Cascades Route Guide

The Amtrak Cascades route travels to and from Vancouver, British Columbia and to cities in Oregon and Washington State. It’s a great commuter train or scenic regional route with coach and business class seating. You’ll also have beautiful views of Puget Sound, Salish Sea, Chuckanut Bay, Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains.

Explore route information, travel times, popular stops, stations, and FAQ below to learn more.

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Cascades Route Overview

What to Know	Facts & Highlights
Distance	460 miles
Frequency	Multiple daily trains that stop at different stations
Amenities	Bistro car, lounge car, coach seating, business class seating, WiFi in the U.S.
Best time to ride	Summer and fall
Scenery highlights	Puget Sound, Salish Sea, Chuckanut Bay, Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains

Popular Stops

View the list of popular stops on the Amtrak Cascades route and click the links to view travel guides. For more information, see the 8 best stops on Amtrak’s Cascades route.

Eugene: College town near wineries and trails
Salem: Museums and State Capitol
Portland: Parks, gardens, food trucks/carts
Tacoma: Point Defiance Park, museums
Seattle: Iconic attractions and outdoor adventure
Bellingham: Alaska ferry, charming downtown
Vancouver B.C.: Outdoor activities and international culture

Travel Times

Travel time between Portland and Seattle is 3.5 hours.
Travel time between Portland and Eugene is 2.5 hours.
Travel time between Portland and Vancouver, B.C. is 8 hours.
Travel time between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. is 4 hours.
Travel time between Seattle and Edmonds is 40 minutes.
Travel time between Seattle and Everett is 1 hour.
Trains depart Vancouver in the morning and evening.

Things to Know

From Vancouver you can only go as far south as Portland.
There are multiple trains each day that travel between Eugene and Seattle.
If you are crossing the border between US and Canada, you will need proper documents and identification. Get more details.

FAQ

Is Amtrak Cascades worth it?

Amtrak Cascades is worth it if you want to travel to or from Vancouver, B.C. by train or reach the ferry to Alaska in Bellingham. For similar scenery, but with upper level views, long-distance travel and option for private accommodations, book tickets on the Coast Starlight instead.

How long is the Amtrak Cascades route?

The entire Cascades Amtrak route is 467 miles, however, you can’t travel directly the entire way between Eugene, Oregon and Vancouver (the end-of-the-line stations). The longest you can travel without changing trains is eight hours between Portland and Vancouver.

How scenic is the Amtrak Cascades?

You’ll have beautiful views of Puget Sound for about one hour between Seattle and Everett on the Cascades train. Between Mount Vernon and Bellingham are also stunning views of Chuckanut Bay. Sit on the left side of northbound trains and the right side of southbound trains to view the water. There are also some views of the Cascade mountains between Portland and Seattle.

Stations

Explore the full list of Amtrak Cascades train stations in route order. Click the station names to view amenities and additional details on the Amtrak website.