Airport Pickup and Transportation

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is located about 20 to 25 minutes (driving) from Seattle.

Host Family Students

If you are applying for a host family or an apartment with one of the three host family agencies, airport pick-up is already included as part of the service.
Please remember to send your arrival information to the agency as early as possible.

AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION

If you plan to stay in an apartment that is not arranged through a host family agency,
or if you are making your own housing arrangements, please plan to use one of the airport transportation services below.

Housing Agencies

Two of the host family agencies working with Seattle Central can provide airport pick-up services for students making their own housing arrangements. Please visit the agency's website, or contact the agency directly, for more information:

Intercultural Homestays, Inc.
PO Box 27184
Seattle, WA 98125-1584
Phone: (206) 367-5332
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-340-9088
Fax:(206) 367-5320
E-mail: ihincusa@aol.com
Web site: www.ihincusa.com

THE PLACE - SEATTLE
P.O. Box 20731
Seattle, WA 98102
Phone: (206) 351-0121
Fax: (206) 361-7172
E-mail: mia@theplaceseattle.com
Web site: www.theplaceseattle.com

Metro Service

Seattle has just recently started metro (light-rail) service between the airport and downtown Seattle. Passengers can reach Downtown Seattle from the SeaTac airport in approximately 30 minutes. This is the least expensive travel option to downtown Seattle.

Current schedules / fees: http://www.soundtransit.org/Riding-Sound-Transit/Schedules-and-Facilities/Central-Link-Light-Rail.xml

Shuttle Express (www.shuttleexpress.com)

This door-to-door service to Seattle runs almost around the clock and will take passengers to downtown Seattle, Seattle Central, or other local destinations at the airport for about $18. Arrangements can be made from courtesy telephones at the Traveler's Information Center on the Baggage claim level. Students should call after picking up their baggage. Pick-up locations are at both ends of the Baggage Claim drive, outside Doors 6 and 26.

Taxis

Sedans, station wagons, and large vans are available on the Baggage Claim Level of the main terminal. A taxi ride from the airport to downtown Seattle costs approximately $35. Ask the cost of the trip before getting into the taxi.

Rental Cars

If you plan to rent a car, an international driver's license should be obtained prior to arrival. Some rental companies require both a foreign license and an international driver's license along with a major credit card (such as VISA or MasterCard), and may require that the driver be at least 25 years of age. Car rental prices vary between $20 to $40 per day. Car mileage is either extra or included.

It is best to call several companies to find out which one offers the best arrangement for you. Most major car-rental businesses have offices at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Some of rental car companies are:

• Alamo (206) 433-0182


• Avis (206) 433-5231
  
• Budget (206) 243-2400
  
• Hertz (206) 248-1300
  
• National (206) 433-5501