Seattle Travel Guide

The Space Needle, downtown Seattle and distant Mount Rainier from Queen Anne Hill at dusk
Seattle from Queen Anne Hill (Kerry Park area) · Photo: Daniel Schwen / CC BY-SA 4.0

A Pacific Northwest port city framed by sea, lakes and snowy Mount Rainier. Enjoy a historic public market, coffee culture, an observation tower and ferry rides, with national parks within day-trip range.

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Korean MOFA travel advisory: Your destination: Level 1 (exercise caution)

Elsewhere in the country: Level 1 (exercise caution) — some regions: L1 (caution): all areas except Hawaii / Hawaii: no advisory

Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.

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At a glance

Currency
USD ($)
Power & plugs
120V · Type A/B
Driving side
Right
Tipping
Expected (usually 15–20%)
Local language
English
How long to stay
4 to 5 days (with national parks)

Emergency numbers

When to go

June-September is the sunniest and driest. October-April is often cloudy with drizzle, and winters are cool with short days.

Monthly climate normals

Warmest: Aug (avg high 25.3°C) · Coolest: Dec (avg low 2.8°C) · Wettest: Nov (160.3 mm)

High °CLow °CRain mm
Jan8.9°3.2°146.8
Feb10.2°3.2°95.5
Mar12.3°4.4°105.9
Apr15.2°6.3°80.8
May19.1°9.3°47.8
Jun21.7°11.7°36.8
Jul25.2°13.8°15.2
Aug25.3°14.0°24.6
Sep22.0°12.0°40.9
Oct15.8°8.3°99.3
Nov11.2°4.9°160.3
Dec8.3°2.8°145.3

Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals · Seattle–Tacoma International Airport station · 1991–2020 normals —View source

Airport to the city

Link light rail → Downtown

From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), light rail runs to Downtown stations without changes.

Time about 40 min to DowntownCost about US$3 (flat fare)

Taxi or ride-hailing

Board at the designated area in the airport garage — handy with luggage or late at night.

Time about 25-40 min to DowntownCost about US$45-70 plus tip

Flights from further afield

Flights vary by airline and season. Check airline schedules, and for connecting flights compare stopovers, total travel time and where you clear US immigration.

Time varies by flightCost varies by season

Getting around

Link light rail

Runs north-south linking the airport, Downtown and the university district. Check official information on payment.

Buses

Cover the whole city, using the same transit card as light rail.

Monorail

Links Downtown and Seattle Center (by the observation tower) in minutes.

Ferries

Ferries from the waterfront terminal go to Bainbridge Island and more — great city views from the water.

Rental car

Easiest for Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park and other day trips. Mountain roads may close seasonally.

Where to stay

Downtown & Pike Place

Good for: First visit, transport

Close to the market, waterfront and light rail, with many hotels.

Belltown & Seattle Center

Good for: Sights, dining

Near the observation tower and parks, with plenty of restaurants and bars.

Capitol Hill

Good for: Cafés, nightlife

A lively neighborhood of cafés, bars and live venues, with a light rail station.

Fremont & Ballard

Good for: Local vibe, slower pace

Characterful northern neighborhoods with canals, parks and weekend markets — quieter stays.

Map of stays in Seattle

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Map & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site

Top sights

  1. Pike Place Market

    A public market over 100 years old, with fish stalls, flowers, produce and crafts, and quick bites. Mornings are quieter.

  2. Space Needle & Seattle Center

    Seattle's iconic observation tower and the surrounding parks and cultural venues; best on clear days.

  3. Kerry Park viewpoint

    A small park on Queen Anne Hill with the skyline and Mount Rainier in one view.

  4. Waterfront & ferries

    Walk the renewed waterfront promenade and ride a ferry to Bainbridge Island to see the city from the water.

  5. Ballard Locks

    Canal locks where boats change water levels; from summer into early fall (roughly July-September, peaking around August), watch salmon climb the fish ladder.

    Water pouring through the arched spillway dam at Seattle's Ballard Locks
    Ballard Locks · Photo: SEAotter206 / CC BY 4.0
  6. Discovery Park

    A large natural park in the city with forest trails, beaches and a lighthouse.

    The white West Point Lighthouse at the tip of Discovery Park
    Discovery Park · Photo: Another Believer / CC BY-SA 4.0
  7. Pioneer Square

    The historic core with brick buildings; tours explore the old city underground.

  8. Mount Rainier National Park day trip

    A glaciated volcano with summer wildflower meadows, about 2-3 hours by car. Check official information on entry and road closures.

    Mount Rainier's glacier-covered summit above a forested valley
    Mount Rainier National Park day trip · Photo: Walter Siegmund / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tours & tickets →

What to eat

Clam chowder

Creamy clam soup, perfect on a rainy day. About US$8-15.

Pacific salmon

The Northwest's signature fish, grilled or smoked. Restaurant dishes about US$30-45.

Oysters & Dungeness crab

Try local oysters and crab; many places charge market price, so check first.

Coffee

A city with a strong coffee culture and lots of neighborhood cafés. About US$4-7 a cup.

Seattle-style teriyaki

Grilled chicken over rice with a sweet sauce, a local everyday favorite. About US$12-18.

Daily budget (per person)

Budgetabout US$130-190 per day: hostel, food halls, public transport
Mid-rangeabout US$300-450 per day: city hotel, observation deck, restaurants
Comfortabout US$900+ per day: luxury hotel, private tours

Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.

Suggested itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Light rail to Downtown, check in, a waterfront walk, then seafood for dinner.

  2. Day 2

    Pike Place Market in the morning, monorail to Seattle Center and the tower, then Kerry Park at night.

  3. Day 3

    Mount Rainier National Park day trip (tour or rental car).

  4. Day 4

    Ballard Locks and Fremont, a ferry to Bainbridge Island in the afternoon, then the airport.

Local tips

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Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.

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