The 5 best ways to get from Seattle to Vancouver

Journey time: 4hrs
Tickets: $59–$84 (one-way)

The Amtrak Cascades train follows a scenic track from Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square district, up the craggy coast, to downtown Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station. With free Wi-Fi, power outlets at each seat and far more legroom than your average airline, the journey is not just comfortable but convenient. Settle in on the northbound train’s left side to get the best views of the wild coastline. The 110-mile journey takes four hours and heads north twice a day with two daily departures back south to Seattle. Additionally, the route is getting new trains in 2026 for increased comfort.

Time Out Tip: Demand for this route has skyrocketed in recent years. Book at least a month ahead for the best price and to avoid disappointment. If you want to break up the journey and check out another cool PNW town, spend a couple of nights in Bellingham. This college town just south of the Canadian border has so much to offer visitors: eclectic cafes, a lovely historic district (called Fairhaven) and some of the best breweries in Washington state. It’s located on the Amtrak Cascades route and the train drops you within walking distance of town.

Journey time: 30–40mins
Tickets: $100–$409 (one-way)

If you have no time to waste, the best way to travel from Seattle to Vancouver is by air. Several major airlines, including United, Delta and Alaska, fly nonstop from Seattle’s Sea-Tac Airport to Vancouver International daily in about an hour. Public transit—Link Light Rail in Washington and Canada Line in B.C.—will get you from town to your flight and vice versa in 30 to 40 minutes for much less than an Uber ride.

Harbour Air offers private charters, allowing you to skip the airport and enjoy the thrill of a seaplane.

Time Out tip: If you choose Harbour Air, you’ll likely pay more, but it’s a completely different experience. You will fly on a seaplane and board off a dock on Lake Union—not Sea-Tac. You’ll then deplane right in Vancouver’s Coal Harbor. So the higher ticket price saves you time and airport lines, but you’ll need to be comfortable in a small, low-flying plane that lands on water.

Journey time: 3.25–4.5hrs
Tickets: $42–$55

Besides driving, buses offer the most flexibility for travel between Seattle and Vancouver, especially if you’re on a budget. Four companies make the journey up Interstate 5 across the Canadian border: FlixBus, Quick Shuttle, Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway. All but Amtrak offer free onboard Wi-Fi and power outlets. But all four companies take you from one downtown to the other in 3.25 to 4.25 hours several times a day for less than $60.

Time Out tip: Most of the coach companies have limited pickups and stops, and primarily depart from various locations around downtown Seattle. However, if you are flying into Sea-Tac or the Bellingham airport (about 90 miles north of Seattle), Quick Shuttle has stops at both on Vancouver-bound buses.

Journey time: 3–4hrs, traffic dependent

In a car, it’s a quick shot up I-5 from Seattle to the Canadian border and on to Vancouver. Outside of rush hours, the trip typically takes 3 to 3.5 hours, and although customs and Border Control is efficiently run, backups at these notoriously busy border crossings between Washington and British Columbia can slow your journey down. If you’ve got a schedule to keep, stay up-to-date on wait times on the Washington State Department of Traffic’s website or the Government of Canada’s website. The two crossings you’ll want to pay attention to are Pacific Highway, Surrey, BC/Blaine, WA and Douglas Surrey, BC/Blaine, WA 

Time Out tip: If you’ve never crossed the northern border before, note that you will see four different line labels: Open/Ouverte, Closed/Fermée, Truck/Cargo and NEXUS. Unless you are a NEXUS cardholder (Global Entry does not count heading into Canada), stick to the general open/ouverte lines.

Journey time: 4.5hrs, not including layover time in Victoria
Tickets: $132–$142 for standard tickets (vacation packages also available on the Clipper site) to Victoria, $15–$22 for Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen.

It is possible to travel by ferry from Seattle to Vancouver, although not directly. If you’ve got time to explore Victoria and Vancouver Island, a boat is the way to go. Hop the Victoria Clipper at Pier 69 in downtown Seattle for a nearly-three-hour trip across the sparkling Puget Sound to the B.C. capital, Victoria. Ferries run once a day except from May to September, when they depart twice daily. 

From Victoria, you’ll need a second ferry headed for Vancouver or, more accurately, for Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay. The ride, which leaves several times a day, only takes about 90 minutes, but once you dock at the ferry terminal, it’s another hour on public transit to downtown Vancouver. If you’re traveling with your own car, the drive downtown is about the same length, depending on traffic.

Time Out tip: The Victoria Clipper is a passenger-only ferry. If you want a car while visiting Vancouver Island, you’ll need to drive across the land border and catch a regular BC Ferry from Tsawwassen.