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Something to do or see at every Seattle Link Light Rail stop

From University of Washington to Othello

Seattle has had the Sound Transit Link light rail line for about nine years now , and sometimes it still feels brand-new—partially because of the 2016 extension to the University of Washington and Capitol Hill, and partially because so many other cities got their rail systems in before us. But it has become one of Seattle’s most popular transit lines, growing more than 6 percent in ridership last year. That number could go up even higher come 2021, when the line stretches to the U District, Roosevelt, and Northgate.

In addition to being one of Seattle’s most pleasant public transit experiences, it’s also a great way to explore the city. On the way to Sea-Tac International Airport, the train stops in not just the newer, northern stations, but downtown, Pioneer Square, Sodo, Mount Baker, Beacon Hill, and in the Rainier Valley.

Also, this should go without saying: Not all of these neighborhoods are traditional tourist destinations, so it’s important to be respectful of the existing communities along the stops while getting to know Seattle a little better.

While we didn’t include the Tukwila and Seatac stops in this guide, as an extra tip: Those riding all the way to the end can enjoy fishing, swimming, and nature walks at Angle Lake.

UW station: Waterfront Activities Center

Look behind Husky Stadium and find the University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center, with canoe and rowboat rentals to not just UW students, but the general public. It’s one of the best locations to rent a vessel for paddling through the arboretum.

Open in Google Maps

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Capitol Hill station: Cal Anderson Park and Bobby Morris Playfield

Olmsted-designed Cal Anderson Park packs an incredible amount into a park of its size, including a fountain, a texture pool, a reflecting pool, and sports courts used for everything from basketball to bike polo. A wide, open meadow features gently-sloping hills perfect for kicking back and reading, but benches are plentiful for those who prefer it. It creates some natural space in the middle of one of Seattle’s denser neighborhoods without shutting out the city entirely.

Honorable mention (or rainy-day activity): Finished in 2014, the 12th Avenue Arts building is an incredible example of how arts preservation, nonprofit development, and housing can go hand-in-hand. Walk just a couple of blocks to catch dinner and some indie theater .

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Westlake station: The Seattle Center Monorail

We know, we know: taking transit to get on transit? But the Monorail is a cool relic of the 1962 World’s Fair. The Monorail is like an entirely-functional exhibit of what we thought the future was going to look like in the 1960s—plus, you get a cool view out the windows. Sit at the front and pretend you’re driving the train.

Honorable mention: Westlake Park—specifically, the water fountain at the west end of the park. Look closely at either side for the entrance to walk through it.

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University Street station: Seattle Art Museum

In addition to rotating exhibits, Seattle Art Museum has a massive permanent collection to get you started—including many pieces created right here in the Pacific Northwest.

Honorable mention: Freeway Park, one of Seattle’s solutions to a freeway that bisects an already-narrow city. Its striking brutalist design manages to inject some whimsy with waterfalls, winding staircases and ramps, and patches of greenery.

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Pioneer Square station: Smith Tower Observatory Bar

This may seem like an obvious choice—it’s one of Seattle’s bigger tourist destinations. But a recent, swanky remodel restored the observatory floor, including the gorgeous ceiling details, adding a Prohibition-themed bar. You still even get to ride the old-timey elevator up and get a little history lesson from the operator, although it’s no longer actually operated by the operator .

Honorable mention: If you prefer to view your Seattle history from down low instead of up high, you can access Seattle’s underground through two tour companies: relatively newer outfit Beneath the Streets and the original Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour , although the latter has been known to make some embellishments in its history lectures.

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International District station: Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

The Wing Luke Museum tells the story of the Asian Pacific experience in Seattle throughout its history. Built by Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects, the design grew out of the original, 1910 multi-story building that served as a social center and living quarters for Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants.

Drawing inspiration from the building’s rich history, as much of the original building as possible was saved during construction. In addition to building materials, such as timbers cut out between floors, the character and scale of the building were maintained.

On the upper floors, original narrow doorways and corridors and small rooms preserve the intimacy of the original space, and are a venue for the museum’s immersion exhibits.

Honorable mention: Asian specialty supermarket, gift store, and food court Uwajimaya is a local institution.

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Stadium station: The Cannabis Museum at Dockside Sodo

The stadium station is built for the stadiums, but there’s other stuff to do in the area, too. For example: Dockside dispensary’s Sodo location operates a small museum , featuring prohibition-era cannabis apothecary items.

Honorable mention: The pedestrian walkway leading to Safeco Field has some public spaces for taking a breather, plus some industrial views.

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Sodo station: Living Computers Museum and Labs

This Sodo museum “provides a one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience with computer technology from the 1960s to the present.”

This means not only vintage computers to look at, but fully-restored computers as interactive exhibits—everything from classic mainframes to the Commodore 64 to modern virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

Honorable mention: Popular modern furniture purveyor Kasala has an outlet store down here , although you might not be able to carry your goodies back on the light rail (unless you really put your mind to it!).

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Beacon Hill station: Plaza Roberto Maestas

The story of this public plaza is rooted in activism and social justice—and while it’s a relatively new space, its history dates back to El Centro de la Raza ’s founding in the 1970s, when “activists connected with Seattle’s Latino community” claimed an old Beacon Hill school for themselves. The city eventually leased the property to them for a dollar a year.

El Centro de la Raza built the 13,000-square-foot plaza, named for their co-founder , in front the building. It’s open to the public, and is surrounded by murals and, during the day, numerous food carts. It’s right at the center of an affordable, transit-oriented development that grew in response to the light rail station. It’s now the frequent site of community gatherings.

Honorable mention: Stop by coffee shop and cafe The Station, on the southeast corner of the plaza—right above the station itself.

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Mount Baker station: Mount Baker Boulevard to Mount Baker Park

Mount Baker Park is one of those gorgeous Seattle parks with a little bit of everything, with forested trails leading the way to sunny lake beaches. The route there from the station is pretty, too, with a windy sidewalk along just under half a mile of greenway.

Honorable mention: Philadelphian-approved Philly cheesesteak joint The Original Philly’s, as seen in this Blue Scholars video .

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Columbia City station: Columbia City Theater

Built in 1917, the Columbia City Theater was originally a vaudeville theater. Now, it hosts a wide range of genres on its stage—and the occasional karaoke night —while still giving that old-timey vibe.

Can’t stay for a show? The Bourbon Bar at the front at least gives a taste.

Honorable mention: The Royal Room , another venue just across the street that serves southern fare in addition to noteworthy performances.

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Othello station: Walk, bike, or run the Chief Sealth Trail

Walking, biking, or running the Chief Sealth Trail is a great activity for a transit tourist—not just because the light rail goes there, but because it was created with soil excavated from the light rail project itself . You can take it all the way to the next stop at Rainier Beach, or head north to Beacon Hill.

Honorable mention: Eat. While our original pick for this stop, Huarachitos Cocina Mexicana, has closed, there is a plethora of great food near the station .

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Rainier Beach station: Kubota Garden

Fujitaro Kubota was a highly sought-after gardener and landscaper in the Northwest, and Kubota Garden , which uses Japanese gardening concepts to showcase Northwest plant life, was his home base. Now a public park, it features not only beautiful plant life, walking paths with multiple water crossings and bridges, reflecting pools, and waterfalls. You have to climb one of the steeper parts of the Chief Sealth Trail to get there from the station, but it’s worth it (and a good experience in its own right).

Fair warning, this is a little more of a walk than other destinations on this list—roughly 20 minutes.

Honorable mention: Tilth’s Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands , Seattle’s largest urban farm, is also a 20-minute-or-so walk from here, and is right next to the relatively-unsung swimming area at Pritchard Island Beach.

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Plan Your Visit

Sunset -:-- pm

Hours Pacific Time/PST

Today’s last ticket sold 45 min prior to closing.

.uuid-abfc547a-1ee2-46a6-b15f-e6985d3b9556{stroke-width:0px} Plan Ahead .uuid-abfc547a-1ee2-46a6-b15f-e6985d3b9556{stroke-width:0px}

We're open year-round, whether you want to view natural sights or capture city lights at night!

We offer discounts for youth (ages 5 – 12) and seniors (age 65+) through online ticketing, self-service ticket kiosks, and in our admissions office. Military, King County resident and tribal rates are only available at the admissions office; must show ID for discount.

TIMED TICKETS

Arrival times are scheduled in 15 minute increments from open to close. Guests will be assigned a 5 minute time slot within each 15 minute window. If you are more than 5 minutes early or late, see an attendant for the next available time.

BUILDING & BAG POLICY

All guests, bags, and parcels are subject to a security screening upon entry.

COMBO TICKETS

When purchasing a Space Needle + Chihuly Garden and Glass combination ticket, you’ll be prompted to choose a Space Needle arrival time. Visit Chihuly Garden and Glass any time on the same day .

