Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hertz
(
800-654-3131;
www.hertz.com
)
Another good option for those who need only limited use of a vehicle is
FlexCar
(
206-332-0330;
www.flexcar.com
; membership per year $50, rates per hr/day $7/69).
Membership (there's a one-time $25 application fee) gives you access to a number of
car-sharing vehicles distributed throughout the city. Members can make reservations on-
line or by phone for as long as they need the car, then return it to the parking place
where they picked it up when they're done. Rules for gas and mileage charges vary de-
pending on which plan you choose.
Light Rail
Sound Transit
(
www.soundtransit.org
)
operates Link Light Rail. The first - and, as yet,
only - Seattle line, Central Link, runs from Sea-Tac airport to Westlake Station in down-
town and opened in 2009. There are 13 stations including stops in SoDo, the Interna-
tional District and Pioneer Square. Fares within the city limits are $2.25. From downtown
to the airport costs $2.75. Trains run between 5am and 12:30am.
An extension of the Link line, University Link, is under construction and due to open in
2016. It will add two more stations, one in Capitol Hill and one in the U District. By 2021
it is expected that further lines will be built, north to Northgate, and east to Mercer Island
and Bellevue.
Streetcar
The revival of the
Seattle Streetcar
(
www.seattlestreetcar.org
)
was initiated in 2007 with
the opening of the 2.6-mile South Lake Union line that runs between the Westlake
Center and Lake Union. There are 11 stops and fares cost a standard $2.50/1.25 per
adult/child. Streetcars breeze by every 15 minutes from 6am to 9pm (slightly later on Fri-
day and Saturday). A second 10-stop line will open in 2014 running from Pioneer
Square via the International District and First Hill to Capitol Hill.
Roll-out plans for future streetcar lines are extensive, with links earmarked for Fre-
mont, Ballard and the U District.
Taxi
You can hail a cab from the street, but it's a safer bet to call and order one. All Seattle
taxi cabs operate at the same rate, set by King County. At the time of research the rate
was $2.50 at meter drop, then $2.70 per mile. There may be an additional charge for ex-
tra passengers and baggage. Any of the following offer reliable taxi services:
