Seattle cruise---transportation question

[joymc84]

Hi,

My husband and I are sailing on Holland America Zaandam in Sept. 2010. We are flying into SeaTac the day before cruising, and plan to stay at a B&B. Any advice on transportation from airport to B&B, to B&B to cruise terminal, and to cruise terminal back to airport? I know Seattle has a good bus system, but we don't want to miss the bus--and then miss the boat or plane!

[Budget Queen]

Cab. I've used their city buses several times. A significant factor would be where you plan on staying and if on the bus route. And a BIG second, you need to pack light with no more than 1 medium rolling bag. The buses can not do big amounts of luggage. I assume you have no limitations and can easily handle all your own bags?

[joymc84]

we are going to pack light, because it sounds like Zaandam has great laundry facilities....the B&B is in the University District, near U of Wash...apparently close to a bus line but sounds like it's not too close to the cruise terminal

[RetiredMustang]

The U District is a couple of miles from the pier, but an easy cab ride. There soon will be a light rail option to get from SeaTac to downtown: http://www.soundtransit.org/News-and-Events/News-Releases/Airport-Station-to-open-for-light-rail.xml. An extension to the U district is planned, but not for a few more years.

 

Dave

[iamaqt2]

I would avoid public transportation as an option. Even though you are going to be a few miles from the terminal, it would probably involve multiple transfers, and as a resident, I hate to admit that we have a pretty poor public transit system. Your best option would be a cab. Shuttle Express might be another option for you, but is usually more expensive.

 

As far as returning goes, you can get a transfer from the cruise line to return to airport, a cab, as there are many waiting at the terminal, or you can contract with a town car company. They are actually much nicer than a cab, and generally cost about the same.

 

Grayline also does transfers between the terminal and airport.

 

Just depends on your preference really....

[Alliea]

You will find a wealth of information on this very topic ,in the West Coast Departure section.