Transportation

Downtown Seattle’s public transportation is among the best in the country, offering everything from buses to streetcars to the Link light rail. While we continue to focus on its improvement, visitors and locals have access to a wide variety of options for navigating through Downtown efficiently and cost effectively.

The “Metro” public bus system which operates throughout Seattle and King County is one of the most extensive and highly praised in the nation. Having been honored twice as the best-run large public transportation system in North America, Metro operates a fleet of approximately 1,300 vehicles – including standard and articulated coaches, electric trolleys, dual-powered buses, hybrid diesel-electric buses and streetcars – which serve an annual ridership of more than 100 million.

In addition to service on Downtown’s surface streets, Metro operates a 1.3-mile bus tunnel underneath Downtown Seattle, making stops at Convention Place, Westlake, University Street, Pioneer Square and Chinatown-International District. Plus, riding Metro buses is free in the Downtown ride free zone between 6 am and 7 pm.

To find a route, maps and fare information for travel throughout and into Downtown Seattle, visit Metro online at metro.kingcounty.gov. Also view our Maps page to find information about other bus route maps.

The nation’s first full-scale commercial monorail system provides a fun, quick and convenient link from Downtown Seattle to Seattle Center daily (Mon – Fri: 7:30am – 11pm; Sat and Sun: 8:30am to 11am). Departing every 10 minutes, the one-mile trip takes just two minutes.

In Downtown Seattle, hop on the monorail at Westlake Center at 5thAve & Pine Street. The Seattle Center station is located near the Space Needle. Learn more at seattlemonorail.com.

The South Lake Union streetcar links Seattle’s vibrant Retail Core to the fast-growing Denny Triangle and South Lake Union neighborhoods, as well as the new 12-acre Lake Union Park. Visit seattlestreetcar.org for a route map, ticket prices and hours of operation.

Link light rail connects Downtown Seattle with Sea-Tac International Airport, making stops in Seattle’s southeast neighborhoods along the way, including six stops in Downtown Seattle from SODO to Westlake Center. Visit soundtransit.org for a route map, ticket prices and hours of operation.

HELPFUL LINKS
• Commute Seattle
• King County Metro
• King County Road Services
• Seattle Department of Transportation
• Sound Transit (Link Light Rail, Sounder Train)
• Washington State Department of Transportation
• Port of Seattle
• OneBusAway