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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Guide
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a major hub for Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.
Meghan Coyle is an editor on the Travel Rewards team and the co-host of the Smart Travel podcast. She covers travel credit cards, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and how to travel on points. Meghan is based in Los Angeles and has a love-hate relationship with LAX.
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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (more commonly known as its airport code, SEA) has a single terminal with six concourses. This makes it easy to access all its amenities — including its 10 lounges — no matter where you’re flying. The airport, one of the busiest in the U.S., serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
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SEA airport map
SEA has the Central Terminal, which connects A, B, S, C, N and D gates. This map shows you how the airport is laid out:
Although you can walk to most gates from the Central Terminal, you will need to use the shuttle train if you’re flying from either S or N gates.
There are four main checkpoints currently open at SEA airport; Checkpoint 5 is closed for construction. Each checkpoint has access to every gate, though different checkpoints offer different services, including TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes.
TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck lets registered travelers bypass some security measures, such as removing laptops from their bags. TSA PreCheck is available at two checkpoints:
Checkpoint 1.
Checkpoint 4.
CLEAR
CLEAR+ is a membership program designed to let you speed through airport security lines using dedicated CLEAR lanes. It works with both TSA PreCheck and standard security queues. You can find CLEAR lanes at three checkpoints:
Checkpoint 1.
Checkpoint 2.
Checkpoint 4.
SEA Spot Saver
SEA Spot Saver lets you reserve a time to go through security rather than needing to wait in the regular line. It’s available at two checkpoints:
Checkpoint 2.
Checkpoint 3.
Global Entry
Sea-Tac provides Global Entry services for those returning from international flights. Global Entry is a trusted traveler program that lets you bypass the standard immigration line.
Sea-Tac has one main parking garage. You can either reserve a spot in advance or drive up:
Reserved: $47 per day.
Drive-up: $8 hourly, $37 daily, $222 weekly.
Accessible parking is available in the main garage, as is motorcycle parking and EV parking.
Rental cars
If you’re looking to rent a car at SEA, you’ll need to catch a shuttle to its offsite lot. There are two passenger pickup areas on the baggage claim level, one at the north end and one at the south end.
Rental car companies at SEA Rental car companies at SEA
Alamo.
Avis.
Budget.
Dollar.
Enterprise.
Fox Rent A Car.
Hertz.
National.
Payless.
Rent-A-Wreck.
Sixt.
Thrifty Car Rental.
Public transit
The Seattle airport is well connected with public transit, with buses and light rail available.
The light rail comes from downtown Seattle and takes 38 minutes to get to the airport. It’s also inexpensive at just $3 one-way for a standard adult fare.
If you’re not located on the light rail line, you can choose to use the bus. With bus service throughout Seattle, you’ll pay as little as $3.25 for your ride.
Taxis and rideshares
Uber and Lyft rideshare services are available for passengers, with pickups on the third floor of the parking garage.
Taxis are also available at SEA. Passengers can choose a metered taxi or a flat-rate taxi. Flat-rate taxis charge a specific rate based on the ZIP code to which you’re traveling.
Top photo courtesy of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
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