Seattle Airport to the City Centre – Transport Guide

Seattle Airport is officially called Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, but everyone just calls it Sea-Tac or SEA. It lies in the suburb of SeaTac, about 22 kilometres south of the centre, and getting from Seattle Airport to the city centre is easy. Link light rail’s 1 Line runs from a station by the airport’s car park to Westlake in the heart of Downtown in about 40 minutes, and a journey costs $3 (around £2.25) however far you go. The train is the best choice for most people, whether you’re staying in Downtown, near Pike Place Market or in Pioneer Square.

If you land late, there are several of you with lots of luggage, or you’re heading straight to a cruise ship, a taxi, Uber or Lyft can be worth the money, and they all pick up in the car park opposite the terminal. Here you’ll find every option with prices, journey times and exactly where to find them: light rail, the ORCA card, buses, taxis, Uber and Lyft, shuttle buses, transfers and hire cars. I also explain how to get on to the cruise terminals at Pier 66 and Pier 91 and to the Amtrak trains at King Street Station.

Quick overview: Seattle Airport to the city centre

• Link light rail (1 Line): $3 (around £2.25), about 40 minutes to Westlake, departures every 8 to 15 minutes from around 5am to 1am Monday to Saturday and from 6am to midnight on Sundays.
• ORCA card: $3 (around £2.25) for the card itself, but you can also simply pay with your contactless bank card or phone at the card reader.
• Buses: $3 (around £2.25), but none of them run directly to Downtown. They’re only useful if you’re going to Bellevue, Renton or south of the airport.
• Taxi: $50 to $70 (around £35 to £50) to Downtown, 25 to 40 minutes without traffic, from the 3rd floor of the car park.
• Uber and Lyft: about $40 to $70 (around £30 to £50) depending on demand, pick-up in the middle of the 3rd floor of the car park.
• Shuttle and transfer: shared shuttle buses from about $30 (around £22) per person and private transfers from about $37 (around £28) per person.
• Hire car: all the rental companies are based in a shared Rental Car Facility, which you reach on free shuttle buses around the clock. Great for Mount Rainier and Olympic, unnecessary in the centre.

How to find the transport at the airport

Sea-Tac has one large main terminal where all flights arrive, and whether you’re coming off a domestic flight or from Europe, you’ll end up in the baggage hall on the lowest level. The most important thing to understand is that almost all transport doesn’t stop in front of the terminal but in the big car park directly opposite. You get there via the skybridges, which are one floor above the baggage hall and one floor below check-in, and from there you just follow the signs.

If you’re taking the train, go up to the 4th floor, cross the skybridge to the car park and follow the Link light rail signs through the northern end of the building to SeaTac/Airport station. Allow 5 to 10 minutes’ walk with your suitcase, and if you’d rather ride, a free Train-to-Plane shuttle runs between the station and the middle of the car park from 5am to midnight. Taxis wait on the 3rd floor of the car park at the north and south kerbs, Uber and Lyft pick up in the middle of the same floor, and the hotels’ free shuttle buses stop at Islands 1 and 2 on the 3rd floor. The shuttle buses to the car hire facility, however, stop just outside the baggage hall at the north and south ends of the terminal. Step-by-step directions to the station are available from Port of Seattle, which runs the airport.

1. Link light rail (1 Line) to Westlake and Downtown

The light rail is the easiest and cheapest way to get from Seattle Airport to the city centre. The train is called Link and is run by Sound Transit, and the line from the airport is the 1 Line. From SeaTac/Airport station you head north through Tukwila, Rainier Valley and SODO, and after Stadium the train enters the tunnel under Downtown, calling at International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, Symphony and Westlake. The journey to Westlake takes about 40 minutes, and the train then continues to Capitol Hill, University of Washington, U District and on towards Lynnwood.

