The Link Light Rail
The Link Light Rail
4.5
Public Transportation Systems
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  • Trevor B
    2 contributions
    Very nice!
    The Link has a good route network that is convenient for getting around the town. I like it because I chose to stay in a hotel near the airport because I was going to arrive in the late evening and depart in the early morning, so I didn't want to have to travel far between my airport and the hotel. My hotel by the airport had a light rail station about a block away, and it was only 45 minutes to the station downtown near Pike Place. I also like that you can connect from the Light Rail to the Monorail at one of the stations- very helpful. Overall, I'd recommend trying it out, it's a good way to travel around the city and wayyyy cheaper than rental cars or rideshares.
    Visited November 2021
    Written December 7, 2021
  • Cynthia12342015
    Chicago, Illinois17 contributions
    Great way to get downtown without the hassle of driving
    We stayed at a downtown Seattle hotel before we went to the San Juan Islands. We used the light rail system rather than rent a car at the airport and glad we did...runs every 15 minutes and the station was one block from the hotel. Better alternative than renting a car after a long flight, driving in downtown traffic and paying for parking - Hertz was 3 blocks from our hotel so in the end, using the rail system was more convenient.
    Visited May 2021
    Written May 29, 2021
  • Michael B
    Bellflower, California25,088 contributions
    A fast-clean efficient way to get from SeaTac airport to down town Seattle.
    We were staying in the capitol hill district for a week, and did not want to rent a car as we had been informed that parking was a nightmare. So were very pleased to find that the Seattle light rail service, ran directly from the SeaTac airport to Capitol hill station downtown. This rail system is very easy to get to from the passenger terminal, and there are lots information signs everywhere. If only we had this system in Los Angeles, life would be so much easier. TIP: The Fare is not expensive and if you are a senior its even cheaper.
    Visited April 2019
    Written February 29, 2020
  • bucketlisttravellers
    Sydney, Australia3,783 contributions
    Easy way to get to the airport from downtown
    The light rail link was so easy to use to get to Sea-Tac airport from downtown seattle. It took around 40 min from Westlake station. At $3, this is one of the cheapest rides that you will encounter for an international airport globally too.
    Visited December 2019
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 4, 2020
  • Shopping Bag
    Anchorage, Alaska6 contributions
    Underappreciated and incredibly convenient
    If you find yourself flying into SEA-TAC and need to get into the city (or if you find yourself stuck in SEA-TAC with an extended layover) the Link Light Rail is the cheapest and most convenient way to get out of the airport and into the city. We use this every time we visit SEA and I find myself using it to pop into downtown on extended layovers. Generally clean, very safe, and very speedy way to get into the city for under $5.
    Visited April 2022
    Written April 22, 2022
  • Albert
    Chicago, Illinois88 contributions
    Good system
    I took the light rail from downtown to Sea Tac airport. You need to buy a $3 ticket at the machine in the station. I hear there will be construction in Jan and Feb 2020. So you will need to catch the train at Pioneer Square or other stations south of Pioneer. The train takes you to the airport but it is a pretty long walk to the terminals thru the parking garage areas. It is all covered and there are some golf cart types for people who need a ride. I got a seat both times but may be tough during rush hour. Make sure to hold on a strap if you are standing be cause first time riders didn’t look prepared for sudden starts. It was safe and clean.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled solo
    Written January 12, 2020
  • Llll Y
    Seattle, Washington130 contributions
    Faster than a bus but somewhat unreliable
    It can be hit or miss with light rail service. Sometimes its not their fault, but when it is, Sound Transit seems to have no clues. Late or no show trains, faulty transfers between trains when there is a breakdown, dirty interior cars, unruly riders, no security. If all is well, the trip is speedy and quicker than the bus. Cost is minimal. Parking at Tukwila and Angle lake is hit or miss. I would say that the lots are full by 9am. You can always circle and circle. If you ride be prepared for anything, especially in the evening and night. Also GREAT for going to and from the airport.
