A guide to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Quick insights
- Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA) has one main terminal (the Central Terminal) and two satellite terminal buildings (North and South) that house six concourses.
- Travelers can use the Satellite Transit System (STS) to travel from the Central terminal to the North and South satellite buildings.
- Priority Pass™ members can access two locations of The Club SEA at Seattle Airport.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, known by locals as Sea-Tac, is roughly 14 miles south of Downtown Seattle and 18 miles north-northeast of Downtown Tacoma. It’s one of the busiest airports in the U.S. and is home to over 20 international airlines.
SEA is built in an “X” shape, with the Central terminal in the middle and four departure concourses along each leg. Various shopping, dining and lounging options can be found throughout each concourse.
Read on to learn how to navigate to and from SEA, where to park, things to do while you wait for your flight and more.
Navigating to and from Seattle Airport
Whether you prefer to use a rideshare app or take public transportation, there are plenty of ways to navigate to and from SEA:
- Taxi: Navigate to the third floor of the parking garage to access the taxi queue. Choose between standard and 8-10 passenger taxis.
- Rideshare: Most rideshare pick-up locations are on the third floor of the parking garage; some luxury rideshare options pick up outside of baggage claim.
- Bus: Two Sound Transit express bus routes pick up and drop off passengers at the south end of the main terminal on the lower drive. Alternatively, there are King County Metro bus stops adjacent to the Light Rail station one street over from SEA on International Boulevard.
- Train: The Link Light Rail runs from the airport to Downtown Seattle. The station is on the fourth floor of the airport parking garage.
- Hotel shuttle: Many hotels provide shuttle services to their guests. Most shuttle pick-ups occur on the third floor of the parking garage.
- Car rental: To reach the off-site Rental Car Facility, take the free 24/7/365 shuttle from the north or south end of the main terminal after baggage claim.
Parking options at Seattle Airport
SEA offers hourly and extended stay parking; travelers may also reserve spots in advance online. Floor four is designated for reserved parking, and all other floors are available for drive-up parking. The parking garage is connected to the main terminal building via Skybridge.
Additionally, there is a cell phone lot for drivers waiting on arriving passengers. Visit SEA’s website for more parking information or to reserve a parking spot.
When to arrive at Seattle Airport
It is generally advised to arrive two hours before departure for domestic flights, or three hours before departure for international flights. It’s important to consider additional factors, like parking and high traffic times, as well.
For those who travel frequently, it may be helpful to consider TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry for an expedited security process.
Seattle Airport map
Want to get acquainted with SEA before your travels? Explore the airport maps on their website. Once you arrive at the airport, enable your current location on your mobile device to get step-by-step directions to different parts of the terminal.
Seattle Airport terminal information
Concourses A, B, C and D are located in the Central Terminal; travelers may walk freely between them after security.
The Central Terminal is in the center of the airport and contains the following levels:
- Level 2: STS stations to travel to the North and South satellite buildings
- Level 3: Baggage claim
- Level 4: Skybridge to parking and ground transportation
- Level 5: Check-in/access to concourses
- Level 6: Mezzanine
Two additional concourses are in the North and South satellite buildings (accessible via STS).
Priority Pass lounges at the Seattle Airport
Airport lounges can offer a quiet, often more comfortable, place to relax in an otherwise crowded airport. Priority Pass members can access either location of The Club SEA, which are both lounges in the Priority Pass network:
- Concourse A: Across from gate A11. Accessible to all concourses via train.
- South Satellite: Above gate S9. Take the elevator on the concourse level to the mezzanine level for entry.
Amenities include:
- Refreshments
- Alcohol for guests over 21
- Seating options
- Wi-Fi
- Digital newspapers and magazines
Visitors may enter three hours prior to their scheduled departure times and children under two are admitted for free.
If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve® credit card or are interested in applying for one, you may be eligible for complimentary Priority Pass membership as a credit card benefit (note that the card has an annual fee).
Things to do at Seattle Airport
If you have a longer layover at SEA, there’s plenty to do to pass the time. Here are a few options:
- Listen to live music: SEA features live music seven days a week at various areas throughout the airport. Depending on the music schedule, you may hear from up-and-coming Pacific Northwest artists or local headliner favorites.
- Bring the kids to the children’s play area: Need to entertain kids during your layover? There’s a children’s play area in Concourse A across from A1.
- Head downtown: If you have over five hours between your flights and want to do some sightseeing, take the Link Light Rail to downtown Seattle to visit local attractions like Pike Place Market or walk along the waterfront.
In summary
Whether you’re at SEA for a couple of hours or a longer layover, you can find plenty of dining, shopping and entertainment options.
If airport lounges are more your speed, learn how to access the Priority Pass network of lounges. With Priority Pass membership, you can access over 1,300 participating airport lounges worldwide.
This article contains the most up-to-date information at the time of publication. Details since publication are subject to change. Visit Priority Pass' official website for the most up-to-date benefits information.
