Seattle - Train in from Airport

[Izzybeff]

Can someone give me more info about bringing the train from the airport into Seattle downtown? I've read various things about it that says it's easy to get to from the airport to it's a 7 min walk.

 

We will have my 66 year old mother with us and each have a suitcase plus carry on and just want to determine if this cheap way of transporting to downtown will work for us. thanks!

[SadieN]

We used the train in June. Pack lightly. The train has some area for large suitcases, not racks but standing room. We traveled with 22"ers and were able to store one under our seats.

 

The train station is attached to the parking structure. It's a bit of a walk but not too bad. The ticket machines are very straight forward. Westlake is the end of the line and is located below Nordstrom.

 

IIRC the train station is located near United Concourse C.

If I'm wrong someone will correct me shortly.

 

http://www.soundtransit.org/schedules/central-link-light-rail.xml

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://mappery.com/maps/SeaTac-Airport-Map.mediumthumb.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mappery.com/SeaTac-Airport-Map&h=600&w=469&sz=125&tbnid=Vs5ojaOV1GRIsM:&tbnh=83&tbnw=65&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dseattle%2Bairport%2Bmap%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=seattle+airport+map&usg=__OV2vZAp6jeVhmaO0FtdqKDH7Nbg=&docid=jARdwjGgX4m-7M&sa=X&ei=Ly-5UPWyKIWSiAKgm4DwBg&ved=0CE8Q9QEwBQ&dur=276

[n0w0rn3v3r]

Hi....It's a light rail system basically set up for commuters. Many, many, people depend on it everyday to get to and from work and school.

 

You do not turn the tickets in to anyone, but you must be able to produce them for your entire party if the "Fare Enforcement" folks board and check. No ticket, will get you escorted off the train at the next stop. Not that you wouldn't get a ticket, but it can be confusing as there is no place to "turn in" the ticket after you purchase it.

 

There is very limited space for suitcases, and this space is shared by bikes that can be brought aboard. One spot per car for both luggage and bikes, enter the last door of each of the 4 cars. There are 4 cars per train on each run.

 

If you are planning to arrive during the morning/afternoon commute, or any sporting event (Mariner's, Seahawks, Sounders) the cars will be jammed.

 

It takes about a 1/2 hour from Airport to Westlake Center (the last stop)

 

Yep, I ride it everyday and watch families struggle to get on and off. It's doable, but probably not a lot of fun.

[Gardyloo]

The bigger issue is, what do you plan to do when you get off? There are a couple of hotels within a short walk from the downtown stations, but anything farther will require that you either walk, find a taxi, or schlep bags onto a city bus for "the last mile."

 

If you've booked a hotel with easy access from the light rail, fine, otherwise you might think about a car service or taxi from the airport.

[SadieN]

The bigger issue is, what do you plan to do when you get off? There are a couple of hotels within a short walk from the downtown stations, but anything farther will require that you either walk, find a taxi, or schlep bags onto a city bus for "the last mile."

 

If you've booked a hotel with easy access from the light rail, fine, otherwise you might think about a car service or taxi from the airport.

 

Adding on to this thought--

 

We walked to the the Red Lion. It was a block or two away and up hill. (Probably considered flat by residents.)

[Glaciers]

The bigger issue is, what do you plan to do when you get off? There are a couple of hotels within a short walk from the downtown stations, but anything farther will require that you either walk, find a taxi, or schlep bags onto a city bus for "the last mile."

 

If you've booked a hotel with easy access from the light rail, fine, otherwise you might think about a car service or taxi from the airport.

 

This is indeed the bigger issue. Getting on at the airport is the first station. We’ve never seen it more than ¼ full at that point and there was always room for luggage. Regardless of how full it might get along the way you have a seat and a place for your luggage as you’re the first on. It can be a different story going from downtown to the airport. The floor of the light rail is even with the station floor where you will exit so you also do not need to lift your bags if they are on wheels. It’s an easy trip and you can’t beat $2.75.

 

Know where your hotel is from the light rail station. If you are looking at a map in relation to the light rail station know that Seattle streets can be a bit steep in places east/west.

[Budget Queen]

I've used this light rail many times. :) It isn't for everyone. Depending, where you come in at the airport, you can expect a multiminute walk to the light rail.

 

I agree that FROM the airport, you easily can use the luggage space, IF it's filled in a particular car, you can wait and be first on the next train.

 

Definately the issue is WHERE the hotel is. Even with a "nearby" decription from the hotel, it still can be a couple blocks up/down hill. If you use West Lake- you have a few minute walk out of the station, with cabs not the easiest to find, if you need them. I haven't noticed any cab lines at Pioneer Square or International stops either?

