About Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Often shortened to Sea-Tac Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the main access point for western Washington State. Our Seattle-Tacoma International Airport guide features useful information on transport links, accommodation options and terminal facilities.

Airport news:

Plans are in place to expand the capacity of the South Satellite Terminal.

Information:

An airport information booth is located in the baggage claim area, across from carousel 12.

Website:

Driving directions:

From the north (Seattle) or south (Tacoma), take Interstate 5 to exit 154 and drive west on SR518 to the airport exit. From the east, take Interstate 405 (which turns into SR518), and then take the Airport Expressway to the terminal.

Transfer between terminals:

A shuttle train service connects the Main Terminal to the nearby North and South Satellites.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus:Metro Transit (tel: +1 206 553 3000; metro.kingcounty.gov) runs a 24-hour bus service to Seattle and various regional destinations. The fare is US$3.25 at peak times, and US$2.50 off-peak.

Shuttle:A number of shuttle operators run door-to-door services to Seattle and other Washington destinations from the Ground Transportation Center. Downtown Airporter (tel: +1 425 981 7000; www.downtownairporter.hudsonltd.net) operates shuttle buses between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and hotels in the city centre – fares start at US$18.

Taxi:Taxis (tel: +1 206 622 6500; www.seattleyellowcab.com) and limousines are available from the Ground Transportation Center. Regular cars and 8-10 person passenger vans are available.

Public transport rail:

Light rail:The Central Link light rail service (tel: +1 888 889 6368; www.soundtransit.org) operates from a station on the fourth floor of the airport. The journey time to downtown Seattle is about 40 minutes, and the one-way fare is US$2.25-$3.25, depending on the destination.

Terminal facilities

Money:

Bureaux de change, ATMs and change machines are available throughout the main terminal building. Currency exchange facilities can also be found on concourse A and in the South Satellite Terminal.

Food:

There are numerous coffee shops, bars and a variety of self-service, full-service and fast-food restaurants at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – these are spread between the concourses, satellites and within the main terminal areas. The largest concentration is in the Central Terminal where options include a seafood bar, Mexican eatery and Japanese restaurant.

Shopping:

Shopping facilities include bookshops, gift shops and duty-free outlets for international passengers; the majority of which are located in the Central Terminal.

Luggage:

Luggage facilities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport include a baggage and storage service in the reclaim area of the terminal building. There is a lost property office (tel: +1 206 787 6201) on the mezzanine level of the Main Terminal. Luggage trolleys are available for a US$4 fee.

Other:

Other facilities at the airport include massage services, shoeshine booths, a pet relief area and a meditation room. Those travelling with children will appreciate the kids play area, family toilets and mother and baby rooms.

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

The Conference Center at Seattle-Tacoma Airport (tel: +1 206 787 6602) boasts a range of conference and meeting facilities on-site. Further conference facilities are also available at the Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center (tel: +1 206 244 4800; www3.hilton.com), a short walk from the airport.

The Regus Business Center Express on concourse C sells a range of business accessories.

Communication Facilities:

Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, as are internet enabled payphones. There are several post boxes in the terminal, while stamps can be purchased at ATMs. Mobile phone chargers are also available.

Disabled facilities:

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is equipped with disabled toilets, lowered drinking fountains, ramps, amplified phones for the hearing impaired and adapted lifts with Braille signage. Airline staff can provide wheelchairs on request. Dedicated disabled reserved parking spaces are available in the multistorey car park. Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline in advance of travel.

Car parking:

The multistorey airport car park is connected to the Main Terminal via sky bridges and offers short- and long-term parking. Special rate ‘general parking’ is available on four floors of the car park and serves as the airport's long-term parking area. Valet parking is also available, and there is a ‘cell phone lot’ for those awaiting arriving passengers. Call the Parking Office (tel: +1 206 787 5308) for more information and details of rates.

Car rental:

Car hire companies at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport include: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, EZ Rent-a-Car, Firefly, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty and Sixt. Offices for these operators can be found at the hire car centre at 3150 South 160th Street – shuttles to this location are available from outside the baggage claim areas.