Seattle
 

Has anyone stayed on Bainbridge Island? Considering doing this instead of downtown Seattle. We will have a car and dont want to pay high price just fora rental car to sit. Any advice on the ferry?

Don't know how you are traveling TO Seattle, but a great move is to fly into SeaTac airport, and then take the Link Light Rail into town, see the local sites, and then rent a car from a downtown location if/when you need to drive off to points elsewhere.

IF driving and including Seattle as, say, part of a long vacation loop, it might be a tiny bit more convenient than Bainbridge to stay near the airport and take the same Light Rail into central Seattle.

And yes, the downtown Seattle overnight parking fees tend to be staggering in many cases.

Flying into SEA, renting a car and driving down to San Fran and over to Las vegas, then flying home from las vegas.

Don't get the car until you are ready to leave Seattle. Stay IN Seattle, you'll be glad you did.

I would not bother with a car until you are ready to leave SEA. You can get everywhere on public transport. I think staying on Bainbridge island to avoid parking fees is a bad idea. You will spemd a lot of time commuting on a ferry vs. enjoying yourself in Seattle.

Ditto to everything ellenbw said plus Bainbridge Island is not a tourist destination except for having lunch or an ice cream cone as part of a ferry ride to see the Seattle skyline and, on a clear day, the surrounding mountains.

HTtY

PS If you are traveling now, parking at the Best Western Loyal is $10 a night and free for Diamond club members.

Also, ferry fees aren't cheap.

We usually rent from Hertz downtown at 1501 8th Avenue. It's cheaper but the hours aren't as good as the airport, so check in advance.

I haven't stayed here, but the Homewood Suites at Pike Place gets good reviews and is well-located.

I commented on your other thread but this thread is more on point. I join the chorus of preaching stay in Downtown Seattle without a car, rent a car once you leave.

Yes, we saved a LOT of money last fall doing just that. Fly into SEA, took Link Light Rail into downtown and spent a great couple of days (no car needed), then picked up a car and left on the driving part of our vacation. We used Budget, there are several offices in the downtown area too.