Amtrak Train From Vancouver to Seattle Was Better Than Flying

When I planned my trip from Vancouver to Seattle, I looked at train and flight prices. About a month before my trip, basic economy airfare was about $150 on airlines like Delta and United, among others. So I was shocked when I saw that an Amtrak train cost only $50 in coach.

Sure, it was four hours long, compared to the roughly one-hour flight time, but I love trains. And since sustainability experts say traveling by train is more sustainable than flying, especially for short distances, I was certain of my decision to go with Amtrak.

An email from Amtrak suggested arriving at least one hour before departure since we were crossing the US-Canada border during the trip.

I filled out a customs declaration form inside the station and stood in the coach line to board after business-class passengers. Before getting to the platform, there was a brief customs stop, but no security checkpoints like you’d find in an airport.

Coach cars were toward the front of the train, but a crew member directed me to the back first to drop off my checked bag.

According to Amtrak Cascades, each passenger can check up to two bags at no charge and two more for $20 each.

Passengers can also bring one personal item and two carry-on bags in the train car, as overhead bin space and a luggage rack are inside each.

To recap, that’s up to four suitcases for free — more than I’ve ever experienced on a flight.

I had just one suitcase and a backpack, but this could save a lot for a traveling family or a heavy packer.

Two sets of two seats were on either side of the train, so no one would get stuck in the middle.

I grabbed a seat in an empty row and had the entire ride to myself.

I settled into my seat at 6:35 a.m., and the train departed right on time. I immediately noticed the seats were bigger and cushier than any basic economy flight seats I’ve experienced. I also had more legroom than I’ve had on most flights.

The seats reclined and had power outlets, overhead reading lights, and tray tables.

Each car had two restrooms. Unlike on a plane, where there is only enough floor space for my two feet, these bathrooms were large enough for me to move around in.

There were also two power outlets. I imagined travelers could comfortably conduct their morning routines in there, from brushing their teeth to doing their hair.

By the time we departed, I’d already been awake for over two hours. So I was more than ready for breakfast.

Unlike on a flight, no attendants passed by offering free snacks and beverages. Instead, Amtrak trains have a café car selling various snacks, from chips and candy to muffins and cookies. They also had salads and microwaved meals like breakfast sandwiches and Cup Noodles.

I brought my meal back to my seat and used the tray table in front of me.

I wasn’t expecting my microwaved sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich to be very tasty, but it wasn’t too bad for a meal heated up in a sealed plastic bag. It didn’t taste as good as the breakfast sandwiches I’ve had in Amtrak’s dining cars on overnight trains, but it filled me up and was more satisfying than any meal I’ve had in the air.

Even as a frequent flyer, I still find the views from an airplane when ascending and descending pretty surreal. But the view doesn’t change once in the air, save for sunsets, sunrises, and passing clouds.

That’s not the case on a train. Instead, passengers see change through rural towns, cities, and natural environments throughout their journey.

I love getting a glimpse of these in-between places. Seeing farms, shorelines, and clusters of houses in British Columbia made me ponder what it would be like to live in the Canadian province.

During the half-hour the train was stopped at the US border, passengers weren’t allowed to use the café car or bathrooms, and patrol agents boarded to check passports and take a declaration form filled out at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. They also asked international passengers about where they were going, why they were going there, and how long they planned to stay.

I had access to complimentary WiFi throughout the journey. And since my trip was three hours longer than a flight would have been, I appreciated being able to use the time productively.

I headed into Seattle’s King Street Station to the baggage claim belt and waited about 10 minutes for my suitcase to arrive.

Even though the train trip was longer than a flight, it was much less stressful than air travel. The ease of navigating a train station compared to an airport, a more comfortable seat, and a lower price point made it worth the long-haul ride.