Seattle is a great town with cheap public transportation. It’s very easy to get around Seattle without renting a car. For $8 a day you can take an unlimited number of rides on public transportation.
I love using public transportation when traveling. Sometimes it’s the most efficient and economical way to see a city. You get to see more because you don’t have to concentrate on your driving.
And as an added bonus, you can also save money by skipping the car rental. Here are seven ways you can enjoy your visit to Seattle without renting a car.
This post was originally published on April 24, 2014, and was updated on February 7, 2020.
Whether you’re spending a couple of days or have a few hours during layover in Seattle, you don’t have to rent a car. Because it’s easy to get around the city without a car.
How to Get Around Seattle Without a Car
1. Central Link Light Rail
Relax and ride the rail
The Central Link light rail is the cheapest way to get from the Seattle (SeaTac) airport to downtown Seattle.
Link Light Rail Cost
One-way fares:
- $3 for adults (19 to 64 years)
- $1.50 for children (6 to 18 years)
- $1 for adults (65 years and older & people with disabilities)
- Free for children (5 and under)
One child aged 5 and under can ride free with each paying adult.
There is no discount for round-trip fares; round-trip fares are double the one-way fare.
You have to buy your tickets before you get on the Link light rail.
You can buy a reusable ORCA card for $5 and put money on it. Or you can buy a ticket from the ticket vending machine (TVM). The TVMs take cash or credit card.
If you plan on using the King County Metro, the South Lake Union Streetcar, the King County Water Taxi, and the ST Express Bus or don’t want to hassle of having to buy a ticket each time you ride the Link light rail, spend the $5 to buy an ORCA card.
Regional Day Pass
You can buy a Regional Day Pass.
The $8 Regional Day Pass provides unlimited daily rides when the one-way fare is less than $3.50.
The regional day pass program is valid on public transportation in the four-county central Puget Sound region which includes Seattle.
Pro-tip: The Regional Day Pass is $4 for seniors, kids age 6 to 18, and those with disabilities.
Link Light Rail Schedule
The Link light rail operates 365 days of the year.
The schedule varies for weekdays, weekends, and holidays but generally operates from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays with the last train leaving the Seattle (SeaTac) airport at 12:10 a.m.
On Sundays, the Link light rail operates between 5 a.m. to midnight with the last train leaving the Seattle (SeaTac) airport at 11:05 p.m. During holidays the schedule varies so check the Soundtransit website.
Get from the Seattle (SeaTac) airport to downtown Seattle in less time than it took to clear security at the airport
It takes 38 minutes to get from the Seattle (SeaTac) airport to downtown Seattle. The ride is pleasant and there’s room for your luggage. It can get crowded during peak times so plan accordingly.
2. Seattle Center Monorail
monorail
Built to provide transportation from downtown Seattle to the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, the area now known as Seattle Center, the Seattle Monorail is a two minute ride that takes riders above the streets of Seattle.
Cost of Monorail
One-way fares:
- $3 for adults (13 to 64 years)
- $1.50 for children (5 to 12 years)
- $1.50 for reduced Rate (Seniors 65+, disabled, persons with Medicare cards, & active duty U.S. military)
- Free for children ( 4 and under)
There is no discount for round-trip fares; round-trip fares are double the one-way fare.
Tickets can be purchased at the monorail ticket booth.
Pro-tip: There’s a 3.7% fee when paying with a credit card.
Monorail Schedule
The monorail operates seven days a week and is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The monorail runs every 10 minutes.
Monorail hours:
- 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday
- 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday
- 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday
- 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday
3. King Country Metro
Photo via King County Metro Instagram
With almost 220 bus and trolley routes, the King County Metro can get you where you want to go.
King County Metro Fare Costs
Fares on the King County Metro varies depending on your age.
One-way fares:
- $2.75 for adults (19 to 64 years)
- $1.50 for children (6 to 18 years)
- $0.50 for adults (65 years and older & people with disabilities)
- Free for children (5 and under)
Up to four children age 5 and under can ride for free with one paying adult.
Fares can be paid in cash or an ORCA card upon boarding.
King Metro Schedule
The schedule varies on weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
A complete schedule for the King County Metro can be found on the King County Metro website.
Here is a list of the King County Metro and (Sound Transit) ST Express bus routes.
4. South Lake Union Streetcar
Screenshot Photo by: King County Metro
The South Lake Union Streetcar brings riders from South Lake Union to downtown Seattle.
Cost for the South Lake Union Streetcar
One-way fares:
- $2.25 for adults (19 to 64 years)
- $1.50 for children (6 to 18 years)
- $1 for adults (65 years and older, people with disabilities, people with Medicare cards)
- Free for children (5 and under)
Fares can be paid using cash, credit card, or an ORCA card. If not using an ORCA card, you have to buy a ticket at a pay station at a Streetcar station.
Pro-tip: Day Passes are available: $4.50 for adults, $3 for children, and $2 for seniors and those with disabilities.
South Lake Union Streetcar Schedule
The South Lake Union Streetcar operates 365 days a year.
The South Lake Union Streetcar runs every 10 to 15 minutes.
