Sea-Tac Airport to downtown Seattle by light rail

The short version

1. Collect your bags and follow signs for Link light rail to SeaTac/Airport Station.
2. Pay your fare (see Sound Transit's fares page) and board a northbound 1 Line train toward downtown Seattle.
3. Ride to Westlake Station, about 38 minutes from the airport per Sound Transit.
4. Walk about 7 minutes to 1400 Hubbell Place. The Seattle Convention Center is a further 3-minute walk.

You do not change trains. The 1 Line runs straight from the airport through the Rainier Valley and the downtown tunnel.

Finding the station

SeaTac/Airport Station sits beside the airport parking garage. The Port of Seattle's ground transportation page shows the walking route from baggage claim and the other options (taxis, ride-hail, shuttles and buses). Allow time for the walk from your gate, which can be long at a busy airport.

Fares and paying

Link light rail uses a flat adult fare regardless of distance; Sound Transit lists the current amount and reduced fares on its fares page. You can pay with:

• An ORCA card, tapped on a card reader before you board.
• The Transit GO Ticket mobile app.
• A ticket from the vending machines at the station.

Sound Transit fare ambassadors check fares on board, so pay before you ride.

Frequency and hours

Per Sound Transit:

• Trains run every 8–10 minutes most of the day.
• On weekends, trains run about every 10 minutes.
• Early-morning and late-night service is less frequent. A night bus connects the airport and downtown after the last train.

Check the 1 Line schedule on soundtransit.org for first and last train times on your travel day.

Downtown stations

The 1 Line has several downtown stops. For most visitors:

• Westlake: closest to our building, the Convention Center, Pacific Place and the Seattle Center Monorail.
• Symphony: for Benaroya Hall and parts of the waterfront.
• Pioneer Square and International District/Chinatown: for Pioneer Square, Colman Dock and the stadiums. See our game weekends guide.

From Westlake to your apartment

From Westlake Station, walk northeast up Pine Street toward the Convention Center. Our building at 1400 Hubbell Place is about a 7-minute walk, right by the Summit and Arch buildings of the Seattle Convention Center. If you have a lot of luggage or arrive late, a short taxi or ride-hail from Westlake is an option.

Heading back to the airport

Reverse the route: walk to Westlake and take a southbound 1 Line train to SeaTac/Airport. Leave plenty of time; check-out is by 11:00 AM, so if you have a late flight, plan how to spend the gap. A morning at Pike Place Market is a good use of it.

Cruise passengers

Sea-Tac cruise travelers can use the same route to stay downtown before or after sailing; see our cruise pre- and post-stay guide and the cruise page.

Driving instead?

If you rent a car, downtown parking is limited. Our building has garage space for compact cars on request (SUVs do not fit). See downtown Seattle parking and our parking page.

Where to stay

All three of our 2-bedroom apartments are in one building in downtown Seattle, a 3-minute walk from the Convention Center:

• The Lumière 2BR: sleeps 6.
• The Two-Bath 2BR: sleeps 6, two full bathrooms.
• The Top-Floor 2BR: sleeps 5, self check-in.

Each has a full kitchen and an in-unit washer & dryer and is professionally cleaned after every stay. Check dates on our booking search or our secure booking site. You get 10% off when you book direct.