I am a single older woman arriving on a late night flight and planning on using the new light rail to Westlake Center. I need to get to my daughter's apt. in the area of 4th and Denny. I looked at the bus routes, but does one catch the bus route underground or up on street level? Do cabs frequent that area around midnight?

Buses don't run in the tunnel at night, so they would be above ground. Cabs are kind of spotty to just hail in Seattle. If you don't see a cab, you can walk to the nearest hotel-the Mayflower is one block north on 4th, or the Red Lion is a block and a half west on 5th--and see if there's a cab waiting there (or call one).

Even though light rail is cheap at $2.50, I still recommend the Seattle Downtown Airporter: http://www.graylineseattle.com/airportexpress1.cfm

Much more convenient.

I would not recommend coming in on public transportation solo at midnight. No, taxis don't frequent the area. In Seattle you usually need to call to have a cab dispatched or find one outside a hotel in the line up.

I'm not saying it is actually dangerous but I think it might not be real comfortable for you arriving in the downtown care, alone, at midnight, with a suitcase. I live here and am fairly brave and would not do that myself.

I would either spring for a taxi from SeaTac. Or take the Greyliner to the last stop (Warwick hotel) and then you could walk (or short taxi ride) up 4th to Denny from there.

burlev, according to the website, those shuttles have their last run at 9pm. My flight arrives at 11pm...therein lies the problem.....

I'd go taxi or Shuttle Express at that hour. Note too that the light rail stops around midnight on M-Sat, 11 on Sun. nights, so if your flight or bags are delayed...

Opps, too late for Greyliner.

Seriously I would spring for a taxi or use Shuttle Express. I am an adventurer myself and travel all kinds of places alone (Mexico, Europe, etc.) but I would NOT advise taking public transit around downtown Seattle at midnight as a woman alone with a suitcase. Like I said, probably not dangerous, but very likely not 'comfortable'. It's dark and deserted and there's plenty of riff-raff on the streets at night. Seriously.

"there's plenty of riff-raff on the streets at night. Seriously."

This is unfortunately true, and it's becoming more and more of a problem. In the daytime, too.

Thanks for all your comments/help. When I was there in October, before the rail link opened that far, I took the public bus, but that was in the afternoon and no problem. I was looking forward to trying out the light rail, but safety always comes first, as "my mum" always said...
I've seen Gardyloo on here answering Seattle questions quie often and if even HE wouldn't do it, ...enough said!

You're welcome. I am very non-alarmist about safety. I live here and there's plenty of things I do that others might not, but taking public transportation and walking across downtown at midnight with luggage just isn't one of them.