Location Transport

How is the public transportation in Seattle, WA? Do I need to rent a car for a week long visit to get around?

I'm planning on vacationing in Seattle in June, but am wondering if it's necessary to rent a car in the city, or if the public transportation systems are enough to get me around. Thanks! =)

Public Comments

1. the public transportation is GREAT! the city buses are the best way to go and they don't cost a lot (i can't remember how much). I'm from Tacoma and always took the bus to Mariner's games or to see friends in Seattle. I don't think you'd need to rent a car. Just get a bus schedule. Have fun! Downtown Seattle is awesome.
2. There are several great options for gettting around Seattle and the Central Puget Sound region without a car. Seattle has an extensive bus system that can be used to travel througout the Puget Sound. The three primary transit providers in the Seattle and Central Puget Sound area are King County Metro, Community Transit, and Sound Transit.
3. It really depends on where you are planning on vacationing. If you are in the downtown area, the buses are fantastic! You'll find plentiful service and good coverage to lots of areas. There are a lot of really "well-served" areas, such as the University District (where UW is, buses run frequently for students), Northgate, along Rainier, Lake City, and other places. If you know where you'll be and where you are interested in going, it'd be easier to answer, but the Metro (the bus system in Seattle) is a pretty good system and you can get around fairly easily. Also, Community Transit runs in Snohomish County mostly and also some King County and commuter buses from Sno. County to Seattle and the eastside and has a lot of really comfortable buses (many plush seats and such). Also, Sound Transit runs a lot of commuter buses, which may be helpful if you are trying to go somewhere outside of Seattle. If you could give a few details, it's easier to say.
4. If you're staying downtown and want to do mostly downtown things, do NOT rent a car!!! You will pay $15-20 a day for parking and you won't need it. Metro is great (that's the bus system, by the way) and downtown is a "ride free" zone so you can jump on any bus for free if you want to get from one end of downtown to the other. If you're in the core of downtown (around Westlake Center) and want to get to Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is), just jump on the monorail! If you're staying downtown, check with Gray Line buses for an airport-downtown charter bus to get you into town from Seatac.
5. I'm from Seattle. If your going to be in the city then don't bother!!! The transportation system is the best! They are usually pretty clean, inexpensive, and they are everywhere!!! I swear. There's literally a bus stop around every corner. If your going a little further than the city they you may need a car but if not then ride the bus, i always considered it as part of living in Seattle. Oh and i hope you have fun!
6. It all depends on where and when you're going. If you plan to stay in the downtown area you'll be fine. If you plan to see most of Seattle Proper and Bellevue only on weekedays you should be ok. If you plan to do anymore you'll be in for a chore. The central busses or 15 minute busses and run for lnoger hours on all days including weekends. The medium distance busses run with some frequency during commute times, run at 30-45 minute itnervals during off commute times and on weekends will run 1 hour intervals. these busses also shut down much earlier. I wouldn't risk trying to go out or come back after 10. The very far busses and the odd routes sometime are only one way, almost always hour intervals and they close very early. I personally would go for just busses. I'm an adventurer that loves walking and exploring in new places. Also know that if you run out of bus options there's always 1-800-taxicab. If you are staying downtown or in northern Seattle, take the 194 from teh airport. If you come in at 11pm or at 4am take the 174, but it is an hour longer of a ride. However fi you do chose to spend more and take a different form of transportatrion into town. Pony up the bigger money for the taxi. It will take you right to your destination and you won't have to worry about transferring with your luggage.
7. While I totally support the metro system in the city, another option I would recommend looking into is renting a flex car or zip car which are available around the city by the hour, day, etc. I've never used them (I'm too young), but I hear they're handy. Metro should work pretty well for you though.
8. Rent a car. It's not like a NYC transit system. And there's a lot of stuff spread out. I'd hate for you to be waiting on buses the whole time you're here!