According to Visit Seattle, trains run every 8 to 15 minutes depending on the time of day, from 5am to 1am Monday to Saturday and from 6am to midnight on Sundays and public holidays. During engineering works, trains may run on a single track for a while or be replaced by buses on parts of the route, so check Sound Transit’s service alerts if you land late. There’s plenty of room for suitcases on board, and you can stand with your luggage by the doors if it’s busy.

Fares and tickets

A ride on Link costs 3 dollars (around £2.25) for adults, however far you travel, and children and young people aged 18 and under ride free. You pay before going up to the platform, and you don’t need to tap out when you get off. There are three ways to pay. The easiest for tourists is to hold your contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express card, or your phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay, against one of the round ORCA-card readers at the entrance to the platform. Each person needs their own card or phone, and if you use the same card for your next journey within two hours, the transfer is free. It’s all explained in ORCA’s questions and answers about Tap to Pay.

The second option is the ORCA-card itself, the shared travel card for light rail, buses, streetcars and ferries across the whole Seattle-area. The card costs 3 dollars (around £2.25), and you buy and top it up at the ticket machines on the station mezzanine, which take cash, Visa and Mastercard. It makes most sense if you’re staying several days and will also be using the ferries or buses. The third option is Sound Transit’s Transit GO Ticket app, where you buy your ticket on your phone and show it if there’s an inspection. The machines also sell ordinary paper tickets for a single or return journey. Fares and payment methods are listed on Sound Transit.

Where should you get off?

International District/Chinatown: The first stop under Downtown and the station for you if you’re continuing on Amtrak from King Street Station, just a few minutes’ walk away. It’s also the easiest place to change to the 2 Line towards Bellevue and Redmond on the other side of Lake Washington. If you’re staying by the stadiums or want to sleep close to the railway station, you can see prices for Silver Cloud Hotel Seattle Stadium here, which is by the stadiums about a 10-minute walk from the station and has a rooftop pool.

Pioneer Square: The city’s oldest neighbourhood, with brick buildings, galleries and Smith Tower. From here it’s a short walk down to the waterfront and the ferries at Colman Dock. The area is pleasant during the day, but there are many homeless people on the streets around the station, so bear that in mind if you’re walking back alone late at night.

Symphony: The station in the middle of Downtown by the Benaroya Hall concert venue and Seattle Art Museum. From here it’s about a 5-minute walk down to the waterfront and Pike Place Market, so it’s a good stop if your hotel is on 1st, 2nd or 3rd Avenue between University Street and Pike Street.

Westlake: The stop most tourists need. You come up by the Westlake Center shopping centre and Westlake Park square in the heart of the shopping district, and from here it’s about a 5-minute walk to Pike Place Market. This is also where the monorail runs from Westlake Center to Seattle Center and the Space Needle for 4 dollars (around £3). Hotel Theodore is a few minutes’ walk from the station, and you can see prices for Hotel Theodore here. If you’re unsure which part of the city suits you best, read my guide to where to stay in Seattle, where I go through the areas and hotels in several price ranges.

Capitol Hill and U District: If you’re staying in Capitol Hill, with its cafés and bars, or near the University of Washington, just stay on the train. Capitol Hill is one stop after Westlake, and U District is about 50 minutes from the airport.

2. Buses from Seattle Airport

Let me say it straight away: there’s no regular bus from the airport directly to Downtown Seattle, as the light rail has taken over that role. The buses from the airport are regional routes that only make sense if you’re heading somewhere other than the centre. Most stop on International Blvd and S 176th St right by the light rail-station, so you take the same route through the car park and on down to the street.

King County Metro’s RapidRide A Line express bus runs south along International Blvd to Federal Way, and Sound Transit’s ST Express 560 runs via Renton to Bellevue. Alternatively, you can take the light rail into the city and change to the 2 Line towards Bellevue. If you’re going to Tacoma, take the 1 Line south to Federal Way and change to a bus there. Like the train, the buses cost 3 dollars (around £2.25) for adults, and you pay with an ORCA-card, contactless bank card, Transit GO Ticket or the exact amount in cash, as the driver doesn’t give change. If you’re not sure of the route, ask at the Ground Transportation-desk on the 3rd floor of the car park.

