Where to fly into for Alaska Cruise

[sadiecatie]

We’re doing the Alaska cruise in June and chose to fly into Vancouver. We were initially planning to fly into Seattle and take the Amtrak up to Vancouver because I kept hearing that’s the cheaper way to go, but when I actually priced out everything and looked at timing of flights/trains/etc, it just didn’t make sense. We would spend just as much in the end (for example, needing at least one extra night in a hotel, if not two, because of limited Amtrak schedules), and way more hassle. Now, if you’re able to use points going into Seattle but not Vancouver, that would change the calculus, but that wasn’t the case for us.

 

[SirDuff]

Really? I looked at the train for my cruise the other day and there was precisely one train from Seattle to Vancouver. The rest were all buses.

I was confused too. When I did it in November (not for a cruise) there was one train on each direction per day. And a lot of buses.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hotels in Vancouver are also crazy expensive, though. At least you get to pay for them in fake money!

We were shocked: Seattle hotels were showing higher numbers per night in US$ than Vancouver hotels in CAN$. Crazy prices. Like WDW Deluxe Hotels.

We were lucky to have Hyatt points and are using those in Vancouver.

 

[Tenkawa]

The biggest limitation on Amtrak service is freight trains.

2 round trips per day is the max to fit into the schedule.

 

[sadiecatie]

We were shocked: Seattle hotels were showing higher numbers per night in US$ than Vancouver hotels in CAN$. Crazy prices. Like WDW Deluxe Hotels.

We were lucky to have Hyatt points and are using those in Vancouver.

Thank goodness for points we didn’t have enough American Airlines miles to cover flights, because the miles needed were CRAZY HIGH, but we were able to use a combination of airline mile and hotel loyalty points to cover most of our hotels before and after the cruise.

 

[holula]

I absolute love Vancouver so even if it is more expensive I would recommend spending 2-3 days pre or post cruise exploring the city.

 

[Micca]

We flew Southwest into Seattle-on points. Up to Vancouver on the train. Had a blast!

Yes! The train trip from Seattle to Vancouver was an added plus to the trip. When we returned to Vancouver we flew direct to home.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Yes! The train trip from Seattle to Vancouver was an added plus to the trip. When we returned to Vancouver we flew direct to home.

yes- same here. My first "real" train trip. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Kwami]

As I look at flights, one problem I see is that flights from Vancouver back to here all leave late at night (after 9pm) and arrive early in the morning (6-8am). But the flight time is only a bit over 5 hours, so there's not enough time to sleep, even if it was possible to sleep on airplanes. Ick.

Unfortunately, flights from Seattle are the same.

 

[lilsonicfan]

As I look at flights, one problem I see is that flights from Vancouver back to here all leave late at night (after 9pm) and arrive early in the morning (6-8am). But the flight time is only a bit over 5 hours, so there's not enough time to sleep, even if it was possible to sleep on airplanes. Ick.

Unfortunately, flights from Seattle are the same.

Where are you based?

 

[sadiecatie]

As I look at flights, one problem I see is that flights from Vancouver back to here all leave late at night (after 9pm) and arrive early in the morning (6-8am). But the flight time is only a bit over 5 hours, so there's not enough time to sleep, even if it was possible to sleep on airplanes. Ick.

Unfortunately, flights from Seattle are the same.

Obviously it will vary depending on where you are, but flights from Vancouver to Ohio were either late/overnight or early morning. We chose to stay one more night and go early morning (6:30am departure), and luckily the price was lower flying back the next day so it was easy to justify the hotel stay.

 

[BrokeMack]

As I look at flights, one problem I see is that flights from Vancouver back to here all leave late at night (after 9pm) and arrive early in the morning (6-8am). But the flight time is only a bit over 5 hours, so there's not enough time to sleep, even if it was possible to sleep on airplanes. Ick.

Unfortunately, flights from Seattle are the same.

Same deal getting from YVR to ABQ, or take a 4 hour layover. I might have to get the expensive United Visa that comes with lounge access.

 

[Kwami]

Where are you based?

New England

 

[lilsonicfan]

New England

Ah - maybe very few nonstop flights depending on where you are going too. We've been able to fly eastward out of YVR quite early, but usually going to Houston or Dallas or Chicago first.

 

[Kwami]

Ah - maybe very few nonstop flights depending on where you are going too. We've been able to fly eastward out of YVR quite early, but usually going to Houston or Dallas or Chicago first.

The flights with layovers are way more expensive and most of them just add 4-10 hours to the trip duration. They still arrive at bad times.

I'll have to keep looking for other solutions!

 

[lilsonicfan]

The flights with layovers are way more expensive and most of them just add 4-10 hours to the trip duration. They still arrive at bad times.

I'll have to keep looking for other solutions!

I hope it works out! I usually use a google flight tracker, I'm sure everyone has their own methods. Flight prices seem pretty high this year but I managed to get a pretty good flight for our spring break travels.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

New England

Sometimes you can find one that leaves early afternoon and will get you back late at night east coast time. We left Vancouver on a 2pm united flight that was supposed to get us in on 11:45pm but thanks to storms in Chicago we got in around 1:30am still better than taking a red eye IMO with small kids.

 

[Kwami]

Sometimes you can find one that leaves early afternoon and will get you back late at night east coast time. We left Vancouver on a 2pm united flight that was supposed to get us in on 11:45pm but thanks to storms in Chicago we got in around 1:30am still better than taking a red eye IMO with small kids.

Yeah, I'll keep looking. No luck so far, though.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[Tenkawa]

My suggestion is you will fall into one of the following categories, and here are my recommendations:

Category 1: The experienced frugal traveller.

You have been to Seattle and Vancouver before, and know how to get around. For you it is all about the cost. Flying into Seattle and then taking a bus works out for you, and you are familiar enough with the area that if things go wrong, you can correct, but if the price isn't right, you'll go direct.

Category 2: The explorer.

You haven't been to Seattle or Vancouver, but want to spend time ahead of the cruise checking it out. You could fly into Seattle, check it out for a couple days, then take a train or bus up.

Or fly direct to Vancouver and spend the time exploring Vancouver. You have the time to make it worthwhile

Category 3: Get to the ship!

Fly into Vancouver, get to the port, get on the ship.

Category 4: Infrequent international traveler

I suspect this might be a number of people here. Fly direct to Vancouver. Trust me, you don't want the other headaches that come with not being used to a lot of this. Land borders can be even more stressful than air, and you could be on a coach bus with 50 of your closest friends. Note you also have to pull all your luggage off the coach at the border.