Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, marketed as SEA Airport and commonly called Sea-Tac, is an international airport between Seattle and Tacoma in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. It is the primary airport for the state and the United States' Pacific Northwest region, and is a hub for flights to Alaska, East Asia, and the interior Northwest.

Understand
Sea-Tac is roughly midway between Seattle and Tacoma, about 15 miles (25 km) south of Seattle and 25 miles (40 km) north of Tacoma. It's the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest region and one of the busiest in the nation, serving almost 47 million passengers in 2017. The airport consists of a huge central terminal, two satellite terminals, cargo facilities, and three parallel runways running north-south.

Alaska Airlines, despite its name, has its corporate headquarters and largest hub at Sea-Tac, with frequent daily services to Anchorage, Alaska. Delta Air Lines also maintains a northwestern hub, with numerous destinations in Asia, Europe, and the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska).

The airport is considered to be one of the more pleasant ones to use in the United States, and has been voted Best North American Airport by Skytrax since 2022, pipping regional rival Vancouver International Airport after it had held the title for 12 consecutive years.

Flights
All passengers check in and enter security in the Central Terminal, which contains four concourses. There are also two satellite terminals, accessible by train after entering security. The North Satellite (or N Gates, used by Alaska Airlines including their departures to Mexico) is connected by train to C and D Gates. The South Satellite (or S Gates) is connected by train to A and B Gates. International arrivals, except those from cities with U.S. customs pre-clearance, use S gates or some A gates; the international arrivals facility is in the Central Terminal.

Note: If you're traveling with Allegiant they only land and take off at Bellingham (BLI IATA), another airport at north as the nearest airport to the Seattle Metropolitan Area. They do not offer flights into or out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Alaska Airlines offers flights to Seattle-Tacoma, Everett Paine Field (PAE IATA) and Bellingham; while Southwest flies only to Seattle-Tacoma and Bellingham

See also: view full list of airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Southwest is only at Seattle-Tacoma and Bellingham.

Arrivals
For domestic flights that arrive at the North Satellite or South Satellite, ride the train to the Central Terminal to claim your baggage and exit the airport.

For international flights, travelers first collect their bags and then clear customs and immigration in the International Arrivals Facility (IAF) in the Central Terminal. Passengers arriving at the South Satellite travel to the IAF using a series of corridors and escalators or elevators; it is no longer necessary to use an underground train. Sea-Tac Airport is equipped with Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control express lanes. After clearing customs and immigration, if you're continuing on another flight, you must re-check your checked luggage and clear security in the IAF to return to the gates; allow about 15–30 minutes for this process, plus the time at baggage claim, immigration, and customs. If you're exiting the airport, follow the exit signs to a long downward ramp as you leave the IAF.

Departures
Check-in and security screening for all flights are conducted at the Central Terminal. All gates are accessible to travelers after they clear any security checkpoint. Monitors show which checkpoints are open, how long the estimated wait time is at each, which ones are designated for travelers with TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, and which offer priority screening for first class and business class travelers. If you are short on time or if you are not sure which checkpoint to use, talk to airport employees in the security area; they regularly redirect travelers to checkpoints with shorter lines.

The airport offers a free service called SEA Spot Saver, allowing travelers without TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to book a time and checkpoint for security screening. This may save you time.

Popular flights
Seattle is the main gateway to Asia, Alaska, Europe, and Hawaii from the Northwestern United States. Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines operate many daily flights to destinations all across the United States and around the world. Seattle is the main jumping-off point to Alaska, with numerous daily flights to Anchorage, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, and Juneau. Alaska Airlines, Delta, and Hawaiian all fly several daily flights between Seattle/Tacoma and the islands of Hawaii, especially Honolulu. Near-hourly flights serve Portland, Boise, Spokane, and daily regional flights fly to smaller cities in Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon. There are also frequent flights from Seattle/Tacoma to major cities on the western half of the continental US, including Denver, Phoenix, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco, and the Los Angeles area. Transcontinental flights to the East Coast are also common.

International flights connect Seattle to major West Coast cities and Toronto in Canada, Mexico City and Guadalajara in Mexico, many major European and East Asian cities, and Dubai in the Middle East.

Ground transportation
Nearly all ground transportation means are located within the Airport Parking Garage across from the Central Terminal.



By light rail

 * See Seattle &sect; By public transit

Link Light Rail's 1 Line is the easiest and cheapest way to get to major areas of Seattle.

