Tianna ClarkeMy pals and I thought we did everything right for our Vancouver to Bellingham trip. We packed our passports, restocked our snacks, downloaded a bunch of playlists, and so on. We felt proud and called ourselves the most prepared roadtrippers on the planet.
But the illusion shattered when we were about to hit the US-Canada border. Turns out, we forgot the gas! Classic. Cue the finger-pointing and drama. But what’s done is done. Thankfully, Bellingham has great gas stations, so at least the whole vibe wasn’t ruined.
Still, we promised ourselves never to have that kind of problem again. Now, we have a comprehensive checklist before every getaway, as well as a handy Vancouver to Bellingham travel guide like this one below. Check it out—it might save your life!
How do you travel from Vancouver to Bellingham?
You can travel from Vancouver to Bellingham in several ways. Depending on your preferences and resources, you can go by train, bus, or car. The estimated travel time is around 1.5 to 2.5 hours, so be sure to plan accordingly!
Best Time to Go
The best time to go from Vancouver to Bellingham is May to September or late spring to early fall. This is when the weather is warm for comfort, and the border queues are typically more manageable. The breathtaking stops should be in their best form too!
Things to Know
Distance: It typically takes approximately 80 km or 50 miles to travel from Vancouver to Bellingham via I-5 South.
Dogs: Furry friends are allowed on buses like FlixBus (service animals with restrictions!) and on Amtrak trains (but only for small pets in carriers). Naturally, if you’re driving, it’s wise to bring everything your pup needs to ensure their comfort and safety.
How to Get Around
Trains: The Amtrak Cascades trains run twice daily from Vancouver to Bellingham. This mode of transportation should take you around 2 hours. And if you book early, you can pay as low as $15.
Buses: Buses like Quick Shuttle, FlixBus, and Greyhound provide everyday trips. They could set you back around $19 to $27 and take you to your destination in 2 to 2.5 hours.
Car: If you want to manage your own road trip, driving can take 1.5 to 2 hours via I-5 South. Just don’t forget to bring your passport and consider border wait times!
What to Do from Vancouver to Bellingham
Explore the Museum of Anthropology
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Website: https://moa.ubc.ca/
Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Contact: +1 604 827 5932
Are you a history buff (who happens to want to go somewhere with an AC)? The Museum of Anthropology offers a fantastic cultural experience that can show you the life and traditions of the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest.
For us, what makes it special is that the museum houses more than 50,000 ethnographic objects and over 500,000 archaeological artifacts. This includes cool totem poles and canoes, carvings, woven items, ceremonial masks, and more!
Stop at White Rock
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Just 40 minutes south of Vancouver, White Rock is a gorgeous coastal town to visit if you’re craving relaxing beach vibes.
What we like the most here is the White Rock Pier—it’s the longest one in Canada! You can take your date out for a lovely stroll. There are also a bunch of seafood restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops here whenever you feel peckish.
Visit Peace Arch Park
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Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/peace_arch/
Address: Surrey, BC V3Z 9N7, Canada
Contact Details: +1 800 461 9999
Peach Arch Park is right at the border! This place is pretty symbolic as it shows the friendship between Canada and the US. Plus, we like that passports aren’t even required as long as you stay in the park!
You can walk around here with ease. We also like the lush greenery and historical markers, adding elements to the serene ambiance. We recommend going during spring or summer too, since the blooms would be even more beautiful!
Where to Eat Along Vancouver to Bellingham
Cafe Medina
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Website: http://www.medinacafe.com/
Address: 780 Richards St, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 879 3114, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Before travelling from Vancouver to Bellingham, we reckon you’ll need a nice cup of coffee or tea. Cafe Medina offers Mediterranean brunch meals with a Belgian twist. This cozy spot gives off euro-bistro vibes with its warm wood tones and rustic tiles.
The highlights for us are the fricassé (meat dish) with braised short ribs, pork belly sandwich, and avocado toast. Though if you want to try something floral-infused rather than your usual espresso, we love the lavender latte too.
As for something sweet, we say go for the signature Liège-style (from a Belgian city) waffles with unique gourmet toppings like white chocolate pistachio rosewater.
