Navigation
- Light Rail – The $3 Option
- Shared Shuttle Services
- Uber and Lyft
- Old School Taxi
- Private Car Service
- Rental Car – Usually a Mistake for Downtown
- Quick Comparison
- So What Should You Actually Do?
- Things Nobody Tells You
So you’re landing at SeaTac and need to get downtown. Sounds simple, right? It’s 13 miles. But here’s the thing – that 13 miles can take you anywhere from 25 minutes to over an hour depending on what time you land and how you’re getting there.
Let me break down what actually works, what doesn’t, and what each option really costs when you factor in everything.
Light Rail – The $3 Option
The train costs three bucks. Can’t argue with that. You’ll find the station right in the airport at the far end of the main terminal, past baggage claim. It runs every 8-12 minutes depending on time of day.
The ride itself takes 38 minutes to Westlake Station in downtown. That’s the official number. Reality? Add time to get to the platform, wait for the train, then get from Westlake to wherever you’re actually going. If your hotel is near Westlake or University Street stations, you’re golden. If not, you’re walking with luggage or catching an Uber anyway.
Here’s what they don’t tell you: during rush hour (7-9am, 4-7pm), that train is packed. I’m talking sardines-in-a-can packed. If you’ve got two big suitcases and a carryon, good luck. Also, there are stairs. Lots of them. Yes, there are elevators, but finding them when you’re exhausted from a red-eye isn’t fun.
Best for: solo travelers with one bag who aren’t in a rush and don’t mind some walking. If that’s you, honestly, save your money and take the train.
Shared Shuttle Services
These run about $18-25 per person. You book ahead, they pick you up at the airport, drop you at your hotel. Sounds reasonable.
The catch? You’re sharing with other people going to other hotels. Sometimes you’re the first stop – 30 minute ride, great. Sometimes you’re the last stop after they’ve hit four other hotels first. I’ve heard stories of 90-minute trips to go 13 miles. Your time might vary, but you won’t know until you’re on the van.
If you’re on a tight schedule, this is frustrating. If you’re on vacation and don’t care, it’s cheaper than a private ride.
Uber and Lyft
Here’s where it gets interesting. Base price from SeaTac to downtown runs $45-60 normally. Sounds decent, right?
Problem is “normally” doesn’t include Friday evening when 8 flights just landed at once. Or Sunday night. Or holidays. Or bad weather. Surge pricing can push that $50 ride to $85-100+ real quick. And you don’t find out until you open the app.
Also, the pickup situation at SeaTac is a zoo. You go to the third floor of the parking garage, find your spot in a sea of cars, hope your driver actually shows up to the right spot. I’ve seen people standing there for 20 minutes trying to connect with their driver. Not ideal when you’re tired.
The cars? Total lottery. Sometimes you get a newer model, nice driver, smooth ride. Sometimes you get a guy who just started yesterday in a car that’s seen better days.
When it works well – 1-2 people, moderate luggage, not peak time – it’s fine. Just know what you’re signing up for.
Old School Taxi
Flat rate to downtown is around $55-70 depending on exactly where you’re going. You walk outside baggage claim, get in line, wait your turn, get a cab.
Pros? The rate is the rate. No surge pricing surprises. The drivers know where they’re going – they’ve been doing this route for years.
Cons? Seattle’s taxi fleet is aging. Many of the cars have seen a lot of miles. Also, if five planes just landed, you’re waiting in line. Could be 5 minutes, could be 25.
Honestly, taxis in Seattle are getting less common. But they’re still there if you want simplicity.
Private Car Service
This is where we’re talking $75-95 typically for a sedan to downtown. Yeah, it costs more than the other options. Let’s talk about why some people pay it anyway.
You book it ahead of time. You know the price. No surge, no surprises. Driver meets you at baggage claim with a sign, helps with luggage, you’re in a clean comfortable car, you get dropped exactly where you need to be.
A lot of business travelers expense this and don’t think twice – when your company’s paying and you’ve got meetings, the extra $30-40 over Uber is nothing compared to the reliability. You land at 7am with a 9am meeting? You’re not gambling on surge pricing or whether you’ll find your rideshare driver.