3. Taxi from Seattle Airport

Taxis wait on the 3rd floor of the car park at the north and south kerbs, and you get there by crossing the skybridge and going down one floor. Staff at the rank will direct you to a car, and there are nearly always enough taxis, even at night. Never accept offers from people who approach you inside the terminal, as they are unlicensed drivers.

Seattle has two types of airport taxi. Metered taxis have a three-digit vehicle number and are a single colour, and they charge by distance and time. Flat-rate taxis have a four-digit vehicle number and are two colours, and they charge a fixed fare based on the postcode you’re going to. So ask about the price before you set off. According to Visit Seattle, a ride between the airport and Downtown costs 50 to 70 dollars (around £35 to £50), plus a tip of 15 to 20 per cent, which is entirely normal in the USA. The journey takes 25 to 40 minutes without traffic, but in rush hour on I-5 it can easily take an hour.

Taxis accept cash, bank cards and most mobile payments. There are also vans seating 11 people and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Honestly, a taxi is expensive compared with the 3-dollar train, so it makes most sense if there are three or four of you with lots of luggage, if you land after the last train, or if you’re going somewhere the light rail doesn’t come near.

4. Uber and Lyft

Uber and Lyft are popular in Seattle and often a little cheaper than a taxi. Pick-up is in the middle of the 3rd floor of the car park, the same floor as the taxis, and you follow the App Based Ride Share signs from baggage claim and across the skybridge. Only book once you have your luggage and are on your way across the skybridge, and wait until your car has stopped before you walk out to it. Only Uber Black picks up at a door outside baggage claim, which you choose in the app.

The fare depends on demand, so expect to pay around 40 to 70 dollars (around £30 to £50) to Downtown, and more late in the evening when lots of flights land at once, or if there’s a game on at the stadiums. Between 8 pm and midnight the arrivals area is often very crowded. The advantage is that you know the price before you get in, and you don’t have to explain the address. You tip in the app afterwards.

5. Shuttle and private transfer

A shared shuttle is a halfway house between the train and a taxi, where you share a minibus with other travellers heading to hotels in the same area. According to Visit Seattle, Premier Airport Shuttle runs to the hotels in Downtown from around 30 dollars (around £22) per person, and the company also runs scheduled transfers to the cruise ships. If you’re staying at one of the airport hotels, most run free shuttle buses, which stop at Islands 1 and 2 on the 3rd floor of the car park.

If you’re travelling further afield, Airporter Shuttle runs from Arrivals Drive at door 02 at the southern end of baggage claim north to places such as Bellingham and Anacortes, where the ferries to the San Juan-Islands depart, and east to Ellensburg and Yakima. The desk is at door 00. You’ll find an overview of the shuttle companies on the Port of Seattle website.

A private transfer is a pre-booked car with a driver who meets you at the airport and drives you straight to your hotel door for a fixed price. It’s a nice option if you’re travelling with children, landing in the middle of the night or simply don’t want to find your own way after a long flight from Europe. On GetYourGuide, prices start from around 37 dollars (around £28) per person to the city centre.

Book a private transfer from Seattle Airport here.

The transfer must be booked at least 10 hours in advance. Enter your flight number when you book so the driver can keep track of any delays, and remember that getting through passport control can take a long time when you land from Europe.

6. Car hire from Seattle Airport

All the car hire companies at Sea-Tac are based in a shared Rental Car Facility at 3150 S 160th St north of the airport, so you don’t collect the car at the terminal. Free shuttle buses run round the clock from two stops just outside baggage claim at the northern and southern ends of the terminal, and it’s a short ride. In summer and late in the evening, when lots of flights land, there can be queues both for the bus and at the desks, so allow plenty of time. You can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com, and remember to check whether an additional driver and insurance are included in the price, as they often aren’t in the USA.