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 19, 2020
  • Jeremy C
    Tiffin, Ohio229 contributions
    Best way to see Seattle
    Our hotel was close to the Ankle Park starting point and we took the Link to the center of Seattle and then walked around and enjoyed the attractions there. We then took the return journey (just $3!) to the Link carpark (no charge). Clean modern train - really impressive - best (very inexpensive) way to see many Seattle attractions without having to encounter the city traffic. A MUST if you plan to visit Seattle.
    Visited July 2021
    Written July 15, 2021
  • 50statestraveler
    Alta Loma, California954 contributions
    Very easy way to get around
    Install the app and you'll be good to go. We stopped renting a car in Seattle, especially with the prices the hotels charge for parking. It's so easy to get around on the light rail. We purchased our tickets ahead of time and activated them on the app when we boarded. All in all we felt safe traveling this way, except for the last day when we had a homeless drug addict board who was vaping and making strange noises in part of our car. Several people moved away from him. I don't think anyone reported him. Only incident we had after a week of traveling using public transportation.
    Visited July 2022
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 12, 2022
  • CynCeeG 🇺🇸
    Austin, Texas494 contributions
    Link Line Rail Transit better than Busline
    From Amtrak/King Street station, purchased the Orca card with assistance of an employee. Walked across the street to International Distict/Chinatown station to catch the Soundtransit Link Lite Rail. Wore my mask since it's public transportation. Tap Orca card on a card reader prior to boarding, the single beep lets you know your card has been accepted. Tapping, it's like the honor system. Link Lite Rail rides below street level, tunnel. Stops at every stop. I got off at the Westlake station, downtown. The rail was quick, clean, air conditioned, plenty of seating (you do need to hold down your suitcase with your foot). The wait areas at the stations clean & secured. Wait time 10-15 minutes for next train. Link Lite rail also took me to the SeaTac Station/ airport. Once the rail gets out of city, it travels out in the open. Nice scenery during the train ride to airport. Drops you off right at airport (walk thru doors, down escalators, walk, walk, follow signs to reach your airline). Soundtransit Link Light Rail is way better than busline. It's much quicker & efficient when you need to get across town and doesn't stop at every block!
    Visited August 2021
    Traveled solo
    Written August 24, 2021
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,783 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
The light rail link was so easy to use to get to Sea-Tac airport from downtown seattle. It took around 40 min from Westlake station. At $3, this is one of the cheapest rides that you will encounter for an international airport globally too.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shopping Bag
Anchorage, AK6 contributions
Apr 2022
If you find yourself flying into SEA-TAC and need to get into the city (or if you find yourself stuck in SEA-TAC with an extended layover) the Link Light Rail is the cheapest and most convenient way to get out of the airport and into the city. We use this every time we visit SEA and I find myself using it to pop into downtown on extended layovers. Generally clean, very safe, and very speedy way to get into the city for under $5.
Written April 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Albert
Chicago, IL88 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I took the light rail from downtown to Sea Tac airport. You need to buy a $3 ticket at the machine in the station. I hear there will be construction in Jan and Feb 2020. So you will need to catch the train at Pioneer Square or other stations south of Pioneer. The train takes you to the airport but it is a pretty long walk to the terminals thru the parking garage areas. It is all covered and there are some golf cart types for people who need a ride. I got a seat both times but may be tough during rush hour. Make sure to hold on a strap if you are standing be cause first time riders didn’t look prepared for sudden starts.