 

I am one who is cheap and use buses/trains all the time (have no issue with the subway- up and down stairs in NYC to JFK :) ) BUT, most people are not good for this, with a cab/shuttle a far better, although more costly, choice.

[Dan G]

at Seatac, Alaska and United are closest to train station. Delta American and Continental are at the opposite end of baggage claim so the entire length of the airpo9rt plus a walk to the station is involved. You can rent a cart and push your luggage.

[Izzybeff]

We of course are flying American and I noticed it was on the other end of the airport. Is there a tram or anything that runs from one side to the other? If we were going to take a shuttle or cab we would have to walk to somewhere to catch those also, correct? Is the train that much farther?

 

Our plan was to take the train to Westlake and then get a cab from there to our hotel. We were hoping to do the reverse on the last day of the cruise. Take a cab from the port to the downtown train station, take the train back to the airport. Our flight home isn't until 2:30 so we'd have plenty of time.

 

It would save us about $75 in transportation costs, but if it's going to be a big hassle, I will just pay for a shuttle.

[1025cruise]

I don't recall seeing a taxi line at Westlake when I walked through it earlier, but I could be mistaken. What hotel are you staying at? We took the Downtown Airporter shuttle from the airport for around $30 for two of us. It only goes to specific hotels though. While it may sound like a cost savings to do the train, it may be more headache than its worth.

[Izzybeff]

I don't recall seeing a taxi line at Westlake when I walked through it earlier, but I could be mistaken. What hotel are you staying at? We took the Downtown Airporter shuttle from the airport for around $30 for two of us. It only goes to specific hotels though. While it may sound like a cost savings to do the train, it may be more headache than its worth.

 

That's what i'm starting to think. We are staying at the LaQuinta on 8th ave. So not a huge distance, but i'm sure my mom won't be able to walk it. I think i'll just end up booking the shuttle and paying for it. Just looking for little ways to save money, but don't want to have a huge hassle either.

[Dan G]

La Quinta really isn't in the downtown Core. Its near Denny closer to the space Needle. If you want to take shuttle express they do have a scheduled service. The Closest hotel I believe is the Quality Inn. I'll check the list and post a link.

 

Here is the info

http://www.shuttleexpress.com/schedsvchotels#DSeattle

 

The closest to La Quinta is Holiday Inn on Dexter. The La Quinta is about a block away. Make sure you ask for the 'scheduled servide' or else the rate goes up. If you tip the driver many of them will take you to your hotel even if its not the one on the list, but no guarantee. In any case its a much shorter walk than the train, cab and all the schleppin with suitcase.

[Gardyloo]

For the sake of comparison, the flat rate for a private limo service from the airport to your hotel (door to door) will be $50, no intermediate stops, use the HOV lanes, very comfortable Lincolns. The STILA (contract service) cars are waiting at the taxi rank across the skybridge from bag claim.

[Northern Aurora]

 

Our plan was to take the train to Westlake and then get a cab from there to our hotel. We were hoping to do the reverse on the last day of the cruise.

 

We spent a few days in Seattle in October before heading to San Diego for a cruise. While we used a cab to go from the airport to our hotel, the Mayflower Park, we did use the light rail to go from hotel to SeaTac. We have stayed at the Mayflower Park previously, and it is currently my favorite Seattle hotel. It is right beside Westlake, so we just walked from the hotel to the light rail station.

 

While my husband has used the light rail with carry-on luggage, this was the first time we have used it with the three bags we check and two carry-ons. We were on the light rail mid-day so it wasn't very full, but there is really limited space for much luggage. I wouldn't try to use it during commuting hours, nor when one of the sports teams are playing.

[n0w0rn3v3r]

"....Regardless of how full it might get along the way you have a seat and a place for your luggage as you’re the first on." Nice.

[Husky61]

I'm curious why you would start a trip with luggage on a light rail from the Seatac airport to a hotel?:confused:

 

There is a $40.00 Flat Rate in effect for trips from the Downtown Seattle Hotel District to SeaTac Airport which applies to all taxicabs that operate in Seattle.

[LHP]

Does anyone know about how much for a taxi from the airport to the Hampton Inn Downtown???

 

Thanks!!

 

Since there "MAY" be 5 of us, is there some kind of shuttle service we should consider as well???