For help contact guest services or call (206) 905-2100

The Seattle skyline is defined by the iconic Space Needle, it's a beautiful thing to behold. Travel & Leisure

Getting Here

The nation’s first full-scale commercial monorail system and a beloved Seattle landmark, the Seattle Center Monorail provides a fun, quick, and convenient link between downtown Seattle and the Space Needle. Connect all the way to the airport & beyond by linking your monorail ride with Sound Transit bus & light rail.

Due to limited parking availability at the Space Needle, we recommend utilizing Seattle Center’s nearby parking facilities , just a short walk from the Space Needle.

Valet & Drop-off

Priority valet parking for Guests visiting The Loupe Lounge available at the base with limited parking available for all other Guests. Turn around loop is open for passenger loading & unloading. $20 per hour for general valet parking.

Food & Beverage

Just landed: tiptop pies.

Made fresh in-house, these sweet and savory personal pies are baked to perfection with local ingredients.

Head to the TipTop Cafe on the upper observation level to taste the freshest pies in the universe, launching daily.

The Sunset Bar: Upper Observation Level

Sip our signature Mai Tai in the Sky or treat yourself to local wines, PNW beers, and snacks featuring Pinkabella Cupcakes and Whidbey Island Ice Cream while you take in the views.

The Revolving Bar: Loupe Level

Atop our iconic rotating glass floor, this walk-up bar serves views, specialty cocktails, and local beer & wine. Watch the world go by from a view in motion that raises the bar.

Suggested Itineraries

Seattle center date night.

Pregame your event at the Space Needle

Space Needle in 60 Minutes

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How to Spend a Day Exploring Seattle Along the Sound Transit Light Rail

Posted by Brian Cicioni | Oct 31, 2018 | Pacific Northwest , Trains | 34 |

The Sound Transit Light Rail in Seattle

The central link of Seattle’s Sound Transit Light Rail system began serving passengers since 2009. Yes, a city notorious for traffic did not offer light rail service until 2009. As of 2018, Sound Transit serves more than 80,000 passengers per day (including the Tacoma link). The good news for tourists is that the central link stops near most of the important tourist attractions as well as SeaTac International Airport and the King Street Amtrak station.

Pike Place Market

Kedai makan, shanghai garden, bill speidel's underground tour, museum of pop culture, space needle, elliot bay book co., molly moon's homemade ice cream, start your day at pike place market .

Pike Place Market is situated along Elliot Bay and attracts more than 10 million visitors per year. Ever seen the famous fish toss? Until the Space Needle was built, the market (which dates back to 1907) was THE iconic Seattle landmark. Although it can be frustratingly crowded at times, it’s also where you can find an array of different crafts, clothes, specialty fare, and souvenirs. There are restaurants as well, many of which provide a breathtaking view of the bay. Get there early as it closes at six, and many vendors start packing up by mid to late afternoon. To really explore the ins and outs of the market, allow at least two hours, especially if you want to eat.

Nearest Light Rail Station: Westlake

Public Market Center Pike Place Market Seattle

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Take a Stroll Down Gum Alley

Before you head back to the Westlake light rail station, take a stroll down Post Alley for one of the most eccentric (and repulsive?) art projects in all of Seattle: Gum Wall. Yes, it’s a 15′ high brick wall covered with discarded chewing gum, which continues at least 50′ down Post Alley. Watch out for yellowjackets!

Go Underground with Bill Speidel

The city that gave the world Alice in Chains, Amazon, Heart, Pearl Jam , Soundgarden, and Starbucks had a very rough start. The original business district was destroyed by fire in 1889. In 1907, after a new city was rebuilt on top of the old one, the bubonic plague caused by rats led to massive death. More than 100 years later, you can take an underground tour, which starts at Pioneer Square, which is where the original city was founded. Guests walk down a tight passage, which looks similar to the walkway down to a small basement, but underneath Pioneer Square you’ll find the old city. Under the city, there are still the remnants of the Northern Hotel, a bank, and some general stores. The tour lasts roughly one hour.

Nearest Light Rail Station: Pioneer Square

Bill Speidel's Underground Tour of Seattle

Eat Hand Shaven Noodles in Chinatown

For lunch, head to Shanghai Garden, which offers dozens of hand shaven noodle dishes as well as dumplings and other traditional Chinese fare. The restaurant is located just one block east of the International District/Chinatown light rail station. If you want to explore the neighborhood more and perhaps shop for traditional Chinese medicine, herbal teas, etc., the Chinese restaurants and shops continue south to Dearborn Street and east to Rainier Ave (on the other side of Interstate 5, which cuts through Chinatown). Jackson Street serves as the northern border.

Seattle’s Chinatown is conveniently located near the King Street Amtrak station, which is convenient if you need to travel on to another town or if you are just passing through and don’t want to rent a car.

Nearest Light Rail Station: International District/Chinatown.

Geek Out at the Museum of Pop Culture (the former Experience Music Project)

In November 2016, the former Experience Music Project rebranded itself as the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). The guitar sculpture is still there. You can still play with an array of instruments on the second floor, but the 140,000 square foot museum now focuses on film as well. There are more than a dozen exhibits at any given time and their gift shop offers an eclectic mix of CDs, DVDs, posters, stickers, etc. The music exhibits still focus on artists from the Pacific Northwest .

Nearest Light Rail Station: Seattle Center Monorail (connection from Westlake)

An Alice in Chains Tour of Seattle - Museum of Pop Culture

Enjoy Panoramic Views of Seattle from the Space Needle

You can see the iconic Space Needle from miles away and despite the handful of taller structures that have been built since 1962, it remains the iconic image of Seattle. So why not look down at the city from the 520′ high observation deck? Part of the floor is made of glass so you can look directly down if you have the stomach for it. The rotating glass floor is the world’s first and is known as the loupe. It may look scary, but according to the staff, it’s four times stronger than the rest of the floor in the observation deck.

End Your Day with the Locals in Capitol Hill

Just northeast of downtown, Capitol Hill is home to an eclectic mix of bookstores, cafes, greenspace, nightlife, and specialty shops. The neighborhood is situated on a steep hill and bordered by Interstate 5 to the west, Interlaken Park to the north, 23rd Avenue to the east and Pike Street to the south.

The light rail stop is in the southern part of the neighborhood, just north of Cal Anderson Park, which is home to a reflecting pool. The neighborhood may be hilly, but you can use the streetcar, which runs along Broadway, south of the light rail station. There’s a Jimi Hendrix Statue at the intersection of Broadway and Pine, which has the Renton (just outside Seattle) native shredding away on his knees, outside of an arts and crafts store.

Capitol Hill is an ideal place to enjoy a leisurely dinner, away from other tourists. One of the most sought-after tables in Seattle is at Kedia Makan, which is a Malaysian restaurant with a small menu of less than two-dozen items. You can feel like you are in a hipster section of Brooklyn as you approach the red-brick building with no exterior sign on the corner of Howell and Bellvue. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see a line outside the door, which often starts hours before they open for dinner. They are not open for lunch.

At Kedai Makan, they make their own sambal and also offer Chinese herbal infusions at the bar, which is where you may end up sitting if you are in any kind of a hurry. The food is worth the wait. Be sure to try a handmade noodle dish and a roti (bread) appetizer. If you’re not familiar with Malaysian food, it’s a mix of Chinese, Indian and ethnic-Malay. Some Malaysian restaurants do not serve pork, but this one does.

The dessert menu is at Kedai Mekan is limited, so if you want dessert, it’s best to head to Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream near the intersection of 10th and Pine (just one block east of the Jimi Hendrix statue). Like Kedai Makan, there’s typically a line outside the door. With multiple locations throughout greater-Seattle, they offer more than a dozen different ice cream flavors, some of which are vegan.

After dessert, walk one block south on 10th Avenue to Elliot Bay Book Company. With more than 150,000 titles they’ve been going strong since 1973. There’s a small cafe in the back corner and they have more than 500 author readings per year. They are open until 11 PM some evenings and the area is replete with nightlife as well. Just one more reason to end your day in Capitol Hill.

Nearest Light Rail Station: Capitol Hill

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This post was sponsored by Visit Seattle. All pictures were shot with a Panasonic Lumix ZS100 4K Point and Shoot Camera with the exception of the Instagram photos.

Have you been to Seattle? Used the Sound Transit Light Rail? What other sights do you recommend? Leave a comment below.