From the rental facility, you take SR 518 to I-5 and continue north to Downtown in 25 to 40 minutes without traffic. A car is excellent if you want to see Mount Rainier, the rainforest and coast in Olympic National Park, North Cascades or drive on down the West Coast, and if you want to combine Seattle with other places, I’ve rounded up the best cities and parks in my guide to where to stay in the USA. Inside Seattle, though, a car is more of a hindrance. Parking in Downtown often costs around 40 to 60 dollars (around £30 to £45) a day at the hotels, and traffic on I-5 is heavy for most of the day. My recommendation is therefore to stay in the city without a car and only pick it up on the day you leave town. To return the car, follow the Rental Car Return signs as you approach the airport.

Onwards to the cruise terminals at Pier 66 and Pier 91

Seattle is one of the biggest ports for Alaska cruises, and ships sail from two terminals. Bell Street Cruise Terminal on Pier 66 sits right on the Downtown waterfront close to Pike Place Market, and this is where Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania, among others, sail from. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal on Pier 91 lies north of the centre near Magnolia, and here you’ll find Holland America, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Cunard, among others. Always check your ticket to see which terminal your ship departs from, as they are not within walking distance of each other.

If you’ve booked a transfer through the cruise line, head to baggage claim and follow the signs for the cruise bus, where the cruise line’s staff will direct you to the right coach. Otherwise, a taxi, Uber or Lyft from the 3rd floor of the car park is the easiest option, and according to Port of Seattle the journey from the airport to the terminals takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. The fare is usually a little higher than the trip to Downtown, especially to Pier 91.

The cheapest option is the light rail to Westlake and onwards from there. To Pier 66 it’s around a 20-minute walk downhill through Pike Place Market or about 6 minutes by car, and Pier 91 is roughly 15 minutes by car from Westlake. With large suitcases, I’d take a taxi or Uber for the last stretch. At Pier 91, taxis drop you at the terminal entrance, while Uber and Lyft stop about a 10-minute walk away, where a free shuttle runs.

If you land the day before departure, which I strongly recommend so you don’t risk missing the ship because of a delay, the easiest thing is to stay close to the terminal. Seattle Marriott Waterfront is right opposite Pier 66, and you can see prices for Seattle Marriott Waterfront here. Both terminals offer same-day luggage storage for $5 (around £4) per suitcase if you have a late flight home after your cruise, and bags must be collected by 3pm. If you’re flying home with Alaska, Delta, Southwest or United, you can sign up on board for the free Port Valet scheme and send your suitcases straight from the ship to the plane.

Onwards by Amtrak from King Street Station

Seattle’s long-distance trains depart from the beautiful old King Street Station with its clock tower on the southern edge of Downtown, right by Pioneer Square and the stadiums. From the airport, take the 1 Line to International District/Chinatown and walk a couple of minutes across the street to the station, so the whole journey takes under an hour. A taxi straight from the airport costs roughly the same as to the rest of Downtown. The station has a large waiting hall, and the Sounder commuter train to Tacoma and Everett also runs from here.

The most popular train for tourists is Amtrak Cascades, which runs north to Vancouver in Canada in about 4 hours and south to Portland in about 3.5 hours and on to Eugene. The route to Vancouver follows the coast for much of the way and is a lovely journey, and you go through passport control at the border, so have your passport ready. You’ll find timetables and tickets at Amtrak Cascades, and fares rise closer to departure, so book well in advance. If you’re heading across the border, I have a guide to where to stay in Vancouver.

The long-distance Amtrak trains also depart from King Street. The Coast Starlight runs all the way down the West Coast to Los Angeles, and the Empire Builder crosses the Rocky Mountains to Chicago, and both journeys take more than a day. See the routes and station opening hours at Amtrak. If you’re continuing south, you can read my guide to where to stay in San Francisco, and one on where to stay in Los Angeles.

