Seattle-Tacoma International — Link Light Rail (1 Line)
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) to Seattle — Updated 2026
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) is 20 km south of Downtown Seattle. The Link Light Rail 1 Line is the primary public transport — $3.25 flat fare, ~40 minutes to Westlake Station in Downtown Seattle, with connections north to Northgate + University of Washington + Lynnwood. Trains run every 8-15 minutes from 05:00 to 01:00. Uber/Lyft run $35-55 to Downtown depending on traffic (I-5 can be brutal 07:00-09:00 + 15:00-19:00). Seattle Link is one of the best US airport rail links — cheap, fast, reliable, connects to the entire Sound Transit network + Amtrak Cascades at King Street Station.
Link Light Rail (1 Line) stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SeaTac/Airport Station | 0 min | 5-min covered walkway from Baggage Claim |
| Tukwila International Blvd | ~5 min | Southcenter Mall interchange |
| Rainier Beach | ~15 min | South Seattle residential |
| Beacon Hill | ~25 min | International District access |
| International District/Chinatown | ~32 min | Amtrak King Street Station interchange |
| University Street | ~37 min | Waterfront + Pike Place Market walking distance |
| Westlake | 40 min | Downtown core, Pike Place Market |
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Link Light Rail (1 Line) vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Link Light Rail 1 Line | $3.25 | 40 min | Best value. Every 8-15 min. 05:00-01:00. |
| Metro Bus RapidRide A + others | $2.75 | 60-90 min | Cheaper but slower + more transfers. |
| Uber / Lyft | $35-55 | 25-60 min (traffic) | App-based. Fast off-peak, slow rush hour. |
| Airport taxi (flat rate) | $45-55 to Downtown | 25-60 min | Yellow Taxi + STITA cabs. |
| Shuttle Express | $25-40 shared | 45-75 min | Shared van. Book online. |
FAQ
Best way from SeaTac to Pike Place Market?+
Link Light Rail 1 Line to University Street Station or Westlake Station — 37-40 minutes, $3.25. Walk 5-10 min to Pike Place Market from either. Total door-to-door: 45-50 min. Cheaper + more predictable than Uber (which can hit 60+ min in I-5 rush hour).
How do I buy Link Light Rail tickets?+
Ticket vending machine at SeaTac/Airport Station (accepts card + cash), or use ORCA card / ORCA card app. Contactless credit cards + Apple Pay + Google Pay all work via tap-at-station. Kids under 6 free. $3.25 flat fare regardless of distance.
Seattle to Amtrak Cascades — how?+
Link 1 Line to International District/Chinatown Station — walk 2 min to Amtrak King Street Station. From King Street: Amtrak Cascades to Portland (3h 30m) or Vancouver BC (4h). Timing: check Amtrak schedule; Link connects perfectly for most Cascades departures.
Late-night SEA transport?+
Link runs 05:00-01:00. After 01:00: Uber/Lyft (15-30 min wait), airport taxi (flat $45-55 to Downtown), or overnight parking at nearby hotel. Seattle is safe overnight but taxi/rideshare are faster + more comfortable than the 60+ min Metro Bus night routes.
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