claudiniusmaximus Posted August 31, 2016 #1 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Hi Folks hoping someone can help. We fly into Vancouver, spend a few days then cruise Alaska before arriving in Seattle for a couple of days. I booked a one way flight from London to Vancouver and now have to get home;-) (We booked the one way flight on credit I had with the airline). Flights home are much cheaper from Vancouver than Seattle. Much, much cheaper so I need to get to Vancouver. I've found three options 1) I've looked at the train, most of the daytime routes seem to be on a bus? The "thruway bus"? Plus of course it only goes to downtown not the airpor 2) I had a look at "Quick Shuttle" bus/coach and they don't seem to go to the airport in Vancouver. They say they do in their intro but when you click through to schedules it only goes as far as downtown? 3) I could fly. It's the quickest Option and not massively expensive but worry about delays to the Seattle-Vancouver flight meaning I might miss the Vancouver-London flight Just wondering if/hoping that some of you might have some expertise or experience in this area:) Any suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant2000 Posted August 31, 2016 #2 Share Posted August 31, 2016 The Quick Shuttle coach does stop at YVR Airport (Vancouver International) and at the transportation hub at RiverRock Casino, from where you can also ride the "Canada Line" light rail train two stops to Vancouver Airport. You might want to phone the Quick Shuttle office to confirm. http://cruiseports.ca/america/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gardyloo Posted August 31, 2016 #3 Share Posted August 31, 2016 You can also hire a car for a one-way trip; it can be cost-competitive for two or more people, and can give you the option to see something of this marvelous region as you go. By the direct (rather boring) route (I-5, BC99) it takes around three hours plus some time at the border; there are indirect routes (including islands and scenic roads) that can expand that to 5 or 6 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudiniusmaximus Posted August 31, 2016 Author #4 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Thanks Grant - it does show the River Rock Casino, I can see that on there. It helps to have your local knowledge as i would never have realised that. Would the airport be listed as a different name? I just can't see it. This is the site I'm using is it the right one? http://www.quickcoach.com/schedule.htm Gardyloo interesting suggestion. Normally I'd jump at the chance to make it in to a mini road-trip but would probably spend the whole day anxious about delays and road works etc etc. Are you the igbardyloo from the tripadvisor road trip forum by any chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted September 1, 2016 #5 Share Posted September 1, 2016 My vote goes to Quick Shuttle with 6 to 7 daily Northbound trips. From the casino to the airport is about 7 minutes by taxi or subway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudiniusmaximus Posted September 1, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted September 1, 2016 My vote goes to Quick Shuttle with 6 to 7 daily Northbound trips. From the casino to the airport is about 7 minutes by taxi or subway. Hi - thanks. Does that mean it doesn't actually go *to* the airport? But rather it goes very close to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted September 1, 2016 #7 Share Posted September 1, 2016 I've used Quick Shuttle, but wasn't aware that it stopped at YVR. On their website it doesn't show a stop at YVR, only the Bellingham, WA airport. Roz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gardyloo Posted September 1, 2016 #8 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Gardyloo interesting suggestion. Normally I'd jump at the chance to make it in to a mini road-trip but would probably spend the whole day anxious about delays and road works etc etc. Are you the igbardyloo from the tripadvisor road trip forum by any chance? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudiniusmaximus Posted September 1, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted September 1, 2016 I've used Quick Shuttle, but wasn't aware that it stopped at YVR. On their website it doesn't show a stop at YVR, only the Bellingham, WA airport. Roz Yes that's what I can see as well. So the mystery continues....I emailed them yesterday if they get back to me I will post about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted September 1, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 1, 2016 I've had the best luck just picking up the phone and calling them. Roz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudiniusmaximus Posted September 1, 2016 Author #11 Share Posted September 1, 2016 (edited) Yes, if I was in the same country and had a landline I would as well. But I'm in the UK and on a mobile phone - the cost of phoning them would cost more than the cost of a ticket to travel with them;-) Edited September 1, 2016 by claudiniusmaximus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted September 1, 2016 #12 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Agree - not worth the cost of calling. Roz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare martincath Posted September 1, 2016 #13 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Quickshuttle USED TO stop and pickup at YVR. They also