Yule Love these SEA Holiday Travel Tips

Getting stuck in traffic is not fun — just like a lump of coal — and it’s going to take more than some turkey and mistletoe to make your trip to SEA Airport merry and bright. 

These transportation tips will put some ho ho ho in your holiday travels:

Arrive early with the anticipation of celebration 

Travelers should arrive two hours before their scheduled boarding time for domestic flights and three hours prior for international trips. Leaving extra time for traffic, getting checked in, and going through security will help to make sure you don’t miss your trip! Make sure to check the flySEA App for live TSA Checkpoint wait times so you can know what to expect before you’re here. 

Take the fastest sleigh in town — Link light rail 1 Line 

Public transit is by far the best option if you want to stay out of a traffic jam. Sound Transit’s three new Link light rail stations in the north offer more options for easily reaching the airport.  

Dash through traffic by thinking opposite 

If you’re picking up or dropping off friends or loved ones, use the Departures Drive for pickup at night and the Arrivals Drive for passenger drop off in the morning. Consider other locations for passenger pickup or drop off like nearby Tukwila or Angle Lake Link light rail stations or use the Sound Transit Passenger Drop-off/pickup location at 176th St. and International Boulevard.

Bring your cup of cheer to the airport parking garage 

Plus  a sprinkle of patience as the SEA Airport parking garage is busy this holiday season. If you still plan to park, we recommend giving yourself at least 30 minutes to find a stall. Off-site parking facilities are also expected to be very busy.

Reserve a ride and you won’t find it hard to sleep tonight 

Catch a ride to and from the airport with taxis or app-based rideshares like Uber and Lyft. Looking for your ride? Passengers can find the majority of app based rideshare pick-up areas on the 3rd floor of the parking garage. There are also lots of other ground transportation options for travelers like shuttles and airporters.

New Cell Phone Lot access helps you stay holly and jolly

Check out the new and improved Cell Phone Lot! The new access ramp is a game-changer with better flow for entry and exiting making passenger-pickup easier. Other improvements include a one-way parking lot configuration and added pavement for circulation.

Help keep it the hap-happiest season of all 

Be proactive to stay safe and prevent thefts in the airport parking garage. Maintain awareness of your surroundings, park near your destination in well-lit areas, keep items out of sight and report suspicious activity by calling 206-787-5401, or 911 in case of emergency.

Don’t be a Grinch — shoulder parking is naughty 

Shoulder parking is dangerous and illegal! We’re working with the Port of Seattle Police Department to install new signage on the airport drives to discourage parking and implement new technology to help track violators. Use the new Cell Phone Lot for short term parking instead!

‘Tis the SEAson for more travel tips