Link Light Rail

Sound Transit’s Link light rail 1 Line makes trips from Angle Lake Station to Northgate through downtown Seattle making 17 stops along the way, including downtown Seattle and SEA Airport. Trains arrive every 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day, and take about 40 minutes to travel between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Westlake Station in downtown Seattle. The Lynwood Link Extension is expected to open in August 2024.

Schedule:
Mon-Sat, 5:00am–1:00am
Sun and holidays, 6:00am–midnight

Adult Fare: $2.25–$3.50; as of fall 2024, this will change to a flat $3 fare for all trips. more >>

soundtransit.org

King County Metro Transit

King County Metro Transit provides bus service in downtown Seattle and outlying neighborhoods in King county. Download the mobile app for on-the-go transit information, available for iPhone and Android.

Schedule:
Timetables and route maps can be found on the King County Metro Transit website.

Adult Fare: $2.75 (ORCA cards; exact cash, Transit Go Tickets); more >>

kingcounty.gov

ORCA Cards

These transit passes can be used on streetcars, light rail, buses, and more. ORCA cards cost $3; load an all-day regional transit pass onto an ORCA card for $8. Transit pass value covers $3.50 per ride.

orcacard.com

Seattle Streetcars

South Lake Union:

The line connects the South Lake Union neighborhood to Seattle’s vibrant downtown core, consisting of 1.3 miles, nine stops, and full of shops and restaurants as well as Lake Union’s 12-acre waterfront park.

Schedule:
Mon-Fri, 6am-9pm
Sat, 7am-9pm
Sun & holidays, 10am-7pm

No service on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

First Hill:

This line consists of 10 stops and stretches 2.5 miles, connecting to Link light rail at the Capitol Hill and International District stations, the Sounder Commuter Rail and Amtrak intercity rail at the King Street Station, and Metro Transit buses at several points.

Schedule:
Mon-Fri, 5:00am-10:30pm
Sat, 6:00am-10:30pm
Sun & holidays, 10:00am-8:00pm

Adult Fare: $2.25 (coins, credit, ORCA cards); $4.50 (all-day pass); more >>

seattle.gov/transportation/getting-around/transit/streetcar

Seattle Center Monorail

The iconic Seattle Center Monorail travels between Westlake Center in downtown and Seattle Center at the base of Queen Anne hill. Trains depart every 10 minutes and the trip takes only 3 minutes each way. One-way fare for adults is $3.50. Schedules, information and FAQs are on the Seattle Center Monorail website.

Schedule:
Mon-Thur, 7:30am-9:00pm
Fri, 7:30am-11:00pm
Sat, 8:30-11:00pm
Sun, 8:30am-9:00pm

(Extended service in summer and for events at Climate Pledge Arena)

Fare: $3.00 (one way; ORCA cards accepted)

seattlemonorail.com

Taxis, Limos, Town Cars & Ride Sharing

At SEA Airport, taxis and ride-sharing companies are available on the third floor of the parking garage. One-way rides between the airport and downtown range from $50-$70. To arrange for a limo, town car or taxi ride in advance, use any of the travelers’ information boards in baggage claim or visit the ground transportation information booth on the third floor of the parking garage. Contact our destination services team at the Seattle Visitor Center for referrals for specific transportation companies based on your personal travel needs.

In downtown Seattle, Lyft, Uber, and metered taxis offer in-city transportation from local drivers. All rides can be scheduled using smartphone apps.

Rental Cars & Car Sharing

All car rental companies providing service at SEA Airport are located in the off-site car-rental facility. Dedicated shuttle buses run 24/7 to pick up passengers outside baggage claim at the north and south ends of the main terminal. If you prefer to enjoy the city using public transit when first arriving, car rentals are available at multiple downtown Seattle locations. Ask our Seattle Visitor Center team for referrals and assistance, or view a list of our rental car members here.

Visitors can rent vehicles by the hour from Zipcar or by the minute from GIG Car Share, an on-demand, eco-conscious one-way car sharing option powered by AAA.

Shuttles & Courtesy Vehicles

Ride-share, door-to-door vans, and airport shuttle services are available to passengers at the Ground Transportation Plaza on the third floor in the SEA Airport parking garage. Premier Airport Shuttle Seattle offers shared and private shuttle service starting from $34.35 per person to Downtown Seattle hotels and also offers regularly scheduled Seattle cruise ship transfers. Hotel courtesy shuttles pick up and drop off passengers on the 3rd floor of the airport parking garage at Islands 1 & 2.

Bike & Scooter Sharing

Seattle is a bike and scooter-friendly city. If you’re visiting, it’s easy to find a ride no matter where you are for a fun and fast option of transportation; accessed through app-based services like Bird, Lime, and Veo. It allows for on-demand personal transport priced by the minute.

Travel by Rail

Five train routes service Seattle’s King Street Station, just south of downtown. Sound Transit’s Sounder commuter train spans Everett, north of Seattle, to Lakewood, south of Tacoma. Amtrak has three routes: Coast Starlight travels between Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles. Amtrak Cascades travels between Vancouver, BC; Seattle; Tacoma; Portland; Salem; and Eugene. Empire Builder travels between Chicago; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Spokane; Portland; and Seattle. Rocky Mountaineer offers a high-end travel option between Seattle; Vancouver, BC; and the Canadian Rockies.

Parking

Paid street parking and parking garages, both covered and outdoor, provide visitors with ample options when driving into downtown.

Paid street parking is in effect Monday-Saturday and is generally limited to 2, 4, or 10 hours (all-day). Learn more about paid street parking here.

You can find convenient and affordable parking garages at downtownseattle.org/parking or through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservations app. With SpotHero, search for daily, weekly, or monthly parking facilities and enjoy the convenience of booking a parking spot at your destination ahead of time, ensuring you have a space when you arrive.