How to get from Sea-Tac to Vancouver Island?

Question

I've booked a flight from LA to Seattle. I was planning on taking the Anacortes ferry to Victoria, but then I noticed that Anacortes doesn't run after 5pm. My flight LANDS at 5:10. It takes 2 hours to get to the terminal, so the best I could do is a 8-9pm ferry. The other option is to drive to the Horseshoe bay terminal in Canada, but the last ferry out is 9pm, and it's a 3 hour drive + border crossing + whatever else, so we'd never make it.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

Since you will already be at Seatac, I'd fly Alaska flight 2388 @ 6:20P. The problem with Kenmore Air is that they are on Lake Union which is north of downtown so you are going to have to take a cab or something...

Answer 2

Why go all the way to Horseshoe Bay in North Vancouver?  There's a ferry at Tsawwssen (just over the border) that goes to Victoria - http://www.bcferries.com/  It takes 2 1/2 hours to get from Seatac to Tsawwssen and then a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride.  So it's only about 20 mins more total time to go via Tswwassen.  Awesome ferry, too.  BC Ferries are FAR nicer than Washington ferries!

Note, though, the Tsawwssen ferry's last trip is 10PM.  If I were you I'd stay the night in Bellingham, WA just before the border then head up first thing in the morning.  Also note you can pre-purchase a reservation for the ferry online.  I've done this before and it works great because they often sell out.  But then, if you're held up at the border and end up missing your ferry I don't believe they give refunds.  So stay in Bellingham, make your reservation the night before for later in the morning then head up.

Answer 3

Kenmore Air

Your best bet!

Good Luck

Answer 4

As already stated, Kenmore Air does a good job and they leave from Lake Union in downtown Seattle. If you are thinking about the ferry, there are several options, but Horseshoe Bay is one of the last that comes to mind. Ferry option 1 would be to drive up I-5 two hours to Blaine, where you would cross the border and drive another 20 minutes to take the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay run. Another option is to drive to Port Angeles and take the private "Black Ball Ferry" Coho. The Anacortes Ferry is a lovely trip through the San Juan Islands but it makes several stops and is more appropriate for a tourist.  My suggestion is to land in Seattle, get your rental car and drive north on I-5 to Bellingham and stay at the Bellweather Hotel down at the harbor. Have dinner at Anthony's Home Port and get a good nights sleep. Get up early and catch the first ferry from Tsawwassen and have breakfast on the boat. You'll arrive fresh and ready to go.