Drive from Seattle to Vancouver, BC (Bellingham: prices, buses, suite)

[newtohouston2]

Hi everyone,
My family and I are really excited that we will be visiting Seattle this week! We are also planning on going to Vancouver, BC during that trip. We're trying to figure out how to get there. I know there are good prices on trains and buses, but we thought driving there and having a car might be more economical.

My question is:
What's the drive like from Seattle to Vancouver in terms of the actual areas that we'd be driving through? I'm not sure if I have the guts to drive along mountain paths that are just feet from plunging heights (that's our main concern!).

Thanks!

[scirocco22]

Seattle to Vancouver, BC? ...plunging off mountain paths???!!

No, No, it's all Interstate highway ...no narrow mountain paths involved. No traffic signals at all, freeway all the way. The only place you'll have to stop (unless you want to) is at the border crossing. Once you cross the border, it's still freeway into Vancouver.

Unless of course you want to go the senic route through Chuckanut Drive which is sometimes narrow and windy but nowhere will you be in great danger of plunging off anything unless you're an extremely poor driver.

[pwright1]

I've done it many times. It is a beautiful and pleasant drive. A lot of times there are long lines of cars at the border. So do expect that especially during peak hours.

[Apathizer]

Originally Posted by pwright1

... It is a beautiful and pleasant drive. A lot of times there are long lines of cars at the border. So do expect that especially during peak hours.

Yeah, during peak hours (8am-8pm or so) expect a long wait at the border. To avoid this I would plan on visiting a few places in between before you get close to the border. Bellingham is a beautiful mid-sized city about halfway between Seattle and Vancouver. Also, the North Cascades (east of Bellingham) are gorgeous and the roads will be fine as long as you aren't going in the middle of winter.

It's a really nice train ride between Seattle and Vancouver - part of it goes right along the water. Vancouver also has excellent public transit, so getting around the city without a car is easy. However, if you plan on doing anything outside the city of Vancouver I'd take a car. There are some nice rural/natural areas northeast of the city.

[newtohouston2]

thanks for all the info!!! i appreciate it!

[mjeewani]

Hi i am not an US citizen and have L1 Visa, Can someone tell me how to get the visa for vancouer in Seattle?

[allforcats]

You can discuss your needs with the staff of the Consulate General of Canada, at 1501 4th Avenue Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98101. Phone (206) 443-1372.
If you are required to have a visa to enter Canada, you can apply for it there at the Consulate and they can issue it to you.