Transportation Alternatives in Seattle

Ferries

Because of Seattle's proximity next to Puget Sound, The State Department of Transportation offers different ferry routes between Seattle and the western islands of the city. One route even offers transportation between the United States and Canada. The northern ferry route is from Anacortes, Wash., to Sidney, British Columbia, and the southernmost route goes north-south between Port Defiance and Tahlequah. Routes closer to Seattle include Coupeville-Port Townsend, Seattle-Bainbridge Island, Seattle-Bremerton and Fauntleroy-Southworth. Tickets can be purchased online, and fares vary depending on whether it is just you traveling or whether you have another mode of transportation with you.

Seattle offers bus service throughout the city and as far south as Tacoma through the King County Metro Transit system. Routes travel through the densely populated areas of Seattle and out to the suburbs, and buses also can be found throughout downtown and other business centers. Fares depend on whether or not you are traveling in Seattle or whether your trip involves Seattle and the suburbs. Seniors and students can ride King County Metro buses for as little as 75 cents, as of January 2011.

Seattle has a rail system, Sound Transit, which services Seattle on the north side of the metro area and Tacoma on the south side. Sound Transit also operates express buses in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties. The main transportation mode Sound Transit offers, however, is trains, and the train routes include a link to Tacoma, a route between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac International Airport, and links from Seattle to Everett and Tacoma to Seattle. Fares for train travel depend on the route used and how far you are traveling.

Where Seattle's ferry system involves travel between the United States and Canada or from Seattle to some of the distant locations away from the metropolitan area, the water taxi system King County operates mainly services commuters and business travelers who live on Vashon Island or in west Seattle and want to go back and forth. It is an easy way to reach downtown Seattle without having to use a car. One-way fares are as high as $4.50 per rider (as of January 2011), but reduced fares are available.

Seattle's newest method of transportation came online in 2007 to service downtown Seattle and areas to the north. Service operates between Westlake on the south and the Fairview/Campus Drive station to the north, and it takes in the area around Lake Union. The line is built so further expansion can be pursued as demand warrants. Streetcars operate every 15 minutes as late as 11 p.m. (Pacific time) on weekends. Normal fares as of 2011 were $2.50 for one-way service, but students and seniors can ride for as little as 75 cents.