How to get from downtown to SeaTac in early morning via public transit (Seattle: how much, hotels)

[tk06]

I've never been to Seattle before but I'm flying in within a couple of days and am staying downtown.

I have another flight from Seattle-Tacoma airport a couple of days after I arrive in Seattle before 6am. I looked up the light rail schedule and it starts at 5am which is too late. How do I reliably get from downtown to the airport early enough (say 4am?) to catch a 6am-ish flight with public transport?

Would I be forced to take a taxi and how much would that cost?

[CityGirl72]

it's $25 from downtown to Sea Tac. It's the most convenient and well worth the money

[tk06]

$25 doesn't sound too bad. There was one taxi service that I found on google quoting about $52 which is a bit too much.
Metro Transit's site seems a bit confusing. If I try to get it to plan a route and look at the schedules for the routes (like 124) that it suggests the schedules don't show any depatures before 5AM even though the suggested trip plan claims pre-5AM departures. Not sure which one is right.

But if a taxi is only $25 then it would probably be worth it, especially to avoid looking for bus stops in an unfamiliar city at 2AM.

[Morwyn_7]

Last time I took a taxi to the airport from down town it cost $35, before the tip. This was a few months ago. I agree though it is the most convenient way to get to the airport in the wee hours. Good luck!

[CityGirl72]

I think it was $25 because I went to a certain hotels pick up spot instead of just willie nillie on a street corner, then $35 sounds about right

[SitoUK]

yes, it's about $35 if you just phone one.

[scirocco22]

There is a Metro Night Owl bus that leaves downtown at 3:30 a.m. and arrives at the Tukwila Station at 4:08 a.m.

At the Tukwila Station, you can take the new RapidRide A Line to the airport that runs every 15-minutes starting at 4:15 a.m. RapidRide is a hybrid service that is extremely efficient bus service.

From the Tukwila Station to the airport on the RapidRide is less than 10-minutes so you should be at the airport around 4:30 a.m.

Here is a picture of the RapidRide bus so you'll know what to look for.




ETA: Your fare will be $2.00 as it will be before the peak fares begin. Ask for a transfer when you board and pay your fare on the #124 bus at 4th and Union. Use that transfer as a paper receipt when you board the RapidRide as they don't collect fares but passengers will be subject to random fare inspection. Board RapidRide at any of the three doors and leave at any of the three doors.

Passenger traffic will be relatively light at that time in the morning so you won't be confronted with harried passengers or bus drivers in crowded buses. You'll have time to leisurely ask the driver for fare information or any other questions you have. I believe the bus should be laying over at 4th and Union before leaving so, again, you'll have time to ask the driver any questions.

The RapidRide bus should also be laying over (or will be shortly) as you arrive at the Tukwila Station so again, if you have to, you'll have the opportunity to ask the driver any questions you have. You'll probably be one of just a handful of passengers riding the RapidRide in that direction in the morning. Most will be airport workers.

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

There is a Metro Night Owl bus that leaves downtown at 3:30 a.m. and arrives at the Tukwila Station at 4:08 a.m.
At the Tukwila Station, you can take the new RapidRide A Line to the airport that runs every 15-minutes starting at 4:15 a.m. RapidRide is a hybrid service that is extremely efficient bus service.
From the Tukwila Station to the airport on the RapidRide is less than 10-minutes so you should be at the airport around 4:30 a.m.

I'm getting sleepy just reading this ... imagine getting up at 2:30AM to catch this bus!

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by PollyGlott

I'm getting sleepy just reading this ... imagine getting up at 2:30AM to catch this bus!

*lol* ooops, you made me realize that I misread his post!

He actually wants to be AT the airport at 4:00 a.m.

Doing it the way I described will get him at the airport around 4:30 a.m.

However, if he were to take a cab to be at the airport at 4:00 a.m., I'd imagine he's still have to get up around 2:30 a.m. or so. He may be able to get about a half-hour or so additional sleep by taking a cab but he's also going to pay a lot more too.

[PollyGlott]

Under the circumstances, there's not much point in going to bed at all...