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Seattle 2026 World Cup Transport Guide
How to get to Seattle for the 2026 World Cup, getting to Seattle Stadium, and traveling around the area during the tournament 🛫
✒️ By the worldcup-travel.com team | 📅 Updated 2 June 2025
Need help navigating Seattle during the 2026 World Cup? This handy Seattle transport guide will aid you in getting to Seattle for the 2026 World Cup, as well as getting you around Emerald City and its surrounding areas during the tournament.
Note: All of the information below is current. However, specific transportation guidance will be announced between now and the World Cup. Sign up to our email list so you get the latest information and deals direct to your inbox đź“© .
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While Seattle is a beautiful city to explore, getting around really depends on where you’re going and how comfortable you are with hills, ferries, and a bit of drizzle. On foot, Downtown, Capitol Hill, Belltown, and South Lake Union are very walkable – though expect some steep hills because this city is not flat.
Neighborhoods are charming and dense, with great shops, cafés, and parks close together, but some destinations, like Ballard or West Seattle, are farther apart or less walk-friendly once you get there. Public transit is decent, if you’re not in a rush. Link Light Rail, buses, street cars and water taxis can take you where you want to go, but efficient they are not.
Having your own car is great for exploring outside the city and is also handy for neighborhoods without great transit. But be warned: Traffic can be a beast, especially during peak hours. And parking is expensive and limited in popular areas like Downtown, Capitol Hill, or Fremont. Locals often use their car for weekend adventures but avoid it during the workweek if possible.
Flying to Seattle for the 2026 World Cup
The most convenient way to fly into Seattle for the 2026 World Cup is through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), commonly known as Sea-Tac.
Located approximately 14 miles (about a 20-minute drive without traffic) south of Downtown Seattle, Sea-Tac is the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest and offers extensive domestic and international flight options.​
SEA is well-connected to the city via various transportation modes, including the Link Light Rail, which provides a direct route to downtown Seattle.​
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – the primary option for flying to Seattle for the World Cup
âś… Serviced by the Link Light Rail Airport Line
âś… Major West Coast hub with direct flights to dozens of U.S. cities and international destinations
âś… Rotating art exhibits, local music playlists, and open-air spaces give it that laid-back, uniquely Seattle feel
You can search for 2026 World Cup flights to Seattle International from the box below through Kiwi.com. Their tech finds flight itineraries that combine multiple airlines (they call it “Virtual Interlining” with options that often aren’t available anywhere else). This can help streamline the booking process and increase savings.
2026 World Cup car rental in Seattle
Will fans need a car in Seattle for the World Cup?
Seattle boasts a robust public transportation system that provides convenient access to major venues and attractions. So fans attending the 2026 World Cup in Seattle will not need a car within the city. Seattle's official 2026 World Cup planning includes comprehensive transportation strategies to accommodate the influx of visitors. These plans will focus on maximizing public transit usage, managing traffic flow, and ensuring accessibility to event venues. Sign up to our email list to be the first to hear about Seattle transportation for the 2026 World Cup!
However, if you are looking to explore the outer reaches of Seattle, or even heading over to neighboring 2026 World Cup host city Vancouver, Canada, then having a rental car at your disposal may be helpful. (Just make sure you can cross the border with your rental.) Read below for our tips on finding flexible 2026 World Cup car rentals in Seattle.
World Cup car rental in Seattle is surely going to increase in price surrounding the tournament dates. Rent your car as early as possible, and you can choose a flexible cancellation policy so that you’re not tied down in case your plans change.
Seattle car rental companies and peer-to-peer rental options
To rent a car at SEA, head to the Consolidated Rental Car Facility, located approximately one mile from the terminal. This facility houses all major rental agencies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Sixt.​ Shuttle buses depart every 10-15 minutes from designated pick-up zones at both the north and south ends of the terminal and the ride takes about five minutes.
You can also look for 2026 World Cup car rental options further outside the city, which might be cheaper, but could cost you more for the transport to/from that location.
In addition to the big car rental companies, there are also peer-to-peer car rental options like Turo, where you rent a person’s car rather than a car from a company. This option might offer increased inventory for car rentals in and around Seattle during the 2026 World Cup.
Tip: If you’re looking for car rentals in Seattle for the 2026 World Cup, we recommend Qeeq.com, where you will always pay the lowest price. Qeeq’s Price Drop Protector 📉 tracks prices daily, and if the rental price drops after you book, Qeeq rebooks at the lower price and saves you the difference. They offer free cancellation, no credit card fees, and you can even pay with crypto if that’s your vibe. You can search car rental options through Qeeq in the widget below.
Alternatively, Trip.com is part of the same group as Skyscanner.com, and allows you to search car rental deals from all of the big companies — with free cancellation, no credit card fees, and often with extra discounts as an incentive
Buses to Seattle for the 2026 World Cup
Seattle is well-connected by bus to other cities, especially within the Pacific Northwest and along the West Coast. If you’re traveling from nearby cities like Portland, Vancouver, or even further down the West Coast, buses are an affordable, convenient, and relatively comfortable way to reach Seattle.
Portland to Seattle takes around 3 to 4 hours, fellow host city Vancouver takes about 4 to 5 hours to reach. The games down in San Francisco will take around 17 to 20 hours to get to by bus, but if you have the time, why not? You’ll certainly save some money.
Bus companies serving Seattle are Greyhound (extensive national network, more old-school option), FlixBus (new, modern fleet), BoltBus (known for low-cost, direct routes between Seattle, Portland, and other cities along the Interstate-5 corridor) and Amtrak Thruway Bus (convenient option for reaching Seattle from places like Portland, Vancouver, or Spokane, WA).
You will either arrive at Greyhound Station or FlixBus/Amtrak Station. Both stations are centrally located, close to transit connections and the Downtown area, making it easy to explore Seattle once you arrive.
Getting to Seattle by train
Seattle is very accessible by train, especially from other cities in the Pacific Northwest and parts of the West Coast. While train travel in the US isn’t always the fastest option, it’s a scenic, comfortable, and relaxing way to reach the city – particularly for those not in a rush.
Seattle’s main train station is King Street Station, located downtown near Seattle Stadium and the waterfront.
The Amtrak Cascades line runs between Vancouver, Seattle, Portland and Eugene and offers a popular and scenic route that hugs the Puget Sound. The train ride to World Cup host city Vancouver will take around 4.5 hours. The Coast Starlight line runs from Los Angeles to Seattle and stops in Santa Barbara, San Francisco (Emeryville), Sacramento, and Portland, with the full route taking around 35 hours. The Empire Builder line runs from Chicago to Seattle (or Portland) and takes around 46 hours. Both are great for the scenery and the experience, but certainly not built for speed.
Public transport in Seattle
Seattle's public transportation network includes Link Light Rail – a reliable and expanding system connecting key areas of the city. King County Metro Buses have extensive bus routes covering Seattle and surrounding regions. The Seattle Streetcar serves neighborhoods such as South Lake Union and First Hill, and Sounder Commuter Rail provides service to the suburbs and nearby cities.​
Seattle is actively enhancing its transit infrastructure in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, including the expansion of the Link Light Rail network to improve connectivity. ​Seattle's official 2026 World Cup planning includes comprehensive transportation strategies to accommodate the influx of visitors. These plans focus on maximizing public transit usage, managing traffic flow, and ensuring accessibility to event venues. So when you’re in Seattle for the 2026 World Cup, you should be fairly set using public transport.
Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field), the designated stadium for World Cup matches, is exceptionally well-served by public transit. The stadium is adjacent to two Link Light Rail stations: Stadium Station (serving the south entrances) and International District/Chinatown Station (serving the north entrances). These stations offer direct connections to downtown Seattle, the University of Washington, and SEA. Additionally, nearby King Street Station provides access to Amtrak and Sounder commuter rail services, facilitating regional travel.
Using ridesharing apps in Seattle
Uber and Lyft are widely available in Seattle, and although they are plentiful and reliable, rides in the city can be quite pricey and those costs are expected to surge on game days. So, try using public transport where possible and keep the ridesharing apps for when you’re out of options or your feet are too tired to manage.
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