Quote:
Originally Posted by WarrenC12
I've taken the bus, the train, and driven to Seattle. The train is still the best. The border is short, roughly like having a Nexus pass. In my experience:
Train: 2.5h
Car: 3h (and I have Nexus).
Bus: 4.5h
So... you're not really right there. But Amtrak is like $80 one way per person, so hardly worth it.
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According to Amtrak.com:
Train VAC-SEA: 4:20 (3:55 return... I believe that's because on the way back, you go through the Border in Pacific Central (I think))
Bus:
3:20 - 4:40 (It varies, depending on time of day)
Google by Car:
2:30 (up to 3:00 in traffic)
I'd add 30 minute contingency, depending on the border, and that pretty much jives with what I've experienced.
I've taken the train from Bellingham, but not from Vancouver.
Also, tickets can be had for $30 (US). one-way/pp.
I checked for tomorrow... and it's $35. Of course, most of the cheap seats are gone in the summer.
Anyway, at $35, it's not a bad deal for a single driver... as it would probably cost an average car $20-$25 each way. It's just that it's slow.
From Bellingham, it's only 2:25. What on earth takes that train 2 HOURS to get to Bellingham???!!!!
The only things I can think of:
- The circuitous route in Vancouver
- The antiquated train Bridge across the Fraser
- White Rock
- The Border
Most of these are problems north of the border. If they reduced the time to get to Bellingham to 45 minutes, the train would be a viable alternative to driving or the bus.
These improvements won't happen until more people take the train. More people won't take the train until it is convenient (at LEAST two trains per day)
There are quite a few people who go to Seattle from Vancouver regularly, including tourists. Most of them go by bus. If they want to go overnight, or for the day to go see a baseball game. It would be nice if they could take the train in the morning, stay night and take the evening train the next day.
It's a shame, really, that this doesn't exist now.