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.
Transportation
Trains, planes, automobiles or boats—whatever your preferred mode of transportation, it comes without hassle in Seattle Southside.
Cruise Travelers
Discover the perfect home base for your Alaska Cruise just minutes from the cruise ship terminal. Seattle Southside has a wide range of affordable hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more!
Accessibility
Find information on traveling with disabilities in and around Seattle Southside.
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 in spring, summer, winter, or fall, find expert suggestions on where to stay, dine, and discover the best attractions. From cozy cafes to outdoor adventures, we've got you covered for a memorable Seattle experience, rain or shine!
Itineraries
Pre- and Post-Cruise Itineraries for Seattle
So, you’re finally taking a majestic Alaskan cruise from Seattle? Great choice! It’ll be an experience of a lifetime.
Thrills & Chills Itinerary
Seattle Southside is this place to be for adventures on the extreme side!
Food Lover 3‑Day Itinerary
Everyone seems to be a “foodie” nowadays and Seattle Southside is the place to be for unique sips and treats.
Unforgettable Experiences and Kid-friendly Attractions
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.
Football Weekend Itinerary
12s and sports fans alike love watching football games from Lumen Field.
Garden Lover’s Itinerary
We’re all nature lovers in the Pacific Northwest. What’s not to love?
Outdoor Lover’s Itinerary
There’s nothing quite like the great outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Seattle Southside?
Seattle Southside refers to the three cities near Sea-Tac International Airport: SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines, approximately 15–20 minutes south of downtown Seattle.
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 Sea-Tac International Airport and 20 hotels near Westfield Southcenter. Click here to make your hotel reservations directly at the property, and be sure to take advantage of our various travel promotions and packages.
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!
Seattle Southside Events Calendar
Find awesome things to do in SeaTac, Tukwila, Des Moines, and beyond.
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…
Where to Stay
Go ahead, stay an extra night.