About The Author

Brian Cicioni

Brian enjoys exploring different cities along public transit lines and writing about it on his blog, IMayRoam.com. He also writes about food tours, layovers, and exploring movie and musical landmarks. You can find some of his work on Fodor’s, Insider, InsideHook, Travel + Leisure, and USA Today. Brian has traveled to more than 50 countries as well as every state. On weekends, he leads music and film-focused tours of New York City. His five-star rated Goodfellas Tour of NYC has been featured in Airbnb Magazine. Always happy to offer tips to aspiring travel writers and tour guides, Brian has spoken at events, including the Travel & Adventure Show, TBEX, and the New York Times Travel Show.

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34 Comments

Wow! I really do want to go to Seattle, it’s definitely on my list. On a quick little side note, I envy a good public transit system!

Yes, so do it. You miss so my from the inside of a car!

There is so much to do in Seattle by the looks of this post, glad you shared things we can do if we’re heading that way!

Thanks for reading!

Ah, my home city- Seattle! There is so much to do there. Glad you’re enjoying it!

This most recent trip was my fifth and they keep getting better, the deeper I dig!

Wow that’s really late to introduce a rail service, I wonder how it survived before then. Looks like a lovely city though x

Well, the city is growing faster than most.

Brian you are a real sweetheart. Sometime back I commented on one of your posts about Seattle and now you posted this. I must say that it is super easy and an inexpensive way to hop around the city. We have used it coming from and to SeaTac airport, also heading to the Space Needle and Chihuly glass exhibit.

Hi Moni. Thanks for commenting. I look forward to visiting your country for the first time.

I’m hoping to make it over to Seattle later next year. I am thinking the light rail may be the way to go! It seems like you can get just about anywhere with it.

Yes, and it’s connected to the airport.

Looks like a fun way to explore Seattle. I have not been there but I will definitely keep this in mind if and when we get to visit. The food looks great too, and that Gum Alley may sound gross but it sure looks interesting!

Hi Kristine. Yes, the gum alley flies were a bit annoying.

A good local transport system is what not only makes me wish to visit a place but also what makes me want to move there! Great idea visiting a new city in this way

Hi Sabrina. Hopefully, they’ll expand the system to go east and west.

These are great ways to enjoy in Seattle.I’ve found those tips really helpful so if I have time to go there I have an idea. Thanks for sharing!

You are welcome! Don’t add to the traffic problem if you don’t have to.

All of those places sound like a lot of fun . . . well except maybe Gum Alley. I mean I know it’s a kind of artistic thing. But it’s just too gross with all those germs there. Ewww! lol . I would love going to Pike Place market though.

Well it’s next to Pike Place Market so it’s not like you have to go out of your way to visit.

Those instagram food pics look lovely! i have never been to Seattle – it looks like a similar climate to the UK!

Yes, very good comparison. I have dozens of other Seattle pics @brianmayroam

Wow looks like you had a great day, thanks for sharing. That ice-cream looks SO good, makes me hungry!

https://doolittledays.co.uk

They have multiple locations, plus a vending machine at KEXP studios.

The underground tour sounds awesome (and creepy)! My SiL lives there and I’ve still not been for more than a whirlwind work trip… sounds like I need to go back!

I highly recommend the underground tour. Thanks for commenting, Heather!

Great ways to enjoy in Seattle.

Thanks Harsha. I’ll be heading out to Spokane later this month.

Man o Man, when I was there with my Mom a few years ago, we were mainly there because we were taking a cruise to Alaska for her Bucket List. But we did get a chance to spend a few days ahead of the cruise exploring Seattle and we used the Transit Light Rail to get from places like Pikes Market to the Museum section. Short ride but very easy to use. Personally I loved the former Experience Music Project (now know as the Museum of Pop Culture). Did you know that from atop the Space Needle if you look down at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) the light the building is actually in the Shape of a Guitar and the Light Rail that rides into it resembles the Fret Board of the Guitar. Totally cool whomever designed the Transit Light Rail. We definitely need to go back. Want to explore the China town & the Under Ground now too.

Ahhhh, Alaska. When I finally make it there, it will be #50! Hoping they add another line or two in Seattle in the coming years.

It has been 30 years since I have visited Seattle. I am excited to go back and explore… Well, except for the gum wall, maybe.

Yes, that’s a hit or miss type of attraction, lol!

I live in another city with notoriously bad traffic (DC), so when I travel I like to take a break from having to drive in city traffic! This is such a good idea for a post, organizing a tour of the city via light rail stops. I’ll definitely take advantage of the light rail whenever I finally visit Seattle!

Thanks for commenting. I visit DC around once a month and prefer to leave my car at one of the metro stations with a parking lot to avoid the traffic. Have you tried Poca Madre? I had dinner there last night.

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Link Light Rail

This is how to beat the traffic in Seattle. Ideal for the car-free traveler and one of the most popular forms of transit for visitors to Seattle Southside, the light rail can take you from the airport to downtown Seattle in just 30 minutes.

19 Light Rail Stations

Three conveniently located stations connect Seattle Southside to Seattle’s popular attractions. Check out the stadiums, downtown, Capitol Hill and the University of Washington. The Angle Lake and Tukwila International Blvd. stations feature park & rides where you can leave your car for free. Also, many hotels offer free shuttle service to and from stations. One-way adult fares range from $2.25 to $3.50 Click here for timetables and fare information.

What is a Seattle ORCA Card?

These handy cards provide entrance to area buses, trains and ferries. It’s an electronic purse to use like cash to pay your fare. Anytime you use your card, the fare due is deducted. ORCA is accepted on most transit options in the Seattle area, including Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. Cards cost $5 and can be purchased by mail or online at www.orcacard.com .

Seattle's Link Light Rail Station Map

Link light rail stations.

Angle Lake Link Light Rail Station

Just a short walk away from the station platform, Angle Lake Park is the perfect place to picnic with the family. Need some picnic ideas? Grab Salvadorean pupusas (stuffed cornmeal cakes) from…

SeaTac/Airport Link Light Rail Station

Staying close to the airport and looking for a meal to remember? Reserve a table at Sharps’ Roasthouse, where you’ll indulge in slow-roasted prime rib, spit-roasted chicken, and St. Louis-style ribs, cold-smoked…

Tukwila Link Light Rail Station

Hop off here and take a short bus ride to visit Westfield Southcenter Mall, the largest shopping destination in the state with more than 200 retailers and restaurants, a movie theater, two…

Rainier Beach Link Light Rail Station

Tranquility awaits at nearby Kubota Garden, 20 acres of rolling hills, waterfalls, and koi-filled ponds. This historic landmark dates to 1927, when master landscaper Fujitaro Kubota began merging Japanese garden concepts with…

Othello Link Light Rail Station

John C. Little, Sr. Park provides a wonderful green space to sit down with some of the neighborhood’s deliciously eclectic cuisine. From Tanzanian Pilau rice and Ethiopian sourdough flatbread to lime-marinated Khmer…

Columbia City Link Light Rail Station

Columbia City is full of arts and culture, from the Columbia City Gallery with rotating its art exhibitions, to film screenings at the Ark Lodge Cinemas, to the Royal Room where jazz…

Mount Baker Link Light Rail Station

Nothing’s more American than baseball and apple pie, and both can be found here. See where the historic Sick’s Baseball Stadium once stood (former home of the short-lived Seattle Pilots), then get…

Beacon Hill Link Light Rail Station

Jefferson Park isn’t just home to the scenic course where golf legend Fred Couples honed his game. It’s a 50-acre hotspot for skateboarders, cricket players, lawn bowlers, and frisbees enthusiasts - with…

SODO Link Light Rail Station

Check off another bucket list item and join the circus at Emerald City Trapeze Arts, which offers classes and weekend performances. And for the Starbucks fans out there, the SODO Reserve store…

Stadium Link Light Rail Station

Here for the Hawks or Mariners? Or to root against them? Get to the stadium early and quench your thirst on the outdoor patio of Hatback Bar & Grille. And after the…

Intl. District / Chinatown Link Light Rail Station

Uwajimaya is more than simply the largest Asian grocery store in the state. Aisles and aisles of exotic foods and gifts await, plus lessons on how to play the Japanese game of…

Pioneer Square Link Light Rail Station

In the heart of old Seattle, you can wander through an eclectic collection of art galleries, revisit your childhood at Magic Mouse Toys, or even explore the early days of the city…

University Street Link Light Rail Station

Two of Seattle’s most acclaimed cultural icons stand side-by-side just steps from the station: Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony, and the Seattle Art Museum, featuring rotating exhibits and a remarkable…

Westlake Link Light Rail Station

This is the center of the city, with the Nordstrom flagship store just steps to the east, the world-famous Pike Place Market and original Starbucks to the west, and the monorail taking…

Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station

One of the most eclectic spots in the city is at the seven-acre Cal Anderson Park adjacent to the Capitol Hill stop. Ultimate Frisbee, bicycle polo, and live music are among the…

Univ. of Washington Link Light Rail Station

In town to watch some college football or visit the beautiful UW campus? This is your stop. But don’t miss the gorgeous views of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier (on a clear…

U District Link Light Rail Station

Looking for a bit more entertainment near the University? This stop is right next to University Street, locally known as “The Ave”, which is the backbone of offcampus University of Washington life…

Roosevelt Link Light Rail Station

This quiet neighborhood just north of the U District has an adorable retail center around the station, with coffee shops, cafes, and taverns all within easy walking distance of the station. It’s…

Northgate Link Light Rail Station

This is the end of the line…for now! Northgate Station is home to the Kraken Community Iceplex, which is where you can catch a Seattle Kraken practice during the season, or just…

How to Beat the Traffic in Seattle

Link light rail questions, q: how much does it cost to ride the seattle light rail.

