.jpg)
Seattle is a wonderful city to visit without a car. I know because I have one, and most days, I decide to leave it at home – especially on the days I’m traveling all over town.
The city’s ample and far-reaching transportation options make it easy to explore, even if you wind up in a neighborhood you weren’t expecting to. You don’t have to budget time or money for parking. Kids 18 and under ride our transit systems for free. And let’s be real: you want to try Seattle’s iconic transportation options while you’re here anyway, from the monorail to our state ferries and seaplanes.
I’m a Seattle transit rider and transportation nerd. Here are my recommendations for visitors without cars.
Getting Here | Neighborhoods to Explore | Payment | Itineraries
Getting Here
If you’re flying into SEA Airport, you couldn’t ask for a better connection to the city: the airport’s Link light rail station is an easy, covered walk or roll from the terminal. Trains leave every eight to ten minutes most of the day, and connect to a large and growing network of Seattle’s most enticing neighborhoods (see below). It takes about 40 minutes to get from the airport to downtown, which is quicker and cheaper than rideshare.
Not flying? Consider a train. Amtrak trains arrive at King Street Station every day from Los Angeles, Chicago, Eugene, and Vancouver, B.C. – with more local Sounder trains coming from cities between Lakewood and Everett.
Bus options also abound, whether you’re looking for long-distance transportation on operators like Greyhound and Megabus, or regional transportation on King County Metro, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit (Pierce County), or Community Transit (Snohomish County).
Seattle’s many water transportation options should come as no surprise, with multiple daily ferries to Downtown Seattle from Bremerton and Bainbridge Island, and to Fauntleroy from Southworth and Vashon Island. Water taxis and fast ferries also connect destinations in King and Kitsap Counties, and if you’re coming from Victoria, B.C., consider the FRS Clipper.
Arguably, the most incredible way to land in Seattle is by seaplane. Kenmore Air, Harbour Air, and Friday Harbor Seaplanes fly from locations across western Washington and Canada.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Seattle’s coolest neighborhoods are well-connected to transit. Among them are the downtown neighborhoods served by the Seattle Streetcar, not to mention the broader network of neighborhoods along the Link light rail. If you’ve got some flexibility deciding where to stay, consider neighborhoods that fall along those maps.
The closer you are to downtown, the more transit options you’ll have, especially in immediately adjacent neighborhoods like Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill, and South Lake Union. That said, there are several charming neighborhoods further out with great connections. University District, Beacon Hill, and Columbia City all fall along the light rail and offer fantastic parks, cafes, bars, and shops.
You could also target one of Seattle’s many sought-after neighborhoods served by fast and frequent RapidRide buses, like hip Ballard, leafy Green Lake, quiet Madison Valley, and grungy White Center. West Seattle is another fantastic option, with not only its own RapidRide line, but its own water taxi and ferry terminal.
Pro tips:
- Use the OneBusAway app to see how far away your bus is from a selected stop.
- Don’t forget to check the distance and elevation between your lodging and the main transit stop(s) you’re planning to use. Parts of Seattle are hilly, and AccessMap comes in handy if your navigation app doesn’t show elevation.
- Download the Lime app if you plan to use the many e-bikes and scooters scattered around Seattle. It’s the city’s most prominent operator.
Payment
Welcome news to visitors: you can use an ORCA card on all of Seattle’s transit systems. If you’re planning to take transit for more than one day, I recommend either purchasing an ORCA card in person – they’re available at the airport light rail station – or ordering one before your trip.
No ORCA card? No problem. Use the Transit GO Ticket app to buy day passes or single ride tickets for the same price.
Good to know:
- Visitors 18 and under ride all Seattle transit systems for free.
- The Seattle Monorail is privately operated and charges a $2.00 fee for kids 6-18. Kids 5 and under ride free.
- The Washington State Ferries do not accept day passes.