Applause Japanese Restaurant
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Website: https://www.applauserestaurant.ca/
Address: 8269 Oak St, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 263 8968
Pricing: $$
Applause is an authentic Japanese restaurant in Vancouver where you can enjoy sushi and assorted sashimi in an understated, comfy space.
We like the chirashi don (scattered sushi) and salmon maki (roll), but we think the sliced beef curry is good and filling too! Plus, you can add tempura for variety and texture. Desserts are limited here, but we heard that mochi ice cream is available sometimes.
Moxies Richmond Restaurant
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Website: https://moxies.com/restaurants/vancouver-richmond-airport
Address: 3233 St Edwards Dr, Richmond
Contact Details: +1 604 303 1111, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Have a designated driver? Moxies Richmond Restaurant is an upscale bar and grill spot offering Contemporary North American cuisine that we think is worth considering.
We recommend the steak frites (fries), chicken Madeira rigatoni (short and wide-tubed pasta), and blackened chicken burger. To top it all off, we suggest getting the white chocolate brownie to balance out all the savoury items.
For us, these go well with cocktails like Moscow Mule and White Peach Bellini. This spot is pretty popular for its happy hour too, so we feel you shouldn’t miss it!
Cactus Club Cafe
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Website: https://www.cactusclubcafe.com/location/southpoint/
Address: 15079 32 Ave, Southpoint Exchange Shopping Centre, Surrey
Contact Details: +1 604 535 8799, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Unsure what to eat? The Cactus Club Cafe provides a global fusion with a refreshing West Coast flair you might be looking for. We bet you might like that this place is swanky—think palm trees, moody lighting, and sleek booths!
As for the grub, we like the Feenie burger (from Chef Rob Feenie) and butternut squash ravioli (stuffed pasta) with prawns.
In our opinion, the signature Frosé and The Bellini drinks are worth a try too, especially on a hot day. The peanut butter crunch bar is our dessert pick as well.
Where to Shop Along Vancouver to Bellingham
Wildlife Thrift Store
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Website: http://wildlifethriftstore.com/
Address: 1295 Granville St, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 682 0381, [email protected]
Like to thrift cool things as you drive from Vancouver to Bellingham? Wildlife Thrift Store is a lively, community-focused shop downtown that we think is worth pulling over.
You’ll find a bunch of gently used clothes, accessories, and shoes—very eco-friendly, we say. We also like the eclectic decor and furniture to improve your space, or the vintage trinkets for souvenirs and presents.
Its inventory is ever-changing too, so we believe it’s like hunting for new treasures every time! On top of that, we adore that it supports local charities. Less guilt for shopaholics out there, in our opinion.
The Shop @ VGH
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Website: https://www.shopvgh.ca/
Address: 899 W 12th Ave, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 875 5895, [email protected]
The Shop @ VGH is a cozy hospital gift shop that supports patient care. It can satisfy your need to shop while contributing to good causes. Win-win!
There are snacks and personal essentials here too. And want to give someone something sweet? We love that you can find something thoughtful, like flowers, cards, plush toys, Indigenous-designed apparel, and local crafts.
Canadian Tire
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Website: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/store-details/bc/s-richmond-bc-610.html
Address: Coppersmith Corner Shopping Centre, 11388 Steveston Hwy, Richmond
Contact Details: +1 604 271 6651
Canadian Tire is a one-stop shop for all things practical. We reckon this store is pretty handy if there’s something suddenly in need of fixing before, during, or after your road trip.
Notable items are tools, auto parts, household goods, paint, outdoor gear, and sporting goods. Besides car care, we believe this is convenient for camping as well. We suggest looking out for frequent deals here too!
Happy People by Bella’s Miracle Shop
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Website: http://www.bellasmiracleshop.com/
Address: 14877 Marine Dr, White Rock
Contact Details: +1 604 536 3711
Are you into tarot, astrology, and the like? Happy People is a gift shop for people who are into spirituality, wellness, and positivity.