Getting back to the airport

From Downtown, take the 1 Line southbound towards Federal Way from Westlake, Symphony, Pioneer Square or International District/Chinatown. Be careful not to board a 2 Line train towards Bellevue and Redmond, which runs from the same stations, so look for 1 Line and Federal Way on the sign. Get off at SeaTac/Airport after about 40 minutes and walk through the car park and across the footbridge to check-in. Allow an hour from your hotel in Downtown until you’re standing in the terminal.

The first train runs at around 5am on weekdays and 6am on Sundays, so if you have a very early flight, a taxi, Uber or Lyft is the safe option. Both can be booked in advance, and you’ll be dropped at the departures level. In the morning between 6am and 8am there’s often a queue at the drop-off, so give yourself extra time. If you’re returning a hire car, follow the Rental Car Return signs and then take the shuttle bus to the terminal, which can easily add 15 to 20 minutes.

Security at Sea-Tac can have long queues in the mornings and during the summer months, so arrive at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before a flight to Europe. If your flight is before 6am, it can be worth staying by the airport on your last night. Cedarbrook Lodge is set in a green area a few minutes from the terminal and has a free airport shuttle, and you can see prices for Cedarbrook Lodge here.

Seattle Airport to the city centre: which option should you choose?

Here’s my recommendation based on where you’re staying and when you land:

Downtown, Pike Place Market and Belltown: Take the light rail to Westlake or Symphony for $3 (around £2). You’ll be there in about 40 minutes and can walk to most hotels. Belltown is a 10 to 15-minute walk from Westlake.

Pioneer Square and the stadiums: Light rail to Pioneer Square or International District/Chinatown in about 35 minutes, and you’re there.

Capitol Hill and U District: Stay on the 1 Line after Westlake. It’s far cheaper than a taxi, which can easily cost around $60 to $80 (around £45 to £60) that far north.

Cruise from Pier 66 or Pier 91: With lots of luggage, a taxi or Uber straight from the airport is easiest. If you’re travelling light, the light rail to Westlake followed by a short taxi ride or the walk to Pier 66 is the cheapest.

Onwards by Amtrak: Light rail to International District/Chinatown and a couple of minutes’ walk to King Street Station.

If you land at night: The last train runs at around 1am Monday to Saturday and around midnight on Sundays. If you land later, a taxi, Uber or Lyft from the 3rd floor of the car park are your realistic options.

3 to 4 people with lots of luggage: Here a taxi at $50 to $70 (around £35 to £50) can easily pay off compared with four train tickets, and you won’t have to drag your suitcases through the car park.

Road trip: Take the shuttle bus to the Rental Car Facility and drive straight out of the city, or wait to pick up the car until you’ve finished with Seattle.

Practical tips for getting from Seattle Airport to the city centre

Pay for the train with your bank card. You don’t need to buy an ORCA card for a short holiday. Tap your contactless card or your phone on the card reader before you go up to the platform, and use the same card throughout your trip to get free transfers within two hours. If you have problems with a UK card, buy a ticket from the machine instead.

Think car park, not terminal. Taxis, Uber, Lyft, hotel shuttles and the route to the train all go through the car park opposite the terminal. The only exception is the shuttle buses to the car hire centre, which stop just outside baggage claim.

Expect queues at passport control. If you’re landing from Europe, you’ll have to go through US passport control, and that can take anything from 15 minutes to over an hour. So don’t book a tight onward connection with Amtrak or a cruise the same afternoon, and remember that you need an approved ESTA before you fly.

Remember to tip. In the US, people tip taxi drivers and shuttle drivers 15 to 20 per cent, and with Uber and Lyft you tip in the app. This isn’t included in the prices you see on the taxi meter.

Don’t go with strangers. People offering you a ride inside baggage claim are not authorised drivers. Head to the pick-up area on the 3rd floor, and only get into the Uber or Lyft whose number plate matches the one in the app.

Check for match days. If there’s a game or concert at Lumen Field or T-Mobile Park, the trains and roads around Stadium and International District/Chinatown fill up, and Uber prices go up. If you have a flight the same evening, set off in good time.

Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇

• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers

Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?