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Major city · United States

Redmond, WashingtonRedmond

Base in Redmond only if Microsoft or the bike trails bring you: 1–2 nights, walkable downtown, 30 min to Seattle by car off-peak.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Redmond is a tech suburb on the Eastside of Lake Washington, 15 mi (24 km) from Seattle, home to Microsoft's main campus and Nintendo of America. Downtown is small and walkable, the Sammamish River Trail and Marymoor Park carry the outdoors, and the 2 Line light rail now links it to Bellevue, Mercer Island and Seattle. Most travellers use it as a quiet, cheaper bed for Seattle or Bellevue rather than a sightseeing base.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Sep (dry, long days); late Sep–Oct for colour
avoid Nov–Mar (rain, short days); summer weekday rush hour on SR-520
Airport
SEA
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Redmond, Washington911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Redmond, Washington, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$4–7
  • Sit-down mealCasual dinner main$15–28
  • BeerDraft beer in a bar$7–10
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)5 km (3.1 mi) rideshareSurges at rush hour.$12–20
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Budget bedHostel or budget bed, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
  • High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$260

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Microsoft campus and Visitor CenterMarymoor Park and the velodromeSammamish River Trail and 520 Bike TrailIndian and Chinese restaurants
Airports
SEA Seattle-Tacoma International (Sea-Tac) (Link 1 Line to downtown Seattle, then 2 Line to Redmond; about 1.5 h total. A car is about 30 min in good traffic.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    12°C (54°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  5. May

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  9. Sep

    Best*

    22°C (72°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    11°C (52°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Redmond, Washington: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

18 rd

Feb

10°C (50°F)

3°C (37°F)

15 rd

Mar

12°C (54°F)

4°C (39°F)

17 rd

Apr

15°C (59°F)

6°C (43°F)

14 rd

May

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

11 rd

Jun

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

9 rd

Jul

25°C (77°F)

14°C (57°F)

5 rd

Aug

25°C (77°F)

14°C (57°F)

5 rd

Sep

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

8 rd

Oct

16°C (61°F)

8°C (46°F)

14 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

5°C (41°F)

18 rd

Dec

8°C (46°F)

3°C (37°F)

18 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Downtown is flat and walkable; a bike is the local way to move (rentals in town, trails along the Sammamish River). The 2 Line light rail runs from Downtown Redmond to Bellevue, Mercer Island and Seattle, roughly every 8–10 min, 5:00–1:00 weekdays, 41 min end to end, flat $3.00 adult fare (check). King County Metro and Sound Transit buses (RapidRide B, 245, 250, 542, 545, 566) cover the Eastside; a car helps for anything outside the core.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Seattlego

Door to door: 45–60 min by rail; 25–40 min by car

2 Line light rail from Downtown Redmond, or SR-520 by car

Rail avoids the toll and the bridge traffic.

Bellevue

go

Door to door: 20–30 min

2 Line light rail or RapidRide B

Mall, museums and the Eastside's main downtown.

Kirkland

go

Door to door: 25–35 min

Metro 250, or bike via Old Redmond Rd

Waterfront park and restaurants; the ride in has few protected lanes.

Issaquah

go

Door to door: 20–30 min

East Lake Sammamish Pkwy by car, or I-90

Trailheads and the Cougar Mountain area; car is easier.

Renton

caution

Door to door: 40–50 min

Sound Transit 566

Fine for a specific stop; little reason to go otherwise.

Vashon Island

overnight

Door to door: 2–2.5 h

Car or bus to the Fauntleroy or Point Defiance ferry

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep over.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown Redmond

Around Redmond Town Center and the Transit Center: walkable to food, shops and the 2 Line; the default for a short stay.

Overlake / Redmond Technology Station

Microsoft campus and the tech corridor; chain hotels, easy light rail and SR-520 access, little street life.

Marymoor / Sammamish River

Quieter, next to Marymoor Park and the trails; best with a bike or car.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$70–110 excl. bed
Mid
$120–200 excl. bed
High
$220+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180US$180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140US$280
Link 2 Line fare, one ride2 × US$3 · checkUS$6
Marymoor Park parking, per day1 × US$1 · checkUS$1
Bike rental, per day2 × US$40 · checkUS$80
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$58
Trip total≈ US$318 per person per day, bed includedUS$635

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$4–7
Indian lunch buffetcheck$8–16
Casual dinner main$15–28
Draft beer in a bar$7–10
Link light rail ride$3.00 flat (check)
5 km rideshareSurges at rush hour.$12–20
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low street crime; the real risks are wet roads, dark early winter evenings and unlit trail sections. Standard US city sense applies.
  • SR-520 across Lake Washington is tolled with no booths: a Good To Go pass or a mailed bill by plate.
  • Rush hour can turn a 10–15 min Eastside–Seattle drive into 30–40 min.
  • Some bike trails end abruptly on busy roads; plan the last link.
  • Prices are shown before Washington sales tax.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Redmond, WashingtonRedmond

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Redmond; consulates-general are in Seattle (check the address).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • SEA → Redmond by transit: about $3–6 in Link fares, about 1.5 h (check)
  • Link 2 Line, any ride: $3.00 flat adult, 41 min end to end (check)
  • SR-520 bridge toll: varies by time of day, no booths (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the light rail station? — Where is the light rail station?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?

US tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Redmond, Washington. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep (dry, long days); late Sep–Oct for colour · avoid Nov–Mar (rain, short days); summer weekday rush hour on SR-520 · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for SEA: last 1 Line and 2 Line departures field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Downtown Redmond, Redmond Town Center, Overlake, Marymoor.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Microsoft Visitor Center, Marymoor Park, Redmond Cycle) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Toll and rush-hour fixtures so SR-520 crossings can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources