The Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) in Seattle hosts a number of large and small conventions throughout the year, including Sakura-Con, Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), PAX West (formerly PAX Prime), Geek Girl Con and Seattle Retro Gaming Expo (SRGE).
Many people fly in for these conventions, and we're here to help you get from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) to the WSCC in Downtown Seattle!
This article is Part 1 in a two part series. The first article focuses on getting to the Link Light Rail from SeaTac Airport. The second article focuses on getting to the Sheraton Hotel and WSCC from the Link Light Rail.
A one-way trip on the Link Light Rail will only cost you $3.00 and can be paid for with either cash or credit card.
#1: Follow the directions inside of the airport from your gate to Baggage Claim.
#2: After collecting your bags, follow the "Link Light Rail" signs up the escalators. NOTE: There will be two directions with escalators. The longer escalators head back to airline Check-Ins, this is the wrong direction! The second set of escalators head in the opposite direction, they're shorter, and head to a middle floor between Baggage Claim and Airline Check-Ins. This is the set that you want.
#3: Take the escalators up to the middle floor mentioned previously.
#4: At the top of the escalators, follow the signs pointing across the sky bridge that heads into the parking garage.
#5: As soon as you enter the parking garage, head immediately left along the walking path before entering the actual parking area.
#6: If for some reason you ended up in the parking garage from the wrong floor, head to the 4th floor.
#7: At the entrance to the Link Light Rail walking path at the edge of the parking garage, you'll see a sign showing the hours of operation for the trains. This means you're headed in the right direction!
#8: The walking path to the Link Light Rail is an open-air walking hall way. To the left you'll be able to see the airport, and to the right will be the vehicle entrance to the parking garage behind metal grates.
#9: Part way down the hallway, it'll curve to the right, and continue down another long open-air walkway. This time you'll be able to see the Link Light Rail platform to your left.
#10: Here is the view of the Link Light Rail platform from the walking path.
#11: Near the end of the walking path, it will curve over to the left with another sky bridge. This bridge will have a sign letting you know you're almost there!
#12: When you enter the Link Light Rail station, walk through the initial gates and head over to the pay station terminals on the right.
#13: Head on over to a free pay station terminal to purchase your Link Light Rail ticket. Tap the screen on the machine to begin.
#14: Select the "Downtown Seattle" station group as you'll be heading to Westlake Station. Proceed to follow the on-screen instruction for payment and don't forget to take your ticket with you after it is printed out!
#15: After purchasing your ticket, head over to the yellow escalators up to the Link Light Rail platform.
#16: Follow the escalators all the way to the top.
#17: Once at the top, the Link Light Rail train will be right there. If a train is not at the platform, simply wait a few minutes and one will show up shortly.
NOTE: As of this writing, the SeaTac Link Light Rail station only has one route at this stop, and this stop is the end of the route, so you won't have to worry about getting on the wrong train or wrong direction. There is only one option!
UPDATE: The Link Light Rail now has one additional stop south of the airport. Ensure you are riding the train North to Downtown Seattle. If by chance you accidentally end up on a southbound train, don't stress. There is only one stop very close to the airport in this direction. Simply stay on the trian, and it'll start heading north again shortly.
#18: Remember, never enter the tracks themselves! Stay safe around the trains.
#19: A little piece of history. Before the train leaves, look out the window to see the Hilton SeaTac Hotel. This is the former home of Sakura-Con over a decade ago! We miss you Hilton SeaTac <3
#20: Ride the Link Light Rail until you get to Westlake Center. This ride is approximately 35 minutes long. As of this writing, Westlake Center is the final stop for the Link Light Rail; however that will change before Sakura-Con and Emerald City Comic Con! Starting the week before Sakura-Con, the extension to the Link Light Rail will be open, meaning more stops down the line. So if you friends have told you to "Ride the train end-to-end", this will no longer be the case. Remember to pay attention to which stop you're at!
Jump to the Second Article: Getting to the Convention Center From the Link Light Rail