Seattle’s airport is actually Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, located between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma in the municipality of SeaTac, that is the airport’s common designation. The airport was built in 1944, after the military took over the closer airport named for the Boeing aircraft company headquartered there. It is the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest, and its parking garage is the largest structure under one roof in North America.
Most travel to the airport is by car, using Interstate 5 and its offshoot I-405. The airport is 12 miles (19 km) from downtown Seattle, and travel time is 13 minutes, more in traffic. Taxi fares to downtown Seattle landmarks are in the range of $45 plus tip. Shuttle and van service is provided by multiple companies, beginning at $13 to downtown Seattle. Shuttle service is also available to more distant Washington cities (Vancouver, Bellingham, Yakima) at higher rates, and to Vancouver, British Columbia at approximately $60. Bus service is provided by King County Metro to stops on International Boulevard (state route 99) and the Link Light Rail station on South 176th Street; these can be reached from the fourth floor of the airport parking garage, and maps and timetables are available in the baggage claim area. Sound Transit, which serves Pierce County (Tacoma) and Snohomish County (Everett) as well as parts of King County and Seattle, operates bus service (routes 560 and 574) from the lower drive of the terminal building. For roaming the city book for Seattle airport transfers online.
The Central Link light rail system runs from downtown Seattle to the airport, and connects at the International District/Chinatown station with Sounder commuter trains to Everett and Tacoma during the week, as well as with newly-opened streetcar lines at the Westlake station. The airport station is outside the parking garage, at the intersection of International Boulevard and South 176th street, and the fare ranges from $2.00 to 2.75 depending upon starting point or destination. Trains run every 7.5 to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 10 to 15 minutes on weekends between 5 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes.