Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Seattle
The Link light rail 1 Line runs from the airport to downtown Seattle in about 40 minutes for about $3. Taxis and ride-hailing take 25–45 minutes depending on traffic.
Best for most people: Light rail. Link is cheap, frequent and avoids I-5 traffic, stopping at several downtown stations.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| light rail Link light rail 1 Line from SeaTac/Airport station (walk from the parking garage) to Westlake and other downtown stations | about 35–40 min | every 8–15 min | about $3 | about 05:00–01:00 | Pay with an ORCA card or the Transit GO Ticket app; tap before boarding. |
| taxi Taxi from the third floor of the parking garage | about 25–45 min | about $55–70 to downtown | 24 h | Metered, with a possible flat rate to downtown. | |
| ride-hailing Uber or Lyft from the third floor of the parking garage | about 25–45 min | about $40–70 | 24 h | Follow signs to the app pickup area. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
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Tips
- The light rail station is a 5–10 minute walk from baggage claim through the parking garage.
- Tap your ORCA card before boarding and tap off on exit only if required.
- I-5 traffic can be slow on weekday afternoons; Link avoids it.
- Westlake station connects to the monorail for Seattle Center.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Sea-Tac to downtown Seattle?
About $55–70, taking 25–45 minutes depending on traffic. Uber and Lyft are often a bit cheaper. Both pick up from the third floor of the parking garage, across the skybridges from the terminal.
Does the light rail run at night?
Link runs from about 05:00 until about 01:00, with fewer trains on Sundays and holidays. Outside those hours, take a taxi or ride-hailing. Check the Sound Transit website for exact first and last train times.
How do I pay for the light rail?
Fares are about $3. Buy an ORCA card at the station machines, or use the Transit GO Ticket app. Tap your ORCA card on the reader before boarding. Fare inspectors check tickets on board.
How long does it take to downtown?
About 35–40 minutes by light rail to Westlake, or 25–45 minutes by car depending on traffic. Afternoon rush hours on I-5 can make the drive much longer.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.