Seattle is a wonderful Pacific Northwest city to visit; however, Inrix ranked Seattle 10th in the United States for traffic congestion and 27th in the world. If you’re flying into the Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac), you may be wondering about the best ways to get to Downtown Seattle now that you’re aware of that traffic statistic. You’ve got several options to make your way from the airport to downtown more pleasant. Keep reading to learn more.
1. Rent a Car
When you visit car rental Seattle Airport, you give yourself the freedom to be in charge of your time. You can come and go at your leisure and have trunk space to haul your amazing Seattle finds along with your luggage. The only thing you’ll have to worry about is finding a parking space, and that shouldn’t be too difficult. All the major rental car companies operate out of an off-site facility at SeaTac. Just hop on the free Rental Car Courtesy Shuttle at either the north or south end of the terminal on the lower drive of the baggage claim level, and you’ll be there in five minutes.
2. Ride the Light Rail
The light rail is about a 10 minute walk from the airport, and it is by far the most economical option for getting downtown. You can also access the light rail on the Train-to-Plane complimentary shuttle that operates from 5 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Getting to the last stop will take about 30 to 45 minutes, bringing you to Westlake Center. Sound Transit’s Link light rail extends from Angle Lake to Northgate, so you’ll be able to navigate downtown Seattle and see all of the sights you have on your list. You’ll have access to South Seattle neighborhoods, the stadium district, University of Washington, and Capitol HIll.
3. Rideshare Service
Request an Uber or Lyft and catch your ride on the 3rd floor of the airport parking garage in the purple and orange sections, stalls 1 through 34. If you order a premium Uber, you’ll get picked up at the baggage claim-level door of your choice. You will find signage throughout the airport that will help guide you.
4. Taxi
You’ll find both metered and flat-rate taxis at SeaTac. Flat-rate taxis charge by the zip code. You can recognize these taxis by their bicolored vehicles and four-digit vehicle number. Metered taxis will charge you by the mile/time and can be identified by their solid color and three-digit vehicle number. You can catch a taxi on the 3rd floor of the parking garage on the north and south curb. Various payment methods are accepted, so check with your specific driver.
5. Airporter
If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or a larger group, an airporter is the best way to get downtown. There are several operators, so you’ll need to contact your operator of choice once you have collected all of your luggage or your group is all together with their belongings. Premier Airport Shuttle and Shuttle Express are two options.
6. Limousine or Private Car Service
Hiring a private car is a great way to keep things simple and get around efficiently. They will pick you up at the baggage claim-level door of your choice.
Now that you’ve got the lay of the land, you can feel more confident getting from Seattle Airport to Downtown Seattle and begin your next adventure. Seattle is a vibrant city with plenty of charm and history. Enjoy your trip!
