Pacific Central Station
Pacific Central Station
3.5
4:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
4:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
4:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
4:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
4:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday
4:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
4:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
4:30 AM - 12:00 AM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Yaletown & False Creek North
Yaletown has risen from the ashes of its rough-and-tumble industrial past into one of Vancouver's new chicest neighbourhoods. The place responsible for originating of the phrase 'skid row' might not call to mind independently-owned boutiques and terraced cafes, but having swallowed the waterfront lines of False Creek North, the resulting amalgamation transformed the area into an elegant, stylish hotspot with a view. Its youthful vibe owes to the many young families and young professionals who live there, bolstering nightlife and restaurant variety along its cobbled streets. It is the flagship neighbourhood for modern revitalization, and the It-Spot for boutique hotels and modish eats.
How to get there
- Pacific Central Station • 1 min walk
- Main St–Science World[e] • 3 min walk
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Restaurants
2,899 within 5 kms
Attractions
530 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
251 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
111
Average
61
Poor
16
Terrible
17
MartynG_11
Sarasota, FL588 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
From the outside facade a very nice looking building, atmospheric in appearance as it gets dark. On the inside as referenced previously a facility devoid of services post covid and most importantly cramped and congested when going through the boarding process for Seattle. Poorly organised and in desperate need of a checked bag facility prior to boarding. Have yet to board the Seattle service not feeling like I’ve been in some kind of immigration/baggage/ticket melee. Staff generally very friendly however.
Written December 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy B
United States83 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
If you’re accustomed to modern day travel, prepare to be disappointed by this station. First, the area is very sketchy…if you want to be safe, do not plan to walk around outside. There’s security to keep the homeless out of the station, but the security person is past the bathrooms so the homeless sneak in (there was one in the women’s bathroom). Second, the food and beverage options are a run down A&W hamburger shop and a small coffee stand. We ordered sandwiches and picked up from Gusto - A Taste of Italy (.5 miles from the station..take a taxi..do not walk). Highly recommend the sandwiches at Gusto. Third, there are 6 power outlets for passengers in the entire station. The outlets are in the A&W, just past the cashier.
Written June 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
puckstopper31
Edmonton, Canada745 contributions
Apr 2022
Covid shouldn’t make all amenities disappear. Lovely old building that offers nothing but a bench to sit on while you wait for your train or bus. Little shop that offered nothing, and an Asian food place that basically offered nothing. Either have to drag your bags across the way to a Tims or A&W to get a coffee or food. Be aware of this before you arrive…drug addicts and homeless abound in the area as well although we’re not a bother to us.
Written April 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
astrojane
Monrovia, CA1,066 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
Words cannot describe the beauty of the scenery along the Amtrak Cascades route from Seattle to Vancouver. We were on our way to Vancouver from Los Angeles for an Alaskan Cruise and the train was our choice of transportation.
The 4 hour trip from Seattle to Vancouver was gorgeous, the trains are sleek and modern, the conductors and attendants are informative, smart and very helpful.
I learned a lot of scenery and historic facts just by sitting near a family explaining things out the window, as well as from the conductor. The staff looked genuinely happy to be there.
The Bistro car (see my pictures) looked brand-spanking new. The decor and upholstery were modern, the doors between the cars opened automatically. The bathrooms were spotless!
I can't say enough good things about the Amtrak Cascades! Cost for 2 business class seats $170. ($127 plus $42 business class upgrade) for 2. :-)
Oh, and I just love the color scheme of cream, brown and dark green. Perfect for a scenic trip!
The 4 hour trip from Seattle to Vancouver was gorgeous, the trains are sleek and modern, the conductors and attendants are informative, smart and very helpful.
I learned a lot of scenery and historic facts just by sitting near a family explaining things out the window, as well as from the conductor. The staff looked genuinely happy to be there.
The Bistro car (see my pictures) looked brand-spanking new. The decor and upholstery were modern, the doors between the cars opened automatically. The bathrooms were spotless!
I can't say enough good things about the Amtrak Cascades! Cost for 2 business class seats $170. ($127 plus $42 business class upgrade) for 2. :-)
Oh, and I just love the color scheme of cream, brown and dark green. Perfect for a scenic trip!
Written June 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelbugLDN
London, UK71 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
This beautiful train station is your gateway to Seattle, WA during your stay in Vancouver. Amtrak Cascades have a morning and an evening service between two cities on the most scenic train route.
