Seattle to Vancouver
Seatac to Vancouver: coach, train, bus or floatplane
The simplest way from SEA to Vancouver is the coach that leaves from the airport's baggage claim curb and drops at downtown hotels and Canada Place, about 3 h 45 min with the border. The train and the bus leave from downtown Seattle, and the floatplane flies from Lake Union in about an hour in season. Bring a passport, and sail the day after you land if you can.
- From the airport
- Coach, ~3 h 45 min
- From downtown
- Train or bus, ~4 h
- Fastest
- Floatplane, ~1 h
- Bring
- A passport
Pick your way across
Only the coach leaves from the airport itself. For the train, the bus or the floatplane, we drive you from SEA to the door, bags and all, timed to your flight.
Coach, straight from the airport
Quick Shuttle
- Leaves
- SEA, lower-level arrivals curb, south end of baggage claim (outside Door 2)
- Arrives
- Downtown Vancouver (Waterfront Station, hotels) and the Canada Place cruise terminal
- Time
- About 3 h 45 min, border included
Landing at SEA with bags and going straight to a Vancouver hotel or ship, no change on the way
Train along the coast
Amtrak Cascades
- Leaves
- King Street Station, downtown Seattle
- Arrives
- Pacific Central Station, Vancouver
- Time
- About 4 h; check the timetable, through trains are few
A scenic, roomy ride when the train's time fits; a night in Seattle first works well
Intercity bus, about 5 a day
FlixBus
- Leaves
- Seattle bus station, 503 S Royal Brougham Way (near the stadiums)
- Arrives
- Pacific Central Station, Vancouver
- Time
- About 4 h or more
The lowest fares and the most departure times
Floatplane (seasonal)
Harbour Air
- Leaves
- Lake Union, Seattle
- Arrives
- Coal Harbour, downtown Vancouver (a short walk to Canada Place)
- Time
- About 1 h in the air
The fastest way across, with a view; flights run in season, so check dates and the bag allowance before a cruise
Sailing from Vancouver?
Many Alaska cruises leave from Canada Place, and one-way sailings link Vancouver and Seattle. Flying into SEA can be cheaper than YVR, with more nonstops. Compare the sailings, then plan the day across.
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Which way to Vancouver fits your trip?
| If this is you | Take this |
|---|---|
| You land at SEA and sail from Canada Place the next day | Land the day before, take the coach from the airport curb, and spend the night in Vancouver. The coach stops at the cruise terminal on the way back too. |
| You land at SEA and want a night in Seattle first | Ride with us to your Seattle hotel, then the train from King Street Station or a bus from the stadium-area bus station. |
| You're travelling light and want the view | The floatplane from Lake Union to Coal Harbour, about an hour in the air, when the seasonal flights run. |
| Your cruise ends in Vancouver and you fly home from SEA | The coach southbound from Canada Place to the SEA departures curb; leave plenty of time for the US border before your flight. |
You land at SEA and sail from Canada Place the next day
Land the day before, take the coach from the airport curb, and spend the night in Vancouver. The coach stops at the cruise terminal on the way back too.
You land at SEA and want a night in Seattle first
Ride with us to your Seattle hotel, then the train from King Street Station or a bus from the stadium-area bus station.
You're travelling light and want the view
The floatplane from Lake Union to Coal Harbour, about an hour in the air, when the seasonal flights run.
Your cruise ends in Vancouver and you fly home from SEA
The coach southbound from Canada Place to the SEA departures curb; leave plenty of time for the US border before your flight.
Times are typical and change with the season and the border. Check the operator's timetable for your date.
The details
Pick by where you land and where you're going in Vancouver. Straight off a flight with cruise bags: the coach from the airport. A night in Seattle first, or a scenic ride: the train from King Street Station. The lowest fare and the most departure times: the bus. The fastest crossing, in season: the floatplane from Lake Union, which counts as flying into Canada for the paperwork.
The border
US citizens need a passport, passport card, NEXUS card or enhanced driver's licence to cross by land or sea. Visitors from other countries need a passport and any Canadian visa that applies; Canada's eTA is only needed when you fly in, so it applies to the floatplane but not to the coach, train or bus. The crossing can add an hour or more on busy days, both ways.
Cruise day at Canada Place
Don't fly in on sailing day if you can help it: a late flight plus the border leaves no room. Land the day before, cross that afternoon or evening, and stay near Canada Place. The coach drops at the cruise terminal; from the train and the bus at Pacific Central, it's a short taxi ride downtown.
Coming back to fly home
After a Vancouver cruise, the southbound coach picks up at Canada Place and drops at SEA departures. With the border and the drive, book a flight home in the evening rather than the early afternoon, or spend a night in Seattle and fly the next day.
If this happens, do this
Your flight lands at SEA in the evening
The day's last coach, train or bus may leave before you're off the plane, and the border still lies ahead.
Stay near the airport or downtown tonight and cross in the morning.
You have big cruise bags
The floatplane has a bag allowance, and the train and bus mean getting bags downtown first.
Take the coach from the airport curb, or ride with us to the station with the bags in the car.
Your cruise ends in Vancouver
The trip home starts with the US border, then the drive to SEA.
Book the southbound coach from Canada Place and an evening flight, or add a night in Seattle.
Before you go
- 1Passports (or a passport card, NEXUS or enhanced licence for US citizens by land)
- 2Check the coach, train, bus or floatplane timetable for your date
- 3Land the day before a sailing from Canada Place
- 4Book our ride from SEA to the station or seaplane dock with your flight number
- 5Leave room for the border on the way back to your flight
Common mistakes
- Flying in on sailing day with the border still ahead
- Forgetting that a floatplane counts as flying into Canada for the eTA
- Booking the train or bus without a way to get the bags downtown
- An early-afternoon flight home after a Vancouver disembarkation
Check the flight, then book the ride
Add your flight number when you book a private ride to or from SEA, and the pickup is planned around your flight.
Official information
Last checked November 6, 2026. Airport services and hours can change, so confirm details for your travel day.