Your options are:

1.  Drive

2.  Train (Amtrak Cascades)

3. Fly

The drive is about 3.5 to 4 hours in total.  Avoid the Blaine border crossing Friday afternoons and evenings, going north in to Vancouver, and when coming back on a Sunday, try to cross the border before noon.  Otherwise, you could easily be looking at a 1-2 hour wait, sitting in your car.

Amtrak Cascades line is nice.  The station location in Vancouver is slightly inconvenient if your hotel is in the West End (which most are).  It's not a huge draw-back, but about 1/2-1 mile away.

Flying...you have several options.  Of course, any of the commercial airlines (Horizon/Alaska, Air Canada, etc) out of SeaTac will get you to Vancouver Intl.  But there is also float-plane service from Lake Union (the water you see looking due North from downtown (not Elliot Bay to the west).  Two companies offer this service as well...and it's a different perspective on the whole journey.

Posted Jan 28, 2011

I concurr with train. Double check though that it's actually the train going, because there's only one train actually riding per day, the rest is taken over by buses. But (rental) car is fine to.
Airplane not recommended: the time you spend on check-in and security, getting there and away is time you could have spent starting at the beautiful scenery (train) or making a stop in Bellingham to dine and sample some local brew at the Boundary Bay Bistro www.bbaybrewery.com

Depending on time of year (or  not, if you are like Seattlelites who just dress for the weather (a stop at the REI flagship store recommended) you could rent a kayak on lake Union (look-up Agua Verde), you can go skiing at Chrystal Mountain or Mt.Baker (the latter friendlier for snowboarders) or closer to Seattle skiing at Snoqualmie (better known as 'The Pass').
Hiking all around, like Tiger Mountain, or Mount Si. Less ambitious but just as scenic is hiking around Discovery Park or Lincoln Park (West Seattle).

Do go to Pike Place Market (early) to stock up on your picnic foods ;-)

Posted Jan 27, 2011

Train is a great way to go.  When you book, note that Amtrak ALSO runs buses, so the ticket you purchase for an Amtrak "train" might be a bus!  The drive is about 30-45 minutes faster (but then you have to drive it.)  Border crossings usually are not a problem, but on summer weekends the queue at the Friendship-I5 crossing can be long (better to cross at Lynden WA-539).

As far as adventures, the San Juan Islands (US) / Gulf Islands (CA) are fabulous in the summertime.  Book ahead, though---summer is peak tourist season (for a reason, the weather is unbelievable, long long days, dry, warm, sunny).  Check out Orcas Island (my fave spot is called Doe Bay, alternative, big sauna, hot tubs, vegetarian cafe with astoundingly good food); Salt Spring island.  Also consider Vancouver Island, but you'll definitely need wheels for that.

Enjoy!

Posted Jan 27, 2011

I've heard the train ride is probably the most scenic. I'm not sure how long it takes. By car it is about three hours (give or take with the border crossing). Flying is real quick (less than an hour), but also more expensive.

There is quite a bit to see. If you drive and want to take the scenic route, look for the Mukilteo Ferry and take that over the Whidbey Island. You can stop in at the boutique-y town of Langley and then continue north up the island and do a short hike down to the water at Deception Pass.

Also, Chuckanut Drive between Mount Vernon and Bellingham (in Washington) is a beautiful drive and there are a couple parks in the Bellingham area that are very nice.

Birch Bay is very close to the border and gorgeous. And, if you drive, you should stop off at Peace Arch Park to walk around the grounds there--and snap a photo with the Peace Arch, of course.

You can also ferry to Vancouver, but from Seattle it requires a stop in Victoria, BC to transfer to the BC Ferries and is a bit pricey.

Posted Jan 30, 2011

I'd say car, but it all depends on where int he city you're starting from and want to go. In my opinion, car rental is the most convenient, flexible and cost effective. plus, both cities are extremely easy to drive in/around.

Posted Feb 02, 2011

I agree with driving by car... but the ferry to Victoria and then back to Vancouver would definitely be the most fun and beautiful and a great adventure, if you have the time and can afford it.  I suppose it depends on why you are going to Vancouver and what you plan to do there.  I've driven many times, also to Whistler and all the way to Alaska, also around Vancouver Island and beautiful Victoria, even sailed there.  If you can get out on the water, do it!!