The train ride takes approximately 4 hours. From Vancouver to Seattle, you check-in and go through US customs/immigration in Canada. They are very efficient, friendly and courteous. Then you will get the best views along the north west pacific coast during this train journey. Some train drivers are very friendly and they alert you before the train passes notable views. Our driver was excellent and spotted several bald eagles along the route.
The train arrives in Seattle in the newly refurbished King Street Train Station. The station was modeled on the St Marks in Venice in 1906 and after the recent renovation, it regained its original glory.
The train ride takes approximately 4 hours. From Vancouver to Seattle, you check-in and go through US customs/immigration in Canada. They are very efficient, friendly and courteous. Then you will get the best views along the north west pacific coast during this train journey. Some train drivers are very friendly and they alert you before the train passes notable views. Our driver was excellent and spotted several bald eagles along the route.
The train arrives in Seattle in the newly refurbished King Street Train Station. The station was modeled on the St Marks in Venice in 1906 and after the recent renovation, it regained its original glory.
Written June 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeakerEdinburgh
Edinburgh224 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Really pleasant way to travel from Vancouver to Seattle.
Guide to the train:
- Get there early. They say make it 60 minutes before, but make it 90 to be near the front of the queue.
- When you enter the train station there was a very helpful Amtrak employee right at the main door who handed out the necessary customs declarations forms for crossing the border and also checked them for obvious problems, e.g. don't forget to date it!
- There are two queues behind him, one for business class, one for coach.
- When called forward smile very nicely at the guy who gives you the seat allocation - and he does this quickly so if you have a preference speak up straight away (sitting on the west side for the better views means the right hand side of the cabins as you enter them from the platform). Make sure you keep the seat-check tickets he gives you, as you need to display this above your seats to show that you have been given those seats.
- After the seating allocation you go through US immigration control. Even with an ESTA you will still be asked to pay $6 (US) per person for the processing of the immigration card. You are taken into a side office to process payment.
- Your bags are put through an airport-style scanner on a belt. You get two big bags person and they didn't seem to be too fussed about checking the dimensions to closely.
- You don't need to attach your own luggage tags before boarding. Once your bags have gone through the security channel you take them onto the platform itself and about half way up you're met by another nice chap who will check them on board the luggage carriage. He attaches luggage label that say where the luggage is checked through to and then gives you a stub for each one that is stapled together onto your immigration form.
- After about an hour and a bit the train stops and US immigration come onboard and check your passport (or other appropriate ID) and take in your immigration card. They were perfectly professional on my journey.
- Toilets were perfectly clean and a good size on my journey.
- You don't get any service at your table, but do get to the bistro car at some point to exchange your business class vouchers if you travel in this class. For $3 can use them as part payment for a coffee, or any total bill beyond $3, or you can also redeem them against an individual item even if it's less than $3, e.g. a bag of crisps for just over $2, or a selection of cake items for $3.
- The guy who came through and sorted out seating for people as we went through various stations was an exceptionally nice man, who was clearly doing a difficult job but was relentlessly polite - lost track of the number of times he would offer a solution to someone needing a seat and he'd finish by saying "does that work for you?"
- Loved the sense of humour from the announcer on the tannoy as we went through each station. I had no idea that Bellingham was the jewel of the north-west and couldn't be missed...as was the case for every other town...
- When you get to Seattle there is no advantage to being in business class, as you simply depart when the train stops and collect your checked baggage from a carousel inside King Street railway station. It took about 10-15 minutes to appear.
- On the return trip northbound there is a big advantage to business class, as you don't go through Canadian customs until you arrive in Pacific Central station, and they open the business class carriages first so that you are then first in line to go through customs control (inside the station). If it is raining then be aware that there's a fair chance you'd be standing in line getting wet on the platform while waiting to clear customs. It's also the case that checked luggage is simply placed on the platform in a long line for travellers to collect (before customs) so it would be a bit of a scrum if you were travelling coach and then forming a queue to go through customs.
Overall, this was a really pleasant and relaxed experience. Only slight downside was that the "business class" experience didn't really feel particularly luxurious, but it was still worth it overall and felt less stressful than taking the plane.
Guide to the train:
- Get there early. They say make it 60 minutes before, but make it 90 to be near the front of the queue.
- When you enter the train station there was a very helpful Amtrak employee right at the main door who handed out the necessary customs declarations forms for crossing the border and also checked them for obvious problems, e.g. don't forget to date it!
- There are two queues behind him, one for business class, one for coach.
