Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Port of Seattle
Getting from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Port of Seattle — 25-40 min, 15 miles
Transfer Options
Hotel Shuttle Services
Several downtown hotels offer scheduled shuttles to the cruise terminals during Alaska season (May-September). The Mayflower Park Hotel, Hyatt House, and Seattle Marriott Waterfront all offer shuttle service. Quality and frequency vary.
Book your shuttle spot when you reserve the hotel — they fill up. The Mayflower Park Hotel runs a scheduled shuttle to both piers at $15 per guest for the 2026 cruise season, arranged through the bellman, but it states plainly that it does not offer long-term parking for cruise travelers, so it solves the ride and not the car. The Marriott Waterfront is literally across the street from Pier 66.
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare is widely available throughout Seattle. Both terminals have designated drop-off areas. Traffic on I-5 can be unpredictable, especially on weekend mornings.
Embarkation day Saturdays can see surge pricing, especially from the airport. Check prices early in the morning when rates are lowest. Pier 66 is easier for drivers to find since it's on the main waterfront road. For Pier 91, make sure the driver follows GPS to 2001 W Garfield Way.
Link Light Rail + Rideshare Combo
The most budget-friendly option from the airport. Take Link Light Rail from SEA to Westlake Station ($3, 40 min), then grab a short rideshare or walk to Pier 66. For Pier 91, you'll need a rideshare from Westlake.
The train runs every 8-15 minutes. You can bring luggage on board — there's space. Westlake Station is about a 15-minute walk to Pier 66 through the waterfront area. For Pier 91, you'll want to grab a rideshare from downtown — the walk is too far with luggage.
Cruise Line Shuttle Services
Some cruise lines offer airport-to-terminal shuttle transfers that can be booked through your cruise booking. Holland America and Princess are known for reliable Seattle transfer options.
Book through your cruise line's website or travel agent. Shuttles are timed to your ship's boarding schedule. Not the cheapest option, but the most worry-free — they'll get you to the right terminal at the right time.
From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
SEA is about 15 miles south of the cruise terminals — roughly 25-40 minutes by car depending on I-5 traffic. This is the closest major airport and where the vast majority of cruise passengers arrive.
Take the Link Light Rail from SEA to Westlake Station downtown ($3, about 40 min) and then grab a short Uber/Lyft to the terminal — it's significantly cheaper than rideshare from the airport. For Pier 66 cruisers, you can even walk from Westlake to the terminal in 15 minutes.
Driving & Port Parking
Both terminals have on-site parking, run by different operators, so a booking at one is useless at the other — confirm your pier before you reserve. Pier 91 (Smith Cove) sells zones priced for the length of the cruise rather than by the day: $187 economy for a seven-day sailing, rising to $220 standard and $329 premium, described as all-inclusive. Pier 66 (Bell Street) has a 1,500-space covered garage at $30/day before tax, with a skybridge into the terminal. From I-5, take the Mercer St exit for Pier 91 or the Seneca St exit for Pier 66.
Pier 91 reservations are recommended rather than required for general parking, but they are mandatory for the RV and oversize zone — and the cancellation term is unforgiving, seven days ahead rather than the usual 24 hours. Pier 66 reservations go through SpotHero, so its terms are the ones you agree to. Both take cards, not cash. Note that Pier 91's lots are open-air surface parking with no height limit, while the Pier 66 garage caps vehicles at 6ft 6in. Do not count on a cheap off-site lot with a shuttle: the independent lots listed near Pier 91 are ordinary neighborhood lots 0.9 to 1.6 miles out, 19 to 35 minutes on foot, with no shuttle and no luggage help.
Cost Comparison
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Shuttle Services | CostFree to $15/person depending on hotel. Often included in cruise packages. | Best ForCruisers who want a stress-free embarkation morning |
| Uber/Lyft | CostDowntown to Pier 66: $10-15. Downtown to Pier 91: $12-18. Airport to either terminal: $40-65. | Best ForFlexibility and door-to-door convenience |
| Link Light Rail + Rideshare Combo | CostLight rail: $3/person. Short rideshare from Westlake: $8-15. | Best ForBudget-conscious travelers, especially Pier 66 cruisers |
| Cruise Line Shuttle Services | Cost$30-50/person depending on cruise line | Best ForCruisers who want the simplest possible transfer |
| From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | CostUber/Lyft: $40-65 depending on traffic and surge. Shared shuttle: $20-30/person. Private car service: $80-120. | Best ForMost cruisers flying in for an Alaska cruise |
| Driving & Port Parking | CostPier 91: $187 economy for a 7-day cruise, $220 standard, $329 premium or RV/oversize. Pier 66: $30/day before tax. | Best ForCruisers driving from the Pacific Northwest |
Local Tip
Link Light Rail leaves from the airport's own station, a short walk from baggage claim — follow the signage rather than heading for a curb. Cruise line shuttles run scheduled departures tied to boarding windows, not on demand, so confirm your pickup time when you book. SEA is a major international gateway — budget 60-90 minutes for immigration and customs before you reach the train or curb. If you are flying in from outside the US, sort your entry authorization before you book: most visa-waiver travelers need an approved ESTA, it is not issued at the airport, and without one the airline will not board you. Apply through the official CBP site at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — never a paid intermediary.
Once you arrive, find your terminal:
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