There are several great options for gettting around Seattle and the Central Puget Sound region without a car. Seattle has an extensive bus system that can be used to travel througout the Puget Sound. The three primary transit providers in the Seattle and Central Puget Sound area are King County Metro, Community Transit, and Sound Transit. In addition to buses, Sound Transit offers commuter rail service between Tacoma, Seattle, Edmonds and Everett. Beginning in 2009, Sound Transit will also operate a light rail system that will provide convenient service between Sea-Tac Airport and downtown Seattle.

Monorail 

Another option within downtown Seattle is the historic Monorail to Seattle Center, site of the 1962 World’s Fair and the landmark Space Needle. The Seattle Center Monorail operates daily, with departures every 10 minutes from the station at Seattle Center, (across from the Space Needle) and from Westlake Center Mall, at Fifth and Pine Street.  Each trip takes two minutes to cover the 1 mile route. Each train can carry up to 450 passengers per trip. The Monorail provides two-train service during special events and activities, with departures every five minutes or less. 

Waterfront Trolley 

The Waterfront Trolley is also out of commission due to park construction, however it has been replaced by a free transit bus that goes the length of the Waterfront and ends in pioneer square and close to the international district.  Very convenient for visiting the Klondike Gold Rush Museum or to go to the Underground Tours. 

Traveling outside of downtown Seattle? Not a problem. Plan your trip online with a regional trip planner.  Just type in your location within King, Pierce or Snohomish counties and your destination. The trip planner will give you several options for getting there.

RideFree 

The great news for visitors is that downtown Seattle is a "ride free" zone. Hop on any bus within downtown Seattle’s central business district and you can ride within the downtown area without paying a fare.  Bus stops within the ride free zone are clearly marked with a "Ride Free" placard, and bus drivers announce when their bus is leaving the ride free zone.   RideFree ends approximately 7pm.

Visitor Pass

One of best and least expensive way to see Seattle and King County is with a Visitor Pass. For only $5, a Visitor Pass provides unlimited daily travel on all regular and special event Metro bus service.

From downtown Seattle, you can also take advantage of the Washington State Ferry System and take a scenic ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, Bremerton or Vashon Island.  Beautiful Whidbey Island and Deception Pass State Park are also accessible via ferries departing from Mukilteo, about 30 minutes north of downtown Seattle.

 

Off-Site Links:

http://www.seattlemonorail.com/

http://www.soundtransit.org