Seattle airport to train

[moreisgood]

I’m looking for Advice. We are flying into Seattle a few days before our Alaska cruise on the wonder. We are planning to take the Cascade‘s train to Vancouver. What is the best way to get from the airport to the train station in Seattle with four people that each have two rolling bags? Also, we will need to eat before we get on the train and we have two people with dietary restrictions so we need some options. Are there parts of the airport in Seattle that have food before you go thru security? We will have all of our luggage with us so that’s a challenge too. Help!

 

[clh2]

Are you leaving any flexibility in your travel plans for either flight and/or train delays?

There is light rail from the Seattle airport to close to the Amtrak King Street station, but I do not know how easy that is going to be with 4 people and 8 rolling bags.

While is has been 3 years since I’ve been to Seattle, if I recall, it was a bit of a walk to get to the light rail from where we picked up our luggage.

Uber or Lyft is readily available, but you may need 2 due to the luggage you will have.

 

[KVH]

You're pretty much limited to food AFTER security at SeaTac. I might suggest 13 Coins on King Street. Depending on dietary needs, you're right across from the Intl District and fair choices there too.

 

[readyplayer]

We traveled in the opposite direction - Vancouver to Seattle but I can tell you what we know. There is a Airport Link light rail station at SeaTac. Its kind of a walk but the light rail does accommodate passengers with luggage. There is also a free shuttle to take passengers with luggage to the light rail station. Near the end of each car there is a spot for people to leave their luggage while taking the 40 minute ride to King Street Station where you will pick up the Amtrak Cascade train. When we went, there wasn't a whole lot of room for luggage since there were other passengers traveling with luggage. I wished they had larger areas to leave your luggage. Directions to the light rail station:

. Also google public transit link light rail SeaTac airport to get all the info you need. I think there was a Starbucks down in baggage claim at SeaTac. Also, there is a bridge from the light rail station that crosses the street and down an elevator to where there are hotels with restaurants. Hope this helps.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

I’m looking for Advice. We are flying into Seattle a few days before our Alaska cruise on the wonder. We are planning to take the Cascade‘s train to Vancouver. What is the best way to get from the airport to the train station in Seattle with four people that each have two rolling bags? Also, we will need to eat before we get on the train and we have two people with dietary restrictions so we need some options. Are there parts of the airport in Seattle that have food before you go thru security? We will have all of our luggage with us so that’s a challenge too. Help!

We just did this a few weeks ago. We were able to easily get an UBER XL which fit 6 of us all with huge bags. The pickup area is very easy to get to at SEA TAC. Once at King Street Station, you can check your bags and go eat. There's a great restaurant just steps away outside, 13 Coins, but also several more in the area. It's close to Chinatown. Food on the train is not great so if you think you'll get hungry, plan to carry something on. We brought pre packaged snacks from home.

Train got in kind of late, after 10 pm. You'll collect your bags just off to the side if you checked them. It was dark so have you're phone flashlight ready, we found it a bit chaotic. After going through customs it was easy to get another UBER to our hotel, we didn't feel great about using the Skytrain so late.

Tip: Sit on the left side of the train for the best view.

 

[TheRichFam]

I’m looking for Advice. We are flying into Seattle a few days before our Alaska cruise on the wonder. We are planning to take the Cascade‘s train to Vancouver. What is the best way to get from the airport to the train station in Seattle with four people that each have two rolling bags? Also, we will need to eat before we get on the train and we have two people with dietary restrictions so we need some options. Are there parts of the airport in Seattle that have food before you go thru security? We will have all of our luggage with us so that’s a challenge too. Help!

Hey there!

We lived in Seattle for 10 years and took the cascade to Vancouver before our Alaska adventure! Of course your mileage may vary, but we absolutely loved getting there this way.

Having flown in and out of SeaTac more times than I can count, I will say that there are several options in the airport to eat at. I have a member of my family who is gluten sensitive and we always found plenty of good choices. You may need to take the terminal link train to get to the restaurant of your choice, but it’s an easy system to navigate.

As for other options-

Southcenter in Tukwila is a short ride share away and there are tons of options there. Please double check me, but last I knew there is a rainforest Café, Bahama breeze, BJ’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Din Tai Fung, Jollibee, Olive Garden, Shake Shack and more at that location (Southcenter Mall).

