What to do When You Have a 5-Hour Layover in Seattle

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Via Facebook message, Teri asked:

Hey Deb,

I have a travel question for you. We are flying to Paris in May on Iceland Air and have a 5-hour layover in Seattle. Are we allowed to leave the airport?

Is five hours enough time to go see something in town and get back to airport? Any advice you have is appreciated we have a similar situation when flying back through Boston 5 hours again.

With a 5-hour layover in Seattle, there’s enough time to see a few things in Seattle.

You will have to go through security when you get back to the airport. If you have carry-on bags you’ll have to bring them with you or store them at the airport.

But enjoying Seattle during a brief layover is possible. Here’s what you should do.

5-Hour Layover in Seattle

For a short layover in Seattle, here’s a quick guide on what you need to do to see some of Seattle.

With a 5-hour layover, realistically you have 4 1/2 hours because boarding starts at minimum 30 minutes before departure.

Plus extra time to get through security (especially if you don’t have TSA Pre-Check).

So let’s say factoring everything in, you will have about 2 hours in the city, maybe a little more.

It’s better to overestimate and give yourself extra time because you don’t want to miss your flight.

However, it can be doable. Here’s what to do on a 5-hour layover in Seattle.

1.  Light Rail

Get to downtown Seattle from the airport on the Light Rail

There’s a Light Rail station at the airport. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the terminal.

You can buy an ORCA card at the station and load it with your fare. It costs $3.00 per person each way to downtown Seattle.

It takes about 45 minutes to get from the Seattle Airport to downtown Seattle (Westlake Station) on the Link light rail (train). So plan on 1 1/2 hours round-trip to get to and from downtown Seattle.

Pro-tip: Here are 7 ways to explore Seattle without a car.

2.  Pike Place Market

Check out the fresh fish at Pike Place Fish Co at the Pike Place Market

From the Westlake Station walk upstairs through Nordstroms and walk to Pike Place Market. This will take about 8 minutes.

You can watch the fishmongers from Pike Place Fish Market throw fish, shop, and explore the market.

Pike Place Market is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

3.  Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Shop

If you like cheese, a stop at the Beecher’s Handmade Cheese shop is a must.

Beecher’s is across from Pike Place Market and is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

They also have a store at the Seattle Airport in Concourse C.

4.  Three Girls Bakery

Tasty food at budget prices

You can grab lunch, a snack, or a treat from Three Girls Bakery (across from Pike Place Market).

Not only are their prices reasonable but they make great sandwiches. And their cookies. OMG!!!

Three Girls Bakery is open from 7 am to 6 pm every day. The Lunch Counter closes at 5:30 pm. (Check for holiday hours).

5.  Space Needle

For great views of Seattle go to the top of the Space Needle

If it’s a clear day and there’s time left, you can visit the Space Needle.

From Pike Place Market, you can take Uber from Pike Place Market to the Space Needle. Or you can walk back to the Light Rail and take the monorail to the Space Needle.

The monorail costs $3.00 per person each way and is about a 1-minute walk from the Space Needle.

Half price discounts are available for children (age 6 to 18), seniors, military members, and the disabled. Free for children 5 and younger. There is a 3.7% fee when paying by credit card.

The Space Needle is open daily but hours vary.

Get Global Entry

Skip the line and use the Global Entry kiosk

You have to go through security when you get back to the airport. So to be able to get to downtown Seattle to see some of the attractions during you 5-hour layover, you should get Global Entry.

You automatically get TSA Pre-Check with Global Entry. TSA Pre-Check is awesome! You will get to go through the shorter line when you come back from downtown Seattle.

And you can leave your shoes on, your laptop, and liquids in your bag and sail through security.

Here’s how to get TSA Pre-Check. You can either apply and pay for $85 for TSA Pre-Check.

But I’d recommend going for the better value and applying for Global Entry.

Global Entry costs $100 per person and is valid for 5 years.

The benefits of Global Entry:

• TSA Pre-Check on all domestic flights
• Global Entry for when you come back into the US

So when Teri comes back from Paris she won’t wait in that long US Customs and Immigration line. Nor will you when you come back from traveling internationally.

You can get your Global Entry fee refunded if you have one of these credit cards:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Citi Prestige Card
• Barclay AAdvantage Aviator Silver card
• Ritz-Carlton Rewards card
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Conclusion

It is possible for you to see some of Seattle when you have a 5-hour layover during her flight.

You can take the Light Rail from the airport to downtown Seattle and visit the Pike Place Market.

Depending on how much time you spend at the Pike Place Market you can walk to some of the surrounding restaurants like Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Shop or Three Girls Bakery.

And if there’s time and it’s a clear day, you can go to the Space Needle.

But you have to go through security at the airport. So you should get Global Entry which gives you TSA Pre-Check. And lets you keep your shoes on and your liquids and laptop in your carry-on bag.

Have you gone to downtown Seattle with only a 5-hour layover? What did you do?

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