Airport Guide to Seattle – Tacoma International (SEA)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also affectionately known as Sea-Tac Airport, is located in the southern King County of Washington, 19km (12 miles) south of Seattle. Serving more than 31.5 million passengers in 2010, it is the United States’ 18th busiest airport.

Sea-Tac Airport has a Main (central) Terminal and ticketing arena surrounded by concourses A-D, as well as a two satellite terminals called the North and South Satellites. An automatic people-mover transports passengers between the satellite terminals and the Main Terminal. Running alongside the ticketing concourse is the airport garage, which houses five parking areas and a ground transportation centre. All gates may be accessed once past security.

With an extensive selection of art on display throughout the airport, in addition to a host of shops, restaurants, bars, bistros and fast-food outlets, Sea-Tac is both attractive and inviting. Moreover, its combination of efficient facilities and helpful staff make pesky tasks such as checking-in a breeze.

Flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport comes from a number of cities worldwide, including Toronto, Paris, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seoul, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Tokyo, New York, Honolulu and Beijing.

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Terminal Transfer

An automatic people mover transports passengers between the Main Terminal and satellite buildings.

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Getting into Town

Train: Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail connects Sea-Tac with downtown Seattle. Trains run from 5am to midnight from Monday to Saturday and until 11pm on Sundays. Tickets cost $2.75 and journey time is 37 minutes. The station is located on the fourth floor of the Airport Garage.

Bus: A bus service provided by King County Metro costs $2.25 during off-peak times and $3 during peak hours (Monday-Friday; 6am to 9am and 3am to 6pm). Buses stop on International Boulevard, just outside the exit of the Sound Transit Light Link Rail Station.

Shuttle: Although not necessarily faster than metro buses, commercial shuttle buses offer more room for luggage. They are located on the third floor of the Airport Garage. Fare is $5-12.75, depending on which part of the city you’re heading to.

Taxi: Taxis are available on the third floor of the Airport Garage. A trip to central Seattle takes approximately 25 minutes and costs $30-40 (excluding tip).

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Car Parking

The Terminal Direct Parking lot, as the title implies, provides direct access to the fourth floor of the Main Terminal. Rates are $4 per hour with a daily maximum of $35. General Parking is available on floors 3 and 5-8 of the Airport Garage. Rates are $3 per hour with a daily maximum fee of $28 and a weekly rate of $130.

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Information Desks

Help desks are situated in the main terminal and a Washington State Visitor Information counter is located on the baggage claim level. Staff members dressed in either red or blue uniforms holding signs marked “Airport Information” provide roaming assistance.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: The airport has ATMs, currency exchange, change machines and a post office.

Luggage: There are left luggage (Ken’s Baggage Storage & Rentals, on the Baggage Claim Level) and lost-and-found facilities. Lost luggage queries are handled by individual airlines.

Conference and business: The Laptop Lane business centre in the North Satellite offers access to fax, Internet and copying facilities. Conference venues are available at the Hilton Airport and Conference Centre.

Other facilities: Facilities include cell phone and mp3 charger kiosks, Internet phones, smoking areas, family restrooms and disabled facilities.

Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport.

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