SeaTac to downtown hotel
 

Hi. I'm planning a trip and trying to figure out the best way to get me, my husband, our baby, and our luggage from the airport to a downtown hotel (Hyatt Olive 8). I can't figure out if this light rail exists yet or what. If not, how would a bus be? Or should I do Gray Line? I can't afford a cab, I don't think. Thanks in advance for any help.

Yes the light rail is operating, with a temporary bus shuttle from the airport to the Tukwila station, pending opening of the station at the airport in December(?). However with a baby and luggage it will be a huge pain, especially since the closest station (Westlake) is a few blocks from you hotel.

Taxi will be $45 plus tip.

Gray Line airporter bus will be $11 per person (baby free).

Shuttle express van will be $32 for 2 (baby free).

Taxi will be the quickest and easiest of course. Shuttle express can be either fast or slow depending on drops en route.

We use a limo from Seattletowncarlimo.com and it was $45 as I recall and IMO easier than a cab.

If you can't afford a taxi (~$45) then I would use either Grayliner or Shuttle Express. I would not try to go with baby & luggage by Metro bus or the new lightrail system.

Thanks, all.

When are you going on the trip?


The light rail is expected to go all the way to the airport at some point in December of this year.

IF your trip is after that point, then that is your option, but if it is before then, you'll probably do best to find an alternative.

Taxi rates are a flat $32 fee, at least from our hotel (Marriott-Renaissance Inn).

We used the Downtown airporter, it was super easy and just happened to drop off at our hotel first. Took make 25 minutes from boarding at the airport.

We wanted to do the light rail back to the airport, but it was raining and opted for the bus.

OP is traveling with a baby and luggage, and staying around 4 long blocks from the nearest Link station. Doesn't make sense to me; YMMV.

To clarify, the flat rate taxi rate quoted above is only RETURN to the airport from downtown. Coming from SeaTac to downtown Seattle it's more like $45-50.

I agree the Greyline Downtown Airporter is a good deal and reasonably convenient for the price (loops thru half a dozen major hotels in the downtown core). Luggage storage under the bus, cushy seats, etc. (compared to Metro bus).

For the cheapest alternative, take the Sound Transit bus fromt the south end of the airport. You'll be lugging your luggage by yourself, but so will everybody else. I think it's $1.75. If I remember correctly, there are two choices with the same route number, but one is an express. With the express, once you leave the airport, you don't stop until you reach the south end of downtown. They leave every 15-20 minutes. Ask at the transportation help desk on the baggage claim level.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, the above is WRONG!


that is METRO TRANSIT www.metrokc.gov

Bus #194 is the express

Bus #174 is the slower one


$1.75 for adults during NON rush hour

$2.00 for adults during rush hour

I ride the 194 regularly, but agree with those who said that it wouldn't be fun hauling luggage and a baby. I generally just have a carry-on when I ride it.

They don't have the same route number, #194 is the express, #174 is the local.

If the light rail was running by then, I'd take it to downtown Seattle and then take a short taxi ride to the hotel. I haven't been on Seattle's new light rail, but I can't imagine it would be any worse taking bags and a baby on it than our MAX train in Portland - which was never designed for luggage, but people manage with it anyway.

But it is not all that easy or common to flag a taxi in downtown Seattle. You normally have to call dispatch or go to one of the major hotels with a taxi stand.

Aw, you guys. Thanks so much for taking time....we're leaving in the morning, I'm glad I checked back. I think we'll do the Greyline or Shuttle Express. Thanks again!