Seattle Tacoma International Airport - SEA

Seattle, United States of America (US)

Getting around the airport

3 terminals, 4 concourses and a transit system

Seattle Tacoma Airport (known as SeaTac) lies around 20km south of downtown Seattle. 

It has one Central Terminal building (containing Concourses A-D), and two smaller external buildings: South Satellite Terminal (Concourse S) and North Satellite Terminal (Concourse N). Most facilities are in the main building. The Light Link Rail station taking you into Seattle is located to the east of the main terminal building. The South Terminal has a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility for international arrivals.

The Rental Car Facility is a five-minute shuttle bus journey from the main terminal (bus stops in the north and south) north-east of the terminals. 

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Getting into Seattle

Link Light Rail is best

Train

The Link Light Rail runs every 6-15 minutes from 05:00-01:00 on weekdays, and every 10-15 minutes on weekends and holidays. The trip to downtown Seattle takes around 40 minutes. Note that Seattle's Metro is a separate system, and you'll need to buy another ticket if you transfer.

Location: SeaTac/Airport Station, airport parking garage, level 4
Cost: 
USD 3 to downtown or buy an ORCA top-up card for USD 5, covering all public transport in Seattle 

Metro Bus

The airport is also served by King County Metro buses. The King County Metro buses that connect the airport to downtown Seattle include Rapid Ride A line (Federal Way), Route 180 (Burien/Auburn) and Route 156 (Southcenter/Des Moines). 

Location: Airport parking garage, level 4, Sound Transit Link Light Rail Station, International Boulevard
Cost: USD 2.75
Operating hours: 04:57-23:58 daily

Express Bus

Passengers at Seattle Tacoma Airport can also take Sound Transit express buses to downtown. The Sound Transit express buses that connect the airport to downtown Seattle include Route 560 (Burien, Renton, and Bellevue) and Route 574 (Federal Way, Tacoma, and Lakewood).

Location: Central Terminal, before security, lower level
Cost: USD 2.75 one-county fare
Operating hours:
Route 560 05:02-23:33 Mon-Fri, 05:37-23:37 Sat and Sun
Route 574 03:15-22:55 Mon-Fri, 03:13-22:56 Sat and Sun

Taxi

Traffic in Seattle can be heavy, so your journey may take you longer than the train.

Location: Parking garage attached to Central Terminal, level 3
Cost: 
USD 41-65 depending on traffic to Downtown Seattle (plus 15-20% tip and USD 1 airport fee) 

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How to take an Uber

Easy alternative to taxis

Uber is now also available at the airport as alternative to public transport and taxis.

A taxi from the city can cost USD 50, whereas an UberX will cost approximately USD 35.

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Avoid the pick-up and drop-off congestion

Go to the opposite airport drive

The busiest times for departures are mornings and evenings are busiest for arrivals, so if you’re being picked up from the airport, avoid the congestion by having your ride meet you at the Departures drive. For drop-off, head to the Arrivals drive where you need only go up one level to check in.

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South Satellite Terminal

Eat and shop beforehand

The South Satellite Terminal is older, with few shops and restaurants. For a good meal and shops with local products, spend some time in one of the main terminals before making your way over there. With that said, you will have great views of Mount Rainier from this terminal!

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Power outlets

Look under your seat

You'll find free electrical outlets under the seats at most gates in Concourses A and B and the South Satellite. In Concourse C and D, outlets can be found next to the Emerald City Lounge and in the shoeshine alcove by Gates D8-12, respectively.

Alaska Airlines provides under-seat power outlets and N and C gates.

There's an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant charging station at Gate D.

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Get through Passport Control faster

US and Canadian citizens

If you’re arriving on an international flight and hold a U.S. or Canadian passport, you have the option of using a Self-Service Automated Passport Control Kiosk. Once you fill in your information, the kiosk will print a receipt for you to show to a Customs and Border Protection officer who will finalise the processing.

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Contemporary art and music

Seattle culture

If you have some time to spare, be sure to walk around the terminals. The Seattle-Tacoma airport offers a diverse art collection, including glass, sculpture, photography, and painting pieces. Local music is also highlighted in the airport’s Experience the City of Music program, which streams music on airport speakers and provides live performances in a different location every day.

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Showers

Delta Airlines SkyClub Lounge

If you fancy a shower after a long flight, there are facilities available at the Delta Airlines SkyClub Lounge. Day access can be purchased at the door for USD50.

South Satellite building, airside, between Gate S8 and S9
Hours: 05:00-00:30

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Dayuse.com, a hotel room for the day

up to 75% off the price of an overnight stay

Whether it’s a long layover, a flight delay, or just the will to enjoy the infrastructure of a beautiful hotel, Dayuse.com invites you to book a day stay at one of our hotels located in the immediate proximity of the airport.

How does it work:

1/ Review the hotels available around the airport & the services they offer (spa, swimming pool, fitness, restaurant, and so on)
2/ Check their time slot availabilities (arrival & departure time within one day)
3/ Book your hotel and receive your confirmation
4/ Pay only at the check in
5/ Cancel at no cost until last minute



BOOK WITH DAYUSE.COM

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Free Wi-Fi

In all public areas

Seattle Tacoma International Airport offers free Wi-Fi in all public areas of the airport. The Wi-Fi access points use the SSID “SEATAC-FREE-WIFI". Once you connect to the Wi-Fi, you will be asked to accept terms and conditions for use, and occasionally view a brief ad before accessing the internet.

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Travelling between terminals

Take the Satellite Transit System train

The airport's people mover train, the Satellite Transit System (STS) has three lines that connect the Main Terminal, North Terminal and South Terminal and it operates after security:

Loop going from the Central Terminal to North Satellite Terminal
Line going from Concourse A to Concourse D in the Central Terminal
Loop going from the Central Terminal to the South Satellite Terminal

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Share your airport knowledge with us

Help us improve!

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No matter whether you are travelling for business, leisure or you work at an airport, we could always use airport intel to help make our app even better and improve things for travellers all over the world!

Share your experience with us by sending an email to feedback@flio.com with any hints, tips or general information on any airport.

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