Major city · United States
RentonRenton, Washington
Base in Renton only if you have a car and want cheaper beds near Seattle: 1 night, or 2 if you add the Boeing plant area and Cedar River Trail.
Renton is a suburban city on the south shore of Lake Washington, 20-30 minutes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and about 20 minutes from downtown Seattle by car. It is best known as the site of the Boeing 737 plant and the Jimi Hendrix Memorial. Most travellers use it as a cheaper, quieter base for Seattle or as a stop on the way to the Cascades.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun-Sep (warm, dry, salmon run in Sep)
- avoid Nov-Mar (rain, short days)
- Airports
- SEA · BFI · RNT
- 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 ▾
In this guide
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 Renton911 ▾
- 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 Renton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyRenton is a normal American suburb and generally safe in the day; the real risks are car break-ins in mall and trailhead lots, wet winter roads…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSEA Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (About 15-25 min by car via I-405 and SR-518; Link light rail to Tukwila International Blvd then bus.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: I-405 and SR-167 connect Renton to Bellevue, Seattle, Kent and the airport, and many sights sit along highways.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4-6
- Sit-down mealSteak dinner at Melrose GrillReserve ahead on weekends.$30-50
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$12-20
- BeerDraught beer at a downtown bar$6-9
- Museum or sight ticketRenton History Museum entrycheck$5 adults, $2 children
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$280
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$250
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.
- Airports
- SEA Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (About 15-25 min by car via I-405 and SR-518; Link light rail to Tukwila International Blvd then bus.) · BFI King County International Airport (Boeing Field) (General aviation and some charters, northwest in Seattle.) · RNT Renton Municipal Airport (Seaplane base next to the Boeing plant; no scheduled airline service.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Renton: 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)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
18 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
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
A car is the practical choice: I-405 and SR-167 connect Renton to Bellevue, Seattle, Kent and the airport, and many sights sit along highways. King County Metro and Sound Transit buses run from the Renton Transit Center, with routes 101, 105, 106, 240, 560 and 566 covering Seattle, Bellevue, the airport and Kent. Fares are about $3 for 2 hours (check). The nearest Link light rail station is Tukwila International Blvd, a bus ride away.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40-60 min by car, 50-70 min by bus
Car via I-405 and I-5, or King County Metro route 101 from the Renton Transit Center
Downtown Seattle is the main reason to base here; go early to beat I-5 traffic.
Bellevue
goDoor to door: About 20-30 min
Car via I-405, or Sound Transit route 560/566
Shopping and restaurants; easy half-day.
Federal Way
cautionDoor to door: About 30-40 min
Car via I-5 south, or bus connections through Kent
Mostly a shopping and suburban stop; go only if you have a reason.
Redmond
goDoor to door: About 35-50 min
Car via I-405 and SR-520, or Sound Transit route 566
Tech campus area and Marymoor Park; combine with Bellevue.
Issaquah
goDoor to door: About 25-35 min
Car via I-90 east
Trailheads and the salmon hatchery; a good half-day with a car.
Vashon Island
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5-2 h
Car to the Fauntleroy or Point Defiance ferry, then ferry
Ferry timing makes a day trip tight; sleep one night.
Kirkland
goDoor to door: About 25-35 min
Car via I-405 north
Waterfront park and restaurants; easy evening out.
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 Renton
Walkable core with the transit center, antiques shops, bars and the Renton History Museum; best for a car-free night.
The Landing
Outdoor mall area with chain hotels and restaurants, walkable to Gene Coulon Beach Park; good for families.
Renton Highlands
Cheaper motels along NE 4th St; you need a car or a bus ride to reach downtown.
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
- Budget
- $70-110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120-200 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Car rental, one day1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| King County Metro fare, 2 hours2 × US$3 · check | US$6 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$52 |
| Trip total≈ US$284 per person per day, bed included | US$568 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4-6 |
| Diner breakfast | $12-20 |
| Casual lunch | $15-25 |
| Steak dinner at Melrose GrillReserve ahead on weekends. | $30-50 |
| Draught beer at a downtown bar | $6-9 |
| Renton History Museum entrycheck | $5 adults, $2 children |
| Henry Moses Aquatic Center, non-residentcheck; open mid-June through Labor Day | $15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Public transit is thin outside downtown and the Landing: expect long walks to reach most sights.
- Rush hour on I-405 and SR-167 can double your drive time; plan around 7-9am and 4-6pm.
- Winter is wet and grey from November to March; pack a rain shell.
- Some motels along the highway are cheaper but far from food and transit: check the walk before you book.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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RentonRenton, Washington
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
Most embassies and consulates are in Seattle or Washington, DC; check your country's list for the nearest office.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- King County Metro, 2 hours: about $3 (check)
- Taxi or rideshare, Renton to downtown Seattle: $35-55 (check)
- Car rental, one day: from about $60 plus fuel (check)
Say or show
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop? (wair iz thuh bus stop)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (kan eye pay by kard)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much iz it)
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken? (iz this seet tay-kun)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (wair iz thuh rest-room)
- Thanks, have a good one. — Thanks, have a good one. (thanks, hav uh good wun)
Tipping is expected: 18-22% at sit-down restaurants, $1-2 a drink, 15-20% for 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 Renton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun-Sep (warm, dry, salmon run in Sep) · avoid Nov-Mar (rain, short days) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SEA: last Link and bus departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Renton, the Landing, Gene Coulon Beach Park, Renton Highlands.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Jimi Hendrix Memorial, Renton History Museum, Henry Moses Aquatic Center) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A-D can go green.
Sources
- officialRenton official city website
- officialKing County Metro
- officialSound Transit
- secondaryWikivoyage: Renton, revision 5278073 (CC BY-SA 4.0)