Seattle Travel Forum

I'll be flying in to Seattle next week in the evening and wondered what recommendations people have as far as ground transportation from the Airport to our hotel which is near the space needle.

How expensive are cabs? Are shuttles a reasonable alternative? Any public transportation available?

The last time my wife were in Seattle for a friend's daughters wedding we took the Gray Line Bus to our hotel downtown. Buses leave every 1/2 hour and are $18 round trip per person. Here is their website. It gives pricing info on other services. I checked them all out and the bus was the least expensive option for the two of us.
http://www.graylineseattle.com/airportexpress1.cfm

The airport bus is cheapest, but it may not go to your hotel. Taxis are generally somewhere around $40, with tip, but I don't know your exact hotel location. A very good method here, and very reliable is Shuttle Express -- a shared van, very easy to find at the airport (follow transport signs). They will deliver to your door. I don't know the cost to your exact hotel, but it will be somewhere between the bus and a taxi's cost. The cost to my much further north Seattle home is $33, but your fee will be far less.
Shuttle Express: 800-487-RIDE or 206-622-1424.

I remember reserving a town car to take us to the hotel. We were arriving especially late, something like 11:15pm. So, I didn't want to rely on public transportation. The cost was something like $30. I was given a phone # to call once I arrived and the car picked us up at the curb and dropped us off at the entrance of the hotel. I like that kind of service!

I can't remember the name of the company I used but I'm sure you can search airport transport, seattle and something should come up.

Returning to the airport, we took the bus that stopped off at our hotel for pick-up to go directly to the airport.

Town car or limousine services are indeed a good way to go. I'm just checking the Yellow Pages, and there are at least two dozen to choose from. I think I've taken this one below before:
Northwest Towncar Service, 877-823-5272, or 425-823-5272
We have lots of nice, white stretch limos, if you want one of those :-)
JJ Limousines, 888-604-5466, or 425-454-5053

I would also mention that you don't necessarily need a reservation for a town car (although it is recommended), as usually a number of them are waiting right next to the Shuttle Express check-in (no reservation needed for this shuttle for arriving passengers). Good luck!

Thanks for the replies and information!

You can take the public bus #194 directly from the Airport to downtown Seattle, this will cost you $2.25 peak hours 6am to 9am or 3pm to 6pm, or off peak hours $1.75. Buses depart from the lower level baggage claim area, just follow the signs. There are two public bus stops in this area, be sure to wait for the bus at the stop which indicates Downtown Seattle 194. It is fast and very frequent.
Once downtown, you can transfer to a local bus that will take you to the space needle area, walk, or take a taxi. If you do not have much luggage it is an easy 15/20 walk from where the 104 will let you off.

I've taken the bus a couple of times from Downtown to Sea Tac and back. It's either the 194 or the 174, depending on where you get on. The 174 runs nearly 24 hours but the 194 is quicker.
I've found the bus system in Seattle to be very reliable and punctual, although comparatively expensive. Definitely cheaper than a taxi though.

Thanks.

I am thinking that the Shuttle Express or the city bus are likely my best options. I'll have to check out how far the bus stop is from the hotel as I will be traveling a little heaver than usual.

Steve

Shuttle Express is what we use, a lot ... $ mean much to us but city busses are a bit less convenient with luggage and are slower.

But you may want to check with your hotel ... some hotels offer free pickup-delivery to/from airport