs were done at the station before boarding, and inspectors got aboard around the border for a quick walk through. When we got to Seattle all cars were let out and we were free to go..

Highly recommend the trip. Great views, comfortable and less stress than driving or flying...
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Old 01-06-2010, 08:03 PM
 
Location: Reno,Nevada
17 posts, read 43,706 times
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OMG... this sounds like a great train ride.. Oh.. and yes.. Amtrak and the Union Pacific have to use the same tracks.. And Amtrak has to let them go first..

I am looking to move to Seattle at the end of Sept. When my lease here ends. I'm so sick of Reno,NV. Been here since 2001,, nothing here any more..
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Old 05-30-2011, 10:46 AM
 
2 posts, read 6,798 times
Reputation: 10
Great, scenic, short trip. Customs is handled on board the train going north or south and usually goes well and does not delay the trip at all. The "Cascades" is a great local train that you'll enjoy the ride on; quiet and comfortable. Go 'Business' if you want a little more comfort and quiet and room--only 3 seats across the car; 2 together, and 1 single if you're alone. Train comes in a ways
from main downtown area of Vancouver, BC, but no big deal. Take a side trip up Grouse Mountain if you want to see a spectacular view of Vancouver overlooking the entire lower mainland. Very scenic route from Seattle thru Bellingham and then inland after you get a ways north of the border. Fun.

Kerry A8
Bellingham
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