Bellingham is located 90 miles north of Seattle, offering several travel options to suit different preferences and budgets.
TRAVEL OPTION | CONVENIENCE | COST | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|
Fly Directly to BLI
(Bellingham International Airport)
| High | High | • Airport is 15 minutes from downtown |
• Taxi/Lyft available (no Uber) | |||
• Ride to downtown ~$25 | |||
• Limited flight options but direct | |||
• Served by Alaska Airlines and Allegiant | |||
Fly to SEA
(Seattle-Tacoma International Airport) | Medium | Lower | Additional 90-mile journey to Bellingham required |
• Connection options from SEA: | |||
- Bellair Airporter Shuttle ($50, 2hrs) | |||
- Rental car (1.5-2hrs drive) | |||
- Amtrak Cascades train ($25-40, 2.5hrs) | |||
Getting to Bellingham
Tips for Different Options:
Connection Options from Seattle
Weather Note
FLYING TO BLI
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Book early as flights can be limited
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Consider coordinating arrivals with other guests for shared rides
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Most convenient option if direct flights are available from your location
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Uber is not contracted for pickup/drop off at BLI
FLYING TO SEA
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Often more economical despite additional transport needed
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More flexible scheduling with multiple daily flights
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Good option for international travelers
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Consider coordinating with other guests for shared rental cars
DRIVING
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Ideal if you plan to explore the region
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Free parking available throughout Bellingham, paid parking in Downtown & Fairhaven districts
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Scenic detour options:
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Chuckanut Drive (adds 30 min, very scenic)
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Whidbey Island route (via ferry, adds 1-2 hours)
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TRAIN/BUS
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Most economical options
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Relaxing journey with scenic views
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Limited schedules - plan ahead
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Amtrak station is in downtown Seattle and requires use of Sound Transit light rail from SeaTac Airport to downtown
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Amtrak arrives at Fairhaven Station in South Bellingham.
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Bellair Airporter Shuttle arrives at Four Points Sheraton in South Bellingham and BLI in North Bellingham (location of car rental agencies.)
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Greyhound Bus station is in downtown Seattle and requires use of Sound Transit light rail from SeaTac Airport to downtown train station then a .6 mile walk to bus station.
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Greyhound Bus arrives at Fairhaven Station in South Bellingham.
July typically offers the best weather for travel, with minimal rain and clear conditions. However, we recommend building in some buffer time for any travel delays. The average daytime temperatures in Bellingham are in the mid 70's with overnight lows in the mid 50's. It is not uncommon for the Pacific Northwest to experience a heat wave in mid-July, with temperatures in Bellingham reaching into the mid 80s.
