Taking amtrak from seattle to vancouver

[TwingleMomFl]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what side of the train is the best to sit on going north?

 

[tajz90]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what side of the train is the best to sit on going north?

I'd say left (facing forward headed north), but the trip is not as interesting as you may think. Don't sit next to a connecting door either. The sound is maddening.

 

[Cmbar]

Never been on a train. Do you have assigned seats? Or is it like Southwest where you pick your own seats. We are group of 13 all in coach on the train to Vancouver. Any suggestions?

 

[tajz90]

We did the reverse, from Vancouver to Seattle. We just walked on and picked our seats. We traveled in a party of 8. We picked seats that had a table, like a booth. So some rode facing forward, others facing backward, so we could play cards.

 

[Cmbar]

We did the reverse, from Vancouver to Seattle. We just walked on and picked our seats. We traveled in a party of 8. We picked seats that had a table, like a booth. So some rode facing forward, others facing backward, so we could play cards.

Great idea thanks!

 

[JSMT]

We took the train from Seattle to Vancouver for our early June cruise. It worked great. They assigned seats when we checked in. We got there a little over an hour early for the morning north-bound trip and about 2.5 hours early for the evening south-bound trip. Both times we got exactly the seats we wanted -- water side, four facing each other, no table. It seems like the table seats were in most demand.

 

[Cmbar]

ok I am really confused now!!! I feel stressed! Some say they just walked on and picked their seats others say they got assigned seats.

We are booked for Coach not Business class. Does this make a difference? We are doing the Amtrak Cascades both ways. Sunday morning north and the Monday Evening South. Will these be crowded trains??

 

[tajz90]

ok I am really confused now!!! I feel stressed! Some say they just walked on and picked their seats others say they got assigned seats.

We are booked for Coach not Business class. Does this make a difference? We are doing the Amtrak Cascades both ways. Sunday morning north and the Monday Evening South. Will these be crowded trains??

Our train was not crowded at all. Not sure why we didn't have assigned seats only that we didn't. Maybe because it was not a full train? Our compartment was almost empty.

Btw, we left our luggage checked at port so we could spend the day in Vancouver before train to Seattle.

 

[TwingleMomFl]

We booked business class and they assigned us seats. Great thing is we got on the window side (left) as you face forward . Great views in my opinion. Already saw bald eagles and different landscapes. Our train is completely sold out. I will try to find out if the assigned seats today in coach due to it being full.

 

[Cmbar]

We took the train from Seattle to Vancouver for our early June cruise. It worked great. They assigned seats when we checked in. We got there a little over an hour early for the morning north-bound trip and about 2.5 hours early for the evening south-bound trip. Both times we got exactly the seats we wanted -- water side, four facing each other, no table. It seems like the table seats were in most demand.

Did you book business class or coach?? Thanks!

 

[Cmbar]

We booked business class and they assigned us seats. Great thing is we got on the window side (left) as you face forward . Great views in my opinion. Already saw bald eagles and different landscapes. Our train is completely sold out. I will try to find out if the assigned seats today in coach due to it being full.

Thank you and have an AMAZING Cruise!!! I assume you are writing us from the train so this must mean the Wifi works well. Let us know.

Thanks again!

 

[TwingleMomFl]

Thank you and have an AMAZING Cruise!!! I assume you are writing us from the train so this must mean the Wifi works well. Let us know.

Thanks again!

Yes, the wifi worked . It was weak but it worked.

The food stinks on the train so bring snacks for the kids. The taxi to our hotel was about $10. We are a family of 5 and had to take two taxis. They are priuses. Even the van that was there only had 3 seats on the middle row. That was it.

My friend is coming up tomorrow in coach and ill get the info from her about the seats. I did not see a conductor to ask before we got off.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think it's the Business class that get exact seats assigned. It seems that's the only way we ever book it, because I don't remember just finding seats.

I actually prefer a "backwards" facing seat, because it feels like you get to see more and for longer. If I'm seated forwards I would actually prefer to sit on the side opposite the water (so, the right side when going north), because I feel I get a broader view. The only problem is when the water-side people sit pressed against the windows thinking the view is *theirs*, when others would like to have a glimpse every so often.

I love the train and the views.

But you want to watch the website for updates in case of landslides on the tracks; even if they clear it immediately they have to keep the tracks closed for a certain number of hours (results in about 3 days of closure). We got hit with that last year when we arrived at the station in Vancouver, with plans to eat on board and get waters on board, etc, only to find that there had been a slide 2.5 days before, and we would be taking a bus. And not even a snazzy Amtrak bus, but a hired coach bus.

This meant we got OFF the train at the border, went inside a building, waited in line with carryons and got screened, then back on the bus. We had at least two bathroom stops, which became smoke breaks on a damp day, and for the nonsmokers out there, you know how unpleasant that was when people got back on board. It was NOT fun for us, and we were very hungry and thirsty when we got back to Seattle.

So keep an eye on the amtrak site so you know what to expect for your journey. And if it's going to be a bus, *be prepared*.

 

[TwingleMomFl]

Thank you and have an AMAZING Cruise!!! I assume you are writing us from the train so this must mean the Wifi works well. Let us know.

Thanks again!

I just text my friend that is on the train now from Seattle to Vancouver and she is in coach (regular class) and has seat assignments. Her train is also full.

She just told me the train ahead of her derailed and they are stuck on the tracks not moving. They will be rerouted the non scenic way and will take longer.

Another reason why to never take the train the day of your cruise or flight you never know what may happen.

Have fun on your cruise!