FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2010
For more information:
Krista Hildebrand
503-467-4686
khildebrand@frause.com


VANCOUVER-TO-VANCOUVER SAME-DAY AMTRAK SERVICE
EXTENDED THROUGH SUMMER MONTHS
Travelers can now leave Vancouver, Canada, in the morning and
be in Vancouver, USA, in time for dinner
VANCOUVER, Wash. - Originally scheduled to end on March 31 of this year, Amtrak has 
announced it will continue to offer direct same-day train service between Vancouver, British 
Columbia, and historic Vancouver, Wash., through the end of September 2010. The addition of a 
second Amtrak Cascades train in late summer of 2009 provided, for the first time, direct round-trip 
service between Vancouver, Wash., and its namesake Vancouver, B.C.
"The continuation of this popular route through the summer months will allow Vancouver B.C. 
residents to travel to Vancouver, Washington, in one day and without having to get off the train," 
said Kim Bennett, president of the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office. "Everyone from 
history buffs, to families, to foodies can now get to know both cities, which although share the 
same name, offer very different experiences."
Vancouver, Wash., with a population of more than 163,000, is the fourth largest city in the state. It 
is the oldest permanent non-native settlement in the Pacific Northwest and is home to Fort 
Vancouver National Historic Site and Pearson Air Museum, which is located on the oldest 
continually operating airfield in the U.S. The city also is a family-friendly destination that can be 
educational as well as entertaining. At the center of downtown Vancouver is Esther Short Park, the 
setting for summer concerts, movies in the park, a manmade stream and water feature for cooling 
off, and a playground. For epicureans, the Vancouver Farmers Market is one of the most popular 
weekend markets in southwest Washington. The city also boasts numerous small one-of-a-kind 
restaurants that take advantage of the bounty of fresh local produce and local wines. Vancouver, Wash., also offers a broad range of overnight accommodations. Among these are:

  • Hilton Vancouver Washington, located in the heart of downtown across the street from the

many activities offered at Esther Short Park;

  • Red Lion at the Quay, the only hotel in the region located on the banks of the Columbia

River;

  • Briarwood Inn Bed & Breakfast, a 1908 Craftsman-style home and garden that has been

totally renovated while maintaining its original historic charm and elegance;  and

  • Heathman Lodge, a tranquil mountain-like retreat brimming with Northwest ambiance and

located just minutes away from downtown Vancouver.
On the other hand, Vancouver, B.C., also named for British Captain George Vancouver who 
explored the area in the 1790s, is the largest metropolitan area in Western Canada with a 
population of just over 578,000. In the summer months, locals and visitors enjoy live theater at 
Bard on the Beach, cycling or walking around the 1,000-acre Stanley Park, and dining at its 
internationally acclaimed restaurants that range from haute cuisine to neighborhood favorites.
Prior to the addition of the second Cascade train last year, passengers who boarded anywhere 
south of Seattle had to either stay overnight there or catch a bus to Vancouver, discouraging all but 
the most determined. Passengers departing from Vancouver, B.C., can now leave at 6:45 a.m. and 
arrive in Vancouver, Wash., at 2:45 p.m. Although rates can vary, a one-way fare between the two 
cities is approximately $85. For more information and trip planning resources, visit 
www.VisitVancouverUSA.com .  
About Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office
Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office (formerly Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau) is 
an economic development organization responsible for competitively marketing Vancouver and the 
surrounding area as a destination for meetings, conventions, and group and leisure travelers. The 
organization's mission is to promote Vancouver and Clark County by increasing convention and visitor 
business. For more information call 360-750-1553, or log on to www.VisitVancouverUSA.com . 
           
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