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Public transportation to pier 91 seattle


PRINCESS ELITE
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The last time I was at Pier 91 I saw a man, his wife and 2 kids dragging their bags down the Pier towards the stairs to go up on to the Magnolia bridge to wait for the Bus. I thought to myself how cheap can you be to drag your family down the Pier a couple of hundred yards, claim 3 flights of stairs and wait for the bus on top of the bridge to save $85or whatever on a cab fare to the Airport. You’ve got to be a real “cheapster” to subject your family to something like that. Where I live we call that “Head Shaken Dumb”

 

 

...when they are clearly not poor, because they've just spent several thousand dollars on airfare, cruise, hotels, and all the trimmings. Honestly, I'm as thrifty and bargain-happy most anybody you'll meet, but I just do NOT get this.

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I would not do this but here is the official info on taking a bus to pier 91. I can't image carrying my suitcase and carry on down two flights of stairs and walking 1/2 mile to cruise but to each his own.

 

 

 


  • Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 Ride Routes #15, #19, #24, and #33 to the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91. The bus stop is located at the top of the Magnolia Bridge. To access the cruise terminal, passengers proceed down a steep staircase which connects to a catwalk underneath the bridge. Note: The staircase is directly adjacent to the bus stop on the same side of the roadway. The walkway leads to another staircase that descends to Pier 91. Once at ground level, passengers walk .4 miles to the cruise terminal building. The pier is an industrial setting with large trucks, buses and taxis. Access from bus stop to the pier is not ADA accessible. No elevator or shuttle is available from the bus stop to the cruise terminal. For bus schedules visit King County Metro.

Edited by Dan G
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Wow, sounds like Eaglecw is proud to put down people trying to save money.

Anyway, the cruise may have been a gift from someone else so don't assume the vacationers paid for and could afford it themselves.

Furthermore, there are other nonmonetary reasons to take public transit or walk: it's greener/environment-friendlier, some cabbies are overly aggressive drivers, etc.

The last time I was at Pier 91 I saw a man, his wife and 2 kids dragging their bags down the Pier towards the stairs to go up on to the Magnolia bridge to wait for the Bus. I thought to myself how cheap can you be to drag your family down the Pier a couple of hundred yards, claim 3 flights of stairs and wait for the bus on top of the bridge to save $85or whatever on a cab fare to the Airport. You’ve got to be a real “cheapster” to subject your family to something like that. Where I live we call that “Head Shaken Dumb”
...when they are clearly not poor, because they've just spent several thousand dollars on airfare, cruise, hotels, and all the trimmings. Honestly, I'm as thrifty and bargain-happy most anybody you'll meet, but I just do NOT get this.
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Wow, sounds like Eaglecw is proud to put down people trying to save money.

Anyway, the cruise may have been a gift from someone else so don't assume the vacationers paid for and could afford it themselves.

Furthermore, there are other nonmonetary reasons to take public transit or walk: it's greener/environment-friendlier, some cabbies are overly aggressive drivers, etc.

 

Nicely said.........why so much judgement?? Just state the facts, maybe your opinion, but no need to insult others choices or opinions.......just saying.

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  • 5 weeks later...

My wife and I just used public transit from SEA-TAC to Pier 91 on 8/5 & back on 8/12. We had no issues toting around a large rolling suitcase and rolling carry-on each, plus my camera backpack on me. We walked the approximately .5 mile from the terminal to the Link light rail station. After exiting the University station in downtown Seattle, we wallked about a block to the new Target on the corner of 2nd and Union to purchase a couple of bottles of wine for the cruise. Then we walked two blocks to 4th and Union to catch the route 24 bus. The bus driver said many people use transit to the pier, and he does the same when he cruises. We got off on the Magnolia bridge and brought our suitcases down one levels one at a time. The remaining .5 mile walk to the ship was no problem as the ground is level and the walkway is marked with white stripes.

 

For the return trip, we took the route bus again and exited at Pine St. We walked a few blocks to Pike Place Market and enjoyed excellent chowder at Pike Place Chowder, in Post Alley. Then we walked a few blocks to the University Station for the return trip on light rail to the airport. Being able to pick up the wine, enjoy some great chowder, and saving $ made it worth our while and we would do it again. It cost us $5 per person each way to take public transit, instead of $22-25 + tip for a shuttle.

 

We are active, healthy, and around 40, so it wasn't much of a physical challenge. The most difficult part was carrying the bags up/down stairs. I carried both suitcases and my wife handled the carry-ons. On 8/5, the temperature was about 90 degrees and it still wasn't very difficult. Negotiating Pike Place Market was also a challenge. If you enjoy an adventure and are in relatively good health, I recommend it.

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  • 11 months later...

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

 

It looks like it has been over a year since someone replied to this post. I looked at it before our cruise and decided to chance taking mass transit. There were 4 of us. My wife and I and two adult children 22 and 18.