- When called forward smile very nicely at the guy who gives you the seat allocation - and he does this quickly so if you have a preference speak up straight away (sitting on the west side for the better views means the right hand side of the cabins as you enter them from the platform). Make sure you keep the seat-check tickets he gives you, as you need to display this above your seats to show that you have been given those seats.
- After the seating allocation you go through US immigration control. Even with an ESTA you will still be asked to pay $6 (US) per person for the processing of the immigration card. You are taken into a side office to process payment.
- Your bags are put through an airport-style scanner on a belt. You get two big bags person and they didn't seem to be too fussed about checking the dimensions to closely.
- You don't need to attach your own luggage tags before boarding. Once your bags have gone through the security channel you take them onto the platform itself and about half way up you're met by another nice chap who will check them on board the luggage carriage. He attaches luggage label that say where the luggage is checked through to and then gives you a stub for each one that is stapled together onto your immigration form.
- After about an hour and a bit the train stops and US immigration come onboard and check your passport (or other appropriate ID) and take in your immigration card. They were perfectly professional on my journey.
- Toilets were perfectly clean and a good size on my journey.
- You don't get any service at your table, but do get to the bistro car at some point to exchange your business class vouchers if you travel in this class. For $3 can use them as part payment for a coffee, or any total bill beyond $3, or you can also redeem them against an individual item even if it's less than $3, e.g. a bag of crisps for just over $2, or a selection of cake items for $3.
- The guy who came through and sorted out seating for people as we went through various stations was an exceptionally nice man, who was clearly doing a difficult job but was relentlessly polite - lost track of the number of times he would offer a solution to someone needing a seat and he'd finish by saying "does that work for you?"
- Loved the sense of humour from the announcer on the tannoy as we went through each station. I had no idea that Bellingham was the jewel of the north-west and couldn't be missed...as was the case for every other town...
- When you get to Seattle there is no advantage to being in business class, as you simply depart when the train stops and collect your checked baggage from a carousel inside King Street railway station. It took about 10-15 minutes to appear.
- On the return trip northbound there is a big advantage to business class, as you don't go through Canadian customs until you arrive in Pacific Central station, and they open the business class carriages first so that you are then first in line to go through customs control (inside the station). If it is raining then be aware that there's a fair chance you'd be standing in line getting wet on the platform while waiting to clear customs. It's also the case that checked luggage is simply placed on the platform in a long line for travellers to collect (before customs) so it would be a bit of a scrum if you were travelling coach and then forming a queue to go through customs.
Overall, this was a really pleasant and relaxed experience. Only slight downside was that the "business class" experience didn't really feel particularly luxurious, but it was still worth it overall and felt less stressful than taking the plane.
Written July 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary v
Redmond, WA54 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
Amtrak was still using the super liner as of April 12, 2013. We had round trip tickets from Seattle to Vancouver. Going to Vancouver from Seattle on the 510, we had to take a bus to Everett as there were landslides affecting the tracks. We left Seattle right on time and the train was arriving as we came into Everett so we literally walked right off the bus and onto the train. Having used only planes to travel in 15 years we were impressed with how comfortable and relaxing the train was. The scenery on this route is beautiful, even through rain. Our trip coming back was slower. The passenger train has to yield to freight trains at switches. We left at train "rush hour" so it took about an hour to get out of Vancouver. We stopped again before Everett while another freight train changed crew. We arrived an hour late in seattle. However, because the train is so comfortable it didn't bother us. Sure beats circling an airport. The crew was great and customs was very short. We good see the lines of cars through the window so this was another added benefit of taking the train.. There was no wi-fi. Great reading time, playing cards in the dining car or just sight seeing. Loved it and the price could not be beat.
Written April 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James G
London, Canada231 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
Once a grand railway terminus, Pacific Central Station now falls short of what it could be. Nominally a Via Rail station, government cutbacks now mean that the station hosts but three Via Rail departures and arrivals per week. US-based Amtrak, on the other hand, offers two departures and arrivals daily for Seattle and points south.
Canadian and American customs and immigration officers service the Amtrak trains to and from the State of Washington. The officers from both agencies are generally efficient and courteous. Passengers travelling Amtrak may be surprised to see that their luggage will be X-rayed before they board their train.
Half the station is now given over to Greyhound and other intercity bus operators. That does offer the convenience of same-station transfers for those combining bus and rail on their journey.
The station has been beautifully restored and qualifies as an architectural gem. Don’t count however on taking photos of all that beauty. There are prominently displayed signs forbidding any photography, with equally prominent security guards to enforce those restrictions. One wonders just what security risk a tourist photo of the lovely station clock might present.
