Seattle: By Train

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By Train

Amtrak, the U.S. passenger rail system, has daily service to Seattle from points south, north, and east. The Coast Starlight runs from Southern California up through towns throughout western Oregon and Washington on its way to Seattle, while the Cascades line continues north along a scenic coastal route between Seattle and Vancouver. B.C. The Empire Builder runs east all the way to Chicago.

Locally, Sounder and Amtrak lines link Seattle to the suburbs on weekdays, and it's about an hour's journey from the city to each endpoint. Sounder trains from Tacoma and points north to Seattle depart at 5:45, 6:20, and 6:45 AM, returning at 4:45, 5:10, and 5:40 PM; trains from Everett and points south to Seattle depart at 6:10, 6:40, 8:41, and 11:35 AM, returning at 7:45 AM and 4:53, 5:13, and 5:30 PM. Tickets are $2 for one zone, $3 for two zones (Everett or Bellevue-Seattle), and $4 for three zones (Tacoma-Seattle); kids under six ride free. Sounder lines also link both cities with Seattle for special events, such as Mariners baseball and Seahawks football games. Tickets and passes can be purchased at machines inside the stations or by mail, and transfers are accepted on buses throughout the region.

Contacts

Amtrak (King Street Station, 303 S. Jackson St., International District. 206/382-4125 or 800/872-7245. www.amtrak.com). Metropolitan Transit (206/553-3000; 206/287-8463 automated schedule line. transit.metrokc.gov). Pierce Transit (253/581-8000. www.ptbus.pierce.wa.us). Sounder Trains (888/889-6368. www.soundtransit.org).