Seattle Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport is 13 miles (21km) south of the city via I-5. Gray Line's Airport Express and Shuttle Express both offer inexpensive rides to and from Seattle's major downtown hotels. Taxis are another option, although they're not for those with a small budget. There are plenty of car rental agencies at the airport if you want to chauffeur yourself. Metro Transit buses blanket the metropolitan area with most buses running through downtown on 4th Ave or in the Bus Tunnel which has five downtown entrances. In the immediate downtown area, all bus rides are free from 6am to 7pm in the area between 6th Ave and the Waterfront and between Jackson St in Pioneer Square and Battery St. Note that Seattle Center is outside of the free-ride district. For bus schedules and route maps check out the King County Metro web site: http://transit.metrokc.gov Another great mode of transportation, especially for tourists, is the Seattle Trolley that runs form most of the main tourist places downtown. Stops indicated by bright yellow sandwich boards include the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, The Waterfront, Pioneer Square, The International District, Safeco Field, and the Seattle Art Museum. The trolley runs every 30 minutes. Passes are $17 for adults and $9 for children (cash only) and are good for two consecutive days. The trolley is available from May to October every day during the hours of 9AM to 6PM. If you're driving to Seattle, you'll probably arrive via I-5 or I-90. It's usually wise to check traffic conditions before you hit the freeways as Seattle's traffic is second only to that of Los Angeles in sheer hellishness. Downtown Seattle also has miles of one-way streets and parking can be a nightmare. For trips outside the city limits, the Washington State Ferry system is a wonderfully scenic way to get around. The views of the city are top and making a tour on a warm sunny summer day is definitely a good option. Ferries leave from the piers along the Alaskan Way waterfront.
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