Getting Around Seattle: Your Comprehensive Guide
Considering its size, getting around Seattle without a car is surprisingly easy. Most neighborhoods on the tourist radar are walkable, although a few, like Capitol Hill and Queen Anne, involve some serious uphill climbs. Getting from one neighborhood to another is generally easy, too, thanks to an extensive and affordable public transportation network.
Of course, getting around by car allows you to explore the city at your own pace, and there’s less risk of getting your hems soaked in Seattle’s famous rain. However, it comes with drawbacks. Therefore, here’s everything you need to know about getting around Seattle.
Driving in Seattle is Not for the Faint of Heart
Seattle’s traffic is disproportionately heavy and chaotic for a city of its size, and parking is scarce and expensive. Add to that the city’s cobbled-together mishmash of skewed grids, the hilly terrain, the inexplicable left-lane freeway exits and the preponderance of one-way streets, and it’s easy to see why driving can be a challenge.
If you’re feeling brave, rental agencies like Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz are available at the Sea-Tac airport. The city also offers share-car services, including Zipcar and GIG. Rules for gas and mileage charges vary, so be sure to read the fine print.
Taxis and Rideshares Can Be Pricey
If you need to get somewhere quickly outside public transit hours— or don’t know how to get from Seattle airport to downtown with all your luggage in tow— taxi cabs and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can help.
While you can try hailing a cab from the street, it’s safer to call and order one. All Seattle taxi cabs operate at the same rate, set by King County, which is USD$2.60 at meter drop, then $2.50 per mile. Reliable taxi services include Seattle Orange Cab, Seattle Yellow Cab, and STITA Taxi.
There may be an additional charge for extra passengers and baggage, and some companies have flat rates for trips from the central business district to the airport. Expect to pay between $40 and $55 for a trip between downtown and the airport.
Buses Are the Budget-Friendly Option
If you’re on a budget, buses are your best friend. Most buses in Seattle are operated by King County Metro Transit, part of the King County Department of Transportation. To make things simple, all bus fares within Seattle city limits are a flat $2.75 for adults. You can pay in cash, with a Metro transfer, or ticket, or with an ORCA card.
You should have the exact fare as drivers don’t carry cash; your fare goes into a fare box. A transfer ticket is valid for three hours from the time of purchase. Most buses can carry two to three bikes.
There are six RapidRide bus routes (A to F). RapidRide buses have limited stops, so they’re faster and more frequent than regular buses, coming every 10 minutes.
Catching the Bus After Hours
If you need public transportation in Seattle after a night out, the city runs Night Owl buses between midnight and 5am on some of the most popular routes.
Between 8pm and 5am, there’s an additional Night Stop service in some areas. You can ask the driver to drop you off at any point along the route—even if it isn’t an official bus stop—to cut down on the distance you need to walk. However, the driver will make this stop at their discretion.
Free Transit for Youth Under 18
Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed the Move Ahead WA package, aimed at improving public transportation and infrastructure in Washington. One of the provisions in this legislation is free transit for youth 18 and under. This means that kids and teens (with a Youth Orca Card or middle school or high school student ID) can ride Seattle’s buses, trains, streetcar, and water taxis for free until their 19th birthday.
Beat Traffic with Link Light Rail
There’s one Link line that operates within Seattle, running from Angle Lake via the Sea-Tac airport and Westlake Station downtown to the Northgate neighborhood. It’s faster than the bus (or car) and runs every 8 to 15 minutes (depending on the time of day) between 5am and 1am, with reduced service on Sundays and holidays.
Fares run from $2.25 to $3.50 depending on the distance traveled.
Take a Train to Everett or Tacoma
Sound Transit operates “Sounder” trains connecting Seattle to its sister cities Tacoma to the south and Everett to the north. Transit takes one to two hours. Fares also depend on how far you travel but are between $3.25 and $5.75 for adults.
Experience Seattle History on the Monorail
The Monorail was originally intended as public transportation but has become a tourist favorite. It only goes one mile, from Westlake Center downtown straight to Seattle Center and back every 10 minutes, from 7:30am to 11pm on weekdays and from 8:30am to 11pm on weekends, with extended hours for arena events and Kraken games.
The Monorail costs $3.25 for adults. You can pay by card or use your ORCA card, as the Monorail doesn’t accept cash.
Hop on a Seattle Streetcar
The revival of the Seattle Streetcar began in 2007 with the opening of the 2.6-mile South Lake Union line that runs between Westlake Center and Lake Union. There are nine stops, and fares are $2.25 for adults. Day passes offer unlimited rides on that day for $4.50.
See Puget Sound from a Ferry or Water Taxi
The most useful inter-neighborhood boat route is the water taxi, which connects the downtown waterfront (Pier 50) with West Seattle’s Seacrest Park and the Alki neighborhood. The water taxi is for foot and bicycle passengers only.
A second water taxi route takes visitors to nearby Vashon Island, with limited bus service on the island.
Test Your Cycling Skills on Seattle’s Hills
Winter might not be the best time for cycling, but you will spot Seattle locals cycling even in the rainy dark. If you can brave the wet, the best non-motor traffic route is the scenic Burke-Gilman Trail, which passes through the northern neighborhoods of the U District, Wallingford, Fremont, and Ballard.
Explore Seattle on Foot
While the monorail was revolutionary, walking is the cheapest and most immersive way to experience Seattle! Most of Seattle’s through traffic is funneled along one of two main arteries, so the central streets aren’t as crowded as you might think.
Accessible Transportation in Seattle
All public buildings must provide wheelchair access and appropriate restroom facilities. Most King County Metro buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, and service animals are allowed on public transport in Seattle.
This article is designed to help you confidently navigate the transportation options in Seattle, ensuring you don’t miss out on the city’s numerous attractions.