The is connected by a bridge to the parking garage, which is in turn connected to the fourth level of the Central Terminal by Skybridge #6. Travelers walk along the north side of the parking garage from Skybridge #6 to the rail platform. From Baggage Carousel #15 & 16 in Baggage claim, follow signs for "Link Light Rail." Be warned: it's about a 5- to 10-minute walk from the Central Terminal to the rail platform. There may be carts available to shuttle travelers between the light rail station and the main terminal, at no charge. From the rail platform there is another skybridge that goes over the Airport Expressway Road and International Blvd to get to the bus stops alongside International Blvd. Bus stops are at opposite sides of the road from each other (see below under 'By bus').

The light rail operates M-Sa 5AM-1AM, Su 6AM-midnight and runs every 6-15 minutes. Fares are $2.25-3.25 depending on distance ($1.50 for children under 18). A ride to Downtown Seattle costs $3.00 and takes about 40 minutes. The train also stops in Tukwila, South Seattle, SoDo, and the International District before reaching Downtown, and continues past Downtown to Capitol Hill, the University of Washington, and Northgate. The train also travels south to Angle Lake Station. Construction is underway to continue from Angle Lake Station to Federal Way and from Northgate towards Lynnwood.

ORCA cards (One Regional Card for All) can be used to pay for most public transportation services in the Seattle area. They cost $3, plus however much money you put in your "e-purse" when you purchase or top up. Vending machines on the station platform sell ORCA cards and paper tickets. If you only need to ride light rail, a paper ticket is the easiest and cheapest option. If you need to transfer to a bus or you plan to ride other transportation modes during your visit, buy an ORCA card, and tap it when you enter (and, for services including light rail, when you leave) transit stations and vehicles. Paper tickets, which only work on the light rail, do not need to be tapped, but hang onto yours in case you are asked to show proof of payment. The Transit GO Ticket mobile app lets travelers buy tickets with a credit or debit card; like paper tickets, these do not allow for free transfers to buses or other transit modes. Although light rail stations' card readers display the contactless payment logo, as of July 2024, they only work with ORCA cards or Android phones onto which ORCA cards have been loaded. Google Pay, Apple Pay, contactless cards, and other NFC payment options are not yet accepted.

For travel to Everett, there are two options that connect through Link Light Rail. Both are accessed by taking Link Light Rail northbound to International District/Chinatown Station, head upstairs to ground level and walk west towards King Street Station (the brick building across 4th Ave). Then your choices are:
 * Sounder commuter trains only run on weekdays, going to Everett in the evenings (4-7PM), and coming from Everett to Seattle in the mornings (6AM-10AM), although there is one "reverse commute" run on an Amtrak train.
 * Bus route 510 travels northwards to Everett Station (60 mins) via 4th Ave in downtown Seattle (Union Station @ 4th & Jackson is first stop). The fare is $3.75 for adults and $2.75 for children under 18. Passengers transfer to Everett Transit #8 at Everett Station to continue to Paine Field Airport Terminal or to Skagit Transit #90x to go further north into Mt Vernon from Everett Station. To reach the San Juan Ferry Terminal in Anacortes, transfer to Skagit Transit #40x from the 90x bus in Skagit Station. The 40x bus only goes to March's P&R where you transfer to the 410 bus to continue towards the San Juan Ferry Terminal through Anacortes.
 * Bus route 512 travels northwards to Everett Station via Mountlake Terrace Station, Lynnwood P&R, and Ash Way P&R from Northgate.

By bus
The easiest way to get from the airport to Lakewood, Tacoma, West Seattle, and Bellevue is from the airport bus stop on the arrivals level at the south end of the Central Terminal (follow signs from Baggage Claim for "ST 560/574"). Both (Sound Transit) routes stop outside Door 00 of the Airport Terminal, just past Baggage Carousel 1 and another downstairs from the Light Rail station on International Blvd at S 176th St (see below under "King County Metro").

Fares listed below are payable with an ORCA card, in cash, or using tickets in the Transit GO Ticket mobile app, which lets travelers pay with a credit or debit card. Bus cash boxes cannot break bills and do not provide change. Although many fare readers display the contactless payment logo, as of July 2024, only Android phones can pay for fares — and that's after you load an ORCA card onto them, not by paying with Google Pay. Apple Pay, contactless cards, and other NFC payment options are not yet accepted.

