kengaham

My wife and I are retired and considering moving from Phoenix, AZ to Sequim, WA. We are planning a seven day trip this October flying into Seattle, renting a car and driving to Sequim (near Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula). I have never been to Seattle and so am unfamiliar with transportation there. I've looked into taking the Bremerton ferry, but to save time I'm thinking of driving via Tacoma. I'd be starting this trip around noon on a Wednesday. I'd like to rent a car outside of Seattle to save money, e.g. Kent, Tacoma. What are good options of getting from SeaTac airport to Tacoma, Kent or similar location where I can rent a car?

suze

"seatac to tacoma transportation"

Put those words in a Google search and your options will pop up with links below. There's Light Rail, private shuttles, Sound Transit bus, rental car, etc.

LightHarmony

Wow, what a hassle to give you a reply. Next time use TripAdvisor.com. First, understand that the SeaTac airport is so named as it is near Tacoma. Cheapest/easiest place to rent a car is always is the airport. If you don't have AAA or AARP see if any of your credit cards give you a discount. The rental agency will be glad to give you a map and detailed directions, or better yet, rent a car with a nav or bring along a portable one. Take the ferry to BAINBRIDGE not Bremerton which is further away. Whatever you will love Sequim. Wish that I had moved here 30 years sooner.

suze

<Cheapest/easiest place to rent a car is always is the airport.>

That's simply not true. It is the easiest of course, but renting within SeaTac will be significantly more expensive than if you use a rental agency elsewhere (off airport property).

You can post on the Seattle Trip Advisor forum as well, but I would have given the same answer, because it will show you ALL your options.

jamie99

I think you would like Sequim, been awhile, but my grandmother and her husband moved there from Tacoma.

elissabi

Definitely take the Bainbridge Island Ferry from Seattle Ferry Terminal, it's about 25 minutes from airport. Ferries run every 45 minutes or so and take half an hour. Downtown Bainbridge (Winslow area) is a nice place to stop on your way for a bite to eat. If you're interested in history, I can recommend the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum and the Suquamish Indian museum on your way to Sequim. If you're interested in art, Bainbridge has an Art museum and a number of art galleries.

Kathie

"First, understand that the SeaTac airport is so named as it is near Tacoma. "

Well, no. It is called SeaTac because it is midway between Seattle and Tacoma.

I endorse Suze's suggestion of asking google maps for route suggestions. Getting to Sequim Is a little complicated, especially since you want to rent a car outside of SeaTac. There are lots of possible routes which is why you want to look at a source that gives you lots of alternatives. I always get there via the Bainbridge Ferry, but I live in Seattle, north of the ferry docks. I can understand your wish to avoid Seattle traffic.

Sequim is renowned to have the "best" weather in the area - a bit warmer and less rain (it's in the rain shadow).

elissabi

Just wanted to add if you have time on your trip, consider doing a one or two day trip to Victoria, Canada from Port Angeles on the Black Ball Ferry. Victoria is a beautiful destination.

Gardyloo

I have never been to Seattle and so am unfamiliar with transportation there. I've looked into taking the Bremerton ferry, but to save time I'm thinking of driving via Tacoma. I'd be starting this trip around noon on a Wednesday. I'd like to rent a car outside of Seattle to save money, e.g. Kent, Tacoma. What are good options of getting from SeaTac airport to Tacoma, Kent or similar location where I can rent a car?

The cost and hassle involved in getting to an off-airport rental location south of the airport (and back to the airport when you're done) would be major. Instead, I'd look for a rental office in downtown Seattle, which you can reach easily on the light rail or taxi/Uber from the airport, and which should still save you money compared to picking up at the airport. However I'd really compare airport v. in-city prices for the rental vehicle; the last couple of times I've checked the savings didn't offset the cost of getting from/to the airport at the beginning and end of the rental.

As for the route, I really wouldn't bother with Tacoma. It might or might not be quicker than the Bainbridge ferry + driving, but it will be way less pleasant as you'll be in traffic most of the way down to Tacoma and back up toward Bremerton on the other side. By comparison the Bainbridge ferry is fast, scenic, frequent, and at that time of day in October there's little risk of delays. Arrive in Sequim fresh rather than road-weary.

suze

Agreeing with Gardyloo, and in your shoes, I would either LightRail to downtown and rent the car, then take it on the ferry. Or I would spring for the rental at the airport (trading the convenience for the higher cost) and drive up to the ferry. Either would be a much nicer experience than 'exploring' Tacoma when you want to get to Sequim.

happytrailstoyou

I suggest you heed Gardyloo's advice.

HTtY

kengaham

Thanks to all of you for good advice. Most are urging me to skip the drive South through Tacoma and to take the Bainbridge Ferry. In that case it makes sense to rent off the airport either in downtown Seattle or someplace near the ferry terminal.

suze

There's a Budget rental car in the 800 block of 4th Avenue downtown which is very close to the ferry dock (Pioneer Square area).

I just happen to know of it because my office is nearby and that's the one we use for business cars.

Bobmrg

https://goo.gl/maps/dW3KiV1tdVy

http://www.soundtransit.org/Schedules/Link-light-rail

The Pioneer Square stop should be closest to the Budget offce.

T

happytrailstoyou

Most are urging me to skip the drive South through Tacoma and to take the Bainbridge Ferry.

That is because you don't want to pay the airport rate for an auto. If you rent at the airport, it is better to drive through Tacoma than to take the Bainbridge ferry.

HTtY

kengaham

I found a Hertz rental car at the Airport Marriott that is apparently just outside the airport and easy to get to. Saved much compared to airport rentals. "happy trails..) suggested if I rent at the airport (or very near) that I drive South through Tacoma rather than take the Bainbridge Ferry. I'll be leaving about noon on a Wednesday. Any further thoughts from anyone else. You have all been very helpful.

happytrailstoyou

Congratulations on finding the rental deal. Mid-day on Wednesday is not a rush hour. The drive should take about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

You might want to return to the airport on the ferry to Seattle. You will have great views of Seattle's skyline and (if skies are clear) the surrounding mountains.

HTtY

suze

Sure, that works. Renting in the SeaTac area you might as well head down thru Tacoma and skip dealing with Seattle entirely. I agree. Good plan.

halfapair

I also agree with driving south through Tacoma. On a Wednesday afternoon before 2pm it shouldn't be too bad. There is construction going on in the Tacoma area on I-5, but that has been going on for years and will be there for years into the future.

There won't be any traffic on Hwy-16 Westbound, nor on Hwy-3 Northbound through Bremerton. (Hwy 16 becomes Hwy 3 in Gorst).

Sequim is nice because it's in a "Rainshadow" making it dryer than other places in western WA.

Gardyloo

(.."happy trails..") suggested if I rent at the airport (or very near) that I drive South through Tacoma rather than take the Bainbridge Ferry. I'll be leaving about noon on a Wednesday. Any further thoughts from anyone else.

Why would you put up with traffic through the airport area, the ongoing paving and lane closures (hence big traffic backups) on I-5 southbound between the airport and Tacoma (which will be going on until next spring), through traffic in Tacoma and through the Nalley Valley on SR 16, over a toll bridge (which in a rental car will cost twice as much than if you had a transponder not to mention the additional fee tacked on by the rental car company) and then north through more traffic in central Kitsap County (Bremerton etc.) versus a quick drive to the Seattle ferry terminal, and a scenic out-of-the-car crossing on the Bainbridge ferry, followed by a non-trafficky route up to Sequim? To save ten bucks or so - the difference between the ferry fare and the toll bridge in Tacoma? And that doesn't count the extra couple of gallons of gas. Meh.