Getting from the Airport to Port of Seattle
If you're flying in for a Port of Seattle cruise, the airport transfer is your first decision. The main choices — a taxi or rideshare, a pre-booked private car, a shared shuttle van, a rental, and public transit where it's practical — trade off cost, speed, and how much luggage juggling you'll do. Here's how they compare.
Last updated July 9, 2026
Which airport you're coming from
SEA — Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
~14 miles to the port. The Port of Seattle describes the terminals as about a 30-45 minute drive from SEA depending on traffic. Rideshare and taxi pickup are on the 3rd floor of the airport parking garage; Link light rail reaches downtown Westlake in roughly 40 minutes, from which it's a short taxi or rideshare to either pier.
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Compare your options
| Option | Type | Booking | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi & rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Taxi / rideshare | On demand | Solo travelers and couples who want door-to-door pickup without pre-booking |
| Private car & town-car service | Private car | Book ahead | Families and groups who want a driver waiting and a fixed price agreed up front |
| Shared shuttle van | Shared shuttle | Book ahead | Budget-minded fly-in cruisers happy to trade a few stops for a lower per-person fare |
| One-way rental car | Rental car | Book ahead | Travelers extending the trip in the Pacific Northwest, or who prefer their own vehicle for the airport leg |
| Link light rail (SEA to Westlake) + short taxi/rideshare | Public transit | On demand | Budget travelers with manageable luggage who don't mind a final taxi or rideshare leg |
Our take on each option
Taxi & rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Best for Solo travelers and couples who want door-to-door pickup without pre-booking
- Type
- Taxi / rideshare
- Timing
- About 30-45 minutes from SEA depending on traffic. Rideshare and taxi pickup are on the 3rd floor of the airport parking garage.
- Luggage
- Standard trunk space; request a larger vehicle (XL) for families or extra luggage.
- Accessibility
- Request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle in-app where available and confirm ahead of time.
Check current price in the app — fares vary with demand, and summer Alaska-season mornings can bring surge pricing.
See detailsPrivate car & town-car service
Best for Families and groups who want a driver waiting and a fixed price agreed up front
- Type
- Private car
- Timing
- About 30-45 minutes from SEA direct to your pier, with no shared stops.
- Luggage
- Ample room; give passenger and bag counts so the operator sends the right vehicle.
- Accessibility
- Request a wheelchair-accessible vehicle when booking — it isn't guaranteed by default.
Check current price — usually a flat rate quoted in advance rather than metered.
Check transfers via KiwitaxiShared shuttle van
Best for Budget-minded fly-in cruisers happy to trade a few stops for a lower per-person fare
- Type
- Shared shuttle
- Timing
- Longer than a direct ride because the van may pick up or drop other passengers along the way.
- Luggage
- Standard luggage allowance per person; check limits if you have extra bags.
- Accessibility
- Confirm wheelchair-accessible van availability when booking.
Check current price — priced per person and typically cheaper than a private car for one or two travelers.
Check transfers via KiwitaxiOne-way rental car
Best for Travelers extending the trip in the Pacific Northwest, or who prefer their own vehicle for the airport leg
- Type
- Rental car
- Timing
- About 30-45 minutes self-drive from SEA, plus time to return the car and transfer to the terminal.
- Luggage
- Whatever fits your chosen vehicle class — useful for families with lots of gear.
- Accessibility
- Request hand controls or an accessible vehicle directly with the rental company in advance.
Check current price — one-way rentals can carry a drop-off fee, and you'd still pay to park at the pier during the cruise.
Check rental cars via DiscoverCarsLink light rail (SEA to Westlake) + short taxi/rideshare
Best for Budget travelers with manageable luggage who don't mind a final taxi or rideshare leg
- Type
- Public transit
- Timing
- Link reaches downtown Westlake Station in roughly 40 minutes; from there it's about 6 minutes by car to Pier 66 or around 15 minutes to Pier 91.
- Luggage
- Workable with a suitcase or two, but crowded trains and the transfer make it awkward with a full set of cruise luggage.
- Accessibility
- Link stations are ADA-accessible; confirm elevator status and plan the final leg if you have mobility needs.
Check current Link fares — the light rail is inexpensive, but budget for the short taxi or rideshare from Westlake to your pier.
See detailsGetting from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to your cruise terminal takes about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic, whichever pier you're sailing from. The trip itself is straightforward, but a few Seattle-specific details are worth planning around before you land.
The airport trip
Rideshare and taxi pickup are on the 3rd floor of the airport parking garage, and from there it's a direct ride to either Pier 66 or Pier 91. Link light rail is a budget-friendly alternative, but it reaches downtown Westlake Station in roughly 40 minutes — not the terminal itself — so plan on a short taxi or rideshare for the final leg, about 6 minutes to Pier 66 or around 15 minutes to Pier 91. Because Seattle traffic can stretch the drive at peak times, it's safer not to fly in the same day you sail, especially during the busy summer Alaska season.
Choosing a mode
A rideshare or taxi suits solo travelers and couples who want door-to-door pickup without pre-booking. A private car or town-car service fits families and groups who want a driver waiting and a fixed price agreed up front. A shared shuttle van trades a few stops for a lower per-person fare, and a one-way rental car is worth considering if you're extending the trip in the Pacific Northwest — though you'd still pay to park at the pier during the cruise. Whichever mode you choose, confirm wheelchair-accessible vehicle availability ahead of time rather than assuming it.
Check current prices with your chosen provider before booking — fares vary with demand, and summer Alaska-season mornings can bring rideshare surge pricing.
Port of Seattle airport transfer FAQ
How do I get from SEA airport to the cruise terminals?
The Port describes about a 30-45 minute drive. Your options are rideshare or taxi (pickup on the 3rd floor of the airport parking garage), a pre-booked cruise-line motorcoach transfer, or Link light rail to downtown Westlake followed by a short taxi or rideshare to your pier.
Does Link light rail go directly to the cruise terminal?
No. Link reaches downtown Westlake Station in roughly 40 minutes from SEA; from there it's a short ride to the terminal — about 6 minutes by car to Pier 66 or around 15 minutes to Pier 91.
Should I fly in the same day as my cruise?
It's safer not to, especially in the busy summer Alaska season. A 30-45 minute transfer plus Seattle traffic and the risk of a delayed flight make arriving the day before the lower-stress choice.
Sources & verification
Transfer costs, routes, and schedules change and are never guaranteed. Confirm current fares, pickup rules, and timing with the operator or the airport's ground-transportation page before you travel.