bailmart23

My wife and I are taking a last minute trip to Seattle tomorrow morning. We will arrive around 9:30 am and will depart early Sunday morning. Should we rent a car or rely on public transportation. I know this question has been asked before so let me expand. It seems like the car option is cheaper than a cab as public transportation does not get us to the airport for our early morning departure. Is there free or metered parking downtown? Also, are there are any 1-3 hour drives along the coast that would be pretty this time of year? And since I am now offically rambling, any hotel area preferences? I will most likely use priceline to help save money, should we bid for a downtown property or are there other priceline zones that are worth considering. We have no concrete plans, just want to enjoy the area!

beanweb24

We were there over Labor Day and rented a car. Our hotel offered parking for about $25/day. We spent $5.80 on parking our whole trip by finding metered spots -- which are FREE on the weekends.

If you're staying in downtown, it's pretty walkable. We drove all over the place looking at different neighborhoods for a potential move (not going to happen) and the car suited us best.

Spokaneman

Unless you are planning on going outside the downtown area, which wouldn't be likely on so short a trip, use public transit. Even if it costs a bit more, driving in Seattle & looking for parking spaces if you don't know the area is very frustruating. Traffic, even on the weekend is terrible, and on street parking while free is hard to find. All made worse by rain, which is likely this time of year.

suze

If you want to go out-of-town, you need a car imo. Don't count on finding metered parking (it's only 2 hours anyway) but be ready to pay at your hotel whatever they ask or in a U-Park or other public lot.

For Priceline I would definitely only bid on downtown core. That's really where you want to stay for an impromtu trip.

As for drives, it's pretty heading out to Snoqualmie Falls. Or maybe going over to Whidbey Island. Or maybe visit the wineries in Woodinville?

suze

It's not raining and sunny at the moment btw (Friday 4:30pm)

happytrailstoyou

If I understand correctly, you will be in Seattle about 24 hours in which case I believe you would be better off without a car. You will find plenty to do on foot or using public transportation.

Your hotel can advise you how to travel to and from SeaTac Airport, which is currently in a HUGE mess because of a construction project.

beanweb24

Metered parking by Hotel Monaco was 2 hrs during certain times M-F but unlimited between 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. the following morning and on weekends and holidays, too. We definitely had the parking fairy on our side that weekend -- $5.80 covered our 4 night stay.

Gardyloo

Get a car, do a drive. My recommendation would be to drive out around Alki Point in West Seattle to the Vashon ferry, cross over to Vashon, then down the island to the Tacoma ferry, back to the mainland and back to Seattle. Visit the Museum of Glass if you want in Tacoma, otherwise just enjoy the autumn colors, blue water and cute villages (esp. Quartermaster) on Vashon.

Parking on the street in downtown will be free after 6 (5, really - they go home) and all day Sunday.

Aside from downtown, you can do very well in the Lake Union zone on PL - Residence Inn or Courtyard - but try downtown first. Note there's a UW football game tomorrow (4 pm start) so hotel availability might not be as robust as usual. Also best to avoid the U district around 2-4 or 7-8 pm.

suze

The construction at SeaTac was finished, when I was thru last month, at least the parts of the airport I was in. Actually it looked stunning.