South Lake Union Streetcar hours:
- 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday
- 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday and holidays
5. Walk
Seattle is a great walking city because most attractions are centered around the downtown area.
You can easily walk from one attraction to the other.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. You can always hop on the bus if your feet get tired.
6. Sound Transit
This ain’t your momma’s bus
Photo by: Azure Dragon of the East via Wiki
The Sound Transit connects the Snohomish, King and Pierce counties. Riders can use the ST Express Bus, Sounder Commuter Rail and Tacoma Link.
How much is the ST Express bus?
Fares on the ST Express bus for adults (19 to 64 years) are based on whether you stay in one-county or cross multiple counties.
One-county one-way fares:
- $2.75 for adults (19 to 64 years)
- $1.50 for children (6 to 18 years)
- $1 for Reduced Rate Permit Holders (65 years and older & people with disabilities)
- Free for children (5 and under)
One child aged 5 and under can ride free with each paying adult.
Multi-county one-way fares:
- $3.75 for adults (19 to 64 years) multi-county
- $1.50 for children (6 to 18 years) multi-county
- $1 for Reduced Rate Permit Holders (65 years and older & people with disabilities)
- Free for children (5 and under)
One child aged 5 and under can ride free with each paying adult.
Fares can be paid with cash or an ORCA card when you board the bus. Exact fare is required when paying cash.
What is the Sound Transit schedule?
The ST Express bus usually operates seven days a week.
A complete ST Express bus schedule can be found here.
7. King County Water Taxi
Leave your car at home and zip across the water
Screenshot Photo by: King County Ferry District
The King County Water Taxi takes riders from downtown Seattle to West Seattle and Vashon Island.
Cost of the King County Water Taxi
A. Downtown Seattle to West Seattle
One-way fares paying cash or ticket:
- $5.75 for adults (19 to 64 years)
- $5.75 for children (6 to 18 years)
- $2.50 for Reduced Rate Permit Holders (Seniors 65+, disabled, persons with Medicare cards)
- Free for children ( 5 and under)
- Free for bicycle riders
Fares are paid using cash, ticket, or an ORCA card when you board the Water Taxi.
There is no discount for round-trip fares. Round-trip fares are double the one-way fare. There is a discount when you pay with your ORCA card.
One-way fares paid with ORCA card:
- $5.00 for adults (19 to 64 years)
- $3.75 for children with ORCA Youth Card (6 to 18 years)
- $2.50 for Reduced Rate Permit Holders (Seniors 65+, disabled, persons with Medicare cards)
- Free for children ( 5 and under)
- Free for bicycle riders
B. Downtown Seattle to Vashon Island
One-way fares paying cash or ticket:
- $6.75 for adults (19 to 64 years)
- $6.75 for children (6 to 18 years)
- $3 for Reduced Rate Permit Holders (Seniors 65+, disabled, persons with Medicare cards)
- Free for children ( 5 and under)
- Free for bicycle riders
Fares are paid using cash, ticket or an ORCA card when you board the Water Taxi.
There is no discount for round-trip fares. Round-trip fares are double the one-way fare. There is a discount when you pay with your ORCA card.
One-way fares paid with ORCA card:
- $5.75 for adults (19 to 64 years)
- $4.50 for children with ORCA Youth Card (6 to 18 years)
- $3 for Reduced Rate Permit Holders (Seniors 65+, disabled, persons with Medicare cards)
- Free for children ( 5 and under)
- Free for bicycle riders
King County Water Taxi Schedule
The King County Water Taxi Downtown Seattle to West Seattle operates seven days a week during the summer and weekdays only during the winter. The King County Water Taxi Vashon Island to Downtown Seattle operates on weekdays only.
The King County Water Taxi does not operate on the following holidays:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- President’s Day
A. Downtown Seattle to West Seattle
King County Water Taxi fall/winter hours (October 28, 2019 to March 20, 2020):
- 5:55 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. Monday to Thursday
- 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and weekday Mariners, Sounders, and Seahawks games
- 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday night Mariners, Sounders, and Seahawks games
- 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday
The King County Water Taxi from Downtown Seattle to West Seattle runs every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours.
The complete King County Water Taxi Downtown Seattle to West Seattle schedule can be found here.
B. Vashon Island to Downtown Seattle
King County Water Taxi hours:
- 6:10 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Monday to Friday
- 4:58 p.m. to 6:58 p.m. Monday to Friday
The King County Water Taxi from Vashon Island to Downtown Seattle runs every 22 minutes.
The complete King County Water Taxi Vashon Island to Downtown Seattle schedule can be found here.
Ready to explore Seattle without a car?
The Space Needle is steps away from the Monorail
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Rebecca Hall (Bex)
Wednesday 1st of July 2015
Great post, and just in time! I am travelling to Seattle Mon 5th July for a five week stay and cannot wait...thanks so much for sharing!
Debra Schroeder
Friday 3rd of July 2015
Hi Bex,
Awesome. You'll love Seattle. They've brought back their unlimited day pass - https://www.travelingwellforless.com/2015/07/02/unlimited-public-transportation-in-seattle-for-8-a-day/. And now it's only $8 :)
You can buy up to 12 days worth.