Sea-Tac to the Westin on a Budget

­Winter Institute attendees arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) have a couple of low-cost options for getting to the host hotel, the Westin Seattle (as well as the Mayflower Park Hotel, across the street).

For those who are adventuresome, and don’t have heavy luggage, the Central Link Light Rail might just be the thing. The service runs from Sea-Tac to downtown Seattle, with 11 stops in between. The Seattle Westin is a few blocks from the train’s last stop, at Westlake Center, and the 35-minute ride from the airport costs $2.75. Trains operate from 6:00 a.m. to midnight and run every 7 – 15 minutes. Visit soundtransit.org for more information.

Downtown Airporter service by Shuttle Express serves many hotels in downtown Seattle, including the Westin. An adult ticket is $18 each way, with discounts for multiple riders and round-trip tickets. Visit the website for scheduled pick-up times or to make a reservation. Shuttle Express can be contacted directly at (425) 981-7000 if travelers need assistance completing their online reservations.

A cab from the Seattle Airport to any downtown hotel is a $40 flat rate plus tip.

Once you’ve arrived, the Seattle Monorail is an option for exploring the city. The Monorail departs approximately every 10 minutes from two stations, traveling directly between Westlake Center Mall and Seattle Center (adjacent to the Space Needle). It takes about two minutes to get from one platform to the other. Adult tickets are $2.25 each way, and the monorail accepts cash only.

For those who want to go farther afield, the Seattle Southside Visitors Service offers a directory of services for getting around Seattle and its environs by car, motorcoach, ferry, and other modes of transportation.