Families are the other group who go this route. When you’ve got two adults, two kids, four suitcases, and you’re exhausted from traveling – having someone meet you and handle the logistics is worth it. Many families and business travelers choose a Seattle town car service because fitting everyone plus luggage in a standard Uber can be tight, and professional drivers know how to deal with car seats and extra bags without drama.
Early morning flights (landing at 6am) or late night (after 10pm) – this is when reliability really matters. You don’t want to be that person standing in the parking garage at midnight hoping your Uber shows up.
Is it necessary? No. Is it worth it for some situations? Absolutely.
Rental Car – Usually a Mistake for Downtown
Look, if you’re planning to drive around Washington state, sure, rent a car. But if you’re staying downtown Seattle? Don’t.
Parking downtown costs $30-50 per day at hotels. Street parking is impossible to find. Garages are expensive and confusing. Plus, if you don’t know Seattle traffic patterns, you’re going to get frustrated fast.
The only time this makes sense is if you’re immediately leaving downtown to go somewhere else, or you’re staying multiple days and planning day trips.
Quick Comparison
Here’s everything side by side so you can actually see what makes sense:
| Transportation Option | Cost | Time | Works Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Rail | $3 | 40-50 minutes total | Solo travelers, light luggage, staying near a station |
| Shared Shuttle | $18-25 per person | 30-90 minutes (depends on other stops) | Budget travelers who aren’t in a rush |
| Uber/Lyft | $45-100+ (surge varies) | 25-40 minutes | 1-2 people, flexible schedule, checking price first |
| Taxi | $55-70 flat rate | 25-40 minutes | Simple, no app needed, predictable price |
| Private Car/Town Car | $75-95 flat rate | 25-35 minutes | Business travel, families, early/late flights, reliability matters |
| Rental Car | $40-60/day + $30-50 parking | 25-60 minutes (varies) | Leaving downtown immediately or multi-day touring |
Prices are current as of January 2026 and may vary based on time of day, demand, and specific providers.
So What Should You Actually Do?
Depends on your situation, honestly.
Traveling solo on a budget with light luggage? Take the train. Save your money. It works fine.
Business travel with a tight schedule? Private car. Don’t risk it. The $50 difference between that and Uber during surge isn’t worth missing your meeting.
Family with kids and lots of bags? Private car again. Trust me on this one. The stress you’ll save is worth every dollar.
Flexible schedule, 2-3 people, moderate luggage? Uber/Lyft can work great. Just check the price before you commit and make sure you know where the pickup is.
On vacation, not in a rush, want to save money? Shared shuttle or train depending on your luggage situation.
The worst thing you can do is not decide until you land. That’s when you make bad choices because you’re tired and just want to get to your hotel. Figure it out before you fly, book what makes sense, done.
Things Nobody Tells You
Timing matters more than people think. Land at 2pm on a Tuesday? Most options work fine. Land at 5:30pm on a Friday? Everything takes longer and costs more. That’s just Seattle.
Luggage is the wild card. One carryon? You’ve got options. Two checked bags plus a carryon? Your choices just narrowed significantly. Family of four with ski gear? You’re basically down to private car or rental.
Weather happens. When it snows in Seattle (rare but it happens), everything falls apart. Light rail keeps running but good luck getting to your hotel from the station. This is when having a professional driver who knows alternate routes actually matters.
Your energy level counts. Fresh and energetic after a short flight? Sure, navigate the train system. Red-eye from the east coast arriving at 6am after no sleep? Just pay someone to drive you. You’ll thank yourself later.
One last thing – if you’re landing during Seattle rush hour (3-6pm is the worst), add 15-20 minutes to whatever time you’re planning. I-5 through downtown backs up like crazy, and there’s no avoiding it. Doesn’t matter if you’re in a town car or an Uber, traffic is traffic. The difference is whether you’re watching the meter go up in a taxi or you’ve got a flat rate locked in.