If you are into Asian food, hop on the Link Light Rail train at the airport and take it a couple stops up to the King St Station stop. From there, you are a relatively easy walk to Uwajimaya, the best Asian Market and Food Court in America, full stop. If you like that kind of food and can’t find something you like there, I’d be curious to know what you were looking for!

From the King Street station stop, you are also a close walk to Pioneer Square. There are tons of great options there. I will say that the walk from King Street into Pioneer Square or up to Uwajimaya are a bit clunky with bags, but last I checked King Street station has lockers because that is also an Amtrak station. Or if your train leaves within a couple hours of you getting there, you could technically just check your bags in for your Amtrak reservation.

I’m happy to go into detail regarding that area because although we don’t live there anymore, it was our home for a long time and my office was pretty close to where you’re talking about. Please feel free to shoot any questions my way.

One last thing-
If you are a coffee person on any level, you absolutely must make sure you go to a good coffee spot while you are there. If that sounds interesting let me know and I will post some suggestions here. Seattle is absolutely capital of great coffee in the United States. (And no … I don’t mean the green siren, though that HQ is nearby the King St Station, too )

 

[TheRichFam]

Tip: Sit on the left side of the train for the best view.

THIS. 100%

 

[KVH]

OK. Revising after thinking about what I said about 13 Coins. It's still good but this is better -> Walk four blocks north from there on 2nd. Turn left onto Yesler Way. And enter Tat's Deli. If you like cheesesteak and some of the best french fries around, this is the way (as they say). You cannot go wrong here.

P.S. I would also strongly recommend, for snacks on the train, you make a stop for a doz at a Top Pot donut shop. You will NOT be disappointed!

 

[ImDMous]

We're doing something very similar, except we're spending the night at the Embassy Suites Pioneer Square and catching the 8:30 am train. We should be getting to the hotel around dinner time (think we're taking Uber from airport but haven't decided yet). Is it a safe area to walk around at night? We're all adults and have been to/lived in big cities. Just making sure it's not a dangerous area after dark. We've never been to Seattle, but we're in SoCal so been to LA many times.

 

[KVH]

We're doing something very similar, except we're spending the night at the Embassy Suites Pioneer Square and catching the 8:30 am train. We should be getting to the hotel around dinner time (think we're taking Uber from airport but haven't decided yet). Is it a safe area to walk around at night? We're all adults and have been to/lived in big cities. Just making sure it's not a dangerous area after dark. We've never been to Seattle, but we're in SoCal so been to LA many times.

At night? Not only no but hell no. Pioneer Square after sundown can be really bad news. Having spent 20 years there and both DW and I working downtown, I can even say sometimes the day wasn't so great either. If you do walk, no open-toed shoes. Drug needle issues really ARE a thing on the downtown sidewalks.

I no it sounds alarmist and, of course, some areas aren't as bad as others. Like proly not as bad as SF or NYC, but neither should you just shrug it off either.

 

[TheRichFam]

I concur. Definitely don't do that walk at night. During the day it should be mostly ok, but I'd still recommend using a rideshare for movement throughout the city. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Bunless]

one--I have to agree about not walking around after dark in Pioneer Square. In living here for thirty years, it is the only area that I don't feel safe. I am someone who tends to poo-poo alarmist rhetoric with a big eye-roll, but Pioneer Square after dark you definitely want the closed toe shoes.

two--The walk from the light rail station to King Street (Amtrak) is easy without luggage, and with one rolling bag I would do it, not sure about two. On google, you can do a street view of how you would walk between the two, just to see if you think you can manage it. There is a public elevator, which would help. Personally, I'd suggest a car service, just because I really like the one we use locally, and the cost isn't a big difference from a ride share.

three--to clarify, I saw 13 Coins mentioned twice. There is one very close to the airport, and another one right by King Street station. Same menu, and it's a classic one. We go a few times every year.

four--re. food. Restaurants here are great about dietary restrictions. As long as you stay away from a major chain, you will probably have a great meal. It's more a matter of what kind of food do you want. As someone else mentioned, if your group likes Asian food, go to the Uwajimaya food court.

five--LEFT HAND SIDE!!! lol best advice I've ever read on here