Seattle public transport: tickets, passes and apps

Seattle-area fares are set by the regional transit agency and are flat rather than distance-based, which makes the maths simple: count your rides, then compare that with a day pass or a stored-value card.

Prices below are 2026 estimates in US dollars. Youth, senior and disability fares are lower; reduced fares need proof of eligibility, so visitors usually pay adult rates.

The simplest method for a short visit is a contactless credit or debit card, or a phone wallet, tapped on the reader at the station gate or on the bus. You pay the adult fare each time and transfers are applied automatically, so you do not need to buy anything in advance.

If you want a physical card, buy a reloadable ORCA card from a ticket machine at a light-rail station or from a participating retailer, load stored value, then tap in. The same card works across the region's buses, light rail and ferries, which is why it suits a stay of a week or more. A mobile version of the card is available in the ORCA app for phones that support it.

Cash is still accepted on many buses, but you need exact change and it slows you down. Ticket machines at stations take cards. Keep your card or phone separate when tapping so the reader does not charge two fares.

SeaTac airport is on the Link light rail line, so the train is usually the cheapest and most predictable way into the city. The ride to downtown takes roughly 35–40 minutes and costs the same flat adult fare as any other ride, paid by contactless card, phone or ORCA card at the station.

Trains run from early morning until late evening; after that you are looking at a taxi or ride-hailing car, which costs far more. If you land late, check the last train time before you commit to the rail option.

From the airport station you can also reach the stadium district and the university area without changing. For a hotel near the airport, the same line covers the short hop to the terminal area.

Fares in the Seattle area are flat, so you do not need to work out zones before you travel. The same ticket covers buses and light rail across the urban area, and the regional card also works on some ferries and suburban services.

Coverage is strongest in central Seattle, along the light-rail line and on frequent bus corridors. Outside those, buses run less often in the evening and on weekends, and some suburban trips need a transfer. For late nights and places off the main lines, plan on a taxi or ride-hailing car.

If your trip includes a ferry across the sound or a day outside the city, check whether your card or pass is accepted on that service before you rely on it.

Work out the break-even before buying anything. If you will take two rides in a day, pay per ride. If you will take four or more, a day pass is usually cheaper. Over a week, a reloadable card with stored value is the flexible choice; a monthly pass only makes sense if you are riding most days.

Tap the same card or phone every time. Using a different card for each leg can break the transfer and daily-cap logic, and you end up paying twice.

Rush hour in the morning and late afternoon is busy on the light rail and downtown buses. Off-peak travel is calmer and seats are easier to find. Keep your card or phone ready before you reach the gate so you do not hold up the queue.