AALL Annual Meeting 2003 - Seattle, Washington

Space Needle and Experience Music Project

     American Association of Law Libraries
     2003 Annual Meeting - July 12-16, Seattle, Washington
     AALL LAC 2003 Home > Necessities > Transportation

Seattle Area Transportation Options

All phone numbers are in the 206 area code unless noted.

Getting here

Arriving by air

Seattle's SeaTac Airport, located 30 minutes south of the city (airport code SEA), was originally named for being situated midway between this city and the city of Tacoma. The airport is served by the major airlines. United, Northwest, and Alaska are among the largest carriers in and out of the region.

Ground transportation from the airport

Metro (city bus)
Route 194 Express or Route 174 both serve downtown Seattle. Buses arrive at and leave from the SeaTac Airport baggage claim area near door number 6. Departure times are shown on information signs at the bus stop. Depending on time of day, fares are $1.25 - $1.75. Exact fare required.

Shuttle Express
(800) 487-7433 (425) 981-7000
Shared ride,door-to-door service
Fares: 1-3 Adults $21; 4 @ $24; 5 @ $36; 6 @ $41; 7 @ $46
Also offers “express car” service at premium rates

GrayLine Airport Express
626-6088 (800) 426-7505
Departures twice an hour, with service to and from major downtown Seattle hotels
Adult $8.50, R/T $14.00; Child (2-12) $5.50, R/T $9.50

Car Rental
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz and National have on-site rental stands; additional companies have off-site facilities with shuttles.

Airport Driving Directions

Taxi
To arrange for a taxi at the airport you may call 246-9999, use one of the curbside phones, information boards, or visit the ground transportation center, located on the third floor of the airport parking garage. Fare to downtown is approximately $28.00 - 32.00.

Travel by rail or bus:

Amtrak
Amtrak trains use the King Street Station, 301 S Jackson Street, between King and Jackson streets and Second and Fourth avenues, a short bus or cab ride from downtown and the Convention Center.

Greyhound Bus
The Seattle Depot, located at 8th Ave and Stewart St., on the northern fringe of downtown, is a short walk from the Convention Center. Telephone numbers, main: (206) 628-5526 and customer service: (206) 628-5561.

By car

Traffic Conditions The State Department of Transportation’s web site has current information and links to a wealth of resources. You may also check traffic conditions by telephone at 368-4499.

Parking
Parking in downtown Seattle can be expensive, if your hotel doesn’t provide space or if you are staying in an outlying area. The Convention Center operates two parking garages. The entrance to the main garage is on 8th Avenue between Seneca and Pike Streets. The Freeway Park Garage is located next to the Convention with entrance at 1300 Hubbell Place (also between Seneca and Pike Streets).

Moving around the city

Metro Transit

Following are some special features of the city system, known as Metro Transit.

• Ride Free Area allows you to move around the downtown area at no charge.

• Visitor passes at $5.00 allow unlimited travel, a bargain if you plan to explore Seattle’s many neighborhoods. See the website to order by telephone or mail.

• The Metro Bus Tunnel has a stop at the Convention Center and provides quick service to the waterfront, the International District and historic Pioneer Square – all inside the ride free area.

• It’s not free, but the Waterfront streetcar is included in the price of the visitor pass and lets you see the waterfront with its parks, shops, restaurants, aquarium and other attractions.

Taxicabs

Numerous companies serve the area including:
Yellow and Graytop 622-6500
Farwest 622-1717
Orange Cab 522-8800
Taxis can be difficult to hail on the street, so it's best to call or wait at the taxi stands at major hotels.

Seattle Monorail
A “leftover” from the 1962 World’s Fair, the monorail connects downtown (from the station at the Southeast side of the Westlake Mall) with the Seattle Center on the former world’s fair site, also the location of the Space Needle, Experience Music Project and many attractions. Round-trip fares are $3.00 for adults, $1.50 for youth. Plans are in the works for an extension of the monorail system to outlying communities.

Side trips

Buses
Riderlink Links to transit agencies in 5 Puget Sound counties.

Commuter Train
The Sounder commuter train connects Seattle with points south, using a special platform at the King Street Station, 401 S. Jackson St., The platform is accessed from the Weller Street Bridge at Fourth Ave. and from South Jackson Street between Second and Fourth avenues. Single fares range from $2 to $4 Telephone: 398-5000 or (800) 201-4900

Washington State Ferries (800) 843-3779

Washington has an extensive system of state-operated ferries connecting the city with nearby island and peninsular communities. The main terminal serving downtown Seattle is at Coleman Dock on the waterfront at Pier 52.

Other Northwest Ferries - Alaska, Victoria, B.C., San Juan Islands, Oregon
More Alaska Ferries
Victoria Clipper

Kenmore Air
Seaplane service connects Seattle and Victoria, B.C.

Regularly scheduled flights land in Victoria's Inner Harbor and Seattle's Lake Union and Lake Washington. Connecting flights can be made from Victoria to Vancouver while several airlines offer seaplane services to the San Juan Islands and the Gulf Islands from either Seattle, Victoria, or Vancouver.
Telephone: (800) 543-9595.

Cruise Lines
Seattle's new Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal is served by three major cruise lines:

Holland America Line (877) 932-4259
Norwegian Cruise Line (800) 327-7030
Royal Caribbean International (800) 327-2056.