Plan Your Trip

Only 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle and 20 minutes north of Tacoma, Seattle Southside is a happening hub that’s perfectly situated between urban attractions and natural wonders (not to mention near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport).

Seattle Southside, made up of the cities of Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila, is the perfect home base for a Washington vacation. It’s a convenient, affordable and fun place where you’ll find sports, shopping, nature—whatever you’re into! Use the following tools to start exploring Seattle Southside and the Pacific Northwest.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What You Need to Know About Seattle Weather

Plan your trip to Seattle with confidence using our comprehensive weather page! Stay informed with daily forecasts for the next week, and explore FAQs about Seattle's ever-changing weather patterns. Whether you're visiting…

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Transportation

Trains, planes, automobiles or boats—whatever your preferred mode of transportation, it comes without hassle in Seattle Southside.

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Seattle Webcams

You don't have to leave your home to explore Seattle and beyond! From Pike Place to Mt. Rainier — Experience Seattle before you visit.

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Itineraries

Kid-friendly Itinerary

Set off on an adventure to Seattle Southside, where the ultimate family vacation is filled with unforgettable experiences and kid-friendly attractions, ensuring every moment is magical for all members of the family.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Seattle Southside?

Seattle Southside refers to the three cities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): SeaTac, Tukwila, and Des Moines. This region is approximately 15–20 minutes south of downtown Seattle (via I-5).

How do I make a hotel reservation in Seattle Southside?

Seattle Southside offers over 70 value-priced, family-friendly hotels to choose from. You're sure to find the perfect amenities to fit your needs for business or pleasure. There are over 30 hotels near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and 20 hotels near Westfield Southcenter. Click here to find and book a hotel.

How do we get to Seattle from Seattle Southside?

Getting to Seattle from Seattle Southside is never a problem. You have many transportation options to choose from.

Link Light Rail

There are three light rail stations in Seattle Southside. The airport station gets you straight from the plane to downtown Seattle in about 30 minutes. The Angle Lake and Tukwila International Blvd. stations feature park & rides where you can leave your car for free. Prices range from $2.25 to $3.25 per person one-way. Click here for timetables and fare information.

Metro Bus

Metro is the local public bus system that operates throughout King County.

  • Route 150 is an express bus that will take you straight to downtown Seattle.
  • From Tukwila, catch Route 150 at the Westfield Southcenter.
  • From Sea-Tac International Airport, catch Route 156 to Westfield Southcenter and hop on Route 150.

See timetables and fare information here

Use the King County Metro Trip Planner tool for more help.

Auto

To get to downtown Seattle: Take I-5 North to Seneca St. (exit 165, on the left side of the freeway) to get to downtown Seattle.

To get to the Space Needle: Take I-5 North to Mercer St. (exit 167, on the left side of the freeway).

Garage and metered street parking are available downtown. (Street parking is free all day Sunday.)

How much does it cost to get to...?

Visit the Port of Seattle website to discover ground transportation rates from Sea-Tac International Airport to various destinations.

I'm taking a cruise. Where can I get a ride to and from the cruise terminal?

Seattle Express can take you to and from your hotel or airport and the cruise terminal. The ride is only $13/person. For inquiries and reservations, call 206-793-8430.

Gray Line and Shuttle Express also offer transportation to the cruise terminals. For inquiries and reservations, call Gray Line at 206-626-5200 or 1-800-426-7532.

How far is it to…?

  • Mt. Rainier – 90 miles and approximately 2 hours
  • Seattle – 13 miles and approximately 15 minutes
  • Mt. St. Helens – 157 miles and approximately 3 1/2 hours
  • Vancouver, BC – 154 miles and approximately 2 1/2 hours
  • Yakima Valley Wine Country – 147 miles and approximately 2 1/2 hours
  • Tacoma – 21 miles and approximately 1/2 hour
  • Snoqualmie Falls – 35 miles and approximately 45 minutes
  • Olympic National Park – 126 miles and approximately 2 1/2 hours
  • Ocean Shores – 120 miles and approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes
  • Woodinville Wine Country – 28 miles and approximately 35 minutes
  • San Juan Islands – 95 miles and approximately 2 hours to the ferry terminal in Anacortes, then an approximately 1- to 2-hour ferry ride to the islands. Click here for the ferry schedule and other information.

What will the weather be like?

When you hear Seattle, you may think rain, but we actually receive less rain on average than Miami. The best way to prepare for a visit is to bring layers. October through April are the rainy (and sometimes snowy) months. May through September are the warmer months, with average high temperatures in the 70s. More About Seattle Southside Weather

This is my first time in Seattle. Where can I get help in planning my trip?

The Official Seattle Southside Travel Planner is a great resource when planning your trip to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest! Download a free Travel Planner here.

Discover More in Seattle Southside

Things to Do

Looking for fun things to do in Seattle? Some of the best things to do in Seattle are in Seattle Southside!

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Food & Drink

Whether you’re in search of a restaurant near you, seafood restaurants, a quaint café, Indian restaurants, family-friendly restaurants, Italian restaurants or fine dining, with over 100 places to choose from you’ll find…

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