Getting around Seattle: public transport, passes and taxis

Seattle is a narrow city squeezed between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, so most visitor trips run north–south along one corridor. Link light rail covers that corridor well; buses fill the gaps; the ferry is the fastest way west. Match the mode to the trip rather than buying one pass for everything.

The ORCA card is the region's stored-value transit card and works across light rail, buses, streetcars, the monorail and ferries. You tap on and tap off; the system caps what you pay in a day, so you do not need to buy a separate day pass in advance. Contactless bank cards and phone wallets also tap directly on Link and Metro readers, which is the simplest option for a short visit.

For a stay of a week or more, a loaded ORCA card is usually cheaper than single tickets, and it covers the airport run. Monthly passes only make sense for residents. Children and some students ride free or reduced; the exact age bands are worth checking at the ticket machine.

Link light rail is the backbone: from Angle Lake and Sea-Tac airport in the south, through downtown, Capitol Hill, the University of Washington and on to Northgate. Trains run frequently through the day and less often late at night. Stations are clean and signposted, and the airport station is a short walk from the terminal via a covered bridge.

Buses cover the rest of the city, including neighbourhoods such as Ballard, Fremont, Queen Anne and West Seattle. Many routes are frequent, but cross-town trips can take twice as long as the map suggests because of traffic and the bridges. Use a trip planner app and allow extra time in the afternoon peak.

Washington State Ferries sail from Colman Dock on the downtown waterfront to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton, and from West Seattle to Vashon Island. The Bainbridge crossing takes about 35 minutes and is the cheapest way to get out on the water; walk on and back rather than taking a car, which costs far more and queues at peak times.

The waterfront itself is walkable from downtown, and the new waterfront promenade links the ferry terminal, the aquarium and Pike Place Market. The Seattle Center Monorail connects Westlake to the Space Needle in about two minutes, which is faster than walking uphill.

Uber and Lyft are the default for late nights, hills and trips that cross water. Fares for most city trips land around US$15–40, with surge pricing at peak hours and after events. Airport pickups have a designated rideshare area; follow the signs rather than waiting at the kerb.

Taxis are metered and available at the airport rank and major hotels. They are usually a similar price to ride-hailing outside surge, and easier if you have no phone data. Tipping 15–20% is normal in both, usually added in the app.

A car is a liability in central Seattle and a help outside it. Downtown parking runs about US$15–45 a day, and peak-hour traffic on I-5 and the bridges is slow. If you are only visiting the city, skip the car and pick one up for the day you leave for the mountains or the coast.

For day trips, rental cars start around US$45–110 a day plus fuel and parking. Note the tolls on some crossings and express lanes, and check whether your rental includes them. Winter driving to the passes needs traction tyres or chains, which are sometimes required by law.

A typical car-free day in Seattle costs about US$8–15 in transit if you tap the same card, plus a ferry fare if you cross the water. A ride-hailing day costs US$40–80. A rental car day costs US$60–150 once parking and fuel are added, which only pays off if you are leaving the city.

Seattle's hills are real: a route that looks short on the map can climb several hundred feet. Light rail and buses handle the climbs; walking between downtown and Capitol Hill is steep. Rain is frequent from October to April, so covered stations and a waterproof jacket matter more than an umbrella.

Buy or load an ORCA card at ticket machines, or tap a contactless bank card directly. Keep a backup payment method in case one card is declined. If you plan to use your phone for maps and tickets, set up an eSIM before you fly.

For a first visit of two or three days, stay downtown or near a Link station and use transit plus the ferry. Add ride-hailing for evenings and any trip across the water. Rent a car only on the day you head for Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula or the Cascades, and return it when you come back to the city.