Washington State, located in the Pacific Northwest corner of the United States, is a land of dramatic contrasts — from the rain-soaked temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula to the volcanic peaks of the Cascades and the arid shrub-steppe of the east. Home to Seattle, one of America's most dynamic cities, the state blends state-of-the-art technology culture with stunning wilderness, world-class food and coffee scenes, and some of the continent's most diverse outdoor adventure.
- Public
- Seattle has one of the better public transit systems on the US West Coast — Link Light Rail, bus rapid transit, and extensive bus networks. Outside Seattle, transit becomes limited and a car is often necessary.
- Taxi
- Lyft and Uber are reliable and affordable in Seattle and Spokane; traditional taxis are available but less competitive on price and availability
- Rental
- Rental cars are available from all major companies at Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane airports. Essential for exploring Mount Rainier, Olympic Peninsula, wine country, and eastern Washington
- Walking
- Seattle's neighborhoods are highly walkable, especially downtown, Capitol Hill, Fremont, Ballard, and the Waterfront. Bellingham and Olympia are also very pedestrian-friendly
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $45-55, 30-45 min to downtown Seattle
- Taxi Info
- Flat rate from SEA airport to downtown Seattle; metered from downtown to airport
- Shuttle
- $18-25, shared van service
- Shuttle Info
- Several shared shuttle companies serve hotels throughout the Seattle metro area; book online
- Bus
- $3.50, Link Light Rail
- Bus Info
- Sound Transit Link Light Rail runs directly from Sea-Tac Airport Station (in the main terminal) to downtown Seattle stations in about 38 minutes, running 5AM-1AM
- Private
- $60-80, pre-booked car service
- Private Info
- Book through hotel concierge or services like Seattle Limousine for premium airport transfers
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
King County Metro serves greater Seattle; $2.75 per ride or use ORCA card for tap-and-go; free in downtown Seattle RapidRide zones
Alternatives
Sound Transit Link Light Rail ($2.25-3.75), Seattle Streetcar ($2.75), water taxis to West Seattle and Vashon Island, Lime and Bird e-scooters, bikeshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $3.50 base fare + $2.70/mile (Seattle Yellow Cab)
- Apps
- Lyft, Uber
- App Names
- Lyft, Uber
- Typical Fare
- $15-25 for average Seattle neighborhood ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Greyhound and FlixBus from $25 Seattle to Spokane (6-8 hrs); Quick Shuttle to Vancouver BC
Shared
Amtrak Cascades regional rail the best option for Seattle-Portland-Vancouver corridor
Flights
Alaska Airlines, United, Delta serve Seattle to Spokane from $80 one-way; 50 min flight
Private
Rental cars from $50/day at SEA; consider Washington Limo for luxury transfers
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Washington State has a diverse transportation network anchored by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), one of the Pacific Northwest's busiest hubs. The state operates the largest ferry system in the United States, connecting Puget Sound communities. Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, King County Metro buses, and Amtrak Cascades rail service provide urban and intercity connections. Rental cars are essential for exploring national parks and rural areas east of the Cascades.
Airports
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Spokane International Airport
Bellingham International Airport
Yakima Air Terminal - McAllister Field
Paine Field (Everett)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
One Bus Away
Real-time arrivals for all King County Metro and Sound Transit buses
Sound Transit
Trip planner and real-time info for Link Light Rail and ST Express buses
ORCA
Load and manage your transit card digitally for all Puget Sound transit systems
Lyft / Uber
Rideshare apps widely available in Seattle, Spokane, Bellevue, and larger cities
WA State Ferries
Official ferry schedule, capacity alerts, and reservations for Puget Sound ferries
WSDOT Traffic
Washington State DOT app for road conditions, pass reports, and traffic cameras
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Get an ORCA card for seamless travel across all Sound Transit and King County Metro services
Book Washington State Ferry vehicle reservations online months in advance for summer San Juan Islands trips
The Link Light Rail is the fastest and cheapest way from Seattle-Tacoma Airport to downtown
Avoid driving in Seattle during rush hours (7-9AM and 4-7PM) — traffic is notoriously bad
Renting a car at an off-airport location is often cheaper than at the airport
The US-2 highway over Stevens Pass offers a more scenic Cascades crossing than I-90
Amtrak Cascades to Portland is a scenic and relaxing 4-hour journey — a great alternative to flying
Seattle Water Taxi from Pier 50 offers quick and scenic connection to West Seattle