Seattle Visitor Information

The natural beauty and extensive cultural, artistic, recreational, technical, and educational amenities have made Seattle and the Pacific Northwest popular destinations. For visiting course and conference participants, the links in this page should help you with your travel to the Seattle area.

Airport

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) is located approximately 20 miles south of the University of Washington and 15 miles south of Downtown Seattle.

Airport Transportation

Shuttle Express

Shuttle Express offers frequent operation between the airport and any Seattle destination you request. It is suggested for transportation from the airport to the hotels downtown or in the university area. The rate is $ 24.75/single ($30.75/two people traveling together, $ 37.75/three people, etc.) for a one-way trip.

Reservations cannot be made prior to arrival into Sea-Tac Airport; however, advance reservations are required for a return trip to the airport (425-981-7000). You may also make your return-trip reservations online at http://www.shuttleexpress.com/webpages/reservations.html.

To find Shuttle Express: After you have collected your luggage, follow the signs directing you to ground transportation which is located on the 3rd floor of the parking garage. The 3rd floor is the same level as the baggage claim and lower drive level. To get across the lower drive you must proceed up one floor via escalator or elevator and walk across the sky bridge. Once in the garage, proceed to our Shuttle Express booth by following the ground transportation check-in signs. Walk towards the middle and take an escalator or elevator back down one floor to floor three. You will find their booth alongside the Sea-Tac ground transportation information center.

Seattle Downtown Airporter

Seattle Downtown Airporter service is operated by Gray Line of Seattle. It offers scheduled service between the airport and the major hotels in downtown Seattle. The rate is $10.25/person one way - $17/person roundtrip. This service is for select downtown hotels only and does not extend to the University District.

If your destination is a downtown hotel, tickets are available at the Gray Line of Seattle desk located at the south end of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport main terminal. Follow the signs for Scheduled Airporter Services at Door 00 (zero-zero).Tickets for the return trip from downtown to the airport may be purchased on-line, from the Airport Express Drivers, or from a hotel concierge. If departing from a downtown hotel that is not one of the select drop-off sites, please call for Connector Service at (206) 255-7159 at least one hour prior to your pick up time the same day as your departure.

Taxi

All Seattle taxi cabs operate at the same rate, set by King County. The meter drop is $2.50 plus $2.00 per mile. Extra person charges may apply. There is a $28 flat rate from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to downtown Seattle. A trip from the airport to the University District will range from $36 to $40. A $0.50 gas surcharge may apply for rides originating in Seattle.

Bus

King County Metro buses arrive at and leave from the Sea-Tac Airport baggage claim area. Two routes, #194 and #174 offer direct access downtown. To get to the University district, you will need to transfer in downtown Seattle to the #70, #71, #72, or #73. To find which route will best fit your needs best, use Metro Transit's online Trip Planner. Departure times are displayed at the bus stop and are available online. Rides cost $2.00 during peak hours (Monday to Friday, 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.) and $1.25 during off-peak times.

Driving Directions to the University of Washington

From I-5, take the NE 45th Street exit (#169). Turn left onto NE 45th Street. Continue east about one quarter mile to 15th Avenue NE and turn right. From I-5 take the NE 45th Street Exit. Turn right on NE 45th Street if coming from I-5 Northbound, or, left on NE 45th Street if coming from I-5 Southbound. Stay eastbound on NE 45th (for approximately 1/2 mile) to either:

Right on 17th Avenue NE/Memorial Way to the main gatehouse. There is limited visitor parking on campus.

OR

Turn right on 15th Avenue NE. Head south on 15th Avenue three blocks to NE 41st Street. Turn left at Gate #1 into the Central Plaza Garage. Stop at the gatehouse inside the garage for directions and a parking permit.

Parking on the UW Campus

Daily parking permits are available for $10 per day, payable at the entrance gates. Saturday and evening parking permits are available for $4 (evenings begin at 4 p.m.). You cannot purchase 24 hour parking permits. Other daily parking options include:

Parking Lot E1, the large lot on the East side of Montlake Blvd NE for $2.75 per day. (There is no overnight parking in E1.)

Pay Parking Lots E3, E4, & E5 farther east past Lot E1 for $1.50 per day (quarters only).

Read more parking information from the UW parking division

Public Transportation

Seattle's public bus system, Metro Transit, services Sea-Tac Airport, downtown Seattle and the University of Washington. Metro also offers frequent and inexpensive transportation to neighborhoods and tourist destinations outside the downtown area such as the Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, Alki Beach, Fremont, the Museum of Flight and various parks.

Rides cost $2.00 during peak hours (Monday to Friday, 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.) and $1.25 during off-peak times. Buses are free within the downtown Seattle free-ride zone between the hours of 6:00am and 7:00pm. To find which route will best fit your needs, use Metro Transit's online Trip Planner. You can also call Metro's Rider Information Phone System at 206-553-3000, option #0.