A: Children under 5 ride free, and one-way adult fares for Seattle Link Light Rail range from $2.25 - $3.50 depending on distance traveled.

Q: How fast does the Light Rail go in Seattle?

A: The top speed is 55 mph on longer stretches and 35 mph on city streets.

Q: How do you pay to ride Seattle Light Rail?

A: You can buy a one-way ticket or an all day/round trip ticket for Link light rail at all Link light rail stations and Sounder stations. You can pay with cash or a credit/debit card, but the easiest way to pay is with an ORCA card.

Q: Is it possible to take Seattle Light Rail to Pier 91 from Seattle Airport?

A: Yes, it's possible, but it takes about 75 minutes. To get from Seattle Airport to Pier 91 in Seattle, take the 1-LINE Light Rail from the Sea-Tac Airport Station to Pioneer Square Station. Then take the Route 24 or 33 bus from 3rd Ave & James Street stop to Magnolia Bridge & Pier 91 stop.

Q: Is it possible to take Seattle Light Rail to Pier 66 from Seattle Airport?

A: Yes, it's easy and quick. You can catch the Light Rail at SEA Airport and ride it to the Westlake Station in downtown Seattle. Then it’s only a 10-minute walk to Cruise Terminal 66 through a part of downtown Seattle popular with tourists.

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Relax and take it to the rails. One of the best ways to see the Pacific Northwest is by train. And there are a few different options to get you to where you need to go.

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Sounder trains travel between Lakewood and Seattle, with stops in South Tacoma, Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila.

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Link Light Rail: How to Ride, Where It Goes and Other Information

Seattle’s public transportation network includes a fairly extensive fleet of buses, a monorail, the South Lake Union Streetcar and Link Light Rail. While the light rail doesn’t crisscross the city, Link is fabulously useful and easy to use. Parking lots are located at some stations so you can park and ride, making this a great way to avoid traffic driving into Seattle from the south or from as far north as the University of Washington. Trains run every 7 to 15 minutes, so you never have to wait long either.

Link is one of several modes of public transportation between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Seattle. If you don’t have a ride to the airport, Link is far, far cheaper than taking a taxi or parking at the airport, and the ride is short and pleasant. Yes, you'll need to at least get to one of the Link stations (listed below), but those are located throughout Seattle and surrounding communities so a quick Uber or bus ride is an easy way to get to one, or having someone drop you off.

The trains make several stops, including near CenturyLink Field and Safeco Stadium, so Link is a great way to get to the stadiums on game days, too.

Link also has a line in Tacoma that runs between the Tacoma Dome and Theater District, but this line is called the Tacoma Link…and it’s free!

Where to Park

Not all stations have a free place for you to park, or parking at all, so check ahead if you need to park.

Two stations offer ample free parking - Angel Lake Station at 19955 28th Ave South and Tukwila International Boulevard Station at 15426 35th Ave S, with 1160 and 600 parking spaces respectively. For those heading north for sports games, these lots can and do fill up so arrive early.

If you're heading to the Seatac/Airport Station, be aware there is only paid parking near the station. It's better to park one station away at Tukwila as the ride from Tukwila to the airport station is only a few minutes.

Link Stations

Angel Lake - 19955 28th Ave South
SeaTac Airport - International Blvd & S 176th Street
Tukwila International Boulevard (near International Boulevard and 154 th )
Rainier Beach - 9132 Martin Luther King Jr Way S.
Othello - 7100 Martin Luther King Jr Way S.
Columbia City - 4818 Martin Luther King Jr Way S.
Mount Baker – Rainier Avenue S. near S. Forest Street
Beacon Hill - Beacon Avenue S. & S. McClellan Street
SODO - 500 S. Lander Street
Stadium - 501 S. Royal Brougham Way
International District/Chinatown – 5 th and S. Jackson
Pioneer Square – 3 rd and James, Seattle
University Square – 3 rd and Seneca, Seattle
Westlake – 4 th and Pine, Seattle
Capitol Hill - near Broadway and E John
University of Washington - near Husky Stadium

How to Buy Tickets

If you have an Orca card, all you’ll need to do is find one of the yellow Orca card readers located near platform entrances and exits. You must tap your Orca card on the card reader before you get on the train as well as after you get off.

If you don’t have an Orca card, you can also pay with cash or credit cards using machines located at each station. Machines are easy to use:

Select your method of payment – cash, card or Orca/ePurse
Select if you’re buying a one-way fare or day pass
Select which station you’re going to. If you’re buying a day pass, select the farthest you plan to go on your trip.
Insert your payment method of choice and out pop your tickets or passes.

Once you have a ticket, you don’t have to scan them or put them through any validation machines, but make sure to keep them on you (especially if you have a day pass—don’t lose it!) as there’s a large fine if you don’t have a ticket or Orca card.

Day passes are a great deal if you have more than one stop to make or if you are attending an event and need to get back onto the Link later. One-way fares vary depending on where you're start and end points are—longer journeys have slightly higher fares than shorter journeys.

Seattle Transit and Trains

In big cities populated by millions, the biggest problem that any visitor has when trying to get from Point A to Point B is just figuring out how to around. This is especially true in Seattle, and its many freeways, highways, and back roads make it especially difficult to navigate, even if you do live in the area. A Seattle visitor who doesn’t rent a car might be even more confused with a labyrinth of possible bus routes.

For years, it was proposed to have a new form of mass transit in the Seattle area, one that could take visitors from Sea-Tac International Airport to downtown Seattle without winding through all the side areas of the city that a bus would be required to take. Fortunately, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and this is the case of the Central Link Light Rail. This train is really the fastest way to get from Tukwila to Westlake without worrying about traffic and parking. It takes about 38 minutes to travel either way, and the train is brand new, having opened in July 2009.

Unfortunately, Light Rail does not yet extend to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. until December 2009. However, there is a free shuttle bus service that will take passengers from the Airport to the Tukwila International Boulevard Station until the airport station does open. This Tukwila station is the southernmost point of the Link Light Rail until then, and Link Light Rail makes several stops along the way to Seattle downtown including (in this order from Tukwila):

Rainier Beach: A neighborhood located in the southeastern corner of Lake Washington. Othello.

Columbus City.

Mount Baker.

Beacon Hill.

SODO: Seattle’s Industrial District located south of Seattle downtown.

Stadium: Located along King County Metro Busway, next to Safeco Field and Qwest Field.

International District / Chinatown.

Pioneer Square

University Street

Westlake: Location of the Westlake Mall, a popular mall in the heart of Seattle downtown. It is also a station for the Seattle monorail as well as the Seattle Streetcar or “SLUT” (South Lake Union Transit).

Once the link to the airport is completed, Link Light Rail will be one of the best ways for visitors to get around the city. In fact, a user can go to the Sound Transit Web site and go to the “Trip Planner” to see if Link Light Rail can help them with their trip. Not only will it suggest the best places to take the Light Rail, but suggest what buses to take afterward.

As for the cost of the trip, I found that the prices depend on where you are going. A one-way journey from starting point to ending point is $2.50. The price is cheaper for Youth as well as for Senior Citizens, and any child five and under is free. If you want an exact price before you do your trip, here is a link to the transit website .

Purchasing tickets at the station is quite easy as the ticket machines are very user-friendly, and the user can select their destination and number of passengers. You can use cash, debit, or credit cards to pay, but you should keep your tickets close to you on your trip. Every once in a while, there will be a ticket person to come around and check them, but that didn’t happen while I was riding. You can also get the ORCA card that allows for riding buses, trains, even ferries.

As for the ride itself, the Link Light Rail can be compared to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) in San Francisco. That is, some of the train goes above ground on its track, and then below ground. After you leave the Tukwila station, a passenger can see I-5 and 405 as you go above rail. Of course, these two freeways are usually backed up during rush hour, so you can see exactly what traffic you are missing.