You can find a bunch of crystals, gemstones, healing tools, incense, dreamcatchers, and metaphysical books here. But if you’re only about the aesthetics, we like the boho-style clothing and jewelry here too.
Not only that, but this store also has a reader on some days. If you’re curious and willing, why not have your palm read sometime?
Sunlight Market & Vape Shop
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Address: 15783 Marine Dr, White Rock
Contact Details: +1 778 321 8662
Of course, we all need a convenience store along the way. Sunlight Market offers fresh produce, snacks, chilled drinks, and other convenience staples in White Rock.
And since this shop is near the beach, we believe it’s super convenient for beachgoers. It’s also a local favourite if you’re just casually stocking up your essentials.
Where to Stay Along Vancouver to Bellingham
Accent Inns Vancouver Airport
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Website: http://www.accentinns.com/vancouver-airport
Address: 10551 St Edwards Dr, Airport Executive Park, Richmond
Contact Details: +1 604 273 3311, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Book Now
Accent Inns Vancouver Airport is a 3-star hotel with a strategic location if you’re travelling from Vancouver to Bellingham. It’s also 1.9 km from the Richmond Night Market if you need to buy some last-minute things.
Its laid-back rooms come with free internet, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and coffeemakers. But we suggest asking the staff beforehand if you need a kitchenette, since only some rooms offer it. You can also get in-room massages for an extra fee!
Another perk we like is the free airport shuttle. And if you’ve got more time, you can also use its discounted passes to a local sports club.
Delta Hotels Vancouver Delta
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Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yvrdd-delta-hotels-vancouver-delta/overview/
Address: 6005 BC-17A, Delta
Contact Details: +1 604 382 8222
Pricing: $$
Book Now
Delta Hotels Vancouver Delta is a 4-star accommodation accessible to many roadtrippers. This suburban hotel is 20 minutes from the Vancouver International Airport and quite close to the US border, which we reckon is super handy.
The standard rooms have all the usual amenities. Its workspaces with USB ports and wireless charging stations also make it ideal for business travellers, in our opinion. We think the views are pretty cool too, with some overlooking the farmland.
And if you’re looking for more entertainment, we like the Cascades Casino adjacent to it. This already includes a bunch of dining spots in case you spend hours in there.
Best Western Plus Vancouver Airport Hotel
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Website: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.62148.html
Address: 1041 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver
Contact Details: +1 604 263 1555
Pricing: $$
Book Now
Best Western Hotels & Resorts is a 3-star option set off a major road. We think this is convenient for shoppers since it’s 4 km from the Aberdeen Centre mall. If you want more entertainment options, River Rock Casino Resort is 3 km away too!
The simple rooms provide all the usual necessities. But if you need more space for a bigger crew, we suggest considering a suite to get a kitchenette and a sofa bed.
And when you get hungry, there’s an informal dining spot and a warm lounge here. You can also use the 24-hour airport shuttle to make travel a breeze.
Star of the Sea Bed and Breakfast
Website: https://www.staroftheseabandb.ca/
Address: 1107 Fir St, White Rock
Contact Details: +1 604 535 7827, +1 902 223 0140, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Book Now
Star of the Sea is a bed and breakfast in an art deco-style building. This spot is for adults only—perfect for road trips with friends! This B&B is also 3 blocks from Semiahmoo Bay and a 4-minute walk from Ruth Johnson Park.
Moreover, its light and airy suites come with en suite bathrooms, TVs, coffeemakers, and even DVD players for a nostalgic movie night. We also like that it showcases private decks or balconies with ocean and/or mountain views.
Tips When Travelling from Vancouver to Bellingham
Now that you know about the basics of having a Vancouver to Bellingham trip, here are more tips to make it more convenient:
| Download music and shows beforehand. Have a Spotify or Netflix account (or similar apps)? Note that streaming libraries might differ once you cross the border, so save the movies or songs you want to watch later. Look out for ATM fees. Should you need more cash, we recommend using ATMs inside grocery stores like Fred Meyer so you can avoid high surcharges. Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi. Make sure to use a cafe or a mall’s internet service instead of spending so much on roaming fees. If you have several stopovers, we think Starbucks is always a good backup. |
