Transfer to/from - Seattle Tacoma airport (SEA)

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has a centralized ground transportation system, connected mainly through the parking garage and pedestrian bridges.

Light Rail (Link Light Rail)

The fastest and most economical option to reach downtown. Service is operated by Sound Transit on the 1 Line.

Station Location: The “SeaTac/Airport” station is connected to the fourth floor of the airport parking garage. It is accessed via pedestrian skybridges from the main terminal and then by walking through the garage.

Destinations: Northbound, it connects to downtown Seattle (Westlake, Pioneer Square stations), Capitol Hill, the University of Washington, and continues to Lynnwood. Southbound, the line terminates at Angle Lake.

Frequency & Hours: Trains run every 8–15 minutes. Service operates Monday through Saturday from about 5:00 am to 1:00 am, and Sundays from 6:00 am to 12:00 am. The trip to downtown takes about 35–40 minutes.

Fares: The fare varies by distance traveled, generally between USD 2.25 and USD 3.50. Tickets can be purchased at the station ticket machines or via the “Transit GO Ticket” mobile app.

Ride-Sharing Apps

Uber, Lyft, and Wingz services use a dedicated pickup area, separate from the regular arrivals curb.

Where to Board: Go to the 3rd floor of the parking garage. Follow the “App-Based Rideshare” signs across the pedestrian bridges from baggage claim. Vehicles are organized by lanes and color zones (U or L).

Public Buses

King County Metro and Sound Transit bus routes do not enter the terminal roadway. They stop on the public street along International Boulevard (State Hwy 99), directly below the light rail station.

King County Metro (Local service):
RapidRide A Line: Connects to Federal Way and Tukwila every 10–15 minutes.
Route 156: To Southcenter and Highline College.
Route 161: To Burien and Kent.

Sound Transit Express (Regional service):
Route 560: To Bellevue, Renton, and Westwood Village.
Route 574: Southbound, connecting to Tacoma, Lakewood, and Federal Way.

Taxis

As with ride-share services, taxis do not pick up passengers at the terminal curb.

Location: 3rd floor of the parking garage, on the center island.

Types of Service:
1. Flat-Rate Taxis: Operated mainly by “Eastside For Hire”. They charge fixed zone-based fares (e.g., to downtown Seattle, Bellevue).
2. Metered Taxis: Operated by “Yellow Cab”. The fare is based on time and distance.

The estimated cost to downtown Seattle ranges from about USD 45.00 to USD 65.00, depending on traffic and the type of service selected.

Regional Shuttles and Airporters

Several companies operate scheduled bus and van services to destinations outside the Seattle metropolitan area.
Departure Location: Most services depart from the south end of the terminal on the Baggage Claim level, near doors 00 and 02. Some door-to-door operators may arrange pickup on the 3rd floor of the parking garage.

• Bellair Airporter Shuttle
  Covers two main corridors:
  - North (I-5): Marysville, Stanwood, Burlington, Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine.
  - East (I-90): North Bend, Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Yakima.
• Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter
  Serves the Kitsap Peninsula, including Bremerton, Poulsbo, Silverdale, Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, and military bases (Bangor, PSNS).
• Dungeness Line
  (Operated by MTRWestern/Greyhound) Connects to the Olympic Peninsula: Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend, Discovery Bay, Kingston, and Edmonds.
• Premier Airport Shuttle
  Provides shared (door-to-door) and private services to Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia (Thurston County), and the counties of Pierce and Snohomish. Includes service to cruise terminals.
• Quick Shuttle
  Cross-border service to Vancouver, BC (Canada), with stops in Surrey and downtown Vancouver hotels.
• Rocket Transportation
  Door-to-door service (advance reservation required) to Clallam County and the eastern Olympic Peninsula.
• Wenatchee Valley Shuttle
  Direct service via Stevens Pass to Leavenworth and Wenatchee.
• Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle
  Connects the airport with Whidbey Island, stopping in Clinton, Langley, Freeland, Greenbank, Coupeville, and Oak Harbor.

Island Connections & Special Services

• Island Airporter
  Direct service to Friday Harbor (San Juan Island) with no luggage transfers on the ferry.
• Friday Harbor Seaplanes Shuttle
  Van service connecting the airport with the seaplane terminal in Renton for flights to the San Juan Islands.
• Vashon Shuttle
  (Operated by Vashon Taxi) Transportation service to Tacoma and Vashon Island.

View full official operator list