Getting Around the Pacific Northwest

Road Network, Traffic

Car, RV

Rental

Bus

Two Wheels

Motorcycle

Bicycle

Trains

The Amtrak train network in this part of the country is limited to three lines whose purpose is to connect the East (Chicago) to the northern Pacific coast and California to Vancouver (Canada). In short, not necessarily ideal for exploring the region in depth beyond the major routes. Among the trains and lines present in the region (see details):

• Vancouver - Seattle - Tacoma - Portland - Eugene: Amtrak Cascades

• Seattle - Portland - San Francisco - Los Angeles: Coast Starlight

• Chicago - Milwaukee - St. Paul/Minneapolis - Spokane - Portland/Seattle: Empire Builder

In addition, there are sometimes peripheral city networks like that of "greater Seattle" (the "Sounder Commuter Rail"). These peripherals are then connected to the Amtrak network where possible.

Boats

While the Pacific coastline doesn’t have ferry lines, the same isn’t true for what’s called the Puget Sound, which is the inlet that extends to Seattle before heading back up toward British Columbia in Canada. As a result, Washington State has the most extensive domestic ferry network (with some routes to Canada and Alaska) of any U.S. state. There are several companies (BC Ferries, Black Ball Ferry, Clipper Vacations, and the Washington State Ferries, which is the main one), around thirty vessels, and about twenty ports spread on both sides of Puget Sound.

While some routes are tourist-focused and only run seasonally, most operate year-round with good frequencies, allowing people to avoid sometimes lengthy land detours between locations. In short, ferries in the Seattle area are primarily recognized for their practical transport utility.

Domestic Flights

In Town

Taxis

Other Means

Urban bus:

Trams:

Subway:

On foot:

Which Transport to Choose?

As is almost always the case in the U.S., having your own vehicle is the best way to explore the region. Trains and buses don’t allow for in-depth discovery, especially when it comes to natural sites. Note that an RV can be a good option if you also plan to camp.

Distances Between Cities

Distances (km) between the main cities in the region:

Vancouver*: British Columbia, Canada.

For reference, distances in the United States are expressed in miles, with 1 mile = 1.607 km.