Riders under 18 are able to ride for free on Seattle-area transit services. Students age 13 and up are encouraged to carry student ID if they are asked to show proof of payment.


 * Route 560 offers all-day direct service to West Seattle (via Burien) and to Bellevue (via Renton) in the other direction from the airport. The fare is $3.25 for adults and free for children under 18. The bus runs both directions from the same stop, so check the sign above the windshield: for West Seattle it will say "560 Westwood Village" and for Bellevue it will say "560 Bellevue."
 * Route 574 offers all-day direct service to Lakewood, Tacoma, and Federal Way from the airport. The fare is $3.25 for adults and free for children under 18. Passengers transfer to Intercity #620 in SR 512 Park & Ride in Lakewood to continue to Lacey and Olympia, and to Grays Harbor Transit #40 to go further out towards Aberdeen and Hoquiam (via Montesano and Elma) from Olympia.
 * Route 574 offers all-day direct service to Lakewood, Tacoma, and Federal Way from the airport. The fare is $3.25 for adults and free for children under 18. Passengers transfer to Intercity #620 in SR 512 Park & Ride in Lakewood to continue to Lacey and Olympia, and to Grays Harbor Transit #40 to go further out towards Aberdeen and Hoquiam (via Montesano and Elma) from Olympia.


 * It the most useful option if your final destination is within the vicinity (up to 10 miles) from the airport. Metro's airport bus stop is on International Blvd, downstairs from the Link Light Rail station (International Blvd & S 176th St). King County Metro buses do not pick at the other stop outside Door 00 (Baggage Carousel 1) of the airport terminal.
 * Route 156 will take you northbound to Tukwila's Southcenter Mall or southbound to Highline College
 * Route 161 goes westbound to Burien Transit Center and southbound to Kent.
 * The Rapid Ride A Line travels between the Tukwila International Blvd Station and Federal Way along International Blvd/Pacific Hwy (Hwy 99) via the airport at the International Blvd & S 176th St stop.

The, is the next nearest bus transit center serving as the northern terminus of Rapid Ride A and the next stop north from the Airport stop for Link Line 1 (Light Rail train) with additional connections to:
 * Rapid Ride F Line Burien to Renton via Tukwila International Blvd Station, Tukwila Transit Center (adjacent to Southcenter Mall), Tukwila Sounder Station, downtown Renton Transit Center.
 * Route 124 Goes up to Georgetown (neighborhood) along SR-99 (International Blvd, E Marginal Way) from Tukwila International Blvd Station. Continues to Downtown Seattle along Airport Way S from Georgetown. Quicker to take the Link Light Rail if going to downtown Seattle.
 * Route 128 West Seattle to Southcenter via White Center, Tukwila International Blvd Station

By intercity bus and shuttle
Most of these intercity bus services pick up passengers from the at the southern end of the main terminal building outside door 00, past Baggage Carousel 1. The Airporter stops are next to the Sound Transit bus stop for routes 560 & 574 (see above under 'By bus'). However, some shuttles (namely the ShuttleExpress, Speedi Shuttle, Downtown Airporter, hotel shuttles and off-site parking shuttles) pick up from the third floor of the parking garage, across from the central terminal:

There are also shuttles by different companies to the San Juan Islands and Vashon Island.

To reach the Greyhound bus station at 530 S Royal Brougham, take the Link Line #1 train from SeaTac to Stadium Station on Busway and Royal Brougham, south of downtown Seattle (SODO). Walk one block east along S Royal Brougham. The bus station is next to the Stadium Light Rail Station. To get to King St Station (Amtrak & Sounder) take any northbound bus coming up on Busway from the bus stop next to Stadium Station and get off at 4th and Jackson. King St Station is at opposite side of the 4th Ave from the northbound bus stop on 4th & Jackson.

By taxi or ride-hailing
All taxis and rides can be hailed at the third floor of the parking garage.

The ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft are available and very popular for airport pickups, although fares vary widely and are often higher than taxi fares. Request a ride while you're in the terminal, then follow signs to the rideshare pickup area on level 3 of the parking garage.