Beacon Hill is one place where it goes through its first underground station, and by the time you reach the International District, all popular spots after it are completely subterranean. The underground stations are very well-designed with a unique aesthetic, and modern-looking as they are brand-new. The one at Westlake Center was an odd mixture of pastel colors and marble floors.

The Central Link Light Rail is a great way of traveling if you have kids. I took my kids on it, and they rode on it as if it was the latest attraction at Disneyland. Before Beacon Station, when you hit the SODO district, it is possible to see the downtown area, which is an excellent photo opportunity.

Future expansions will go further north to other districts in Seattle including Capitol Hill, the University of Washington, Brooklyn, Roosevelt, to Northgate mall, and further. There are even plans to take the Link Light Rail further west to Mercer Island and on to Microsoft’s Redmond campus.

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All Aboard! Lynnwood Light Rail is Now Open

If you’re planning a trip to Lynnwood, here’s some exciting news that will make your visit even more enjoyable: Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail is now serving Lynnwood! This new addition to the region’s transportation network is a game-changer, offering a seamless and convenient new way to explore the greater Seattle area. Whether you’re a first-time traveler to the Seattle area or a returning visitor, the light rail offers a fresh and convenient way to experience all that Lynnwood has to offer.

Aerial view of an elevated train station with a train approaching the platform, surrounded by a parking structure, construction site, and various buildings in the background.

The Arrival of the Light Rail: A New Era for Lynnwood

Lynnwood, located about 16 miles north of downtown Seattle, has always been a great stop for visitors seeking a mix of urban excitement and natural beauty. With the extension of the light rail, visitors can enjoy fast, reliable, and eco-friendly transportation across the Puget Sound region.

The new light rail station in Lynnwood is designed with travelers in mind. They’re modern, accessible, and equipped with amenities like ample room for luggage, strollers and bicycles, so you can bring all your essentials along for the ride.

Why the Light Rail is a Big Deal for Visitors

For travelers, the introduction of the light rail to Lynnwood offers several significant benefits:

Effortless Connectivity

One of the biggest perks of the light rail extension is the ease of travel it provides. No need to worry about navigating busy highways, finding parking, or dealing with traffic jams. Simply hop on the light rail, and within minutes, you’ll be in Lynnwood. It’s the perfect way to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic views without the stress of driving. With trains running every 8 to 10 minutes during peak hours, this reliable and efficient service bypasses traffic congestion on I-5.

Here are some of the projected travel times:

Lynnwood to University of Washington: 20 minutes
Lynnwood to downtown Seattle (Westlake Station): 28 minutes
Lynnwood to Lumen Field: 37 minutes
Lynnwood to SeaTac Airport: 70 minutes
Affordable and Eco-Friendly Travel

Traveling on the light rail is not only convenient but also budget-friendly. When you’re staying in Lynnwood with a plan to explore Seattle, the light rail offers an affordable way to get around. The train has a flat fare of $3.00 per trip for adults. Plus, it’s a green alternative to driving, helping you reduce your carbon footprint while you explore the area.

Gateway to Local Attractions and Hotels

Lynnwood is a hub for shopping, dining, and outdoor activities, and the light rail makes it easy to access it all. The direct link between Lynnwood and Sea-Tac Airport makes it easy to stay in Lynnwood’s safe, comfortable hotels —many of which are walking distance from Lynnwood Transit Center!

Visit Alderwood Mall , one of the region’s premier shopping destinations, or explore the nearby parks and nature trails for a taste of the Pacific Northwest’s stunning landscapes. The Lynnwood Event Center , home to regular art exhibitions, conferences and other events, is also walkable from Lynnwood City Center Station.

Seamless Day Trips

With the light rail, day trips from Lynnwood to Seattle are a breeze. Whether you want to visit the iconic Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, or the Museum of Pop Culture, you can do so without the hassle of traffic and parking. The light rail’s frequent service means you can easily plan your day and return to Lynnwood in time for dinner. Visiting town for a concert or game? The train has a direct connection to Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, and Climate Pledge Arena!

Planning for Your Light Rail Trip

What you Need to Get Riding

You can purchase a one-way or all-day/round-trip ticket for Link light rail at each station or online. Payment is easy, with options to use cash or a credit/debit card.

The ORCA card offers the easiest way to get around Puget Sound. Whether you’re hopping on a bus, train, or ferry, the ORCA card lets you pay fares and transfer effortlessly.

The first step is to sign up for a FREE Orca Card to create an account, order a card, and add value to your account.

To view schedules and track payments, download the myORCA app (for Android and iOS) and link it to your Orca Card. The myORCA app works together with your ORCA card so you can manage your account from anywhere, 24/7.

If the app isn’t an option, riders can order a card for delivery within 5-10 days. You also have the option to purchase and reload cards at participating retailers.

Riders can now use Google Pay on a phone or WearOS device. Simply add or convert an ORCA card to Google Wallet™, add money or passes, and go!

One you’ve signed up and funded your account, you’re ready to ride! Just hop on the light rail, tap the yellow card reader before you board and wait for the single beep that will let you know your card has been accepted.

A parking garage is available adjacent to the Lynnwood City Center Station with 1,600 spaces making parking and hopping on the train an easy process.

A Bright Future for Lynnwood and Beyond

The arrival of the light rail in Lynnwood marks a new chapter in the city’s growth, making it an even more attractive destination for visitors.

So, pack your bags, grab your ORCA card, and get ready to explore Lynnwood and beyond with ease. The light rail is here to make your visit to the Seattle area more fun, more accessible, and more memorable than ever before!

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Everything You Need to Know About Lynnwood Link

The day has finally come for Sound Transit’s Link light rail system to extend into Snohomish County, with four new stations opening today as part of the Lynnwood Link extension project. Trains will start running north of Northgate today around 12:30pm, following speeches by elected officials and other dignitaries that begin at 11am at Lynnwood City Center station.

If speeches wrap early — always long odds on an event like this — trains will start earlier.

Responding to the transit traffic jams that plagued the East Link opening in April , Sound Transit has spaced out festivities for the the remainder of the day, with a gap of a few hours after the ribbon-cutting. At 4pm, events will take place at all four stations along the route, with a night market at Lynnwood City Center the main event.

The Urbanist is hosting a social hour at Hemlock State Brewing in Mountlake Terrace from 6pm to 8pm. We encourage you to stop by and say hi on your opening day travels. Mountlake Terrace will also be hosting a night market near the station with live music, interactive kid zone, food and drinks, and prizes and giveaways, as advertised in the snazzy poster below, which appears a nod to Works Progress Administration art of yore. And don’t forget the opening day events at the two Shoreline stations either.

Seattle is officially extending its light rail 8.5 miles north to Lynnwood today, IMO the most important US transit expansion of the year, and the graphic designers for the grand opening celebration cooked up this absolute masterpiece pic.twitter.com/BPjzMyClKy — Joey Politano 🏳️‍🌈 (@JosephPolitano) August 30, 2024

As The Urbanist has recapped this month , light rail is causing quite the transformation along the 8.5-mile extension, with roughly 10,000 homes added recently or in development near the four stations. Cities are also preparing infrastructure upgrades to serve their stations to accompany the new housing and anticipated riders — see our piece on those long-range planning and infrastructure efforts .

Sound Transit projects the Lynnwood Link extension is expected to add 50,000 daily riders to Sound Transit’s light rail network, which had been averaging upwards of 90,000 daily riders before the expansion.

Lynnwood Link traces the path of I-5, with the first three stations on the east side of the freeway, and Lynnwood City Center on the western side. As urbanists are wont to tell you, freeway proximity comes with significant downsides, from the air and noise pollution to the fractured walkshed, making it harder to walk, roll, or bike to the station. A freeway bisecting the station area will make it harder to grow a thriving urban neighborhood, but the cities along the line have taken some steps to mitigate the challenges and are making some strides nonetheless. The high quality bus feeder networks local transit agencies have added at each station should spread the benefits of light rail across a wider area.

Shoreline South/148th Street

Shoreline South has seen one of the largest transit-oriented development (TOD) booms of any of the stations, transforming an area formely composed of single family homes into apartment blocks. Overall, builders have planned or constructed 3,087 homes around the South Shoreline Station since 2021, as we detailed in our development roundup .

So far, most of Shoreline South’s construction activity has been on the west side of the station — a longer walk away across the I-5 chasm. The west side of I-5 has hosted 450 of the 485 completed housing units and 791 of the 803 under-construction units. That’s 1,241 homes built or under construction compared to just 47 on the east side of I-5. However, the next round in the pipeline is more weighted toward the east side closer to the station.

To serve the growing population to the west, Shoreline has a pedestrian bridge in the works to span I-5 at 148th Street, providing a more direct and pleasant way to cross I-5 avoiding the detour to busy 145th Street three blocks south. Backers are hoping to open the ped bridge in 2026.