Posted Feb 05, 2011

I live in Seattle, but just did a week-long vacation with our 4-year-old in Vancouver. He LOVED riding the Sky Train (Vancouver's metro/subway) and taking the ferry to North Van! It's cheap (free for him) and an adventure (especially if you're from Seattle, where we have very limited mass transit option). Another ideas for the 4-year-old (that adult usually like too) are the vintage steam engine on display in Yaletown (just a block from the subway station), Science World, Ceperly Playground in Stanley Park, the Children's Market at Granville Island, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens in Chinatown, and the mini-ferry boats that traverse False Creek (my little one even got to pilot one of these). We did all of these things over the course of the week in December, and he was never bored.

Posted Feb 24, 2011

By fairy is the best way you can take Victoria Clipper you have to see Victoria this way and they are other fairies that run between Seattle and Vancouver BC.

Posted Mar 10, 2011

We did this commute last September by rental car.  The drive isn't necessarily remarkable if you're looking to get to Vancouver as quickly as possible.  It took about 3 hours without stopping along the way going the speed limit.

Worth noting: there was a bit of a wait in the car to cross the Canadian border.  It took long enough that we watched a few tourists hop out of their cars and take pictures in front of Canadian monuments and gardens, etc. to document their accomplishment.

Also, on the Canadian side, we hit an incredible traffic jam right before entering a long tunnel (you couldn't avoid it - there was only one real route to Vancouver based on where we were).  I don't think it was due to any construction and we never saw an accident.  But we sat and crawled in our car for at least an hour before finally escaping to the other side. 

Other than that, it was easy and effortless.

From my own personal experience and opinion, Seattle had way more to offer.  The Public Library architecture is jaw dropping.  Be sure to go upstairs to explore the red corridors. The Olympic Sculpture Park was sublime.  The food options were excellent, and the neighborhoods were fun to explore.  It really all depends on what you like to do.  We didn't do any outdoor activities (biking, boating, etc.) but the options are virtually endless. 

Posted Jan 27, 2011

Definitely the train.  http://www.amtrakcascades.com/

Beautiful views along the water.  No stress.  Reasonable price.

Posted Jan 27, 2011

Christopher does a great job of laying out the options. If you can pay attention to the border crossing times, driving can even be done in 3 hours.

Posted Jan 28, 2011

I concur with the trip to Victoria.  Take the boat from Seattle to Victoria and then a bus from downtown Victoria to the ferry landing and the ferry to Vancouver.  Then bus or train to downtown.

Posted Jan 28, 2011

Rideshare or drive its not far. Train is pleasant

Posted Jan 30, 2011

Do yourself a favor by driving from Seattle to Vancouver. It's was one of the best drives I've ever been on. It's beautiful & you can stop to take it all in if you like.

Posted Jan 30, 2011

Easy and relaxed, Amtrak. Economy - Greyhound bus. On your own schedule, car.

Posted Feb 01, 2011

I did the trip by car and it is a beautiful drive. This would be my pick.

Posted Feb 05, 2011

Driving is a lovely way to go, but taking the train is GREAT!

Posted Feb 08, 2011

Totally depends. We're Seattle residents, so we drive, but you can take the bus (Grayhound) right in to downtown Seattle -- my niece did this and rather enjoyed it. Train works too.

Posted Feb 09, 2011

Definitely by train.  The scenery is lovely and there are no hassles at the border.

Posted Feb 09, 2011

I concur with everyone who has said to take the train. It's a lovely ride! If you will need a car in Vancouver, however, I would say drive it.

Posted Feb 09, 2011

train or car.  if car go through the islands to vancouver from west seattle all the way up through ferry system(stop everywhere)  then south from vancouver(go to whistler if possible) and hit mountain roads all the way back down(cascade hwy, stevens pass).  perfect  loop

Posted Mar 01, 2011

Clearly drive.  Take scenic route called chuckanut drive.

Posted Mar 04, 2011

Why is nobody mentioning seaplanes? I'm a Seattle native, and haven't done this, but it's totally on my bucket-list. Kenmore Air has regular flights. It's not cheap, but it's fast and pretty. $131 per person each way. Maybe fly one way and bus or train the other. :) 

Posted Aug 16, 2011