used to charge in CAD. The service has increased in price an decreased in options over the last two-three years, and is frankly NEVER the cheapest way to get between the cities. They do remain the EASIEST, if you want to go from SEA airport or a cruise terminal, but it's generally cheaper for a couple to take Amtrak train, Bolt Bus, Greyhound and then use taxis to get to where you need to be. If your flight timing is tight, then I would strongly recommend the hire car as mentioned above. You will find it fastest, especially if you arrange a drop at YVR, as well as often cheapest for a small group - as to traffic, you will be stuck in it on a bus as well. While coaches do have a separate lane at the border, northbound that lane is short enough that any border wait time approaching an hour means no bus can actually REACH the separate bus lane! It's just a regular road with all traffic stuck together until you get close to the border. Furthermore, should there be an issue at the commercial vehicle crossing, all buses have to either suck it up or divert an hour or more out of their way to the next crossing they are allowed to use - whereas a car has the choice of the main I5 crossing at Peace Arch or the commercial crossing just tens mins deviation away. Options are your friend when it comes to border wait times! Lastly, I'd note that Grant2000's advice remains out of date and still based on advertising pretty poor quality travel websites. All of those sites are linked to a local Vancouver area business, which I've asked if Grant is connected to before - since the terms & conditions of posting here require people connected with business to abide by additional rules that Grant is in breach of. Unless of course you believe it's a total coincidence that every post of his links to various travel websites that all wrap back to one owner... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudiniusmaximus Posted September 1, 2016 Author #14 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Just heard back off them. They've confirmed that they do *not* go to the airport, the closest they get is the river rock casino which is another two stops on a different shuttle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted September 1, 2016 #15 Share Posted September 1, 2016 (edited) Hi - thanks. Does that mean it doesn't actually go *to* the airport? But rather it goes very close to? At 7 minutes taxi or subway..... Yes the casino is very close to the airport. Other bus/train options won't be closer. It will 30 minutes or more from the bus/train station. Edited September 1, 2016 by xlxo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeseclan Posted September 1, 2016 #16 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Check out the site quickcoach.com. They go directly from seattle pier to YVR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudiniusmaximus Posted September 1, 2016 Author #17 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Hey cheeseclan, that's the site I've been talking about. They go close but not to the airport. Tbh it's looking more and more likely I will just fly. It's fastest, gets me right into the airport and I might be able to get a through-flight with westjet for only a few bucks more than the bus, that would negate the need to worry so much about layover times. That's looking to be my favourite, most straightforward option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted September 2, 2016 #18 Share Posted September 2, 2016 it's looking more and more likely I will just fly. It's fastest, gets me right into the airport and I might be able to get a through-flight with westjet for only a few bucks more than the bus, that would negate the need to worry so much about layover times. That's looking to be my favourite, most straightforward option.Thoughts...-if Quick Shuttle about $70.... what does it cost to get from cruise terminal to Seattle's airport and then fly into Vancouver? -if Quick shuttle to Vancouver is 4hrs.... how long does it take to fly to Vancouver, plus getting to Seatac, plus the time you need to be at airport pre-flight? -casino to airport is not far by cab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atc1344 Posted September 2, 2016 #19 Share Posted September 2, 2016 I have recently been contemplating the same dilemma i.e how to get from seattle to vancouver for a flight back to the UK. The options I considered were: 1. amtrak train - only runs twice daily around 7.45am and 6pm so not considered 2. bus, Bolt bus and one other looked at but not preferred option 3. Hire car - one way rental can make it prohibitive but Budget was the cheapest at around £85 and comparable with the cost of bus or train for 2 Hire car was my choice before ultimately deciding to switch from Air Canada to BA to allow me to return from Seattle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeseclan Posted September 2, 2016 #20 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Sorry about that. I saw SEATAC not YVR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claudiniusmaximus Posted September 2, 2016 Author #21 Share Posted September 2, 2016 At first it looked like I would have to book seperate flights to Vancouver then to London but it looks like I can get flights with the same airline so it's more like just booking with a change in Vancouver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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