Major city · United States
BlaineBlaine, Washington
Base in Blaine only if you want the border, the marinas or Birch Bay: one night, or a half-day stop on the I-5 run to Vancouver.
Blaine is the last town on Interstate 5 before Canada, on Semiahmoo Bay about 35 km north of Bellingham. The Peace Arch and two marinas are the draw; Birch Bay, 8 km south, adds the beach and waterslides. Most travellers pass through in an hour or sleep one night before an early border crossing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (rain and wind)
- Airports
- BLI · YVR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Blaine911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Blaine Police non-emergency360-332-6766
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Blaine, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA small, quiet border town; the real risks are winter storms on the water, unlit roads at night and long border queues.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 360-332-6766 Blaine Police non-emergency
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBLI Bellingham International (Nearest commercial airport, about 30 min south on I-5.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: I-5 runs through town and Birch Bay is 8 km (5 mi) south.A car is the practical choice: I-5 runs through town and Birch Bay is 5 mi (8 km) south.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$12–18
- BeerDraught beer$7–9
- Museum or sight ticketPeace Arch State Park entryFree
- Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$280
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BLI Bellingham International (Nearest commercial airport, about 30 min south on I-5.) · YVR Vancouver International (Across the border in Canada; far more routes, but you cross a border to reach it.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Nov (19 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Blaine: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
15 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
15 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
19 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: I-5 runs through town and Birch Bay is 8 km south. WTA route 75 links Blaine with Ferndale and Bellingham Monday to Saturday; local taxis cover short hops.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min by car
I-5 south, about 35 km (22 mi); or WTA route 75 Monday to SaturdayI-5 south, about 22 mi (35 km); or WTA route 75 Monday to Saturday
Bigger food and museum choice; easy half-day.
Lynden
goDoor to door: About 25 min
WA-548 east, about 16 km (9.9 mi)WA-548 east, about 9.9 mi (16 km)
Dutch-heritage town with bakeries and a small museum.
Ferndale, Washington
goDoor to door: About 20 min
I-5 south, about 16 km (9.9 mi)I-5 south, about 9.9 mi (16 km)
Riverfront town on the way to Bellingham.
Door to door: About 45 min plus two border crossings
Drive north through Canada on BC-99 and back into the US exclave
You cross into Canada and back; bring your passport.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
I-5 south then WA-20 west, about 80 km (50 mi)I-5 south then WA-20 west, about 50 mi (80 km)
Ferry gateway to the San Juan Islands.
Mount Vernon, Washington
goDoor to door: About 50 min
I-5 south, about 55 km (34 mi)I-5 south, about 34 mi (55 km)
Skagit Valley tulips in April; riverfront old town.
Sumas
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
WA-543 north then east, about 20 km (12 mi)WA-543 north then east, about 12 mi (20 km)
Second border crossing; little to see in town itself.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Blaine town centre (Peace Portal Drive)
Walk to the Peace Arch, marinas and restaurants; the practical one-night base.
Semiahmoo Spit
Resort and marina on a spit, about 10 min drive west of the centre; quiet, car needed.
Birch Bay
Beach, waterslides and RV parks, 8 km (5 mi) south off I-5 exit 270; best for families with a car.Beach, waterslides and RV parks, 5 mi (8 km) south off I-5 exit 270; best for families with a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–190 excl. bed
- High
- $190+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| WTA day pass2 × US$3 · check | US$6 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$59 |
| Trip total≈ US$323 per person per day, bed included | US$645 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices before sales tax. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Diner breakfast | $12–18 |
| Fish and chips or a burger | $15–25 |
| Oysters, half dozencheck | $18–24 |
| Draught beer | $7–9 |
| Peace Arch State Park entry | Free |
| Birch Bay Waterslides day ticketcheck; seasonal | $30–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Border waits at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings can run an hour or more at weekends and holidays; check current wait times before you commit.
- You may walk all of Peace Arch Park from either side, but you must exit the way you entered or pass through the checkpoint formally.
- Summer weekends fill Birch Bay lodging; book ahead.
- Winter storms bring wind and rain off the water; the beach and spit are exposed.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Blaine Police non-emergency
- 360-332-6766
Pocket card
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BlaineBlaine, Washington
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Blaine Police non-emergency360-332-6766
Embassy
No embassies in Blaine; nearest consulates in Seattle and Vancouver, BC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- WTA route 75, Blaine → Bellingham: about $1–2, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi in town: $8–15 (check)
- Drive Blaine → Vancouver, BC: about 50 km (31 mi) plus border wait (check)about 31 mi (50 km) plus border wait (check)
Say or show
- Where is the border crossing? — Where is the border crossing?
- How long is the wait? — How long is the wait?
- I have nothing to declare. — I have nothing to declare.
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
US border rules apply at both crossings; carry your passport or visa documents.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Blaine. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (rain and wind) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BLI: last WTA route 75 departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Peace Portal Drive, the Peace Arch loop, Semiahmoo Spit, Birch Bay.
- Place pages with verified hours (Peace Arch State Park, Birch Bay State Park, Birch Bay Waterslides) and eat pages with last orders.
- Border-wait fixtures for the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings so gates A–D can go green.