BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi all,
I going to Canada for a year, but I have no exact plan of travel. I only know that the first place in Canada I want to visit is Vancouver.
My problem is this: I don't know what kind of ticket I have to buy...because I don't want to leave where I land.
I was thinking I'll fly to Seattle because that's way cheaper than Van, but I have no idea what is the best option for me, an open teturn ticket? around the world ticket, or seperate tickets?
Can anybody help me out with some good advice, please?

thnx, gus

I'd fly right into Vancouver--unless Seattle is going ta save you huge amounts. Go with an open-ended ticket because you don't know where you will end up. My friend bought a round trip ticket out of Toronto and it was a big mistake because he fell in love with the west coast and spent alot of time in Van and then had to fly back to Toronto to fly home. Also we don't have the cheapest airlines in Canada--definately not like all the budget lines you can get in Europe and the country id huge so busses can take a long time--if you could get your license and rent cars while you are here--alot of people do it this way. Hope this helps.

Can't offer advice on what kind of plane ticket works best for you, but getting from Seattle to Vancouver is very easy if that saves you money. It's only about 3-4 hours by bus. There's also train service, though more expensive. Or even over water.

NTFT, you mean the horrible greyhound busses? ok to be fair, i've heard a couple of good things about greyhound. also, i don't think it costs more than $50USD to bus it one way.

I am so busted.

I have no idea how to get to Vancouver by bus. But I've driven there, so how bad could it really be on good old GreyDog?

it's bad, greyhound should be avoided if at all possible

I know Greyhound is bad, but if it can save a bunch of money, how much pain can Greyhound inflict in 4 hours?

Anyway, the ride on the train is nice.

it is more expensive basically their service does not allow them to chage as much as they do

I've never had a bad experience on Greyhound Canada. Can't speak for the US affiliate, and I have no idea who runs the cross-border service.

Regardless, there is other bus service. Quick Shuttle links the two cities, including airport service (schedule) several times per day. I checked their airport to airport price and it was $41 one way.

If you're buying a one-way ticket, it might be worth the trouble of getting to London and taking Zoom Airlines or Canadian Affair since they don't charge a premium for a one-way.

It's really not that far if you want to save the money and take the bus. I've done it when a cruise ended in Vancouver and we had to bus down to Seattle for the train home to the Portland, Oregon area. If I were you, I would buy a one way ticket since you are staying so long, unless an open ended ticket really isn't too costly.

BTW, Vancouver is wonderful! But you will LOVE Victoria! Try to be there in the spring, when EVERYTHING is blooming like crazy. It's a beautiful city and I envy those who live there. It's just a ferry ride from Vancouver BTW....

on getting from Seattle to Vancouver:
The ferry is fantastic, and inexpensive if you're just a walk-on.

Also, there is a kick-ass hovercraft, which might be pricier, but it is waayy cool.

It's $28 for the bus or the train ride. I cannot encourage you to take the train enough. Grayhound is a scary freak show to be avoided at all costs. I believe the ferries are a little pricier, but you really can't beat the experience or the views.

CrackJillian says:

quote:

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Grayhound is a scary freak show

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You say that like it's a bad thing.

Typical Greyhound (US) passenger:

I've taken the Greyhound and another busline called Quickshuttle (www.quickshuttle.com/)between the Seattle airport and Vancouver a number of times. Quickshuttle is a bit more direct and a bit more expensive BUT you get to avoid going through the bus terminal in Seattle (nice place ). With Quickshuttle, you can buy a return ticket that you can use by calling to book your spot.

There is no train or ferry from Seattle to Vancouver, but there is a ferry from Seattle to Victoria (Victoria Clipper http://www.victoriaclipper.com/). You can then take BC Ferries (http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/)from Victoria which is on Vancouver Island) to Vancouver. The boat option will take you five hours from Seattle and then three+ hours into downtown Vancouver so it isn't worth it unless you want to spend a couple of days in Victoria.

I'm confused. Amtrak used to go from Seattle to Vancouver. Anyway, it's easy to get from one to the other. One way or the other.

I could have sworn that Amtrak ran a shuttle bus between Vancouver and Seattle to connect with the train in Seattle. Unless anyone knows any different.

Oy! Okay. I just went to Amtrak's website and the train is currently a "bus". Anyway, I KNOW I've taken the train before....couple years ago....maybe it's a seasonal thing. The only thing worse than train service in the US is bus service.

Regardless, getting from one to the other is easy. I'm sure the original poster will have no trouble if it saves money by flying into Seatac instead of Vancouver.

Yep, getting between Seattle and Vancouver is dead easy by bus. Now that we've gone through every possible option, it'll probably be cheaper to fly directly to Vancouver because it's a more of a hub than Seattle

There is a train that does that route, but it is only once a day. The Amtrak Thruways bus goes several times daily. Same price.

If you're going northbound, then you might have to wait for the incoming train from LA - which could be several hours late