It was safe and clean.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Llll Y
Seattle, WA130 contributions
Feb 2020
It can be hit or miss with light rail service. Sometimes its not their fault, but when it is, Sound Transit seems to have no clues. Late or no show trains, faulty transfers between trains when there is a breakdown, dirty interior cars, unruly riders, no security. If all is well, the trip is speedy and quicker than the bus. Cost is minimal. Parking at Tukwila and Angle lake is hit or miss. I would say that the lots are full by 9am. You can always circle and circle. If you ride be prepared for anything, especially in the evening and night. Also GREAT for going to and from the airport.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeremy C
Tiffin, OH229 contributions
Jul 2021
Our hotel was close to the Ankle Park starting point and we took the Link to the center of Seattle and then walked around and enjoyed the attractions there. We then took the return journey (just $3!) to the Link carpark (no charge). Clean modern train - really impressive - best (very inexpensive) way to see many Seattle attractions without having to encounter the city traffic. A MUST if you plan to visit Seattle.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

50statestraveler
Alta Loma, CA954 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Install the app and you'll be good to go. We stopped renting a car in Seattle, especially with the prices the hotels charge for parking. It's so easy to get around on the light rail. We purchased our tickets ahead of time and activated them on the app when we boarded. All in all we felt safe traveling this way, except for the last day when we had a homeless drug addict board who was vaping and making strange noises in part of our car. Several people moved away from him. I don't think anyone reported him. Only incident we had after a week of traveling using public transportation.
Written July 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CynCeeG 🇺🇸
Austin, TX494 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
From Amtrak/King Street station, purchased the Orca card with assistance of an employee. Walked across the street to International Distict/Chinatown station to catch the Soundtransit Link Lite Rail. Wore my mask since it's public transportation. Tap Orca card on a card reader prior to boarding, the single beep lets you know your card has been accepted. Tapping, it's like the honor system. Link Lite Rail rides below street level, tunnel. Stops at every stop. I got off at the Westlake station, downtown. The rail was quick, clean, air conditioned, plenty of seating (you do need to hold down your suitcase with your foot). The wait areas at the stations clean & secured. Wait time 10-15 minutes for next train. Link Lite rail also took me to the SeaTac Station/ airport. Once the rail gets out of city, it travels out in the open. Nice scenery during the train ride to airport. Drops you off right at airport (walk thru doors, down escalators, walk, walk, follow signs to reach your airline). Soundtransit Link Light Rail is way better than busline. It's much quicker & efficient when you need to get across town and doesn't stop at every block!
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John M
Ann Arbor, MI24 contributions
Nov 2021
We used the light rail to travel from Ravenna to downtown Seattle. We used the Roosevelt station and travelled to the Pioneer Park station. Tickets were easy to purchase at the kiosk - $5 per person for an all day pass. The station was clean, and the train was in great shape and very clean. Trains were running about every 10 minutes.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

thetravelorganizer
Tega Cay, SC578 contributions
May 2022
If you’ve booked an Alaska cruise departing the next day, you can take the super-convenient Link light rail from the airport to the stop of your choice in downtown Seattle to enjoy a little sightseeing and a nice, relaxing dinner the day before your cruise. One-way fares are just $2.25/person ($1.00 for seniors). The airport station for The Link is located on the 4th floor of the north end of the airport parking garage. To get to the station, start at baggage claim carousels #15 and #16, cross the airport roadway using Skybridge #6, make your way to the 4th floor, and follow the well-marked route. Note: It’s not a short walk and if you’re toting luggage (especially if you haven’t heeded the advice to pack light above), it can feel even longer. If you’re lucky (as we were), you may be offered a ride by one of the skycaps that patrol the route. The ticket kiosks at the station are easy to use, and the trains run about every 10 minutes. There are 12 stops between the airport and the Westlake station (where you can transfer to Seattle’s iconic monorail); the entire trip takes about 40 minutes.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Regular Rider
1 contribution
Feb 2022
I live in Hawaii and go to the mainland 2 or 3 times a year . Seattle is usually my first and last stop. I love the light rail and the bus. My sister lives neat Angle Lake; my in-laws (where I stay) are near the Roosevelt Station. My grandchildren are in Greenwood, my nephew in West Seattle. The light rail stops are convenient to all these areas and transfers to the bus are close by. If you spend a lot of time there get an Orca card. Then you won’t have to stand in any ticket lines. Also if you are old, I’m 80, or disabled, you can get a shuttle, free,but tip your driver, from the light rail to your gate . Also your Orca card is good for transfers to the bus, the rapid ride and even the ferries. If you’re not old, you have lots more to look forward to as the system is being widely expanded.
Written April 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Link Light Rail (Seattle) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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