I read the horror stories about taking the bus but figured that if we couldn't do it, we would get close, call a cab and have them take us in. After looking at other posts we figured it would take two cabs to get all four of us there. And it would probable be about $20/per cab. So after looking at the maps we boarded bus #24, told the driver where we were going. He charged me $7.00 for the 4 of us. This was on Sunday about noon. The bus was almost empty. It was a little difficult carrying a big suitcase on the bus while the bus was moving but not that big a deal. While on the bus we talked to a couple who was doing the same thing. And they were traveling on the same boat as us. The driver let us off in top of the bridge. There was a stairway 10 feet away from us. We got all of our stuff and started the head down the stairs. I could see the older couple might have a bit of a hard time so I told my son to help the lady. There were a total of maybe 30-40 stairs. We got down and showed our tickets to the guard. About 10 feet away a small can pulled up and took us and our luggage to the terminal. So it saved us over $30.00 to go on a city bus. I thought it was worth it. It saved us a lot more when we got off the boat and took the same bus and then a train to the airport. That trip cost us about $15.00 total for the four of us and the boat advertised $25. per person on a shuttle. So we save $85.00. Total over a hundred bucks and we arrived at the airport by 9.00. (We were one of the first ones off and carried our own luggage. ) So I am 56 years old, overweight and had no trouble whatsoever navigating the bus, train and stairs to pier 91. If I can do it, so can you.

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  • 8 months later...
This is a question for Seattle locals -- is it possible to walk from the

closest Metro stop to Pier 91?? We are on a one day Seattle/Vancouver so have little luggage and would like to take the bus instead of paying $20-25 from a downtown hotel. Visitors Bureau said there is no walkway/

path to the Pier. Metro site gives directions to Garfield Bridge (which is

above the pier) or 15th Ave W. then...what?? We used to walk to

the other Princess/HAL pier from the bus stop but there were sidewalks, etc. Would appreciate your input. Thanks

 

Seattle local here...

 

From SEATAC take the light rail to the end of the line at Westlake. The exit will be to Union Street and walk to the Number 24 metro bus at Third Ave. and Pike Street.

 

The stop for Pier 91 is about two miles ahead at the Garfield Bridge approximately halfway across. When the bus enters the bridge pull the cord and "Pier 91" will light up for the stop. At the stop you will find a walkway under the bridge that will lead you to a security checkpoint and you may be asked for government issued I.D./ tickets for the cruise. After that continue down the stairs and follow the marked walkway to the terminal. Warning: If you have more than two suitcases take a cab, or be prepared to sweat!

 

The upside is that for less than $20 for light rail and bus tickets two people can avoid a $50 to $75 cab fare from the airport. Also, as an added bonus, this may be the quicker way to the cruise ship than the roadways.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Ok this Is from the grumpy staff LOL, yes you just need just have ID to get in DL, Pass port, on cruise day. yes other wise we will tell you to come back when your cruise is departing. So Coming from any where south of the port take bus 24. Get off on the Magnolia bridge, yes there is stairs. If anyone has medical issues, might want to take a taxi to the boat. Its a little tough walking down the stairs with luggage. Matter of fact, if you get off say just out side the port entrance call a taxi 5.00 will get you a ride to the front door.

Just a note, we might not be all grumpy!! LOL

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  • 1 month later...
I live here and was working at pier 91. I took the 'stairs' and no way would I ever recommend this to a visitor. Once I got down I had no idea which way to go. Hauling your luggage thru a roadway isn't my idea of a great idea to start a vacation. The same $7 or so could have gotten you a whole cab. Also the shuttles are for people parking in the parking lot, not for bus passengers trying to save $1.

 

We plan to use the public transportation (w/o luggage) after our cruise from pier 91 to downtown area. What would be our options? Thank you in advance!

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The last time I was at Pier 91 I saw a man, his wife and 2 kids dragging their bags down the Pier towards the stairs to go up on to the Magnolia bridge to wait for the Bus. I thought to myself how cheap can you be to drag your family down the Pier a couple of hundred yards, claim 3 flights of stairs and wait for the bus on top of the bridge to save $85or whatever on a cab fare to the Airport. You’ve got to be a real “cheapster” to subject your family to something like that. Where I live we call that “Head Shaken Dumb”

 

Sounds horrible. Sounds like a scene out of National Lampoon's.

 

If you're taking a metered taxi cab maybe it's $20 with the long lines to get into the drop-off area at the notoriously tiny and busy Pier 91. But without traffic it should only be a $10-15 fare. Don't think it's worth it at all to try & save $5-7 by starting your vacation off like that.

 

Might as well bring a crock pot and your own drinks, mini dvd player, and ask the Cruise to cut you a discount check for missing out on everything else. Must be the same type who sneak popcorn and candy into the movies, and record the film on their iPhones to watch over & over again to avoid paying for the DVD later on.

 

:rolleyes:

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Sounds horrible. Sounds like a scene out of National Lampoon's.

 

If you're taking a metered taxi cab maybe it's $20 with the long lines to get into the drop-off area at the notoriously tiny and busy Pier 91. But without traffic it should only be a $10-15 fare. Don't think it's worth it at all to try & save $5-7 by starting your vacation off like that.

