Obrero

How long will it take to drive from Lynwood to CenturyLink on a Friday night in July for the Manchester United game that starts at 8pm? An hour? More? Thx.

Obrero

Just realized it's Lynnwood not Lynwood.

Gardyloo

Traffic into the city from the north tends to be very heavy in the evenings, especially on Fridays, as the reversible express lanes are flowing northbound. If there are two or more of you in the vehicle you can use the HOV/diamond lanes as far as Northgate in Seattle, but expect real delays after that.

I'd give it two hours to be safe, more if you plan to park and want to be in the Clink well before kickoff.

Obrero

Yuk! Is there any decent public transport (train I guess) option?

tomfuller

If you did take a train into the city, you would have to spend a night in Seattle since there is not a late night train back north.
How early can you leave Lynnwood? Spend the afternoon in Seattle. Are you going back to Lynnwood after the game?

Obrero

I'm driving from Vancouver, WA to Lynnwood that day. I was planning on going to Boeing that afternoon but then this Man U game popped up. If there is no train I guess I'll just have to drive in as early as I can. If I plan to arrive in the city about 4 then traffic should be better, I presume. And yes driving back to Lynnwood that night. I could change my hotel but we booked so early the Residence Inn up there was only $169 for a two bedroom and I can't touch that price anywhere else now so I'm stuck...

tomfuller

You will be driving through Seattle going from Vancouver WA to Lynnwood. Just stop and spend the afternoon and evening in Seattle and then leave for Lynnwood with the rest of the fans at the end of the game.
Lots of things to see and do in Seattle including Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.
For future visits to Seattle there is a HI Hostel within walking distance of the train station and Century Link field.
It is the former American Hotel. They're probably booked for that night by now.

Obrero

Thanks. That won't work because not all of the party is going to the game. Is the walk between CenturyLink and the Aquarium safe?

suze

<If I plan to arrive in the city about 4 then traffic should be better>

Traffic is pretty much always horrible on I-5. I would not count on it being better just because it's afternoon, not full on rush hour when you return back from Lynnwood to Seattle.

Know that you will likely be in traffic as you come north as well. I-5 usually slows at Fort Lewis, Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, and or course if there are any accidents or incidents.

Yes it is "safe" to walk around downtown Seattle.

marvelousmouse

Have you looked at seatac hotels? I like the residence inn Lynnwood quite a bit, but as people have said, you need to allow 2 hours probably at that time. If you stay out at seatac, you can ride the link light rail into town and not have to worry about traffic period.

Obrero

Yeah I've looked at Seatac hotels, I'm still looking. Hotels are so expensive there. I'll need a two bed or two rooms so it's gonna cost me another $160 a night for two nights to stay near Seatac.

suze

<Hotels are so expensive there.>

That is the absolute truth. If I didn't live here I could never afford to visit!

suze, in seattle

Fodorite018

Consider taking the bus. We have done that numerous times from Lynnwood down into Seattle for various games, and back up.

Obrero

<That is the absolute truth. If I didn't live here I could never afford to visit!>

Well I'm visiting and I can't afford to visit lol.

Thanks for all the responses. I know I'll have to change hotels so I'll figure it out.

tomfuller

Did you check on the HI Hostel which is within walking distance? http://www.hiusa.org/washington/seat...american-hotel
Do you have a driver that is not going to the game?

Obrero

Yes I looked at the hostel. I'm about 20 years too old for that though.

janisj

Obero: Not to worry, yom probably has several decades on you

Hostels are not just for kids. But they don't fit everyone's style, that's for sure. If you want basic and cheap -- any age can stay at hostels.

tomfuller

I've stayed in 2 different hostels in Seattle in the past 6 years. I'm now 65. My first hostel visit was in Toronto in October 2001. HI hostels are always better than independent or backpacker hostels.
My thought was to have someone drop you off in Seattle and check into the hotel in Lynnwood and then pick you up after the game if you could not get public transport after the game.