Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If your papers are in order, taking your own car across the US-Canada border is usually
quick and easy.
On weekends and holidays, especially in summer, border-crossing traffic can be heavy
and waits long.
Occasionally the authorities of either country decide to search a car
thoroughly
. Remain
calm and be polite.
TRAIN
Amtrak
operates twice-daily
Cascades
trains (with on-board wi-fi) and several daily
Thruway buses from Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada to Seattle, Washington.
US or Canadian customs and immigration inspections happen at the border, not upon
boarding.
From Seattle, Amtrak's daily
Coast Starlight
rail service connects south to several destin-
ations in California, including Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, en route to
Los Angeles.
Currently, no trains connect California and Mexico.
Bus
with routes throughout the USA, including to/from California. It has recently stopped service
to many small towns; routes trace major highways and may only stop at larger population
centers.
Train
throughout the USA. Trains are comfortable, if a bit slow, and are equipped with dining and
lounge cars on long-distance routes. Fares vary according to the type of train and seating
(eg coach or business class, sleeping compartments).
Amtrak's major long-distance routes to/from California:
California Zephyr
Daily service between Chicago and Emeryville (from $163, 52 hours),
near San Francisco, via Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno, Truckee and Sacramento.
Coast Starlight
Travels the West Coast daily from Seattle to LA (from $92, 35 hours) via
Portland, Sacramento, Oakland and Santa Barbara.
Southwest Chief
Daily departures from Chicago and LA (from $135, 43 hours) via Kansas
City, Albuquerque, Flagstaff and Barstow.
