How To Get From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Downtown Seattle [2024]

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), or Sea-Tac, is about 14 miles from downtown Seattle, and there are several methods of transport to get between the 2. One of the most convenient ways to get into the city is by light rail, or you can utilize a ride-share service, taxi, or shared van.

The airport is a very busy West Coast hub for Alaska Airlines and serves as a gateway city for many flights departing to Asia and Alaska. Seattle is home to Amazon and Microsoft and is a major production location for Boeing, so you’ll find a good deal of business travelers transiting the airport each and every day, with many of them headed into downtown Seattle.

In this post, we’ll take a look at the different modes of transport, pricing, and which makes the most sense for you.

Cost Comparison

1. Sound Transit

The easiest way to get to downtown Seattle is using Sound Transit’s light rail system, the #1 line. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has its own dedicated station, SeaTac/Airport Station, and the best part is that it’s walkable from the main terminal.

When you leave the terminal, follow the signs for the light rail. If you’re on the ticketing level, you’ll head down into the garage, and if you’re on the baggage pickup level, you’ll head up to the garage. From there, head right. You’ll see lots of signage leading the way, and you’ll walk around the garage to the station. It’s a covered walkway, so even if the weather is bad outside, you’ll still be protected.

One convenient feature of this station is that there are free golf cart rides from the terminal to the light rail station, which runs on an as-needed basis. You’ll see airport workers driving the carts back and forth, and if you need a ride, simply flag them down and hop onboard. There’s a small storage area on the back for your luggage. The walk will take you less than 5 minutes, but the carts are handy for those who may have mobility issues.

Once you arrive at the station, you can purchase your tickets at one of the designated fare machines or on your phone, and you’ll need to tap your ticket against one of the readers when you’re ready to head to the platform. Seattle uses an “honor system” for collecting fares. While there are no turnstiles or gates, you’ll find fare enrichment officers making random inspections on trains, so you don’t want to be caught without a ticket as the fines are very hefty.

Once you get off the train, you’ll tap your ticket on the reader at the arrival station to calculate your fare. It’s $3 for a one-way ride from the airport.

2. Ride-Share

If you’re getting a ride-share, you’ll meet your car at the on-site parking garage. Head to the third floor, looked for the marked area, and you’ll see numbered spots (1 to 34) in the orange and purple sections.

Uber or Lyft rides to downtown are not cheap, and average around $60 for the one-way journey. You should only consider a ride-share if you have heavy luggage or are with multiple passengers.

Traffic can also be quite bad from the airport heading into downtown, so while the ride will only be about 25 minutes without traffic, it might be longer depending on the congestion.

3. Taxis

To take a taxi from Sea-Tac, go to the third floor of the parking garage on the north and south curbs. There are 2 different types of taxis in this area. Single-color cabs are metered, so the longer and farther you travel, the higher the fare. If the cab is multi-colored, it’s a flat rate, depending on the ZIP code.

Generally, you can expect a taxi fare to cost you between $40 and $50 one-way, though of course traffic and other factors may influence this fare. On top of the normal charge, you’ll also want to add in a tip for the service.

Taxis are a little bit cheaper than ride-share services (due to wage requirements and other added fees), so it’s a good middle-ground for those who may not want to utilize public transit or pay the higher prices for a ride-share.

4. Hired Car

If you’ve got the money to spend, a hired car provides the ultimate luxury experience getting downtown. A driver will be present in the terminal with a sign with your name on it and will escort you to the vehicle.

When you hire a private car, it will be the most expensive way to get downtown but also the most premium option. You’re paying for the guarantee the car will be waiting on your flight’s arrival and that you don’t need to worry about finding a ride or messing with public transit.

A typical price to downtown may be:

• $96 for an executive sedan
• $122 for an SUV
• $170 for a premium SUV
• $306 for a Mercedes van

On top of these fares, you’ll also want to tip the driver. Typically a hired car will wait for you if your flight is delayed and monitor your flight so they’re right on top when you come out of the terminal.

Final Thoughts

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is one of the better airports in the country that is accessible to its namesake city. A short walk away from the terminal is a light rail line that will take you right downtown in a reasonable amount of time for only a few bucks.

Light rail is often the most efficient and cost-effective means of transportation to Seattle. Alternatively, for larger groups or those seeking a more prviate transfer, there are options available such as ride-shares, taxis, or even the possibility of chartering a private car if cost is not a concern.