World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Seattle  - Getting Around
Getting Around

Public Transport
Seattle has an excellent bus system operated by King County Metro Transit (tel: (206) 553 3000, 24-hour information; website: http://transit.metrokc.gov), with wheelchair and bicycle lifts and drivers trained to announce significant stops and help with directions. An underground bus tunnel operates through downtown Seattle from Chinatown/International District to the Convention Center, with stops at Pioneer Square, the downtown financial district and Westlake Center. Adult tickets cost US$1-2, but between 1000 and 1800 it is free between Pioneer Square and the Westlake Center. Tickets are purchased on the bus but the exact change is required.

Metro Transit also operate the Waterfront Streetcar, which features restored trams that roll along the Waterfront, linking Pier 70 and the Chinatown/International District, stopping near the Seattle Aquarium and Pioneer Square along the way.

There is also a high-speed elevated monorail (tel: (206) 441 6038; website: www.seattlemonorail.com), which links the downtown area to the Seattle Center in less than two minutes, with views of the harbour and the backdrop of the Olympic Mountains beyond (runs 0900-2300). Return tickets cost US$2.

Washington State Ferries (tel: (206) 464 6400; website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries), the largest ferry system in the USA, links Seattle with the Olympic Peninsula, Bainbridge Island and other points in the region, now considered part of 'Greater Seattle'. Ferries depart and tickets can be purchased from Pier 52.

A day pass for Metro Transit is available Saturday, Sunday and holidays for US$2. Standard fares are US$1-2 depending on zones and time of travel. Public bus transport is free in the downtown area - but not the Streetcar or monorail.

Taxis
Taxis can be hailed from the few designated ranks in front of hotels and the airport or by telephone. A tip of 10-15% is expected. Seattle taxi drivers are almost always polite and reliable, although you can expect up to a 20-minute wait if ordering by telephone. Rates are set by the city authorities; they start at US$1.80 for two passengers plus US$1.80 per mile thereafter and US$0.50 per extra passenger. Providers include A & A Airport Limousine & Taxi (tel: (206) 365 1008), Orange Cab Corporation (tel: (206) 522 8800), Farwest (tel: (206) 622 1717), Seattle Taxicab & Transportation Corporation (tel: (206) 622 6500) and Yellow Cabs (tel: (206) 622 6500).

Limousines
Providers include Alpha Limousine & Towncar (tel: (206) 464 1905), British/Bentley Motor Coach (tel: (206) 283 6600), Seattle Limousine Services (tel: (206) 762 3339) and Washington Limousine (tel: (206) 523 8000). Rates for the metropolitan area begin around US$70 per hour, although there will be a flat rate for pick-up and delivery service dependent on mileage.

Driving in the City
Except for rush-hour motorway traffic, Seattle driving conditions are excellent and motorists are extremely law-abiding. The city is fairly easy to navigate, based on a simple grid system (numbered roads are north-south avenues and named roads are east?west streets). However, visitors should be aware of the specially designated lanes for buses, bicycles and 'HOV' or High Occupancy Vehicles - those carrying more than one person. Visitors are advised to avoid the highways, especially during rush hour (1500-1800), because of the number of commuters going to the suburbs. Bad weather can also cause problems for driving on the commuter highways.

Shopping malls and hotels have their own parking lots and offer rebates with purchases, but downtown parking in general costs about US$2 per hour. Ampco System Parking operates a central car park at 420 East Pike Street. Other central car parking lots include Sound Parking, 901 Boren Avenue, CPS Parking, 1200 Western Avenue and Pioneer Square Garage at 721 First Avenue, and Diamond Parking, at Bon Marche, Third Avenue and Stewart Street.

Car Hire
Most car hire companies require a credit card for the deposit and payment, and a minimum age of 25 years, although some will hire cars to persons over 21 with a supplement. Basic insurance is usually included, but can be insufficient as it offers only a limited coverage of damage. Car hire companies will offer additional insurances. Rates vary widely during the week (from US$78 per day); weekends are cheaper (from US$59 per day). A valid driving licence is usually acceptable, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is preferred.

Providers include Advantage Rent-A-Car (tel: (206) 824 0161), Avis Rent-a-Car (tel: (206) 448 1700) Best Rent-A-Car (tel: (206) 343 2378), Budget Rent-A-Car (tel: (206) 682 8782 or 8782), Hertz Rent-A-Car (tel: (206) 682 5050) and Toyota Of Seattle (tel: (206) 382 4300).

Bicycle Hire
Seattle has designated bicycle lanes throughout the city. Lights and helmets are mandatory. Major providers for hiring a bicycle include Al Young Bike and Ski, 3615 North East 45th in the University District (tel: (206) 524 2642) and Gregg's of Greenlake, 7007 Woodlawn Avenue, Greenlake (tel: (206) 523 1822). Rates are approximately US$5 per hour.



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GENERAL
City Overview
City Statistics
Cost of Living
 
GETTING THERE
Air
Water
Road
Rail
 
GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
Business
 
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
Key Attractions
Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
Nightlife
Sport
Shopping
Culture
Special Events
Food and Drink