Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Local Transportation
Though local bus networks are minimally developed in the hinterlands, the bigger cities
have extensive services; with some planning, you can usually get wherever you want by
bus. Because these systems are aimed at the commuting workforce rather than tourists,
outside of peak commuting hours service may be sparse.
Portland boasts one of the country's best public-transportation systems, with a good
light-rail system, bus service and downtown streetcars. Seattle also has an excellent
transit system, with light rail, a monorail and ferries. And Vancouver's no slouch, either,
with great bus, train and some ferry services. All three cities have direct public-transporta-
tion connections from their city centers to their airports.
Train
Amtrak (USA) and VIA Rail (Canada) trains provide an attractive, if costly, alternative to
buses for travel between major points. Amtrak's
Cascades
train links Vancouver, BC, to
Eugene, OR - via Seattle, Portland and Salem. This connects with Amtrak Thruway
buses (a regional bus line under contract with Amtrak) to reach other destinations such as
the Oregon coast.
A branch of Amtrak's daily
Empire Builder
leaves Portland and crosses to Vancouver,
BC, before making its scenic run up the northern side of the Columbia River Gorge to
meet the other eastbound half of the train in Spokane. The Seattle branch of the
Empire
Builder
heads north to Everett before winding east to Spokane. Note that the westbound
Empire Builder
divides in Spokane for Portland and Seattle: make sure you're sitting in
the correct portion of the train!
One thing to know about these trains: delays can be very frequent, so don't plan on get-
ting anywhere exactly on time.