As it stands, the Shoreline South neighborhood is still a work in progress, with the business districts focused on Aurora Avenue and 15th Avenue NE, more than a 15-minute walk from the station. However, that’s likely to change as new businesses go on the first-floor of new complexes and the urban area fuses together, aided by improved Shoreline bus connections inbound with the fall service change on September 14. Route 333 will be an important circulator for those looking to head west along N 145th Street

Thicker red lines show Metro's frequent bus network which add new east-west service and a denser network for Shoreline.

Led by the boom by its south light rail station, Shoreline has added more housing than any other city in Washington on a per-capita basis over the past five years, outpacing both Seattle and Redmond. And the city isn’t showing any signs of hitting the brakes anytime soon.

Shoreline North/185th

Shoreline North is a bit of a different story. Less housing is in the pipeline near the station at about 1,700 homes, but there are fast growing areas a bit father afield along Aurora Avenue and in North City. In our Shoreline North development roundup , we predicted that development around the station will eventually create a new dense linkage between the two urban sections in North City and along Aurora.

Similar to Shoreline South, the main business districts are not in the immediate vicinity of the station, but rather along Aurora Avenue to the west or near 15th Avenue NE to the east. Mixed-use development and a few smaller business nodes have added some modest commercial activity closer to the station, but it will take more development to fill in the gaps and create a continuous urban district from Aurora to North City.

On the other hand, Shoreline North does take the cake for the TOD project closest to the station, with the 240-unit Kinect @ Shoreline looming over the station platform and abutting the parking structure.

Shoreline North’s station art includes a nod to science fiction writer Octavia Butler (who lived nearby in Lake Forest Park) in the fold of green blobs adorning the otherwise orange station platform, creating an alien landscape.

Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace is the first station in Snohomish County, and the station area has been the heart of the city’s plans to densify. As we broke down in our Mountlake Terrace development roundup , more than 1,800 homes are in the works near the station. All of these are on the east side of I-5. The publicly owned Nile Shrine Golf Course and single family zoning consumes the walkshed to the west.

On the east side, Mountlake Terrace has allowed buildings to reach 12 stories in height near the station, though no builders have taken them up on that yet. Several eight-story apartment buildings are on the way, however.

Lynnwood City Center

The last station opening as part of Lynnwood Link is, of course, Lynnwood. As Link’s northern terminus for the next 13 years or so, this station has received a ton of attention. We wrote up a station tour earlier this week, providing an overview of features, including a transit center where more than half of the buses in Community Transit’s fleet will pass through offering connections to Mukilteo, Edmonds, Lake Stevens, and beyond. There’s also a five-story, 1,670-stall parking garage adjoining the station.

Planning efforts have been ongoing for a long time to grow a “city center” near the station, disrupting the mall-oriented and suburban bedroom community pattern of development that had long characterized Lynnwood. Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell cited the 1993 Legacy Lynnwood Project, a copy of which she keeps on her desk as the first iteration of the rail-oriented city center concept, with major community buy-in at the time.

That long planning effort doesn’t mean you’ll step off the train and see a dense city center before your eyes. Some of the projects have been slowing in coming together, facing the major headwinds of high interest rates and construction inflation. However, once the affordable TOD project on the surplus Sound Transit site is finished, there will at least being an apartment anchor in the sea of parking, gas stations, strip malls, and a few low-slung apartments that greet riders today.

The massive Northline Village project could deliver nearly 1,400 homes across the streets at the mostly dead strip mall once it gets underway. For now, developer Merlone Geier Partners is waiting out more favorable market conditions to strike on its 19-acre site.

Farther from the station, transit oriented development is happening. Including another Kinect project and Ember Apartments. But it largely still feels like a series of strip malls and office parks poorly connected by oversized suburban collector streets and circuitous mall parking alleys. Since interest rate and inflation headwinds aren’t likely to last for long, it seems likes development activity will pick up in Lynnwood City Center and the area will fill in, fulfilling the dreams and visioning exercises of the last 30 years.

What About 130th Street?

Riders heading past Northgate may notice a blank spot on the map before Shoreline or a gap in the station numbers. North Seattle’s last light rail station at NE 130th Street is under construction, but isn’t set to open until 2026. Included in the 2016 Sound Transit 3 ballot measure, the station was originally scheduled to be delivered in 2031, but efforts by Sound Transit board members, primarily former Seattle Councilmember Debora Juarez, accelerated the timeline. But an initial 2025 timeline did ultimately slip to 2026.

That doesn’t mean Seattle has accelerated its timeline for adding density around the station, with the draft Seattle Comprehensive Plan proposing moderately denser zoning near the station, though that still must be finalized approved by the Seattle City Council.

What’s Next After Lynnwood?

The 1 Line will extend north to Everett from today’s terminus at Lynnwood City Center in 2037, at least according to current Sound Transit plans. As part of that six-station extension, Lynnwood will get a second station dubbed “West Alderwood” at the edge of the Alderwood Mall. Unincorporated Snohomish County is also getting some love with stations at the park and rides at Ash Way and at Mariner. Everett will get the next three stations, including a station near Paine Field and Boeing’s Everett Production Facility via a circuitous dogleg away from the I-5 corridor the line otherwise tracks.

Current Everett Link plans require heavy property takings along the wide highways it tracks so as to avoid taking highway lanes or disrupting traffic. This could push project costs upward and increase displacement of businesses and homes. However, Snohomish County and Sound Transit appear committed to this path. The hope is the Paine Field grows into a major secondary airport to complement Sea-Tac, and that Boeing workers, who largely drive today, switch to transit in significant numbers and still have jobs in Everett rather than being off-shored.

Sneak Peek Tour of Lynnwood City Center Station

Ryan Packer

Ryan Packer lives in the Summit Slope neighborhood of Capitol Hill and has been writing for the The Urbanist since 2015. They report on multimodal transportation issues, #VisionZero, preservation, and local politics. They believe in using Seattle's history to help attain the vibrant, diverse city that we all wish to inhabit. Ryan's writing has appeared in Capitol Hill Seattle Blog , Bike Portland , and Seattle Bike Blog , where they also did a four-month stint as temporary editor.

Doug Trumm is publisher of The Urbanist. An Urbanist writer since 2015, he dreams of pedestrianizing streets, blanketing the city in bus lanes, and unleashing a mass timber building spree to end the affordable housing shortage and avert our coming climate catastrophe. He graduated from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington in 2019. He lives in East Fremont and loves to explore the city on his bike.

Link Light Rail service opens from Lynnwood

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Wednesday, August 28, 2024

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SNOHOMISH COUNTY — Light rail service begins from the Lynnwood Transit Center on Friday, Aug. 30 as its new northernmost terminus, which will open a connection that runs as far south as beyond Sea-Tac Airport.

Four stations opened: One at Lynnwood Transit Center (20100 48th Ave W., off of I-5), one in Mountlake Terrace and two in Shoreline.

The line is on its own tracks and can get people from Lynnwood to Seattle’s Westlake Center in about 28 minutes.

At Lynnwood, a 500-stall parking garage is accessible by 48th Avenue W. or 44th Avenue W.

The light rail lines eventually will connect northward to Everett, eastward to Bellevue and southward to Tacoma.

Light rail may reach south Everett by 2037 and north Everett by 2041 under Sound Transit’s current estimated schedules. Southward plans are to reach Tacoma in 2035.

Taxes on car tabs passed by voters through Sound Transit 3 are helping pay for the line

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Light Rail Expansion

Link light rail on an elevated track with dramatic clouds behind

The City of Seattle is partnering with Sound Transit on a once-in-a-generation transit expansion.

New Light Rail Projects

About the Work

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About the Expansion

Sound Transit is building 13 new and expanded light rail stations with service to West Seattle in 2032 and Ballard in 2039. The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) include a new transit tunnel under Downtown and two water crossings. It is the largest transit investment in our city’s history.

Additional Stations • NE 130th Street Station • Graham Street Station • Boeing Access Road Station

Why Light Rail?

Benefits of expanding light rail

reduces traffic congestion
improves air quality
attracts new businesses and residents
revitalizes neighborhoods
adds rapid, reliable and efficient high-capacity service
enhances mobility, especially for those who depend on transit

Advantages over existing bus transit

greater capacity
improved reliability
environmental sustainability
economic development potential

Light Rail map expansion running from Ballard, through Interbay, through Downtown Seattle, The International District, Stadium District and then over to West Seattle

Please refer to Sound Transit's website for details on project delivery dates.

Map graphic: Sound Transit

Sound Transit and the City are working together to create a more connected, more productive region by making it easier and safer for people to take transit to jobs, housing, and the many opportunities the Seattle area offers. — Goran Sparrman, Interim CEO, Sound Transit

How the City and Sound Transit Work Together

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Greg Spotts, Director Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104 Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996 Phone: (206) 684-7623 Email: [email protected]

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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.