Taxis are also on level 3 of the parking garage, closer to the Central Terminal than Uber and Lyft are. Metered taxis have three-digit numbers, are painted in one color, and charge based on distance and time. "For hire" cars have four-digit numbers, are painted in two colors, and charge a flat rate (plus a tip, at the passenger's discretion) based on the destination ZIP code. Confirm this rate before you get in a flat rate taxi. Carry cash; Seattle airport taxi drivers are notorious for telling passengers that they accept cards at the start of a trip, then making up an excuse for their card readers being broken when it's time to pay. Taxi drivers may provide receipts on request, although these are often slips of paper that the passenger is expected to write the fare and tip on themselves. Because many travelers prefer Uber and Lyft, it is often faster and less expensive to get a taxi by walking up to the taxi line.

Other taxis and "for-hires" can drop you off, but to leave the airport, you must go to the taxi line or book a for-hire car in advance.

Limos and towncars can be competitively priced with taxis, making them good value for a bit of extra space and comfort.

By car
It takes roughly 30 minutes to drive to Downtown Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue in normal traffic; however, it can take well over an hour during busy commute periods.

Parking is provided in a single building that can accommodate 13,000 cars, the largest of its kind under one roof in the world. All spots are eligible for short-term or long-term parking. Level 4 has the easiest access to the terminal, as all the skybridges are on that level, but levies different fares compared to floors 2-3 and 5-8. The level 4 parking rates are $4 per hour, $35 daily. Other floors are $3 per hour, $28 daily, $130 for 7 days. Discounts may apply for all charges if you use a parking card. If you can't find a suitable parking spot in the airport parking garage, you still have other secure options for cheap SeaTac Airport Parking, including the off airport parking lots and the free Cell Phone Lot if you are meeting arriving passengers.

By rental car
The is located off-site; a free shuttle service operates 24 hours a day between the central terminal and the rental car facility. Stops for this shuttle are located at the far ends of the central terminal, outside Baggage Carousels 1 and 16. All of the major companies are at the car rental facility, where you can compare prices and pick up your car. The car rental facility is also the same place to return your car, directly accessible from SR 518.

Renting from the airport will incur an 11% "airport tax" surcharge. You can avoid this fee by renting from a downtown or other non-airport location, which may save a bit of money on the rental, but those savings would be offset somewhat by the expense and hassle of getting yourself and your luggage to the rental location.

Access towards the airport
The airport is easily accessible from both I-5 and I-405 for travel from Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue. If travelling via I-5 from Seattle or Tacoma, take exit 154B for SR 518 westbound. Coming from I-405, just go straight ahead. From there on, the way to the airport is clearly marked.

Alternatively, if I-5 from Seattle is crowded, as it often is during rush hour, you can take State Route 99 from Seattle south through a 2-mile-long tunnel, then bear right onto SR 509. Exit to SW 148th Street and turn left for SR 518, then follow signs to the airport.

By bicycle
In a city as bike-friendly as Seattle, it's no surprise that there are facilities for biking to the airport and flying with your bike, whether you rode there or brought your bike on public transit. A bike assembly station near baggage claims 9 and 10 has tools and air pumps. Short term bike racks are available, and there is long-term storage near baggage claims 12 and 13.

Get around
You can walk between concourses if you are within the Central Terminal. If you are going to the North Satellite or South, you must take the train, but you can still go back and forth. The so-called SEA Underground (formerly called the Satellite Transit System (STS)) has 3 lines: a loop line between Concourse A, B, and South Satellite (Blue Line); another loop line between Concourses C, D, and North Satellite (Green Line); and a line between Concourse A and Concourse D (Yellow Line).

Wait
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport presents live music every day at some point in the terminal. Seattle's famous music scene attracts local Northwest artists to perform frequently at the busiest hour of flights for entertainment (mostly 10AM-1PM). Even the airport announcements are conducted by local famous artists, such as Quincy Jones, Macklemore and Sir Mix-A-Lot.

There are over 100 permanent and rolling art masterpieces created by 85 local artists throughout the airport, most at the ticketing centers and then scattered throughout the whole area. Some of them may be unnoticeable enough to be seen though, such as at the supporting columns, on walls towards the restroom, on the ceiling, even at the supporting wall of the runway. Most of the main attractions though, is along the walk from the Center Terminal towards Concourse A.

For the kids, there is a dedicated playing area for them between the Central Terminal and Concourse A. There is also a big and satisfactory mother's room inside.

Sea-Tac has two Little Free Libraries where people can drop off a book and pick up a book at no cost. One, focused on children's books, is next to the playground near Gate A1. Another, of general interest, is across from Gate A3.

