People walk by Lumen Field, which will be called Seattle Stadium during the World Cup. Photo: SDOT FIFA World Cup celebrations are kicking off across Seattle, and big matches mean busy streets full of people on the move.
Over the next few weeks, travel will be busier than usual, especially in downtown Seattle and near the stadium. Planning ahead and giving yourself extra time can make your trip easier.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- The best ways to get around without a car
- How to travel from SEA Airport to downtown Seattle
- Pedestrian zones, fan celebrations and watch parties
- Helpful travel videos and more stories from our blog
Whether you’re going to a match, a fan event, a watch party or simply exploring, this guide is here to help you plan ahead and navigate the city.
While you’re out, please stay hydrated! Temperatures are rising fast, so drink plenty of water. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has added new free water refill stations downtown.
You can fill up at:
- 1000 2nd Ave
- 501 Olive Way
- 1398 3rd Ave
- 898 3rd Ave
- 298 James St
- 100 Pike St
- 201 Occidental Ave
For fans going to a match inside Seattle Stadium (aka Lumen Field), please keep in mind their stadium guide says only factory-sealed water bottles are allowed in.
Subscribe to safety updates via AlertSeattle by texting SEATTLE to 67283.
Stay cool, stay safe and enjoy the games.
This is part of our #WCSeattle series which also covers: how Seattle is preparing for FIFA, a bike and scooter guide, the Pioneer Square pedestrian zone and an interview with SDOT’s head of construction and mobility about the construction pause and our traffic strategy.
Jump to:
- Start Here: Seattle FIFA World Cup Resources
- From the Airport: Link light rail from SEA
- World Cup Celebrations
- Pedestrian zones
- Pioneer Square
- Pike Place Market
- Official Fan Celebrations
- Pacific Place
- Pier 62
- Seattle Center
- Victory Hall
- Watch parties
- Pedestrian zones
- Getting Around
- Link light rail
- Buses
- Monorail
- Streetcar
- Shared bikes and scooters
- Ferries and water taxis
- Driving
- Free shuttles
- Waterfront
- SEA26 Match Day
- Helpful Videos: How to use transit
- More stories like this
- Get text and email alerts
- Stay connected
Start Here: Seattle FIFA World Cup Resources
Start here for trusted links to event and travel information.
World Cup events and information
- City of Seattle: seattle.gov/FIFA
- Fan celebrations: SeattleFWC26
- Other events and watch parties: Visit Seattle
Navigating the city
- Trip planning tools: FlipYourTrip.org
- How to use transit, bikes, and more: Getting Around Seattle
- SeattleFWC26’s guide: Getting Around Seattle during World Cup
Transit agencies in Seattle
- Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT): Streetcar, bike and scooter share program (operated by Lime), more
- Sound Transit: Link light rail, ST Express buses, Sounder trains, more
- King County Metro: SEA26 Match Day Shuttle, Waterfront Shuttle, Buses (including RapidRide), Water Taxi, more
- Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT): Ferries, highways, “park and ride” lots, more
Find additional regional transit agencies on the “News + alerts” page of FlipYourTrip.org.
From the Airport: Link light rail from SEA
You can get to Downtown Seattle from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on the Link light rail.
The Link is a train that runs on its own track, so it skips traffic. It is operated by Sound Transit.
At a glance
- One-way adult fares are $3.00
- Youth 18 and under ride for FREE
- Downtown Seattle from SEA Airport is about 40 minutes
How to ride Link from the airport
- Follow the signs for Link light rail inside the airport.
- Buy a fare ticket or tap your credit card or ORCA card at the station. ORCA is a card you load with money to pay for transit.
- Board the train toward downtown Seattle.
- Get off near your hotel or a connecting bus stop.
Watch our video guides on YouTube:
Additional resources on SoundTransit.org:
World Cup Celebrations
There are several ways to celebrate the World Cup in Seattle, including Pedestrian Zones, official Fan Celebrations, and watch parties.
Pedestrian Zones
A pedestrian zone is a street or area closed to cars. These spaces make it easier for people to walk safely and enjoy the atmosphere.
Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square will become a pedestrian zone on the days of the six matches at Seattle Stadium. This neighborhood is right next to the stadium.
Please keep in mind, shared bikes and scooters entering the Pioneer Square pedestrian area will be slowed to 8 MPH. Valet parking will be offered, and riders will be directed to these parking areas.
Travel tips: Getting to Pioneer Square
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is also periodically closed to cars, where we are considering new kinds of temporary barriers to support a safe and secure experience for people and businesses in the neighborhood.
Travel tips: Getting to Pike Place Market
Fan Celebrations
Fan celebrations are official events organized by SeattleFWC26, the Local Organizing Committee for the World Cup in Seattle.
