Hi Folks!

I am in Vancouver in mid of this month and looking for a way to come back to seattle and plan to take the train.

In wintertimes, particularly with loads of snow: Do they manage to go to Seattle ontime or do they cancel trains due to weather?

It is the evening departure and there are no "backup"-buses available after the departure of the train and I want to leave SEA airport in the very morning next day. The only possibility is a rental car, but this won�t be cheap in the evenig for oneway rental to USA I guess...:-(

And: How much time I have to calculate for immigration and customs. This is done already in Vancouver at the station, am I right?


Thank you for information!

Frank
Germany

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Vancouver - Seattle you do preclear US customs in Vancouver.

I believe the trains are far more reliable than the airport in this weather but not 100% certain.

THX!

Frank

Someone mentioned it in another thread but mudslides along the route sometimes close the track, in which case you'll end up being bussed.

I wouldn't be too keen on taking the train as it's subject to delays and being shunted off to the side for BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the company who owns the tracks) freight trains especially when the days are short. The train leaves VAC (Amtrak code for Vancouver, Canada) at 6p and it'll be dark so you're not going to see much. When you get to Seattle, it's a King Street which would require a transfer to SEA which isn't exactly close by.

A rental car would run about $100 including taxes and fees, and is generally available only from airport and downtown locations (don't rent at the airport to save on the airport surcharge) of National, Hertz, Avis and Budget.

You can take the Quick Shuttle bus to SEA for about $52.25 OW and the busses do have wifi onboard. See: quickcoach.com

I took Amtrak from Vancouver, BC to Bellingham in May. Without a doubt, Amtrak would be the cheapest and most comfortable way to get to Seattle.
Yes, there could be an interruption from a problem with the tracks, but Amtrak provides alternative bus service in the case of train interruptions.
You do not need to book in advance, and you can ask Amtrak if there are any service interruptions on the day of your travel.

In Vancouver, the passenger train station is accross a street from the nearest elevated transit stop. You clear U.S. customs and immigration in Vancouver, so allow a little time for that.

Amtrak also has a very nice cancellation policy IIRC, I just dont remember what it is .

Getting from King Street to SEA is a short bus ride away (#194, runs every 15 minutes, takes around 25-30 mins. #174 is a bit slower, taking about 40 mins.

I took the train the other way and the bus back.

Today and tomorrow Northwest Washington is under Flood Warnings. Heavy rain is expected and particularly the area north of Seattle is presently seeing flooding which will only increase through tomorrow. Whatcom County which is the county bordering British Columbia and through which both the railroad and the only Interstate Highway (I5) run has declared a state of emergency. The main street of Bellingham is reported to be underwater.

If history is accurate, it may take a considerable amount of time for transportation to return to normal due not only due to flooding closing roads and rails, but wash-outs, bridge damage and landslides. Please check for local conditions.

It is, however, expected to be dry for a few days after this event.

I suggest that you follow the latest information on websites such as:

www.nwcn.com
http://www.king5.com/weather/
http://www.kirotv.com/index.html
www.postintelligencer.com
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/

Thank you for the information!

I booked a train ticket online yesterday for a travl on 01/12.

Since you apparently have an early morning flight the next morning, I suggest that you buy a one-way full flex (fully refundable) ticket on www.alaskair.com YVR-SEA before things possibly get worse as an insurance policy.

The roads and rails are not yet closed, but the Skagit River in flood normally closes both between Bellingham and Seattle. Additionally, television and web-sites have shown the flooding in Bellingham which should get worse as the storm dumps more rain.

Your choice.

The weather conditions around YVR are a "once in a century" event. Google the news to see how many thousands of people have been delayed for multiple days recently. It may improve by your travel date next Monday, but right now it looks like the storm peak is Friday night or Sat. If that holds true, your chances of traveling as planned rapidly reach 0. Any other year you would not have problems like this, but after seeing what YVR pax have gone through, expect the worst and be prepared. Flooding is likely to disrupt train service even without a big storm at this point (just look at the hydrologic forecast!).

You can actually see the flood stage for the Skagit River on line. It is expected to be a moderate event with flood peak occurring tomorrow. Number-6 is correct that the train probably will be impacted because it tends to run at elevations lower than Interstate 5. In past floods the Skagit has had the greatest impact upon transportation but perhaps this flood will not be a major event. The concern to me is the situation in Whatcom County which is unusual. Seedro Wooley (C-drO-Wooly) is also seeing significant flooding.

WSDOT presently says that a couple of on-ramps in Bellingham are closed but the Interstate remains open.

Thus my suggestion that you book the refundable ticket.

But it may be all clear by Monday.

Thank you very very much for your continous help and all the advice!

I will do so and book Alaska Airlines Full-Flex, my first time booking fullflex Y-fares :-)

I would like to use the train. Not only because it is cheaper! I do like all ways of travel and as a train-enthusiast I looked forward to use AMTRAK, but we will see what the weater will allow....

THX again!

Lots of water may result in your rowing or paddling your way to Seattle. Frankly Amtrak is not wonderful in terms of its amenities. Think of a combination of EC and regional zug.

If your hotel has cable television (and I can think of none that don't) watch NWCN, the Seattle television stations KIRO, KING, and the weather channel for latest updates.

Added by edit: BTW: do not be disturbed by reports of the problems around Chehallis and Centralia - They are South of Seattle halfway between Seattle and Portland. You need to be concerned with Whatcom, Skagit and King Counties. Some of the rivers of concern are the Nooksack and Skagit.

Gute Reise.

Usually, trains aren't quite as subject to weather cancellations as flights, but are fair game for delays. However, the Cascades runs on some very low-lying track (quite scenic when it's not raining) and the recent precip in the NW has been of monumental proportions, so... I don't know.

If you book online and don't print out your ticket (typically by going to the station beforehand), you can refund it at full value up to one year after the date of departure. If you have printed out the ticket, you can refund -10%.

Very few tickets are nonrefundable, typically those sold via Weekly Specials or other promos, but unfortunately it's sometimes hard to know whether your ticket is nonrefundable.

Yesterday service between Portland and Seattle was suspended with no alternative to travel other than special fares on Horizon Air being offered. Interstate 5 is closed for a 20 mile stretch near Chehalis and Centralia. All three mountain passes were closed as well. So presently air is the only option.

Additionally it was announced that rail service between Seattle and Vancouver was suspended with alternative transportation (whatever that means) being utilized.

Whether there will be a reinstatement by Monday will depend upon how much the floods subside and the amount of damage discovered.