Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Seattle and Portland Roundtrip from Vancouver

Five-day rail roundtrip from Vancouver to Seattle and Portland

Seattle and Portland Roundtrip from Vancouver, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations runs this independent five-day, four-night rail vacation in a loop from Vancouver to Seattle, Portland, and back, all aboard the Amtrak Cascades in Coach class. The journey begins with a scenic ride past the Olympic mountains and Puget Sound into Seattle, where two nights include a Seattle CityPASS for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, plus a city tour of Pike Place Market and the waterfront. The Cascades then continues to Portland for two more nights, with a hop-on, hop-off tour stopping at Pioneer Square and the Oregon Zoo before the train returns to Vancouver. Because this is an independent rail vacation, travelers can choose their own accommodation tier, add extra sightseeing, or run the itinerary in reverse. It suits travelers who want a short, self-guided introduction to Pacific Northwest rail travel across three cities rather than a longer cross-country trip.

What to know before you look closer

  • The 12 listed accommodation options span several hotel tiers in Seattle and Portland, so which hotel you get depends on the tier and city choices made when booking.
  • The included list does not mention any meals; only hotel nights, rail travel and the described sightseeing are covered.
  • The Portland hop-on, hop-off tour runs seasonally, June to October; outside that window, admission to the Oregon Historical Society is substituted instead.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Seattle

    Your Journey Begins in Seattle

    This morning, board Amtrak® in Vancouver and sit back and relax on a scenic ride through the Pacific Northwest as you make your way to Seattle. This afternoon, begin exploring the city and use your included CityPASS® for a ride to the top of the world-famous Space Needle and a visit to the famous Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit.

  2. Day 2overnight: Seattle

    Seattle, WA

    Today, enjoy a city tour of Seattle, visiting top attractions like Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, Seattle's Waterfront, and Pier 66.

  3. Day 3overnight: Portland

    Portland, OR

    Travel to Seattle's King Street Station and board the Cascades for Portland. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and start exploring the city.

  4. Day 4overnight: Portland

    Portland, OR

    Explore Portland on a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour, with stops including Pioneer Square and the Oregon Zoo.

  5. Day 5

    Your Journey Ends in Vancouver

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Amtrak Cascades from Vancouver to Seattle passes views of the Olympic mountains and Puget Sound, and the afternoon includes a ride to the top of the Space Needle.
  • Day 2A city tour of Seattle visits Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, the waterfront, and Pier 66.
  • Day 3The Amtrak Cascades carries travelers on from Seattle's King Street Station to Portland.
  • Day 4A hop-on, hop-off tour of Portland stops at Pioneer Square and the Oregon Zoo.

Included

  • Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Vancouver to Seattle, Seattle to Portland, Portland to Vancouver onboard Amtrak Cascades®
  • 4 nights' hotel accommodations

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, roundtrip Amtrak Cascades Coach-class travel from Vancouver to Seattle to Portland and back is included.
Is it escorted or independent?
Independent; travelers can pick their own accommodation and even reverse the itinerary.
Which train is used?
The Amtrak Cascades, in Coach class, running Vancouver to Seattle to Portland and back to Vancouver.
What hotels are used?
12 accommodation options across Seattle and Portland at different tiers, such as the Kimpton Hotel Vintage Seattle or The Benson Portland.
Are meals included?
The included list does not mention any meals.
Is the Portland city tour available year-round?
The hop-on, hop-off tour runs seasonally from June through October; outside that window, Oregon Historical Society admission is substituted.

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