About Seattle Tacoma Intl. Airport
Seattle Tacoma Airport opened in 1944 to provide air transporation for the cities, Seattle and Tacoma which are two neighboring cities in the state of Washington. The airport has more than 45 million passengers a year. The airport connects important cities in America, Europe and Asian continents with Washington. The airport was renovated in 2003 and a third terminal building was opened in 2008.
Getting to the City Center from Seattle Tacoma Intl. Airport
Neighboring Canada, the seaport city of Seattle is the largest city in the state of Washington and a major city in the U.S. The city gets its name from an ancient Native American chief and its official nickname is Emerald City due to its lush greenery and beautiful nature.
The city of Seattle is served by the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a major airport that handled over 42 million passengers in 2015. Also referred to as Sea-Tac Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is used as a major transfer airport due to its proximity to Canada. Located about 24 km from the city, there are a variety of transportation alternatives to get to the city center from the airport that are both quick and easy. The Link Light Rail system provides transportation between Sea-Tac Airport and downtown Seattle, which takes about 40 minutes. Other transportation alternatives to get to the city center from the airport include taxis, shuttle services, and rental cars.
The Link Light Rail system is the most commonly used means of public transportation in Seattle. These light rail trains are a great transportation alternative to get to the city center from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. These trains provide transportation directly from the airport to downtown Seattle. The Link Light Rail is accessibly from the parking lot, on level 4. Trains operate every 7.5 to 15 minutes and take about 40 minutes to get to the city center from the airport. Monday to Saturday the Link Light Rail operates from 5 am to 1 am and on Sundays it operates from 6 am to midnight. Tickets can be purchased from kiosks at the station with cash or credit card.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport features various bicycle resources for passengers who want to travel to and from the airport by bike. The airport features bicycle assembly stations, bicycle parking areas, and long-term storage areas. There are over 50 bicycle rental stations located in the city that are a part of the city’s bike share system. Fees start at 8 USD. You can get to the city center from the airport by following the special bike paths and shared roadways.
Many hotels located in Seattle provide their guests with airport shuttle services. To take advantage of this service make sure to discuss it with the hotel you are staying at in advance. We recommend making a reservation for this service. Hotel shuttle services are an extremely practical and comfortable means of transportation but it can be a bit more expensive than taking a taxi. Depending on your destination in the city it can take about 20 minutes to get to downtown Seattle from the airport.
Taxis are a very convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center from Sea-Tac Airport. Taxis are easily accessible from the taxi stands that are located on the 3rd floor of the parking lot. A taxi to the city center from the airport costs 50 USD on average and takes 20 minutes if there’s no traffic. The fare and duration will vary depending on your final destination in the city.
Renting a car is another way to get to the city center from the airport. Renting a car is also a great option for getting around in the city during your trip. Rental car companies at the airport are located at the Rental Car Facility. Shuttle buses depart from the terminal exits and provide transportation to the Rental Car Facility. Depending on the traffic it takes about 20 minutes to get to the city center from Sea-Tac Airport. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar Car Rental, Enterprise, Firefly, Hertz, National, Payless, and Sixt.
There are various shared ride van and scheduled airporter services that provide transportation from Sea-Tac Airport to the city center. Each company has specific drop off and pick up locations. For more information on shuttle services to the city, shuttle operators and fares please visit Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s website.
Link Light Rail
Bicycle
Hotel Shuttle Services
Taxi
Rental Car
Shuttle
Getting to Seattle Tacoma Intl. Airport from the City Center
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also referred to as Sea-Tac Airport, is located about 24 km from the city center. There are a variety of transportation alternatives one can use to get to Sea-Tac Airport. Using the link Light Rail passengers can get to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 40 minutes. Other methods of transportation include taxis, hotel shuttle services, rental cars, and bicycles, which is a great alternative for cyclists.
Link Light Rail
The Link Light Rail system is the most commonly used means of public transportation in Seattle. These light rail trains are a great transportation alternative to get to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. These trains provide transportation from downtown Seattle directly to level 4 of the airport parking lot. Trains operate every 7.5 to 15 minutes and take about 40 minutes to get to the airport. Monday to Saturday the Link Light Rail operates from 5 am to 1 am and on Sundays it operates from 6 am to midnight. Tickets can be purchased from kiosks at the station with cash or credit card.
Bicycle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport features various bicycle resources for passengers who want to access the airport by bike. There are over 50 bicycle rental stations throughout the city that are a part of the city’s bike share system. Fees start at 8 USD. You can conclude your rental duration by simply locking the bike at the station at the airport. You can get to the airport by following the special bike paths and shared roadways. The airport features bicycle assembly stations, bicycle parking areas, and long-term storage areas.
Hotel Shuttle Services
Many hotels located in Seattle provide their guests with airport shuttle services. To take advantage of this service make sure to discuss it with the hotel you are staying at in advance. We recommend making a reservation for this service. Hotel shuttle services are an extremely practical and comfortable means of transportation but it can be a bit more expensive than taking a taxi. Depending on your location in the city it can take about 20 minutes to get to the airport.
Taxi
Taxis are a very convenient transportation alternative to get to Sea-Tac Airport from the city center. Taxis are easily accessible from the city center. You can also ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you according to your departure time. A taxi to the airport from the city center costs 50 USD on average and takes about 20 minutes if there’s no traffic.
Rental Car
Renting a car is another way to get to the airport from the city center. Renting a car is also a great option for getting around in the city during your trip. There are many rental car companies located in the city center. You can also ask your hotel to help you arrange a rental car. Depending on the traffic it takes about 20 minutes to get to Sea-Tac Airport from the city center by car. You can drop your rental car off at the Rental Car Facility at the airport. From there, there are shuttle bus services that provide transportation to the airport terminals 24 hours a day.
Shuttle
There are various shared ride van and scheduled airporter services that provide transportation between the city center and Sea-Tac Airport. Each company has specific drop off and pick up locations. For more information on shuttle services to the airport and shuttle operators, please visit Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s website.
Airport Information
Located 24 km from the city center, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac Airport, is the city’s primary airport that welcomes millions of passengers every year. The airport operates passenger services out of one central terminal and two satellite terminals. Sea-Tac Airport features basic passenger services and amenities such as a lost and found, children’s play areas, ATMs, mail services, storage facilities, Wi-Fi, lounges, emergency services, currency exchange services, and business services. However, the airport also features services that are quite unique, such as pet relief areas, a conference center, an Art Walk, electric car charging stations, live music performances, and massage services.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport also contains a variety of delicious restaurants, bars, and cafes where passengers can enjoy a bite to eat or something to drink. With a rich range of venues, Sea-Tac aims to satisfy every palette. Eating and drinking venues at the airport include Anthony’s Restaurant, Dilettante Chocolates & Mocha Café, Freshens, Dish D’Lish, Ivar’s Seafood, Maki of Japan, Pallino Pastaria, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express, Qdoba, Starbucks, Vino Volo, and Wendy’s.
Sea-Tac Airport features many stores where you can buy last minute gifts, souvenirs, clothing, electronics, and much more. Stores where you can go shopping include Dilettante Chocolates & Mocha Café, Discover Puget Sound, Dufry Duty Free, ExOfficio, Fireworks, Hudson, Made in Washington, Seattle Hats, and Wishing Stone.
