Should you take the train instead of flying from Seattle to Vancouver?
Welcome back to the vlog! Eric and the family takeover is still rolling. After spending a few awesome days exploring Seattle, it was time to move on to our next big destination: an incredible 7-night Alaska cruise!
Instead of catching a quick flight, we decided to try something completely new for our family: taking the Amtrak Cascades Business Class train from Seattle straight up to Vancouver, British Columbia.
If you are wondering what it is like to cross the international border by train, how much it costs, and whether Business Class is actually worth the upgrade, here is everything you need to know about our trip!
1. Booking & Pricing: Why We Chose the Train Over Flying
When you look at a map, flying from Seattle to Vancouver seems like a no-brainer. But when we booked our tickets way back in February (for our trip in June 2026), the numbers spoke for themselves.
The Cost: We paid roughly $100 per person for Amtrak Business Class, including taxes and fees, bringing our total to around $300+ for the family.
The Comparison: Sure, you can book a short 30-to-40-minute flight, but the airline prices would have easily been double or triple that rate.
Taking the train turned out to be far more economical, completely stress-free, and an amazing way to see the Pacific Northwest coastline.
2. Departing King Street Station in Seattle
We kicked off our morning at Seattle's historic King Street Station. Right before boarding, we spent some time watching the hustle and bustle of the rail yard, spotting commuter trains, and taking in the sweet train views.
Amtrak Business Class gets you priority boarding, so we were able to settle into our spacious seats just before the main rush of passengers flooded the cars.
3. Onboard Experience & The Cafe Car
Once the train departed, we rolled smoothly out of Washington. The ride was remarkably smooth—traveling along at a relaxing clip that felt like floating.
About 45 minutes into the trip, we decided to check out the Amtrak Cafe Car to grab some breakfast.
We picked up a couple of pork sausage, egg, and cheddar everything bagel breakfast sandwiches, along with some banana bread and Diet Cokes.
Bonus Tip: The train also offers free Wi-Fi for passengers, which makes passing the time a breeze!
4. Fun Local Trivia: The Dave Manera Pole Yard (IKEA Wood Chips!)
One of the best parts of taking the train is the live narration provided by the conductors along the route. As we chugged along, our conductor came on the loudspeaker to point out a fascinating local landmark: The Dave Manera Pole Yard.
Named after a famous Amtrak conductor who worked the route for 43 years, this massive facility takes local logs, runs them through bark-shaving machines, and turns them into giant piles of wood chips.
Where do those wood chips go? They get loaded onto barges and shipped up to Sweden, where they are turned into IKEA furniture—before being shipped right back to the United States to be sold! Seeing the massive piles of wood out the window after learning that fun fact was definitely a highlight of the ride.
5. Scenic Views & Border Crossing Details
As we headed northbound, we transitioned from flat farmland and towns like Mount Vernon up toward the coast.
💡 PRO TIP: Which Side of the Train Should You Sit On? If you are heading northbound to Vancouver, you definitely want to grab a seat on the left side of the train for the best coastal and mountain views. (If you're heading southbound, stick to the right side!)
As we rolled closer to the border, we hit Bellingham, Washington, where border patrol agents actually boarded the train to conduct a passport check right at our seats.
Shortly after, we crossed into British Columbia, passing through White Rock—famous for its 49 different ice cream shops and Canada's longest pier (which suffered a legendary mishap back in 2017 when Justin Trudeau's yacht broke loose and crashed into it!)—before cruising past harbor seal colonies near Mud Creek.
6. Arriving at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver
When we arrived at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, the process was a bit unique:
We had to wait on the train for approximately 150 checked bags to be unloaded and cleared.
Business class passengers de-trained first, and we collected our luggage before heading through international customs. (Pro tip: Make sure you grab your bags before customs, or you'll be waiting until everyone else clears!)
Once through customs, we hopped in an Uber and headed straight to our hotel.
The Final Verdict: Is Amtrak Business Class Worth It?
Beth's Take: "The views were fantastic, and it was a really nice train ride. It was a little bumpy, but overall a wonderful experience. I'd be willing to do another shorter point-A to point-B Amtrak trip, though maybe not an overnight one just yet!"
Eric's Take: I completely agree! For around $100 a person, it was economical, highly scenic, and a fantastic way to see the country without the hassle of airport security lines.
Have you ever taken the Amtrak Cascades up to Canada, or would you rather fly? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to see the wood chip piles, the gorgeous coastline views, and our arrival in Vancouver? Watch our full vlog on YouTube right here:
👉 We Took Amtrak to Canada (Seattle to Vancouver Business Class) 🚆🇨🇦
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