Seattle Transport

Seattle is a very accessible city, and walking is a popular choice within neighbourhoods, but be prepared for steep slopes and lots of stairs. The Metro bus line provides frequent services between districts and is free of charge within the central downtown area. Other transport options include a fantastic ferry line and monorail travel.

By bus

Public bus services are operated by The Metro Transit throughout Seattle and its neighbouring communities. A Ride Free Area in downtown offers free inner city travel within a designated zone. Seattle boasts the nations first tunnel for dual-powered buses that runs through the core of downtown. The tunnel stops are part of the free ride area of downtown Seattle. Phone: +1 206 553 3000; website: http://transit.metrokc.gov.

Monorail

The Seattle Center Monorail runs daily, with departures at 10-minute intervals from the station at Seattle Center, across from the Space Needle and from Westlake Center Mall, at Fifth and Pine Street. Trains take two minutes to run the one mile route. The monorail runs weekdays from 07:30 to 23:00 and weekends 09:00 to 23:00. During special events and activities, the Monorail offers a two-train service, with departures every five minutes or less. Phone: +1 206 905 2600; website: http://www.seattlemonorail.com.

Taxi

Taxis in Seattle are abundant and can easily be hailed at the citys many taxi ranks or in the street. Some of the major cab companies servicing Seattle include: Farwest Taxi (tel: +1 206 622 1717), Graytop Cab (tel: +1 206 282 8222) and Orange Cab Company (tel: +1 206 522 8800).

Tourist services

A number of leisure cruises can be booked at various piers, including the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 in the northern end of downtown and Terminal 30 Cruise Terminal at the south end and Piers 55 and 56. You may even see some seals sitting on the buoys or some salmon taking huge leaps out of the the water! Washington State Ferries and other Seattle boat services depart from Colman Dock Ferry Terminal at Pier 52 and Pier 50, as well as Pier 55 and 56, while the Victoria Clipper (servicing the San Juan Islands and Victoria, BC) docks at Pier 69.

From the airport

Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) is served by regular buses that leave from the main terminal for the centre of Seattle. Buses are operated by Gray Line Express and run at 30 minutes intervals throughout the day. Shuttle buses, heading for destinations in and around Seattle, such as Portland, Tacoma and Vancouver, leave from outside of the main baggage reclaim area, by the kerbside and also from level three of the parking garage. Taxis are in ample supply at the airport and can be easily found on level three of the main parking area. To ensure safety and prevent overcharging, official Seattle SEA airport taxis should always be used.