CarolJean

I have a friend with a 5 hour layover at SeaTac and she would like to visit Nordstroms. What do you recommend? Where is the closest and how does she get there? Thanks! CJ

happytrailstoyou

There is a Nordstrom in the Southcenter Mall, which is four miles from SeaTac Airport. She can get there via taxi or light rail.

HTTY

mztery

it's Nordstrom not Nordstroms. (Just FYI)

Light rail from Seatac to the Westlake mall where the Pine St Nordstrom is closest/easiest. Count on 45 min each way.

mztery

Didn't know about that one, good to know.

CarolJean

Thank you for the quick responses. And I stand corrected. CJ

M_Green

The closest Nordstrom store is at Westfield Southcenter Shopping Center in Tukwila, WA. You could get there by taxi. You can't get to Westfield by Light Rail. Here's the link from the Airport's website for taxi info:
http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/ground/taxi.shtml

Normal taxi fare from the Airport to Westfield should cost $15.00 each way.

You could take Light Rail into Westlake Shopping Center which is pretty close to the downtown Nordstrom. It's only $5.00 round trip BUT you'll lose about 80 minutes of your 5 hour layover to riding the Rail. The Light Rail takes about 36 minutes one way to get to downtown from the airport.

I think there's a Visitor Center over by the airport now. I drove by a sign that said something about Visitor Information. Looks like it's about a block from the airport.

Hope that helps.

suze

Southcenter's definitely the closest, just a few minutes away, I'd just catch a taxi.

If she had more time I'd suggest the downtown Seattle Nordstrom flagship store in the old Frederick & Nelson's location, it's very cool... but with only a 5 hr. airport layover really wouldn't leave you enough time to shop!

happytrailstoyou

Metro bus #156 goes from SeaTac to Southcenter Mall: http://www.soundtransit.org/prebuilt/tpplanner.asp

HTTY

suze

It's her only having 5 hours total between planes, why I was recommending a taxi over Lightrail or Metro in this particular situation.

Assuming it takes her ~30 mins. to get out of the airport & that she has to check back in for her next flight ~90 mins. in advance. There's not all that much 'shopping' time left, especially if you have to wait 15-20 mins (for example) for a bus to come each direction, plus the ride time. There goes another hour.

happytrailstoyou

Were I interested in shopping at Nordstrom under these circumstances, I would definitely take a taxi (and I assume those who can afford to shop at Nordstrom, can afford taxi fare). However, if the purpose of the trip is to mock the merchandise and prices, bus service is available.

HTTY

suze

Call me crazy but I assumed this person really wants seriously to go shopping at Nordstrom for a couple hours on her layover at SeaTac. Since the OP gives no indication that this is a joke.

It's 3 simple questions - what do I recommend, where's the closest, and how to get there... all answered in two words:
Southcenter & Taxi