Dining choices in the station are extremely limited, a small coffee shop and sushi bar. The large space occupied for many years by a McDonald’s outlet now stands vacant.
There are no video screens, signboards, or station announcements to indicate bus departures. Passengers are left to fend for themselves in finding their buses.
The station has become a magnet for the area homeless, who sometimes use the station washrooms as their personal bathing facilities and change rooms.
If you have time to kill between trains, Via Rail personnel will store your luggage for a nominal fee. A quick walk across the park in front of the station (dodging the panhandlers) will take you to the Skytrain platforms. A short ride will deliver you to Waterfront Station and a full range of dining and shopping options.
Canadian and American customs and immigration officers service the Amtrak trains to and from the State of Washington. The officers from both agencies are generally efficient and courteous. Passengers travelling Amtrak may be surprised to see that their luggage will be X-rayed before they board their train.
Half the station is now given over to Greyhound and other intercity bus operators. That does offer the convenience of same-station transfers for those combining bus and rail on their journey.
The station has been beautifully restored and qualifies as an architectural gem. Don’t count however on taking photos of all that beauty. There are prominently displayed signs forbidding any photography, with equally prominent security guards to enforce those restrictions. One wonders just what security risk a tourist photo of the lovely station clock might present.
Dining choices in the station are extremely limited, a small coffee shop and sushi bar. The large space occupied for many years by a McDonald’s outlet now stands vacant.
There are no video screens, signboards, or station announcements to indicate bus departures. Passengers are left to fend for themselves in finding their buses.
The station has become a magnet for the area homeless, who sometimes use the station washrooms as their personal bathing facilities and change rooms.
If you have time to kill between trains, Via Rail personnel will store your luggage for a nominal fee. A quick walk across the park in front of the station (dodging the panhandlers) will take you to the Skytrain platforms. A short ride will deliver you to Waterfront Station and a full range of dining and shopping options.
Written September 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley J
State College, Pennsylvania, United States1 contribution
Mar 2012 • Business
I was at this station on March 7, 2012 and used my debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM there. My card never left my possession (except when it was in the machine) and I took my receipt. Two & a half weeks later, after my return to the U.S. (home), ATM withdrawals in B.C. began, and added up to $2800 before I closed my card. This also happened to a colleague who had used the same ATM. From speaking with my bank I learned that identity thieves install devices in or on the ATM that records your information (account & pin). So, DON'T USE THE ATM AT THIS STATION, or, if you do, monitor your bank account frequently!! I filed a report with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but it wasn't clear if they were going to do anything about it.
Written March 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Desmond C
St. Catharines, Canada152 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We recently visited our daughter and son-in-law in Seattle and were planning on flying from there to visit our son in Vancouver, BC before returning home to Prince Edward Island. Our son-in-law suggested that we take the train from Seattle to Vancouver, a three and a half hour trip around the scenic shores of Puget Sound. It sounded like an adventure so I went on-line a month before our trip and booked coach tickets at the bargain seniors' rate of $25 US each. Business class was not available on our travel date. We departed early in the morning from the very small railway station in Edmonds, Wa. just north of Seattle. There were only about 20 people getting aboard at that stop and loading was very easy. We checked our suitcases for free ( do you hear that, airlines?) and were shown to forward facing seats on the upper level with a great view of the surrounding scenery. The train travels along the shores of the Sound and is the views are spectacular. Later on, the train meandered through rolling farmland which was scenic in its own right. There is a small canteen in the lounge car where you can buy breakfast sandwiches, coffee and pastries and take them back to your seat to eat. Crossing into Canada was barely noticible. We didn't clear Canadian customs until we got off the train at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station. Things went a lot faster there than has been our experience at airport Customs between the US and Canada. This is a travel experience I would highly recommend.
Written October 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be traveling on VIA's "the Canadian" to Vancouver in May. We will be connecting to a bus to Victoria which departs at 9:30 AM. The train is scheduled to arrive at 8:00 AM. Is the hour and a half sufficient time to collect our checked baggage from VIA and and get ourselves to the bus?
Written March 9, 2023
I will be flying into Vancouver on an early morning flight next month. I will have several hours to look around Vancouver before I get the train to Seattle later that day. Is there anywhere that I can leave my luggage while I look around?