Sound Transit officially launches Lynnwood light rail extension

Lynnwood link light rail extension opens.

Sound Transit celebrated the grand opening of the Lynnwood light rail extension with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.

LYNNWOOD, Wash. - A new chapter in public transit for the Pacific Northwest began today as Sound Transit officially extended its light rail service to Lynnwood.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, marked by cheers and confetti, celebrated the opening of the new 8.5-mile segment, which adds four new stations to the system.

The Lynnwood extension is expected to significantly improve connectivity across the region, allowing residents to travel more efficiently between Westlake and Lynnwood. The new stations include Shoreline South/148th St., Shoreline North/185th St., Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood City Center. During peak hours, trains will run approximately every eight minutes, providing a reliable alternative to the often congested highways.

Public excitement was palpable at the event. "I feel very pleased and happy that it’s opening up," one attendee exclaimed as the ribbon was cut. Many residents shared their enthusiasm for the expanded transit options. "It's polished, it's clean, it's done — no more hardhats. It’s a pretty cool experience for sure," said Matt Johnson.

The expansion is particularly significant as it marks the first time the light rail system will connect two counties, fulfilling a key vision for an integrated regional transit system.

"Opening the 1 Line to Lynnwood is a major milestone in the growth of light rail," said King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair, Dow Constantine. "For the first time, the light rail system is joining two counties, bringing voters’ vision for our region’s integrated transit system one step closer to reality."

The extension is part of a broader effort to expand light rail service throughout the region, with plans to nearly double the system’s length to 62 miles by next year, when lines to Federal Way and Bellevue to Redmond open. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and a months-long concrete strike, Sound Transit CEO Goran Sparrman praised the dedication of the project team and contractors in bringing the project to fruition.

Residents like Jose Flores, who stumbled upon the opening, expressed optimism about the impact of the extension.

"It opens up a lot of opportunities for the less fortunate and everyday commuters and reduces traffic," Flores said. "All the stress is gone, and it opens your eyes — I don’t have to deal with Seattle traffic, so I can go down there more often."

The Lynnwood extension is also expected to have a transformative effect on Snohomish County, supporting projected growth and offering a reliable alternative to highway travel. "The opening of light rail to Lynnwood will be transformational for Snohomish County," said Sound Transit Board Vice Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. "This is a game-changer."

New changes for Link light rail start Friday: Here's what to know

There are several changes coming to Sound Transit's Link light rail at the end of the month.

With the extension now open, Community Transit and King County Metro have adjusted their plans for bus service upgrades, with changes set to take effect on Sept. 14 to ensure a smooth transition. The collaboration between regional transit agencies aims to provide increased capacity and improved connections for riders.

The Lynnwood extension was made possible by a $3.1 billion project budget, which includes significant federal funding and loans. The new stations, each with multiple transit connections and extensive parking facilities, are expected to serve thousands of daily commuters and travelers.

As the light rail system continues to expand, residents can look forward to more accessible, efficient, and sustainable transportation options throughout the Puget Sound region.

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Traffic Lab

What to know about connecting to the new Lynnwood light rail line

The party’s over and the weekend’s curiosity seekers are gone.

Today, light rail’s latest regional extension — 8 1/2 miles from Northgate to Lynnwood — begins its glamour-free, day-to-day test. Commuters, college students, sports fans, anyone looking to light rail to ease their travel routine will be counting on a reliable ride and smooth connections to reach the train.

In the years and months and weeks before Friday’s grand opening, local transportation agencies and municipalities worked in concert to ensure riders could find their way on board.

“It takes a village to move a village,” said Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell, who sits on the boards of both Sound Transit and Snohomish County’s Community Transit.

From rerouted bus lines to massive park-and-ride garages to multi-use trails, the people who board the line along Interstate 5 in Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace or Shoreline have a few different options for how to connect with Link.

Take the bus

Perhaps the biggest change in the wake of light rail is the re-formed network of Community Transit bus routes.

Before Sept. 14, when Community Transit implements its service change after allowing light rail to operate for a couple of weeks, 30% of its total service hours have been dedicated to getting people to downtown Seattle and the University of Washington, said Ric Ilgenfritz, the agency’s CEO.

With light rail, those bus routes are no longer necessary, allowing the agency to dedicate its resources to a “more dense and more frequent network” in Snohomish County, Ilgenfritz said.

The agency is increasing weekday service hours by 21%, Saturday service by 24% and on Sunday by 32%. It will have six times as many trips with direct connections to light rail, a 75% increase in weekday routes with 30-minute run times during rush hour, and a doubling of weekday routes with 10-minute peak frequency.

Routes with more frequent run times include 102, 112, 119, 120, 130, 201 and 202, as well as the agency’s bus rapid transit “Swift” blue, green and orange lines.

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The agency is also extending the length of the existing Swift Blue Line, which runs every 10 minutes for most of the day, to connect to the north Shoreline light rail station at Northeast 185th Street. In March, the agency launched its third BRT route, the 11-mile, east-west Swift Orange Line, connecting the Lynnwood station to Everett, Edmonds and points between.

Other new routes, or existing routes with more frequent service, will bring people to Lynnwood from Seaway Transit Center, Mukilteo, Bothell, Edmonds, Silver Firs, Lake Stevens, Marysville and Stanwood.

The new Route 909 connecting Mountlake Terrace Station to Edmonds Station — where riders can hop on a state ferry, Sounder train or Amtrak — will run every 50 minutes, seven days a week.

In all, half of Community Transit’s buses will connect with the Lynnwood station, making it the transit hub of Snohomish County.

King County Metro will also make route changes in mid-September, with more frequent service on Northeast 145th Street to connect with Shoreline’s south station, and new service between Lake City and Link light rail stations in north King County.

The changes to Metro’s network aren’t as dramatic as Community Transit’s, but the agency is increasing trips, frequency and the time of day it will run its buses.

“It’s a huge deal,” said Community Transit’s Ilgenfritz. “It’s going to be transformative for the cities that have stations. … Your commute is about to get a significant upgrade, a lot faster and a lot more reliable.”

Drive, park and ride

Light rail passengers have ways to catch the train other than the bus.

All four new stations have ample space for cars, with garages and surface parking lots that are free for transit users.

The massive new garage in Lynnwood has 1,670 stalls, and is the largest parking garage in the county. Entrances to the garage, which abuts the elevated light rail platform, are on 48th and 44th avenues. Combined with adjacent surface parking lots, the station has 1,900 spots.

At Mountlake Terrace Station, drivers can park in one of the 206 spots in the surface lot, or park in the 877-stall garage, which is owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

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There is a 360-spot garage at the north Shoreline station on 185th, and a garage with 500 stalls at the south station on Northeast 148th Street.

Go by bike, foot

Perhaps the most historically resonant way to catch the train is by walking or riding on the Interurban Trail, a multi-use path that follows the old route of the electric railway run by the Seattle-Everett Traction Company between 1910 and 1939.

Though in its day the old interurban line ran through remote, largely unpopulated areas, it paved the way for more growth and roads in the towns now served by light rail.

In Lynnwood, the the Interurban Trail glides right by the station, where cyclists can either board with their bike or store it at one of the 24 bike lockers for 5 cents an hour. The city also recently completed the east end of the Scriber Creek Trail, which runs from the station to Wilcox Park.

The Interurban Trail continues in Mountlake Terrace, but sections of it share the road with vehicles. Earlier this summer, however, the city began soliciting bids to build a walking trail through Veterans Memorial Park, linking the station with the heart of the Town Center redevelopment district.

Finally, in Shoreline the Interurban Trail is closely aligned with Aurora Avenue North, but bike lanes on 185th and Northeast 155th Street can help riders reach the stations. Another big assist will be the construction next year of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over I-5 at 148th, which will span the highway just north of the station.

Shoreline also recently began a two-year pilot project with Lime, allowing the bike- and scootershare company to operate there. The company has robust ridership in Seattle, and briefly had vehicles in Bellevue, but currently doesn’t have any in Lynnwood or Mountlake Terrace.

“We’re very fortunate to have the Interurban Trail,” said Lynnwood Mayor Frizzell. “It’s for the slower times. But for the quicker times, the train’s coming.”

Who will ride?

With the new extension open, Sound Transit predicts 25,300 to 34,200 daily boardings at the four new stations.

Brant Lyerla, a senior project manager and transit modeler for Sound Transit, said it’s difficult to know who will take the train. But he had some ideas.

