Light Rail Train Transportation between Sea-Tac Airport and Downtown Seattle is now open with a connector bus between Sea-Tac and Tukwila Station!
Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail (Central Link) can be an easy way to get to downtown Seattle, even when there is heavy traffic on the roads, but it also can be confusing. The portion of the trip between Sea-Tac Airport and nearby Tukwila station using “light rail” will not open until December 2009 but there is an airport connector bus between the airport and Tukwila station until that 1.7 mile part of the light rail connection is completed.
If you are traveling in 2010 we expect that you will no longer need to ride a connector bus and you can get on the light rail train to downtown Seattle right at the airport.
The white airport connector bus drops off and picks up passengers at Sea-Tac at the far south end of baggage claim on the lower “Arrivals” level at Public Transit Bay #2. Here is a map of Sea-Tac Airport and it is labeled “Link Light Rail Shuttle” on the left side of the map. Here is another map showing the Connector Bus Stop at Sea-Tac Airport:
The connector bus from Sea-Tac Airport to “Tukwila International Blvd Station” currently has a sign on it that says “Tukwila Int’l” (which may change since this is confusing to tourists). The bus runs with the light rail line based on this schedule and takes between 7 – 9 minutes but could be longer if the airport roads are crowded.
You will be able to purchase your “Link Light Rail” ticket at the Ticket Vending Machines located in baggage claim at Sea-Tac Airport. So as you are waiting for your luggage you can get your train tickets in advance (Note: Train tickets are valid for only two hours but a same-day roundtrip ticket is valid all day). If for some reason none of the Ticket Vending Machines in the airport are working board the connector bus and pay for the light rail trip to downtown Seattle when the bus drops you off at Tukwila Int’l Blvd Station. But be sure to purchase your ticket before you board the actual light rail train.
On your return to Sea-Tac airport from downtown Seattle, you can board the Central Light Rail Train in the “Downtown Transit Tunnel” (Note: Unlike public buses, it is not free to ride light rail within Seattle’s downtown “Ride Free” bus area). The tunnel will be open whenever light rail is operating, 5am – 1am (12am Sunday). Here is a map of the Transit Tunnel Stations in downtown Seattle. The “Convention Place Station” is NOT part of the Link Light Rail system. For more detail about each specific tunnel station go here.
After getting off the light rail train at “Tukwila Int’l” Station, you must show proof that you paid the fare to the connector bus going to Sea-Tac Airport before you can board it. Here is a map of Tukwila International Blvd Station.
The light rail train between “Tukwila Int’l” Station and downtown Seattle will depart every 7½ – 15 minutes Monday – Saturday from 5:18am – 12:06am and 6:19am – 11:07pm on Sunday and holidays. The last train to downtown Seattle from Tukwila Int’l Station is 12:09am (12:07am on Saturday, 11:07pm on Sunday and holidays) (not 1am) and the last bus connection from SeaTac to Tukwila Int’l Station is even earlier at 11:54pm (11:43pm Saturdays, 10:49pm on Sunday and holidays). The bus connection from SeaTac to Tukwila Station takes less than 10 minutes. Expect the Light Rail ride to from Tukwila Int’l Station to Westlake Station in downtown Seattle to take about 34 minutes.
The fare between Sea-Tac and downtown Seattle will be $2.50 for adults and must be purchased before boarding the Light Rail Train at the self serve Ticket Vending Machine. The TVM accepts cash, debit card, MasterCard or VISA. Keep in mind that the ticket is valid for only two hours from the time you purchase it. Exact change is not required but using a smallest bill possible will avoid a pocket full of one dollar coins. There have been recent problems with the TVM’s freezing up and not giving out tickets. Most of the time this occurs when the transaction is cancelled in the middle or for those using coins or a prepaid commuter ORCA card.
The Seattle Times News made this video guide for buying tickets:
A valid bus transfer is valid for full fare on the Central Light Rail Link (no upgrade is required) through December 31, 2009. Starting in 2010, bus transfer slips will no longer accepted on light rail trains.
There is no need to validate your light rail train ticket at the station since they are only valid for two hours from the time you purchase it. Inspectors will ask riders to show their ticket or pass when they are on the train. Riders without a proper ticket or pass are subject to a citation and fine of $124.
More information and timetables about Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail (Central Link) is available here.
I will try to update this info as I find errors or changes.
Feel free to link to this post for future reference.
Updated September 21, 2009.
thank you so much for this thorough post. I have been looking through seattle port and light rail sites for an hour and came nowhere close to having this helpful of information. bless ya! dlee
Great post. I have to go to the airport tomorrow and was a little nervous about taking the light rail. This was a great help.
Yes again! THANK YOU for this helpful post. Visiting Seattle for the first time i was a bit lost on the public trans sites as there is not so clear info on the link between Seatac and Tuk. So thanks again as this is most helpful.
Thank you for the helpful post! I've booked a last second flight for later today and my local shuttle transporter from Kitsap county was booked. I had no idea the light rail was an option.
Many thanks.