Written August 30, 2019
looks like they closed the facility in 2015 for security reasons, but something called nannybag exists they may be able to help
cant post any links on here but tripsavvy had this to say, If you're traveling to Vancouver by train or bus, you'll likely arrive in the city via the Pacific Central Station, which offered short and long-term luggage storage for passengers until 2015, when the city's transit authority closed the storage facility for safety reasons.
sorry i cant help any further but nanny bag or a nearby hostel storage could be the best option
Written September 2, 2019
Victoria B
Hitchin, United Kingdom
My daughter and I are catching the 6.35 am train tomorrow morning to Seattle. What time do we need to get to the station ?
Written June 30, 2019
Can we check our baggage somewhere or do we keep it with us if we are going from Vancouver to seattle
Written June 19, 2019
There is a baggage check in service at Pacific Central. I was on the Canadian to Toronto but pretty sure that other customers were also checking in bags. It’s not a great area around the station and little to do inside (a small coffee shop, a gift shop and A&W).
Written June 19, 2019
We are taking the bus that leaves this train station to catch an Amtrak train Seattle. It’s scheduled to leave at 5:30am. Where is the best way to enter the station and where do we catch the bus? Amtrak didn’t give us much info and we have our luggage and I’m disabled. We understand there isn’t any porters that early in the morning.
Written April 24, 2019
Hi Ruth,
I don't think they have porters at any time... I don't recall seeing any. Just men who load / unload unaccompanied cargo. But they do have lots of trolleys that you can borrow, load up with your bags & push.
The front door of the station would be an obvious place to enter. When you hop off a Greyhound or similar bus, you often exit via the back of the station, down a short laneway, but passengers boarding a bus have to go through a bit of a security check first, so entering from the front would make more sense.
From the front door, go diagonally to your right & you'll see the ticket counters. A bit further along from the ticket counters (same side of the concourse) are the big wooden seats where you can wait, the security check point & the various bays for the various buses.
I'd assume that you'd have bought any snacks / drinks you want the day before, since the shops will probably be closed that early in the morning. But the convenience shops are just inside the front door on the opposite side from the ticket counters.
If your catching a bus at 5:30AM, I'd assume that you're planning on sleeping somewhere local before catching your bus. Having booked into a hotel / hostel / motel there's no reason why you can't ask staff at the hotel where your bus pick up point is. As long as you're paying for a hotel room, you may as well get some help / advice from them! And what's the bet that they've had lots of guests who've caught the same bus, so the hotel staff would know where you have to meet your bus. Just send them an email & ask!
Have a nice trip.
Jeanette.
Written April 25, 2019
Please tell me what places are in the station to get food and drinks. I see some mention an A&W, is there anything else close by? Thank you!
Written April 18, 2019
You are within walking distance of many fine Chinese restaurants in Vancouver's China Town. Not sure what all is in the station but there are a couple of basic food eateries. Nothing special. It is in a rejuvenating area with some of the old seedy sections of town still evident mixed with the new. There are other fast food services close by but all are still a block or more away.
Written April 19, 2019
Hi, my mom and her friend are taking a day trip on the train from Seattle to Vancouver and were wondering if there were any sights to see (or things to do), near the train station. Her friend can't walk for long periods of time, but they could possibly take the sky train to visit other areas. They will have 5hrs until the train leaves to come home. Thanks!
Written March 10, 2019
Hi Christina,
Sky Train has a station entrance just outside the front door of the railway station! That will take them anywhere! Try a computer search for Granville Island if they want to sit (avoid walking) & people watch, eat nice food, etc. A tiny taxi ride (or a short walk) would take them to the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Garden (free of charge) & museum. Nice place to sit & admire the scenery! Stanley Park (computer search it) has numerous tea houses, arguably the best collection of Totem Poles in the area, parkland, benches, scenery, gigantic trees, etc. Might be worth a computer search of Capilano Bridge. See if the courtesy coach would pick them up at the station & drop them off there again. Very scenic! A bus ride to Kitsilano Beach (beach, scenery, hipster scene, cafes, etc) might be a good way to spend a few hours. There's a I-Max (or similar) cinema at Canada Place (take Sky Train there) which shows a 'discover B.C.' type of film which is excellent; breath-taking scenes, etc. Then in the Canada Place precinct there are more places to eat than you can poke a stick at. There are plenty of other attractions in Vancouver; all well worthwhile. Check out the tourist bureau website or bricks & mortar office in Seattle. You'll be amazed by the choice!
Hope they have a lovely time.
Jeanette.
Written March 11, 2019
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