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| Home > City Guide - Seattle - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport Seattle has an excellent bus system operated by King County Metro Transit (tel: (206) 553 3000, 24-hour information; website: http://transit.metrokc.gov), with wheelchair and bicycle lifts and drivers trained to announce significant stops and help with directions. Buses run every ten to 20 minutes 0600-2000; less frequently later. An underground bus tunnel operates through Downtown Seattle from Chinatown/International District to the Convention Center, with stops at Pioneer Square, the Downtown financial district and Westlake Center. Adult tickets cost US$1-2 but between 1000 and 1800 it is free between Pioneer Square and the Westlake Center. Tickets are purchased on the bus but the exact change is required. Metro Transit also operate the Waterfront Streetcar, which features restored trams that roll along the Waterfront, linking Pier 70 and the Chinatown/International District, stopping near the Seattle Aquarium and Pioneer Square along the way. Cars run every 20 minutes 0700-1800. A single ticket costs US$1 or US$1.25, depending on the day and time of travel. There is also a high-speed elevated monorail (tel: (206) 441 6038; website: www.seattlemonorail.com), which links the Downtown area to the Seattle Center in less than two minutes, with views of the harbour and the backdrop of the Olympic Mountains beyond (operating hours 0900-2300). Return tickets cost US$2. Washington State Ferries (tel: (206) 464 6400 or (800) 843 3779, toll free in Washington; website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries), the largest ferry system in the USA, links Seattle with the Olympic Peninsula, Bainbridge Island and other points in the region, now considered part of ‘Greater Seattle’. Ferries depart and tickets can be purchased from Pier 52. A day pass for Metro Transit is available Saturday, Sunday and holidays for US$2. Standard fares are US$1-2 depending on zones and time of travel. Public bus transport is free in the Downtown area – but not the Streetcar or monorail. Taxis Taxis can be hailed from the few designated ranks in front of hotels and the airport or by telephone. A tip of 10-15% is expected. Seattle taxi drivers are almost always polite and reliable, although you can expect up to a 20-minute wait if ordering by telephone. Rates are set by the city authorities; they start at US$1.80 for two passengers plus US$1.80 per mile thereafter and US$0.50 per extra passenger. Providers include A & A Airport Limousine & Taxi (tel: (206) 365 1008), Orange Cab Corporation (tel: (206) 522 8800), Farwest (tel: (206) 622 1717) and Seattle Taxicab & Yellow Cabs (tel: (206) 622 6500). Limousines Providers include Alpha Limousine & Towncar (tel: (206) 464 1905), British/Bentley Motor Coach (tel: (206) 283 6600), Seattle Limousine Services (tel: (206) 762 3339) and Washington Limousine (tel: (206) 523 8000). Rates for the metropolitan area begin around US$70 per hour, although there will be a flat rate for pick-up and delivery service dependent on mileage. Driving in the City Except for rush-hour motorway traffic, Seattle driving conditions are excellent and motorists are extremely law-abiding. The city is fairly easy to navigate, based on a simple grid system (numbered roads are north–south avenues and named roads are east—west streets). However, visitors should be aware of the specially designated lanes for buses, bicycles and ‘HOV’ or High Occupancy Vehicles – those carrying more than one person. Highways and highway exit bridges (Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and the Ship Canal Bridge) are very congested during rush hours (0700-0900 and 1500-1800), because of the number of commuters heading to and from the suburbs. Shopping malls and hotels have their own parking lots and offer rebates with purchases but Downtown parking in general costs about US$2 per hour. Ampco System Parking operates a central car park at 420 East Pike Street. Other central car parking lots include Sound Parking, 901 Boren Avenue, CPS Parking, 1200 Western Avenue and Pioneer Square Garage at 721 First Avenue, Diamond Parking, at Bon Marche, Third Avenue and Stewart, and Public Market Garage 1531 Western Park, near Pike Place Market. Car Hire Most car hire companies (called car rental companies in the USA) require a credit card for the deposit and payment, and a minimum rental age of 25 years. Basic insurance is usually included but can be insufficient as it offers only a limited coverage of damage. Car hire companies offer additional collision- or complete loss-damage insurance (US$21.99 per day). Hire rates vary widely during the week (from US$78 per day, including taxes); weekends are cheaper (from US$28 per day, including taxes). A valid driving licence is usually acceptable but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is preferred. Providers include Alamo (tel: (800) 327 9633; website: www.goalamo.com), Avis (tel: (800) 331 1212; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (800) 527 0700; website: www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: (800) 800 4000; website: www.dollarcar.com), Hertz (tel: (800) 654 3131; website: www.hertz.com) and National Car Rental (tel: (800) 227 7368; website: www.nationalcar.com). Bicycle Hire Seattle has designated bicycle lanes throughout the city. Lights and helmets are mandatory. Major providers for hiring a bicycle include Al Young Bike and Ski, 3615 North East 45th in the University District (tel: (206) 524 2642) and Gregg’s of Greenlake, 7007 Woodlawn Avenue, Greenlake (tel: (206) 523 1822; website: www.greggscycles.com). Rates are approximately US$25 for a 24-hour rental. |
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