We are visiting Seattle next August and mainly want to be downtown, but hotel rates are horrendous! I have found several deals in Bellevue that look to be just what we need, but I don't want to be fighting traffic all day.

Are there any commuter train lines that run Bellevue to Downtown? Or a metro? Seems that buses would still have a traffic problem, unless they have dedicated bus lanes that really work.

Thanks for any input,
Greybeard

Are there any commuter train lines that run Bellevue to Downtown?

No.

Or a metro?

No.

Seems that buses would still have a traffic problem, unless they have dedicated bus lanes that really work.

There are, they do.

Greybeard,
Seattle has bus routes between Bellevue and Seattle. The buses, for the most part, travel in the express lanes, the same lanes you could use if there were 2 or more passengers in your car.
Enjoy your trip. Seattle in August can't be beat, IMHO.

I would definitely not want to stay in Bellevue, if sight-seeing in downtown Seattle is your focus (I did the commute for over a decade work a job).

Metro bus is your only choice. They have a website you can check routes. There are dedicated lanes part of the way, but they can only help so much.

If you really want to stay in Bellevue I would rent a car, and commute with everyone else!


My guess would be to allow at least 1 hour each direction to get back and forth across the lake using public transportation.

Are you comfortable bidding Priceline? People often post/report getting good prices on nice downtown Seattle hotels that way.

I too recommend Priceline for Seattle, but I wouldn't bid for August just yet. Instead, I would probably wait until at most 4-5 months before you leave - because Priceline is completely non-refundable. Some people think you get better rates ahead of time vs. last minute but perhaps not 10 months in advance.

I would recommend the Lake Union area on Priceline because it is still close to downtown but the hotels there that have come up on Priceline are near free parking. But, you have a few months to do some research on it. Look at BiddingForTravel.com for info on how to use Priceline.

Andrew

Have you tried accomodations outside of downtown? B and B's on Capitol Hill, hotels in south Lake Union or the University District? These are much better options than staying in Bellevue.

Hate to differ with everyone else here so far, but I live in Bellevue and take the bus downtown and when I read this immediately thought of the Bellevue Hyatt which is walking distance from the Bellevue Transit Center where buses run downtown often. That said, for nightime events, this may be a problem as I'm not sure that the buses run that often then.

Sorry Suze, I wouldn't suggest renting a car and communting from Bellevue to Seattle--that's more of a nightmare than a vacation!

IMHO it's better to do as Andrew said--go with Priceline around Lake Union and stay in Seattle.

Of course if you want to go to Mt.Rainer, etc., you might want to rent a car for part of the trip, but if you main goal is Seattle itself, you're better off staying there.

The Seafair festival airshow will affect traffic between the east side and Seattle from Aug 2-5 and hotel space will be at a premium. Tell me you aren't coming then...

Artlover, i respectully disagree. i don't see what is a "nightmare" about driving a car from Bellevue to downtown Seattle. especially since they are on vacation and could avoid the rush-hour. it's only 10 miles.

i made the commute for years and am speaking from my own experience. i would not want to be limited to public transportation for sight-seeing in the situation Greybeard describes.

Suze,
Have you tried it recently? Unfortunately, I have. :-<

Yes, at times it can be merely 15-20 minutes, but oh boy, other times, not worth it if you can avoid it.

Yes I have, most recent as yesterday as a matter of fact. In the pouring rain to boot!

OK, Suze, you must have better traffic karma than I do! So, I guess the question here is if greybeard would rather get a better hotel deal and stay in Bellevue and deal with the commute either by renting a car or taking public transit and cabs, or stay in Seattle and try to get a good deal on priceline. Maybe it's a toss-up?

And besides, he seems to have stepped out of this discussion, huh?

Yes Artlover, seems we are talking to ourselves

Honestly for me, it is no contest. I would absolutely stay in downtown Seattle as a tourist. Bid Priceline, stay at the Mayflower, Sixth Avenue Inn or Mediterranean (or the like).

My disagreement with you was *IF* a person insists on staying in Bellevue (why they would I don't know -haha) I would want a car to get around, not have to rely only on Metro bus to actually "see" Seattle.

kindly, Suze

I agree.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express (info below) in the beginning of October and it was very nice and reasonably priced. It is located right near the Space Needle so it is a little walk to the center of town but we enjoyed the walks.

SEATTLE-CITY CENTER,
Holiday Inn Express
226 AURORA AVE
SEATTLE, WA 98109
1-206-4417222