Seattle: Public Transportation
There are several great options for gettting around Seattle and the Central Puget Sound region without a car (see details below). Seattle has an extensive bus system that can be used to travel througout the Puget Sound. The three primary transit providers in the Seattle and Central Puget Sound area are King County Metro, Community Transit, and Sound Transit. In addition to buses, Sound Transit offers commuter rail service between Tacoma, Seattle, Edmonds and Everett. Sound Transit also operates a light rail system that provides convenient service between Sea-Tac Airport and downtown Seattle.
SEE BELOW FOR DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Getting from the airport to downtown Seattle
Sound Transit operates a light rail system that provides convenient service between Sea-Tac Airport and downtown Seattle. Getting to downtown is easy! Light rail has a convenient and affordable service that runs regularly from the airport to downtown. Light rail runs every 7.5 to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 10-15 minutes on the weekend. The train runs all day into and out of downtown Seattle. The train makes regular stops at: Tukwila/International Blvd, Rainier Beach, Othello, Columbia City, Mount Baker, Beacon Hill, SODO, Stadium Station, Int’l District/ Chinatown, Pioneer Square, University Street, and Westlake. Fares run from $2.50-$2.75 (one way). Tickets can be purchased from vending machines with cash and credit cards. Make sure to check out your arrival and departure times to see which times work best for you! View the schedule and map here: Light Rail Schedule. Plan your trip: Trip Planner
Directions from Sea-Tac to Seattle Marriot Waterfront Hotel via public transit
Train - Sound Transit
Depart Seatac Link Light Rail Station (NB) |
Arrive International District Station BAY A (NB AT) |
Walk from International District Station BAY A to S Jackson St & 5th Ave S
1. Walk north on Intl District Station Access Road. |
2. Turn right at Pedestrian Stai. |
3. Walk east on a significant grade on Pedestrian Stai. |
4. Continue on S Jackson St. |
5. Walk west on S Jackson St. |
Bus - King County Metro 99 WATERFRONT
Depart S Jackson St & 5th Ave S (WB, FS) |
Arrive 1st Ave & Lenora St (NB, FS) |
Walk from 1st Ave & Lenora St to 2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle Wa 98121
1. Walk southeast on a significant grade on 1st Ave. |
2. Turn right at Lenora St. |
3. Walk southwest on a significant grade on Lenora St. |
4. Continue on Pedestrian Opas. |
5. Walk southwest on a significant grade on Pedestrian Opas. |
6. Continue on Lenora Street Walk. |
7. Walk southwest on Lenora Street Walk. |
Monorail
Another option within downtown Seattle is the historic Monorail to Seattle Center, site of the 1962 World’s Fair and the landmark Space Needle. The Seattle Center Monorail operates daily, with departures every 10 minutes from the station at Seattle Center, (across from the Space Needle) and from Westlake Center Mall, at Fifth and Pine Street. Each trip takes two minutes to cover the 1 mile route. Each train can carry up to 450 passengers per trip. The Monorail provides two-train service during special events and activities, with departures every five minutes or less.
Waterfront Streetcar Line
The Waterfront Streetcar Line (bus route 99) is a free transit bus that goes from the Internation District and Pioneer Square north up 1st Ave to Broad Street. Getting off near Broad street will allow you to walk a few blocks to the space needle. It goes west on Broad St giving you a chance to visit the Olympic Sculpture Park and the waterfront. Then it goes south along the waterfront (Alaskan Way) past the Clipper peir, Bell Harbor Convention Center, Aquarium, Argosy cruises, and ferry docks back to the Pioneer Square area. It is very convenient for visiting the Klondike Gold Rush Museum or to go to the Underground Tours in Pioneer Square. Route 99 is free at all times, even though it goes outside the 'ride free' area described below.
Seattle Streetcar - South Lake Union LIne
The Seattle Streetcar - Southlake Union Line is a 2.6 mile route that runs from Westlake Center to the South Lake Union Neighborhood. A good option for travel to/from hotels in the South Lake Union area, the new Lake Union Waterfront Park, the Center for Wooden Boats or the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Transit Outside Seattle
Traveling outside of downtown Seattle? Not a problem. Plan your trip online with a regional trip planner. Just type in your location within King, Pierce or Snohomish counties and your destination. The trip planner will give you several options for getting there.
Ride Free Area -- transit buses
The great news for visitors is that downtown Seattle is a "ride free" zone. Hop on (almost) any bus within downtown Seattle’s central business district and you can ride within the downtown area without paying a fare. Bus stops within the ride free zone are clearly marked with a "Ride Free" placard, and bus drivers announce when their bus is leaving the ride free zone. Ride Free ends approximately 7pm. Use the trip planner to find the bus to take, and the fare shown will be $0.00 if you are within the ride free area. Here is a map of the free ride zone.
http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/bus/...
Ferries
From downtown Seattle, you can also take advantage of the Washington State Ferry System and take a scenic ferry ride to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton. Beautiful Whidbey Island and Deception Pass State Park are also accessible via ferries departing from Mukilteo, about 30 minutes drive north of downtown Seattle. Washington State ferries take both cars and passengers. From downtown, the ferries leave from Colman Dock at pier 52, at the end of Madison Street.
King County Water Taxi operates passenger ferries to West Seattle and Vashon Island from downtown, leaving from pier 50 just south of the State ferry dock at the end of Yesler Way.
Driving Directions
SOUTHBOUND – I-5
Take exit 167 (W. Mercer Street/Fairview Ave)
Turn right onto Fairview Avenue
Take the first left onto Valley Street
Stay left; Valley Street merges into Broad Street
Continue on Broad Street to Alaskan Way
and turn left
Once you pass the Bell Street Pier, the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel will be on your left.
HIGHWAY 99 SOUTHBOUND
Take Western Avenue Exit (right after you pass the tunnel, the exit is on your right)
Turn right at Wall Street
Turn left on to Alaskan Way
The Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel
will be on your left.
NORTHBOUND I-5 from SEATAC INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Follow street signs onto Interstate 5 North.
Follow Interstate 5 North into downtown Seattle
Take Dearborn/James/Madison Street exit
Follow directional signs to Madison Street
Turn Left at first stop light onto Madison Street
Continue on Madison Street
Turn Right on Alaskan Way
Continue on Alaskan Way for ¾ mile
HIGHWAY 99 NORTHBOUND
Take the Senaca Street Exit
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
Turn right onto Madison Street
Turn right onto Alaskan Way
The Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel
will be on your right