“There will be a set of riders who will be attracted to the new service,” he said, estimating between 10% and 30% of the extension’s passengers will be new to transit. People, in other words, who didn’t take the bus, but light rail is appealing or convenient enough to convince them to leave the car at home, at least for a day or two week.

Ilgenfritz, with Community Transit, said he believed the proportion to be between 20% to 25%.

But as Community Transit’s service changes suggest, many of light rail’s passengers will come from the bus.

“The majority of the riders will be existing transit riders: People who take the bus now, who will switch to just a train trip,” said Sound Transit’s Lyerla.

Still, Lyerla and Brian de Place, Sound Transit’s director of system and service planning, said the region’s light rail was in a “moment of getting there” and expected more people to ride it the longer it’s around, and as it becomes more robust, for instance, when the 2 Line connects to downtown Seattle via Interstate 90.

“What brings riders is an attractive service. A comfortable service that runs a lot, where you have more room and tons more options,” de Place said. “Our goal is to create an attractive service.”

The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

Metro Matters

News that connects you, light rail to lynnwood open for service.

Link 1 Line train along Interstate 5 in Snohomish County

Announced Aug. 30, 2024

Link 1 Line extension brings light rail to Snohomish County for the first time

Starting today (Aug. 30), passengers in Snohomish County and Shoreline will be able to avoid traffic congestion and use Link light rail to travel quickly and safely to downtown Seattle and SeaTac airport. The 8.5-mile extension of the 1 Line includes four stations, one at Lynnwood City Center, one at Mountlake Terrace, and two in Shoreline, as well as three new parking structures.

This is the third opening in the past year for Sound Transit. Last September, the T Line opened service to Hilltop, and in April the 2 Line opened between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Stations. The Lynnwood opening heralds the start of even more transformative expansions, with the 2 Line expanded to downtown Redmond early next year, followed by the opening of the rest of the 2 Line later in 2025 and the start of service to Federal Way in 2026.

Officials but the ribbon on the 1 Line extension to Lynnwood.

Voters approved the Lynnwood extension in 2008 as part of the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure. The project broke ground almost five years to the day before service is beginning.

“The opening of Lynnwood light rail service is a major milestone for our region,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine. “For the first time, our light rail system connects two counties, bringing us closer to the vision of an integrated, high-capacity transit network for Central Puget Sound. This achievement is the result of community support, careful planning and construction, and sheer persistence. Now, it’s time for Snohomish County to hop aboard reliable, traffic-free, carbon-free Link light rail.” “This is a historic day for Snohomish County,” said Sound Transit Board Vice Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “The arrival of light rail marks the start of a transformative regional transit system that will change how we get around and that will provide widespread opportunities for our residents. It’s not just that we can get off of I-5, get out of our cars and enjoy a fast and reliable trip to our destination. Light rail is also helping our environment and ensuring that our economy remains strong for generations to come.” “As Senate Appropriations Chair, when we went to negotiate, I put my foot down to protect Capital Investment Grants funding for the Lynnwood Link Extension, and told my colleagues on the other side, ‘You will not cut this public transit funding — not on my watch.’ I always bring Washington state into the negotiating room with me, and I will go to bat for public transportation — and projects like this — again and again,” said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray. “The reality is, we are celebrating more than new light rail service for Lynnwood, Shoreline, and Mountlake Terrace—we are also opening the door to a new future for these communities — one that folks have been planning for, for a long time. We are not just building public transit — we are not just connecting bus stops, and light rail stops, and lines on a map: we are connecting growing small businesses with new workers, new customers, and new opportunities. We are connecting our communities and families to each other. And we are making communities more walkable, affordable — and livable.” “Finally, light rail reaches Snohomish County,” U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said. “It has been a long wait, but opening the Lynnwood Link will cut travel time for riders to downtown Seattle in half and reduce the trip to Sea-Tac down to one traffic-free hour for an expected 50,000-plus daily riders.” “You cannot have a big-league economy with little league infrastructure,” said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “Thanks in part to historic federal investments, Sound Transit light rail has arrived in Snohomish County, and that means more jobs and opportunity for Northwest Washington. I will continue to support bold, long-term investments in public transit like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that are building a cleaner, greener, safer, and more accessible transportation system in the Pacific Northwest.” “FTA is proud to help bring Link light rail to Snohomish County, expanding rapid transit access for hundreds of thousands of residents,” said Federal Transit Administration Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “As the Link system continues to grow, it’s now easier than ever to reach UW, downtown, Sea-Tac, and destinations all over the region. Thank you to Sound Transit and all the community partners who delivered on this monumental project.” “The opening of the Lynnwood link extension is a tremendous step toward connecting communities and building low carbon climate-friendly transportation options for Washington’s people,” said Tulalip Tribes Chairwoman Teri Gobin. “Public transportation is essential in bringing people together and boosting economic opportunities up and down the I-5 corridor. Tulalip is committed to continuing to partner with the state and regional governments to build strong communities and steward our land and resources for future generations.” “The Northwest Washington Building and Construction Trade affiliates have been proud to be part of the Lynnwood Link project. It provides an essential service to the community, and it provided good paying jobs for the people who built it, as well as training and apprenticeship opportunities. Good things happen when labor and management partner on behalf of our communities,” said Todd Taylor, executive secretary of the Northwest Building and Construction Trades Council. “It’s hard to quantify my excitement to see the trains pull in and out of the Lynnwood City Center station, something that felt like a dream for so long,” said Sound Transit Board Member and Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell. “Lynnwood has been preparing for this milestone since the creation of our Legacy Lynnwood plan in 1993. This achievement would not have been possible without our community’s incredible support, and for that, I am grateful.” “The opening of Lynnwood Link is the biggest thing to happen in Snohomish County since the first 747 rolled out of the Boeing plant in 1967,” said State Sen. Marko Liias. “Light rail will enhance mobility, reduce congestion on critical corridors, and empower all of us to make new and different transportation choices. We have been waiting for this day for decades, I am thrilled it’s finally here.” “Having the Lynnwood City Center Station open nearby means that other mentees will be able to come to Project Girl and get connected with other young women looking to connect with other likeminded young women,” said Logan Ruiz-Rijo and Gia Marrakesh, mentees at Project Girl, a mentoring program fostering the advancement of young women of color. “It opens new doors beyond Lynnwood and gives us a greater opportunity to explore Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region so we can go to cool new places together. It makes us feel like the world is a little bigger … more exciting and accessible.” “The opening of Lynnwood Link is a testament to the hard work of the construction teams and Sound Transit staff who have worked for years to make this project a reality,” said Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman. “They persevered through the pandemic and a four-month concrete delivery strike to bring us to today’s celebration. Lynnwood Link’s opening also marks a transformative moment in Sound Transit’s history, as we enter Snohomish County. With the openings of the full 2 Line next year and the extension to Federal Way in 2026, we will have more than doubled the size of our system in just a few years, providing the residents of our region great options for easy, efficient travel to even more destinations.”

Stacy & Witbeck/Kiewit/Hoffman L200 JV and Skanska Constructors L300 JV executed the civil construction on the extension. Mass Electric completed the systems work, which included the overhead catenary, traction power, signaling, and communications. The $3.1 billion project budget included up to $1.17 billion from a Full Funding Grant Agreement executed by the Federal Transit Administration. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau executed a $658 million low-interest loan supporting the project, including new light rail vehicles and support facilities.

The Lynnwood extension will serve the following stations, all of them with multiple transit connections:

Shoreline South/148 th Station. Located just northeast of I-5 at the NE 145th Street exit, the elevated Shoreline South/148th Station includes a parking garage with approximately 500 new spaces is part of the project.
Shoreline North/185th Station. Located on the east side of I-5, the Shoreline North/185th Station serves Shoreline Stadium, the Shoreline Conference Center and the surrounding neighborhoods. Improved pedestrian pathways connect the station to the west side of I-5. A parking garage with approximately 500 new spaces is part of the project.
Mountlake Terrace Station. Located east of I-5 at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center just north of 236th Street Southwest, west of Veterans Memorial Park, the elevated Mountlake Terrace Station straddles 236th Street Southwest, and is a short walk from the Mountlake Terrace Library, new city hall, and future Gateway transit-oriented development neighborhood. There are 890 existing garage parking spaces at the station.
Lynnwood City Center. Located at the Lynnwood Transit Center, this elevated station serves one of the busiest transit centers in the region, with extensive connections to local and regional service. A new garage containing 1,670 parking stalls in a five-story structure opened last year.

A fifth station at NE 130 th Street in Seattle was added to the alignment as part of the ST3 ballot measure approved by voters in 2016. The new station will serve a growing residential neighborhood between the Northgate and Shoreline South/148th stations. The NE 130th Street station is scheduled to open in 2026.

Visit https://www.soundtransit.org/snocolink for maps and information about how to ride.