This page provides information on Seattle's SeaTac Airport, ground transportation to the University of Washington, and lodging.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. From plane to baggage claim.

U.S. Flights. United and Northwest arrivals come into satellite terminals N or S. Other carriers arrive at concourses A, B, C, or D. If you arrive at a concourse then walk into the main terminal and go downstairs to baggage claim. If you arrive at a satellite terminal then go downstairs and take a train (every 3 minutes) to the main terminal, then go up one floor to the baggage claim area. Allow 10-15 minutes for bags to arrive.

International Flights Overseas visitors will need to clear customs upon arrival at some airport. I describe the procedures at SeaTac; however, procedures are similar everywhere in the U.S.

If you clear customs in Seattle then your plane will arrive at the south satellite terminal, which is NOT the main terminal. Here you will clear customs and then take a train to the main terminal and baggage claim before you leave the airport. Allow 30-40 minutes from arrival to luggage pickup, or longer if other international flights arrive at the same time.

Just when you think that you've cleared customs and that you're on your way, you will find more lines. All bags checked on the flight MUST be surrendered once more for conveyance to baggage claim - you cannot take them yourself. All carryon bags will be inspected and x-rayed. Finally, when you've cleared the inspection area and you leave the secure customs area, you must await a train (every 3 minutes) to take you to the main terminal. Baggage will arrive at carousel number 1 near the south end of the lower level of the main terminal.

2. Renting a car.

Rental cars. Many people will be renting cars. There are three types of rental agencies: those with booths (counters) and cars inside the airport neaart baggage claim (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National), those with a counter in the airport but cars reachable only by shuttle, and those with counters and cars located outside the airport (generally the less epensive companies). In-airport agencies have booths near baggage claim. Others should be called (from a phone in the baggage claim area) where your will be told how to reach them by shuttle (50 US cents or a credit card for public phones).

On-site counter and cars
     Alamo: (206) 431-7588
       1-800-462-5266
     Avis: 1-800-331-1212
     Budget: 1-800-435-1880
     Hertz: 1-800-654-3131
     National: 1-800-328-4567 		On-site counter, off-site cars
     Advantage: 1-800-777-5500
       (206) 824-0161
     Dollar: (206) 433-5825
     Enterprise: (206) 248-9013
     Thrifty: (206) 246-7565 		Off-site counter and cars
     Ace Extra Car Rentals
       (206) 248-3452
     Century/Rent Rite
       (206) 246-5039
     U Save (206) 242-9778

Other than Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National, all rental car companies keep their rental cars parked 1 km or more from the airport on their private lot, and that's where you will return the car on departure. To reach these lots you will probably take a shuttle as described next.

3. Other Ground Transportation from the Airport.

Shuttles and taxis arrive on the second floor of the parking lot across the street from baggage claim. Directions are well marked. Use an escalator or elevator to reach the sky bridges that connect the main terminal to the fourth floor of the parking garage. Follow the signs to another escalator or elevator to the shuttle pick-up area downstairs on the second floor.

Taxis. Cross the sky bridge and follow the signs to an escalator to the taxi area. Only one company, STITA, operates cabs at the airport. Most of these are cars, but vans for up to 6 passengers are also available at the same price on request. You may need to wait a while for a van to arrive. The cost is about $35-40 to the University of Washington.

Shuttle Express (206) 622-1424. Cost to University of Washington is $25 for a van shared with up to 6-8 others.

4. Driving from the Airport to the University of Washington.

- Everything About University of Washington

Follow signs to I-5 freeway heading north to Seattle.

About 2 miles after passing through downtown Seattle, take NE 45th ST. Exit, leading east.

After ~1 mile, turn right on 15th AVE NE.

University of Washington Campus is on your left for the next ~1 mile. Physics/Astronomy Bldg. is a large brick building on your left at the corner of NE Pacific AVE and 15th AVE NE. All hotels are within 1 mile of here.

5. Departing from Seatac.

People arriving at the airport by taxi will be dropped off near the appropriate ticket counter on the upper level. People who return rented cars should get explicit directions for returning the car at the time that they rent it. Some companies have car drops in the airport, and others have return locations outside the airport, requiring a shuttle ride to the airport. Shuttle rides can add up to 30-minutes (worst case).

Once inside the airport, ticket counters and security areas are much the same as all over the rest of the world. Clearing secrity often takes 15 minutes, but there are very busy periods when security-related delays are **much worse**. Those people departing on Northweest/KLM, United and international flights may be required to take the train to the north or south satellite terminals, adding another 5-10 minutes.

 

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