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By Air

Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport, a gigantic and gleaming state-of-the-art facility off I-5 between the two cities, is the regional air-service hub. Besides interstate flights and routes around the United States, the airport is the starting point for international links north to Canada; west to Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific; and east to Europe, with stops in Chicago, Boston, New York, or Washington, D.C.

Contacts

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Pacific Hwy. S (Hwy. 99). 206/431-4444. www.seatac.org).

Airport Transfers

Sea-Tac is about 15 mi south of Downtown on I-5 (from the airport, follow the signs to I-5 north, and take the Seneca Street Exit for Downtown). Although it can take as little as 30 minutes to ride between Downtown and the airport, it's best to allow 1 1/2 hours for the trip in case of traffic snarls.

Metered cabs cost $25-$30 between the airport and Downtown, though some taxi companies offer a flat rate to Sea-Tac from select Downtown hotels. Shuttle Express has the only 24-hour door-to-door service, a flat $20 from the airport to Downtown. You can make arrangements at the Shuttle Express counter upon arrival. For trips to the airport, make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Express Car and Atlas Towncar have limo service to and from the airport. The fare is $45 to Downtown and can be shared by up to four passengers.

Gray Line Airport Express provides service to Downtown hotels for $8.50. Your least expensive transportation option ($2, cash only) is a Metro Transit city bus. You can catch one outside the baggage claim areas for the 45-minute ride into town. Take Express Tunnel Bus 194 or regular Buses 174 or 184.

The Sounder light-rail system is due to open between the city and Sea-Tac Airport (or a mile north of it, depending on the final budget) in 2007. The company's hotline provides up-to-date details on its progress.

Contacts

Atlas Towncar (206/860-7777 or 888/646-0606. www.atlastowncar.com). Gray Line Airport Express (206/626-6088. www.graylineseattle.com). Metro Transit (206/553-3000). Shuttle Express/Express Car (206/622-1424; 800/487-7433 in WA. www.shuttleexpress.com). Sounder Trains (888/889-6368. www.soundtransit.org).