All Aboard to BC: Riding the Rails to Vancouver
Our summer of 2026 was officially the season of planes, trains, and cruise ships. After a sweeping road trip through Montana, Wyoming (hello, Yellowstone!), Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, we wrapped up the lower 48 leg of our adventure by crossing the Canadian border in a completely new way: by rail.
While the ultimate goal was reaching our Disney cruise in Vancouver, the journey up the coast turned out to be a highlight all its own. Here is a look at how we navigated the Amtrak route from Washington to British Columbia.
Departing from Everett, Washington
We caught the northbound Amtrak Cascades in Everett, Washington. If you’re used to navigating massive, chaotic transit hubs, Everett is a breath of fresh air. The station is clean, easy to get to, and wasn’t busy at all during our departure. Since we were coming off a week-long road trip and had packed all the extras for the Disney cruise gift exchanges, we went ahead and checked our bags. The process was easy-peasy. We honestly arrived way too early, but we always prefer to have a buffer when it comes to travel.
This was our very first time traveling by train as a family, and our son loved it. There is something unique about settling into a spacious train car instead of being strapped into a flight or a road trip. However, it is worth noting that my husband is sensitive to motion. He did feel a little off during the ride, but all in all, the trip was okay for him. The train definitely does move and sway, so if you have never ridden one before, you might want to come prepared for motion sickness just in case. The snack cart was well-stocked for the journey, and the views out the left side of the train as we hugged the coastline were stunning.
The Route Up the Coast
The tracks weave directly along the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea, taking you straight through the heart of several coastal towns.
Washington State:
- Marysville & Arlington
- Stanwood
- Mount Vernon
- Burlington & Bow
- Bellingham
- Ferndale
- Blaine
- The Peace Arch Border Crossing
British Columbia, Canada:
- White Rock
- Surrey
- New Westminster
- Burnaby
- Vancouver
The train conductor was fantastic, getting on the speaker to call out notable sights along the way. We got a great look at the Peace Arch Border crossing right as we crossed into Canada. Almost immediately after, the conductor pointed out White Rock, a picturesque coastal city famous for having the longest pier in Canada. He also shared a great piece of trivia: the city’s namesake “white rock” originally got its distinct color from centuries of bird poop!
Arriving in a Sporty Vancouver
Our trip happened to coincide with the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches being hosted in Vancouver, so the city had a sporty energy. Pulling into the station, we could see all sorts of temporary structures and banners constructed specifically for the tournament.
From the train station, we grabbed a Lyft and headed straight to our pre-cruise stay: the Fairmont Waterfront.
A Military Discount Tip for the Fairmont
We had a fantastic stay at the Fairmont Waterfront before packing up the next morning to finally board our Disney cruise to Alaska. As far as travel days go, riding the rails into Canada was one of our easiest and most scenic transit experiences yet. Plus, it is a massive bonus for the designated road trip driver, since taking the train means everyone gets to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery together.