What kind of public transportation does Seattle have?

[Madisorwn]

I am thinking about visiting Seattle next year. I am trying to decide whether to fly or drive, because it would probably be as cheap to fly there as it would be to drive. (I live in Oklahoma)But that means either renting a car or public transportation.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

http://www.seattle.gov/html/citizen/transit.htm

 

[juliebean]

okay - disclaimer at the top - haven't lived in Seattle for 20 years, grew up there - but visit every year...

There is a bus system and they have a commuter train - including from the airport (not sure it's done). If you are looking to see the city you can certainly get a shuttle to your hotel and then work with the bus and ferry system from there. I'm sure someone else can comment on the quality and ease of the bus and train system.

However, I would rent a car for at least part of the trip because the natural beauty of the Olympic Mountains, the Pacific Coast, the Skagit Valley and Cascades, Mt. Rainer...I don't know quite where to stop - should not be missed or rushed.

I do find it much less expensive to rent a car off the airport, but the logistics may dictate that. It is a wonderful place to visit - city is fun, but really don't miss places like the Hoh rainforest or San Juans if you can help it.

 

[keishashadow]

tripadvisor & cruisecritic (as seattle is port) both have lots of info for planning a trip to seattle.

We stayed @ the Fairmont downtown, it was close to space needle, the market, etc. Rode the monorail, appears as though they have a great system in place to navigate the city.

 

[backyardponder]

My son lives in Tacoma and we go out every year. Don't try to save money by not having a car. The beauty of the Pacific Northwest is in the mountains and the water. Seattle is a really nice city, but you are "cheating" yourself by not driving around the area.

 

[bumbershoot]

The transportation is geared for commuters, not for tourists.

Driving right IN the city, especially downtown, is a pain, so if your hotel is downtown and you're playing in downtown, take the bus (Seattle Metro), but for everything else, I'd rent a car.

Remember, it can be a good half hour to get from the airport to downtown Seattle itself.

 

[seashoreCM]

Seattle's public transportation is probably as good as it gets, including a new trolley from Sea-Tac airport to downtown.

You have to decide whether you want to rent a car for your entire vacation and pay for parking it at a downtown hotel, versus stay at an airport hotel and "commute" downtown, versus get a downtown hotel shuttle (a la Mears) for ease of handling baggage and renting a car only on the day(s) you need it.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Seattle's public transportation is probably as good as it gets,

Not quite. If you've ever been to a city in the US with a decent public transportation system, such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, DC, etc., you'd see that Seattle's public transportation system is quite poor. Not to mention the great systems in Europe.

You really need a car in Seattle.

 

[juliebean]

Not quite. If you've ever been to a city in the US with a decent public transportation system, such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, DC, etc., you'd see that Seattle's public transportation system is quite poor. Not to mention the great systems in Europe.

You really need a car in Seattle.

Absolutely agree - they are attempting to change this - but except for Seattle proper it is a largely car based transportation system...and honestly the traffic is horrible, as you might expect.

Really, even if you are someone who normally sightsees in cities, don't skip seeing the natural wonders of the area, you won't understand why people love it if you just stay downtown. We also really like the Museum of Glass in Tacoma - it's worth the drive, there are some really cool pieces from Chihuly and other artists, but we can sit and watch the artists working in the hot shop for a couple of hours easily.

 

[Skpnw]

I agree with the others - downtown: you will be fine using the bus. However, there is a lot to see outside of the downtown area that would require the use of a car. Also, one of the bridges across Lake Washington (what separates Seattle from the Eastside) is going to be a toll bridge starting this spring. You may want to keep that in mind when booking a hotel - if you stay on the Eastside, you will either have to pay a toll on one bridge or battle the traffic on the other.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not quite. If you've ever been to a city in the US with a decent public transportation system, such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, DC, etc., you'd see that Seattle's public transportation system is quite poor. Not to mention the great systems in Europe.

Absolutely!

No one here that I know thinks the transportation system is much good. Getting better, but nothing compared to other places...

Really, even if you are someone who normally sightsees in cities, don't skip seeing the natural wonders of the area, you won't understand why people love it if you just stay downtown. We also really like the Museum of Glass in Tacoma - it's worth the drive, there are some really cool pieces from Chihuly and other artists, but we can sit and watch the artists working in the hot shop for a couple of hours easily.

Yep; I don't personally much like the museum (though I live in walking distance) but I'm not typical when it comes to museums. So if you have time, definitely check it out!

And for THAT, you can take the Sounder train. Catch the Sounder, come out of the station (which is actually a funky "mall" of sorts in an old freighthouse), cross the street to the Link (free lightrail in Tacoma that only goes about 2 miles one way), it'll drop you off right at Union Station, and I believe there are signs to direct you across the pedestrian bridge to the museum in question. Be sure to check the Sounder schedule, though!