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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Bothell
Do Bothell as a day trip from Seattle – see Main Street, Log Boom Park and Saint Edward State Park, then head back; no overnight needed.
Bothell is a small city of about 33,000 on the Sammamish River, 15 mi northeast of downtown Seattle. Its attractions cluster around Main Street, two riverfront parks and easy bike‑trail access. With frequent bus service and a short drive, a single day covers the highlights; most visitors stay in Seattle and use Bothell as a side‑trip.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (rainy, cooler)
- Stay
- 0 (overnight not needed; most stay in Seattle) nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $70–$100 excl. lodging · Mid $100–$150 excl. lodging · High $150+ excl. lodging (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | $2–$4 |
| Burger at Ranch Drive‑In | $5–$8 |
| Discover Pass for Saint Edward State Park | $10 day, $30 year |
| Bus fare (King County Metro) | $2.75 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SEA · Seattle‑Tacoma International Airport
- 30 min drive via I‑405
Typical fares
- Seattle → Bothell by car (I‑405)
- about $10–$15 (toll + gas, check)
- King County Metro 2‑hour ride
- $2.75
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car via I‑405 or WA‑522; toll‑free lanes need a Good‑to‑Go sticker. Bus routes 106, 230, 239 (King County Metro) and Community Transit connect downtown, UW Bothell and the P&R. The Burke‑Gilman Trail provides a flat, paved bike route along the river.
See and do
Known for
- Log Boom Park
- Saint Edward State Park
- Main Street shops and restaurants
- Burke‑Gilman Trail access
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle downtown | Drive or bus north via I‑405 (≈15 mi, 20 min) | ≈30 min total |
| Redmond | Take Route 239 east on I‑405 (≈10 mi, 15 min) | ≈20 min |
| Kirkland | Bus 230 or drive west on I‑405 (≈8 mi, 12 min) | ≈20 min |
| Woodinville Wine Country | Drive east on WA‑522 (≈6 mi, 12 min) | ≈25 min |
Sleep
- Holiday Inn Express Bothell
- Convenient for quick stays; near I‑405.
- Residence Inn Seattle Northeast/Bothell
- Extended‑stay rooms, close to Bothell Way.
- SpringHill Suites Seattle Bothell
- Modern amenities, easy highway access.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse meExcuse me |
| Thank you | Thank youThank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it?How much is it? |
| Where is the restroom? | Where is the restroom?Where is the restroom? |
| Can I pay by card? | Can I pay by card?Can I pay by card? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- I‑405 express lanes charge variable tolls; have a Good‑to‑Go sticker or expect a mailed bill.
- Parking in downtown Main Street is limited; use the Bothell P&R or street meters.
- Winter rain can make trail sections slick; wear appropriate footwear.
Bothell is generally safe; typical urban caution applies—keep an eye on belongings in busy areas and watch for rain‑slicked sidewalks.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bothell yet. Suggested stay: 0 (overnight not needed; most stay in Seattle) nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Log Boom Park
- Saint Edward State Park
- Main Street shops and restaurants
- Burke‑Gilman Trail access
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- King County – Burke‑Gilman Trail: kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/trails/leafline-trails/burke-gilman
- Good‑to‑Go toll system: mygoodtogo.com/EN/
- Wikivoyage: Bothell, revision 5278059 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5278059
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Bothell
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US citizens can contact the US Consulate in Seattle (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/bothell). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.