Eat and drink


As of June 2024, SEA Airport has over 40 eateries across all of its terminals and concourses, including 7 branches of Starbucks, 2 of which are outside the secure area. Offerings range from national fast food chains to affiliates of local Seattle food trucks and restaurants.

Pre-security and baggage claim
There are only a couple of restaurants available outside of security.

B Gates

 * Fast food: McDonald's
 * Fast food: McDonald's
 * Fast food: McDonald's

D Gates
Options at D gates are paltry. Eat at the Central Terminal or other gates instead.

South Satellite
South Satellite has few restaurants, and even fewer that are worth a visit. If you have time, search out food in the Central Terminal or gates before heading to the Satellites.

Buy
Currency Exchange (Travelex) have numerous locations at the ticketing Level (one on the south esplanade and one on the north) and Baggage Claim, on Concourse A and in the South Satellite.

For shopping options, more varieties can be found at the Central Terminal or Concourse C.

Connect
There is a reliable Wi-Fi service throughout the airport and the service is free for all devices. It can also be used as a guide for the gate your flight departs at and guide to your destination city, as well as nearby concessions depending on where you are.

Device charger outlets can be found at seating areas on all concourses.

Mail services are offered at Baggage Storage (USPS, FedEx, and UPS), plus copying/fax and notary. There are also "Send-It-Home" kiosks near every security checkpoint: in case you accidentally packed a small prohibited item (like a pocketknife), you can buy a bubble envelope and mail it to yourself.

Cope
A meditation room and chapel can be found within the ticketing area at the Mezzanine Level.

There is only one shop for baggage storage, provided by Smarte Carte, but its facility is complete. It is also one of the only two airports in the U.S. that offers frozen storage. You can also rent a car seat, stroller, and wheelchair here; and buy locks, cases, pet kennels, and rifle cases. Vehicle battery jumper service.

There is a free children's play area (Near gate A1). For nursing mothers, there are several nursing stations, with at least one near each concourse.

Sleep
By and large, the airport is safe enough to sleep in, but you may want to avoid that for comfort reasons. While there is no hotel within the airport property, there are plenty of hotels and motels lined up along International Blvd (Hwy 99) with some located across the street and next to the airport grounds along the same side of the street, within walking distance of the Link Light Rail station. Most of these hotels are cheap by Seattle standards. Therefore, to save money, many visitors to Seattle opt to stay in this area and commute by car, bus or train (Link Light Rail) into Seattle to do their sightseeing, eating, bar hopping, and shopping during the day and come back here to sleep at night. See the Tukwila article, under Sleep, for additional listings of accommodations surrounding the Southcenter Mall southeast of the I-405/I-5 junction and the SeaTac article, under Sleep, for additional listings of accommodations in the immediate surrounding areas. There is a free shuttle provided by Seattle Southside Tourism Authority for guests staying in SeaTac to access and shop at Southcenter Mall in Tukwila. Some of the hotels in Tukwila shuttle their guests for free (or for a small fare) between the airport terminals and their respective properties.

Nearby

 * WA-99.svg International Blvd passes along the front of the airport between Tukwila in the north and Federal Way in the south through Des Moines and Kent. It runs parallel to I-5 but with multiple hotels/motels, restaurants and stores along the road. SR-99 serves as the main arterial road through the area.
 * The bus can also take you to Federal Way (Rapid 'A', 574) if you are craving for a Korean delight.


 * WA-518.svg to I-405.svg State Route (SR) 518 / I-405 goes across the north end of the airport runways, connecting Burien in the west to its junction with I-5 near Southcenter Mall in the east. The airport road is accessed via the same exit as SR-99, follow signs. The highway continues across I-5 and becomes I-405 as it curves northwards towards Bellevue through Renton and Newcastle. Southcenter Mall is accessed via Exit 1 of I-405 ("SR-181 West Valley Highway/Interurban"). Going west SR-518 ends at its junction with SR-509 where it continues into Burien as S 148th St.
 * The Southcenter Mall at Tukwila is just about two miles away, You can take the King County Metro bus (Rapid 'F', 156) there. It can be accessed via Exit 1 of I-405 by car.
 * See also the SeaTac and Burien articles as the airport is in the City of Sea-Tac with Burien nearby in the west side.
 * Go to Burien by the same bus service (Routes 128, 161, 560, Rapid 'F') or White Center (Rapid 'H' from Burien; 128 and 560 from Airport) for a little bit of all of the above.