 

Might as well bring a crock pot and your own drinks, mini dvd player, and ask the Cruise to cut you a discount check for missing out on everything else. Must be the same type who sneak popcorn and candy into the movies, and record the film on their iPhones to watch over & over again to avoid paying for the DVD later on.

 

:rolleyes:

 

10 to 20 for a taxi from pier 91?, oh no way. If your getting off the boat around what 830 to 10 your going to hit rush hour traffic and even if it was all clear there going to charge you a min 35.00( Downtown to airport flat rate). I agree with being cheap, i would take shuttle express(a little cheaper) before i ever put my life in the hands of any taxi in Seattle. They are the WORSE drivers, and i live here

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  • 4 years later...

I for one am extremely grateful for this thread! This is exactly what we were looking for. Public Transit from Pier 91 to the airport. There will be 4 of us doing this, one of which is a special needs child in a wheelchair. This is part of the adventure. We will take the ADA accessible ramp and another bus route, but it looks pretty easy peezy to me. We won't have any luggage since Luggage Valet will send it on to the airport for us. It isn't always about the money. Sometimes it's about convenience and doing things a little different. When in NYC, DC, Chicago, Philly we take the subway everywhere. It is much easier than trying to find wheelchair accessible taxi. And it is fun! :D:D

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It sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on what you want to do, but I thought I'd mention that Uber has a category for requesting an accessible vehicle. We used Uber and Lyft pretty extensively on our recent trip, and it was very easy. If you want to get picked up at pier 91, you do have to walk or take a short shuttle ride to a separate pick up area from where the cabs pick up.

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  • 6 months later...
On 9/18/2018 at 3:25 PM, Mutumbojimbo said:

It sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on what you want to do, but I thought I'd mention that Uber has a category for requesting an accessible vehicle. We used Uber and Lyft pretty extensively on our recent trip, and it was very easy. If you want to get picked up at pier 91, you do have to walk or take a short shuttle ride to a separate pick up area from where the cabs pick up.

 

Thank you for your suggestion! I think it would be near impossible to find a wheelchair-accessible Uber for our daughter's chair? It is not collapsible and the van would have to have tie downs to secure her chair...  Every major city we have visited with her it has been the best option available. BTW, we are not masochists who love to lug our luggage around, LOL... We just haven't found anything else out there.

Edited by CruiszBug
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13 hours ago, CruiszBug said:

 

Thank you for your suggestion! I think it would be near impossible to find a wheelchair-accessible Uber for our daughter's chair? It is not collapsible and the van would have to have tie downs to secure her chair...  Every major city we have visited with her it has been the best option available. BTW, we are not masochists who love to lug our luggage around, LOL... We just haven't found anything else out there.

http://wheelchairjimmy.com/seattle/transportation/

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The bus to and from Pier 91 is the Route #24 bus. Be advised the bus stop is on top of the Magnolia bridge and you'll have to navigate the stairs up or down to the head of the pier and the terminal is about .5 mile from the Magnolia bridge. I had some friends who tired to walk though the Pier 91 truck gate at Alaskan Way or Elliott Bay Trail and the guard wouldn't let them exit that gate, "truck traffic" only he told them.

Randy

Edited by Eaglecw
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13 minutes ago, Eaglecw said:

The bus to and from Pier 91 is the Route #24 bus. Be advised the bus stop is on top of the Magnolia bridge and you'll have to navigate the stairs up or down to the head of the pier and the terminal is about .5 mile from the Magnolia bridge. I had some friends who tired to walk though the Pier 91 truck gate at Alaskan Way or Elliott Bay Trail and the guard wouldn't let them exit that gate, "truck traffic" only he told them.

Randy

No, we cannot take the #24 or the #32 bus for the very reason you mention. (Those stairs! Argh!) We are going out the gate heading along the Eliott Bay Trail. I really don't think they will stop a family with a child in a wheelchair. Especially when I explain there is no other way? If I have to, I will get an escort from the Terminal.

 

But thank you for giving me a heads up about your friends' experience. I really don't know what the big deal is if you are heading out? I will contact the Port Authority about this.

Edited by CruiszBug
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So glad other Seattle local folks are expressing their safety concerns.  Pier 91 is a very busy place during the mornings, with hundreds of vehicles (buses, vans, Uber/Lyft, private cars) all leaving the immediate terminal area, and the port in general on a two lane road.   At the same time, delivery trucks will be arriving with provisions for the ships.  Drivers would not expect to see pedestrians, much less a wheelchair traveling in these areas (especially pass the Uber pick-up area).  It will be very busy.

 

It is a quarter mile walk to the Uber pick-up, and then another half to three quarter mile to 15th Ave W.  I don't believe that the bike trail that I think you are referencing actually intersects 15th Ave W close to Pier 91 - I think it takes you further away on a scenic route.

 

Is there anyone local that add on way or another on this?  I think we all want you and your family safe.

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