SEAAirport Guide

Seattle airport to the University of Washington

SEA to the University of Washington on one Link train: $3.00, no transfer. The walk, which station, first and last trains, and what a car costs.

The Suzzallo Library facade across Red Square at the University of Washington.
Suzzallo Library, University of Washington

Link light rail takes you to the University of Washington without a change: a 1 Line train leaves SeaTac/Airport Station and stops at University of Washington station (UW station). According to the university, the station is south of the Seattle campus, beside Husky Stadium. University of Washington Tacoma is a different destination.

The trip, step by step

  1. At baggage claim, find carousel 16 and go up one floor to the skybridge level.
  2. Cross Skybridge 6 and turn left through the parking garage to SeaTac/Airport Station. The University of Washington’s orientation page puts the station about a quarter mile from the main terminal.
  3. Pay before the platform. Tap a credit or debit card, or an ORCA card, on a reader. Ticket machines at the station sell tickets, and the Transit GO Ticket app sells them ahead of time.
  4. Board a 1 Line train toward Lynnwood City Center. That’s the northbound side.
  5. Ride to University of Washington and get off.

One traveler, Destination 4 Vacation, reports occasional fare checks on board, so keep your ticket or card handy.

The free Train-to-Plane cart runs from garage Level 4, daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, and anyone can ride with bags on the back. If you need a wheelchair, Prospect Airport Services sends someone when you call (206) 246-1550 on arrival at the station, from 4 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.

What does it cost?

Adults 19 to 64 pay $3.00 one way. Riders 18 and under ride free. Riders with an ORCA LIFT card, and seniors or riders with a disability, pay $1.00. Rome2Rio’s page lists a $5 fare for this trip, but Sound Transit’s own fares page says $3.00, so plan on that.

Students have another option. The University of Washington’s orientation page says a Husky Card U-Pass pays the light rail fare while classes are in session.

Which station: UW or U District?

Both stations serve campus. The 1 Line reaches UW station first, so it’s the shorter ride.

Station Where the University of Washington says it puts you
University of Washington South of campus, beside Husky Stadium. Cross Montlake Boulevard and walk north toward the heart of campus
U District West of campus. Head east on 43rd Street, then south on Memorial Way NE to Red Square

For the stadium, the arena or the medical center, get off at UW station.

One traveler, Kointraveler, filmed the UW station walk. Arriving from the airport, the traveler stepped off on the platform’s north side and rode the elevator to the level marked BR for bridge. The same panel had P for platform and S for street. From the bridge, the route ran north past Husky Stadium and the Alaska Airlines Arena to the central campus, where Suzzallo Library stands.

Option What it costs Time Where it starts
Link light rail $3.00 per adult Westlake is 39 minutes out by Sound Transit’s timetable, and UW station is farther along the line. Add the walk and the wait SeaTac/Airport Station
Uber or Lyft Uber’s page for the University District gives an $80 average. UberX $81, Wait & Save $76, UberXL $104 About 30 minutes for 19 miles, by Uber’s page Ground Transportation Plaza, garage Level 3, stalls 1 to 34
Taxi Metered, with a $20 minimum from SEA. Rome2Rio estimates $85 to $110 29 minutes, by Rome2Rio Garage Level 3, north and south curbs, 24 hours
Premier door-to-door Set by distance, passengers and service, with no fixed rate printed Not published Kiosk on garage Level 3

Uber’s figures are averages, not quotes, and Rome2Rio prices a rideshare at $55 to $75. The University of Washington’s orientation page also calls the drive about 30 minutes.

For four adults, Link is $12 against one Uber at $80.

A commenter under Metro On The Action’s video called Link from the airport to downtown “brutally slow.” The University of Washington’s Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences department says Link is the most economical option but not recommended if you’re arriving late or carrying a lot of luggage. Our downtown options guide prices the same trade-off for downtown.

When the trains run

Day First train from SEA Last train from SEA
Monday to Friday 4:51 a.m. 12:05 a.m.
Saturday 4:48 a.m. 12:06 a.m.
Sunday 5:58 a.m. 11:18 p.m.
Weekday departures from SEA A train every
4:51 to 8:43 a.m. 8 minutes
8:43 a.m. to 1:53 p.m. 10 minutes
1:53 to 5:53 p.m. 8 minutes
5:53 to 7:53 p.m. 10 minutes
7:53 to 9:05 p.m. 12 minutes
9:05 to 11:45 p.m. 16 minutes

The last weekday train follows the 11:45 p.m. departure at 12:05 a.m. On weekends, Sound Transit’s approximate guide says every 10 minutes from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., every 12 minutes from 9 to 11 p.m. and every 16 minutes after that.

Landing after the last train

Sound Transit’s Night Bus, route 597, leaves about 15 minutes after the last train and then every 30 minutes. It runs between the airport and downtown Seattle, so you would still need another ride to campus. If you land late, a rideshare or taxi is the sure way to campus. Both run 24 hours.

The walkway between the garage and the station is open 24 hours. The Port’s Ground Transportation Information Booth takes questions about rides at (206) 787-5906.

Going back to the airport

For a flight home, board a 1 Line train toward Federal Way. From the station it is a quarter mile to the terminal. The Port advises arriving two hours before a domestic flight or three before an international one.

Sources