Seattle’s public transportation system is accessible & wheelchair friendly. The Link Light Rail trains run from Seattle/Tacoma International Airport to multiple points downtown. All Link trains offer wheelchair spaces and seating for the disabled. All wheelchair users will be able to smoothly roll between the trains and station platforms. Link stations are accessible and have elevators from the street to platform. From these stations, bus routes are available to destinations that are not centrally located downtown.
The city bus service is also accessible to the disabled and wheelchair users. Each city bus is equipped with lowered floors/wheelchair ramps or a wheelchair lift. Wheelchair securement areas with tie downs/straps are available on each bus.
The South Lake Union Streetcar is wheelchair accessible. The streetcar serves 11 stations between Westlake station and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The Westlake station is the terminus of the Link Light Rail, which makes connection possible between the Link and streetcar at that station. Certain sights are outside of the Link’s service area, but the streetcar travels onward.
Both public and private water taxis/ferries to/from Seattle and the nearby islands in Puget Sound are wheelchair accessible.
Fares, route maps and schedules
Fares on the Link Light Rail, city bus and streetcar are $2.75 each way. By completing and mailing a reduced fare permit, disabled patrons are granted a discount rate of $0.75 each way. The reduced fare permit details and application can be found at www.soundtransit.org.
- For a map of the Link Light Rail system, which runs from SeaTac Airport to downtown, click here.
- For bus times, schedules and directions, click here.
- For South Lake Union streetcar route maps and schedules, visit www.seattlestreetcar.org.
- For information, routes and fares for the numerous ferry services, visit www.seattle.gov.
Upon arrival at the airport, the Link Light Rail station is a short walk from the main terminal through the on-airport parking garage. If you did not submit the reduced fare application, it is recommended that you purchase a reloadable ORCA transit card from the automated fare kiosk. The ORCA card costs $5.00 and allows you to pre-load funds for use on the public transit system.