 

(not sure when the MIL and friend are flying in but it MAY be the same time as us)

[Izzybeff]

I'm curious why you would start a trip with luggage on a light rail from the Seatac airport to a hotel?:confused:

 

There is a $40.00 Flat Rate in effect for trips from the Downtown Seattle Hotel District to SeaTac Airport which applies to all taxicabs that operate in Seattle.

 

 

The flat rate is from downtown TO the airport, not from the airport to downtown. We were just looking to save some money and thought it would be fun to ride the train.

 

I often wonder why people are so afraid of public transportation. We will be coming in on a Sunday afternoon. I don't anticipate that the train will be very full.

[Gardyloo]

The flat rate is from downtown TO the airport, not from the airport to downtown. We were just looking to save some money and thought it would be fun to ride the train.

 

I often wonder why people are so afraid of public transportation. We will be coming in on a Sunday afternoon. I don't anticipate that the train will be very full.

Unless there's a baseball, football, or soccer game going on at one or more of the stadiums. And don't forget to add on the cost of a taxi from the end of the light rail to your hotel (figure $10 per cab for planning purposes.)

 

If you're staying at the La Quinta, you can also get off the light rail at the Westlake station and walk over to the Lake Union Trolley terminus, then ride the trolley ($2 per person) to about a block from the La Quinta, and walk from there. Even more trains.

 

In my experience the S/B flat rate is pretty close to the metered N/B rate. The STILA limos at the airport charge a $45 flat rate from the airport to downtown.

[Seamo]

Hi,

We were in SeaTac on Friday 11pm ....

used "flat rate for hire" ..

 

Wow... 10+

 

Guy circled the Airport ... luggage delay ... so very, very nice

and polite ... O.K.

 

At that time Sept 14th, 2012 it was $35.00 for two with

>>> 200 lbs of baggage ....!!!! .. to

the Renaissance on 6th. Won for $ 132.00 after all taxes bidding 4 days out on Priceline.

 

( this is - was a great local ) there is the bus system for

city exploration ... (about every 15 minutes-stopped almost at the door) ... and on 4th there is a drug store etc.....

 

Prices have (will) change(d) but still ... was so so so Good .. we had to stop and say "thanks" ... to All the helpers here ...

 

We would add that as exercise "regulars" walking east on

6th was plenty .... to get off at Westlake and try a walk

... we'd say ... not at night and .... cab + train is just a few bucks from flat rate right to the hotel!

Cab ( from Ren,.Hotel to pier 66 was $ 15.00 and by this time our baggage was 285 lbs. (we did a 4 wk. b2b2b):)

you guys and gals here at "West Coast Departures" really did a grande job for us ..... THANK YOU!!!:):)

Seamo

 

YES, we did tip ... :)

[Dan G]

flatrateforhire.com

 

will be an exclusive cab from Seatac to Queen Ann (Hampton INN) or La Quinta for about $35 for the cab not per person. Its pretty reasonable vs all the running around you've been suggested so far.

[thelmalouise-n-thekid]

I'm glad I found this thread, very informative. My plan was to take the light rail to Westlake then get a taxi to the hotel. If one is not available outside of Westlake could we call one to pick us up and take us on to the hotel? I have not seen anyone suggest this as an option so I'm wondering if this is not a very good idea.

 

Thanks for your help and all the great information.

[Casagordita]

I'm glad I found this thread, very informative. My plan was to take the light rail to Westlake then get a taxi to the hotel. If one is not available outside of Westlake could we call one to pick us up and take us on to the hotel? I have not seen anyone suggest this as an option so I'm wondering if this is not a very good idea.

 

Thanks for your help and all the great information.

 

I think a lot of people do this. Depending on what time of day you're arriving (rush hour will make the light rail trains difficult with your luggage) and where your hotel is, it may be a great idea--minimal hassles, and a real bargain.

 

Which hotel are you staying at? The Mayflower Park is right next to Westlake Center, and the Westin is about a block away. If you're not staying at one of those, they are also going to be the nearest locations to find a taxi stand--that's your best bet for getting a cab to another hotel.

[thelmalouise-n-thekid]

We are at Hotel 5 which is only about 4 blocks away so if it is not all uphill, the sidewalks are good and weather is nice we would probably just walk.

[SadieN]

I'm glad I found this thread, very informative. My plan was to take the light rail to Westlake then get a taxi to the hotel. If one is not available outside of Westlake could we call one to pick us up and take us on to the hotel? I have not seen anyone suggest this as an option so I'm wondering if this is not a very good idea.

 

Thanks for your help and all the great information.

 

If you can not find a taxi quick go into Nordstrom. It is on top of the station.