Spouse and I are planning a trip to Seattle in April Would some of the Seattle Fodorites offer and opinion as to the best coffee offered in the coffee shops around town. Also, what is the most economical (read cheapest) transportation from the airport to downtown?

Thanks!

Betsy:

1. Torrefazione Italia
www.titalia.com

2. Gray Line Airport Express
www.graylineseattle.com

John

Thanks so much for responding to my questions. Am really surprised that the best coffee in Seattle is Italian!

The most economical transportation from the airport to downtown is the Metro bus (one of the local public transportation agencies.) The exact cost depends on the time of day, but it is no more than $1.75 one way. The express bus, which departs about every 30 minutes, is also usually a little faster than the Gray Line Airport Express - unless your destination is the first hotel stop on the Gray Line route. The Metro bus uses, for at least part of its route, the express lanes of the freeway and a dedicated busway. Downtown it goes under 3rd Avenue, Westlake Center, and then near the Convention Center. Cab fare from airport to downtown is approximately $30.

How much is the cab? And how would you recommend I get from the north side of the city to the airport for an 8 am flight without inconveniencing my hostess too much?

Betsy:
Metro is O.K., if you don't mind riding public transportation that's quite a cut BELOW the already dismally low national norm.
Personally, I even avoid the free buses downtown. I'm afraid I might catch something.

Terry:
Your best bet is a limo or van that picks you up at your front door. A friend of mine, who does not drive has used this service for years and swears by it:
Airport Shuttle / Express Towncar
15031 Military Rd S, Ste 235 B
Seattle, WA 98188
(206) 622-3400
(888) 622-3400, Fax: (206) 243-4561
www.airportshuttle.org
www.expresstowncar.com
The service operates 24 hours a day, and provides direct non-stop door-to-door transportation with professional, courteous drivers.

Terry and Betsy- I don't know how far north of Downtown Seattle you will be, but from Downtown to SeaTac airport is about $25 by cab. If your flight is 8am on a weekday morning, you will need to plan for the often brutal southbound I-5 commute into Seattle before you can sail out the other end of Downtown toward the airport. And Torrefazione is definitely the best coffee house in Seattle. The main shop is on Occidental in the Pioneer Square District.

You guys are great, as usual. THanks for the suggestions. John: can you give me some ballpark figures re$ for the limo? Anyone: To cope with the rush hour/$$, what about a limo/cab into city terminus (from north), public transport/greyline out to airport? Does that make any sense, or would it double the time taken?

Terry:
The friend who has used the airport shuttle says it has cost him about $20 each way. But he hasn't taken it for a while, so the price may have gone up. You might want to call them and inquire before using the service.

I finally got a response from the shuttle company:
Our rate from Greenlake is $30 direct non stop and $23 from Downtown--each
additional passenger is an additional $3.

John: Thanks for the effort -- above and beyond.... hope I'll be able to return the favor if you travel east.

Here's an update on SeaTac airport transportation hot of the press (Seattle Post-Intelligencer):

Tuesday, February 29, 2000

By KERY MURAKAMI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Seattle may soon set a $25 flat fare for a taxi ride between downtown and Sea-Tac Airport, no matter what the meter reads.

In an attempt to help taxis compete with limousine town cars, the Seattle City Council members are likely to adopt the flat fee as early as next Monday.

The change, proposed by the Schell administration, is intended, at least in part, to level the playing field in a big money battle between taxis and the town cars, which charge about $35.

The Shuttle Express service, which charges $20 but can involve several stops, could also be affected.

John

Appreciate the update. Thanks!