How to Book Train Travel From Salem to Seattle
In just over 5 hours, the train trip from Salem, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington, provides travelers with a scenic route up the Pacific coastline. Once you arrive in Seattle, you'll be right in the heart of things, close to the Puget Sound, Pike Place Market and other institutions in this vibrant Northwest city.
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Things You'll Need
- ID
- Map of Salem and Seattle metro areas
- Computer with Internet access to book train tickets
Instructions
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Book Your Ticket From Salem, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington
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Book your ticket on Amtrak's Web site (see Resources) or by calling (800) USA-RAIL.
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Type in your stations for departure (Salem) and arrival (Seattle). If you wish, select dates for each leg as well.
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Choose the route you want from Salem to Seattle from the list of options for your date of departure.
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Use a promotional code, club affiliation or some other coupon that will give you a discount to save money. You can enter it on the schedules page when prompted.
Prepare for Train Travel From Salem to Seattle
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Carry on medications and snacks with you. Especially if you have dietary restrictions, be sure you pack drinks and food that apply to your needs.
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Outline the boarding process for children traveling with you. Make sure they are clear on what is going on so that they are not confused by the hustle and bustle of the stations.
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Bring all ID and necessary documents with you and keep them on you at all times. This includes a driver's license, your tickets and important medical information.
Learn About Your Destination
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Locate destination points on local maps of both cities. This will help you plot out places you'd like to visit during your trip to maximize your time.
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Talk to people about your trip to Seattle. Chances are, they have favorite local spots they like to visit and can recommend "insider" advice for a trip there.
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Tips & Warnings
Pack only bags you can carry in one trip when possible. This will help you maneuver through busy stations easier and keep you from being a target for theft.
Bring an umbrella. Both of these cities can be quite rainy and it is always a good idea to be prepared.
Some train travel between Salem, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, is actually a combination of rail and bus. To avoid these routes, be sure to select train-only schedules from your list of available options.
Once your travel has begun, you cannot make changes to your reservations without penalty. More than likely, you will have to repurchase a return ticket if you want to change it, so keep this in mind when booking. If you aren't sure when you want to return, you should just book a one-way ticket until you know your return details.
