Accessible Transportion in the Seattle Area

There are several popular options for public transportation in the Seattle area:

Link light rail is a train that runs throughout the region. You can take it to and from SEA Airport, downtown Seattle, the big stadiums that host sporting events and concerts, and the University of Washington. As of 2026, you can also take it to several Eastside cities, including Bellevue and Redmond. The light rail is wheelchair accessible. See details below.

King County Metro operates buses that travel throughout the region. All buses are wheelchair accessible. See details below.

The Seattle Monorail is an elevated train system that connects downtown Seattle to the Seattle Center, where you can see attractions such as the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass. It is wheelchair-accessible, with a ramp and a wide aisle. It also offers assistance for visual disabilities.

Many people also use ride-sharing apps such as Lyft and Uber.

Note that the region is quite hilly, so it is not always easy to walk or use a wheelchair when traveling to your destination. When traveling within Seattle, you can use this Access Map, which shows the steepness and barriers along routes throughout Seattle.

If you are flying into SEA Airport, there are many accessible services available as soon as you land. SEA has free wheelchair services, sensory rooms for those who feel overstimulated, a social story and resource guide for travelers with autism to review with their family/caregiver before travel, and many other services.

See the airport's website for more information, or contact Prospect Airport Services at (206) 246-1550 with any questions.

Getting to Your Accommodations

There are several ways to get to where you're staying from SEA.

Taxi: The airport offers wheelchair-accessible taxis and flat-rate vehicles. To request a wheelchair taxi, please contact SP Plus Taxi Service at (206) 708-6504. Passengers in a wheelchair or with limited mobility may request curbside pick-up on the Baggage Claim level by Skybridge 2 near Door 10 and Skybridge 5 near Door 22. Be sure to let your taxi service provider know that you require mobility assistance so they can meet you at one of these locations.

Hotel Shuttle Service: Many nearby hotels offer free airport shuttles. You may use our directory to browse hotels, though we advise calling ahead to ensure the shuttles can accommodate your needs.

Public Transportation: You can take Link light rail or a bus to your destination. See more details on each of these services below. You can also contact Metro accessible services, Sound Transit accessibility or the Ground Transportation Booth (206) 787-5312) for more information.

Ride App Pick-Up: Ride App providers such as Uber and Lyft may pick up passengers on the drives for customers who need additional assistance. When requesting pickup, tell your driver that you need to be picked up on the drive, and that you or they can contact SEA's Ground Transportation team to inform the staff of this pickup by phone at (206) 787-5906 with the driver's name and license plate number. Learn more.

Sound Transit's Link light rail is a great way to travel between SEA Airport, Seattle Southside, downtown Seattle, Bellevue, and many other destinations throughout the region.

Taking Light Rail From the Airport: You can take free electric carts between the SeaTac/Airport light rail station and the airport sky bridge at the northern end of the garage. This service operates every day from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. For more help, you can also call Prospect Airport Services at 206-246-1550 after arriving at the station, and they will send someone with a wheelchair as soon as possible. Their hours of operation are 4 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Find more information about taking Link light rail from SEA Airport.

Key Stops: Popular stops along the light rail include SeaTac/Airport (to SEA Airport), Stadium Station (to Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park for concerts and games), Symphony Station (to Benaroya Hall and Seattle Art Museum), and Westlake Center (to Pike Place Market). See all stations.

Getting to Light Rail: If you stay at a hotel in SeaTac, you may be able to take a free shuttle to the airport to access SeaTac/Airport Station. Otherwise, you can take a King County Metro bus to a light rail stop, get dropped off at a station, or drive to a station with a parking lot and leave your car. Not all stations have parking lots, but you can find out whether a station does on the Sound Transit website.

Platform Safety: Every station offers level boarding, allowing passengers using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other mobility devices to roll directly onto the train without steps or gaps. Stations feature tactile warning strips that mark the edge of platforms. Signage uses large, high-contrast lettering for improved visibility, with braille available on key wayfinding signs, including bus bay markers.

Elevators: Elevated and underground stations are equipped with elevators alongside stairs, and many also include escalators.

Payment: Passengers using ORCA fare cards benefit from both visual and audible confirmation when tapping to pay, making it easier to verify successful fare payment. Ticket vending machines also offer large-print displays, braille, and text-to-speech functionality when headphones are connected. Find more information on how to pay.

Riding the Train: Each train includes dedicated spaces for passengers using mobility devices, priority seating for seniors and riders with disabilities, and handrails throughout the rail cars for added stability. Accessible seating areas are equipped with an intercom that allows riders to communicate directly with the train operator if they need additional time to exit, and operators and conductors are trained to provide boarding and deboarding assistance upon request. To help passengers navigate the system with confidence, all buses and trains provide both visual and audible announcements for upcoming stops and stations.

Parking at Stations: If you are driving to a station, be sure to look up whether it has a dedicated parking lot, as not all stations do. Stations that do have parking lots all have accessible spots, with accessible routes connecting parking areas to stations. There are free Park-and-Ride lots at Tukwila International-Blvd Station and Angle Lake Station, though note that you cannot leave a car in them overnight. There is a paid parking lot at SEA Airport, and many paid lots along International Blvd for longer stays.

Accessible Boarding: Every King County Metro bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift or ramp, and buses can kneel to lower the entrance closer to the curb for easier boarding. If you need the lift or ramp, simply ask your driver.

Accessible Bus Stops: Wheelchair lifts can only be deployed at designated accessible bus stops. Before your trip, confirm that your stop is accessible by calling Metro Customer Service at 206-553-3000.

There are several accessible bus stops located near Link light rail stations in Seattle Southside:

• Near Tukwila International Blvd Station: S 154th & 32nd Ave S
• Near SeaTac Airport Station: International Blvd & 176th St
• Near Angle Lake Station: International Blvd & S 200th St

Note: Stops along Rapid Ride lines are generally accessible. While you can use Google Maps to filter for Wheelchair Accessibility (under "options"), it may not reflect the most up-to-date information, including service closures, so calling Metro is best.

Audio and Visual Announcements: Metro buses feature automatic audio announcements, digital reader boards, and exterior speakers that announce each bus's route and destination as it arrives. Drivers are trained to announce stops and routes, and if the automated system isn't working, they'll make announcements manually.

Priority Seating: Priority seating is available near the front of every bus for riders with disabilities and older adults. If those seats are occupied, drivers can ask other passengers to make a seat available when possible. Keep in mind that not all disabilities are visible, and no disability takes priority over another.

Mobility Devices: Most wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices can be safely accommodated and secured on Metro buses. If you're unsure whether your device will fit, Metro's Transit Instructors can provide guidance and help you learn the safest way to board and secure it.

Need a Hand? Metro drivers are trained to provide reasonable assistance whenever possible, whether that means deploying the ramp, tapping your ORCA card, or stopping where boarding and exiting is easier. If a driver can't accommodate a request, they should explain why and direct you to additional assistance if needed.