To get into downtown Seattle from SEA-TAC, which is better--public bus or a shuttle? I know the price differential, but how about schedule reliability,number of stops, etc.?
Thanks for all replies.

Bus - runs every 1/2 hour (or every hour depending upon the time). Costs $9 - located right outside the terminal. You can also take the Metro (public transportation for $1.50). Depends upon how much luggage you have though. The $9 bus goes non-stop into town. Both are very reliable. Even though our transit system isn't robust, they do show up close to the scheduled time.

A shuttle would run you ~$18 each way.

I really hate the bus so I would spend the money on the shuttle. But this is from someone who takes a cab for $35!

I used the shuttle last summer and liked it very much. In fact, I thought it was better than the average shuttle service. Get directions from the airport website. There is a ticket and waiting area in the parking garage so you have a place to sit out of the weather while you wait. The shuttles are filled depending on destination so when it is ready to leave everyone gets on and there isn't any lengthy waiting inside a hot van. I was taken to the door of my hotel and helped with my luggage. We were all staying in the same general area so I didn't have to go on a grand tour of hotels like I usually have to do when using shuttles. Usually shuttles require that you stand on a median strip in front of an airport and WAIT and you're not quite sure you're standing in the right place or getting in the right shuttle.

The public bus is pretty reliably on schedule. During most of the day it leaves SeaTac for downtown approx. every half hour. However, every other bus (approx.) is an express which has travels mostly on an express lane on the freeway or on a dedicated bus lane and has few stops. It takes about 3- minutes to get downtown and in most cases that is less time than the shuttle. Unfortunately there is no place on the bus to stow luggage, so if you have a lot you may find this a hassle. The other thing to consider is how far your destination is from the downtown bus stop. During week days the express bus travels in a tunnel under 3rd Ave. and has limited stops. You can see the schedules for the bus on Metro's website. Look for Routes 174 and 194 at www.metrokc.gov - follow the links for transportation from the airport. The price depends on whether or not you are travelling during "peak times" but you will say a lot by taking Metro.

Y - 3 minutes???? 3 minutes from SEA-TAC to Downtown ONLY if you're travelling by jet!