These events are free and open to the public. The four official fan celebration locations are:
- 600 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101
- Near Westlake Center and:
- Link light rail: Westlake Station
- Monorail: Inside Westlake Cener Mall
- Streetcar: South Lake Union Line – Westlake & Olive
- 1951 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
- Near Overlook Walk, connecting Pike Place Market and the waterfront.
- 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
- The Monorail moves between Seattle Center and Westlake Center.
- Near Westlake Center you will also find:
- Link light rail: Westlake Station
- Streetcar: South Lake Union Line – Westlake & Olive
- 1201 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
- Near the Link light rail’s Stadium Station and Seattle Stadium.
For more on fan celebrations, visit seattlefwc26.org.
Watch Parties
There are also watch parties happening across the city. These are informal gatherings where fans come together to watch the matches on a screen.
Visit Seattle is a great resource for finding watch parties near you.
Getting Around
Public transportation is a great way to get around and enjoy all that Seattle has to offer.
Anyone 18 and younger rides local buses, streetcars, Link light rail, and ferries for free and discounted fares are available for adults who are eligible.
You can explore all your travel options on FlipYourTrip.org, but here are a few at a glance.
Light rail
The Link light tail is one of the best ways to get around Seattle. There are two lines that move through the city: 1 and 2 Lines.
Sound Transit manages the Link light rail system, Sounder Trains, and ST Express bus service.
View Sound Transit’s trip planner here.
IMPORTANT: On match days, bicycles will not be allowed on the Link light rail or Sounder trains as ridership will exceed crowding thresholds. Sound Transit is making BikeLink rooms and lockers free on game days!
Travel tip: Sign up for the Bike & Scoot to Transit program to earn free transit tickets and bike and scooter share ride credits!
Buses
Buses are another great option. Seattle’s central bus corridor is 3rd Avenue.
King County Metro operates many buses in Seattle, including RapidRide lines.
View King County Metro’s trip planner here.
Travel tip: Try RapidRide buses (video)
Monorail
The Monorail moves back and forth between Seattle Center (near the Space Needle and MoPOP) and Westlake Center Mall downtown.
Buy tickets online, from Monorail ticket vending machines, or pay by tapping your ORCA card.
Travel tip: How to find the Monorail (video)
Streetcar
There are two streetcar lines in Seattle:
- First Hill Line connects: Capitol Hill, First Hill, Yesler Terrace, Central District, Chinatown-International District (Little Saigon, Chinatown, Japantown), and Pioneer Square.
- Travel Alert: On World Cup match days, the Occidental Mall stop will be closed, and the streetcar terminus will be located at 5th and Jackson.
- Follow @SDOTtraffic on X for real-time city street updates
- For streetcar service updates, sign up for King County Metro’s Transit Alerts and check First Hill Streetcar and South Lake Union Streetcar.
- South Lake Union Line connects: Lake Union, South Lake Union, Denny Triangle, McGraw Square where you can catch light rail to the Chinatown International District and Pioneer Square
Learn more about the streetcar on seattle.gov/Streetcar.
Travel tip: Both lines offer zero-emissions travel for just a few dollars!
Shared bikes and scooters
Shared bikes and scooters can be a practical way to get around. In Seattle you’ll find standing scooters, bicycles, and seated scooters operated by the company Lime.
- The easiest way to rent them is by using Lime’s app, available for iOS and Android.
- If you don’t have a smart phone or credit card, you can text 1-888-495-5014 and follow the prompts. Lime has more information on their website.
Travel tip: Best places to ride bikes and scooters
Please remember to:
- Always wear a helmet.
- Plan your trip to use bike lanes whenever possible. Here are some bike lane maps:
- Park out of the way at the end of your ride. If you see a designated parking spot or bike rack, please use it. In the pedestrian zone, be on the lookout for valet parking areas.
Know before you go: Shared bikes and scooters will be slowed to 8 MPH in some areas where large crowds are expected on match days, such as Pioneer Square and parts of the Chinatown-International District.
Pioneer Square will become a pedestrian zone during the six match days, and during that time riders will be directed to park in valet areas at the end of their ride.
For more general information about the bike and scooter share program visit Seattle.gov/BikeShare.
Ferries and water taxis
Seattle Ferry Terminal is not far from stadium district, Pioneer Square, and Pike Place Market, where you’ll find access to ferries and water taxis.
Boats can take you to Bainbridge and Vashon Islands, West Seattle, Kingston, Bremerton, and other Kitsap County destinations. Leave your car behind and set sail.
Driving? Here’s what you need to know
If you plan to drive:
- Expect heavier traffic and limited, likely more expensive off-street parking in the downtown area or South downtown. Street parking is likely to be limited.
- Check the pedestrian zone map to note the streets nearby with temporary access changes
- Pick-up and drop-off locations for Uber/Lyft at some existing passenger and general load/unload zones in the downtown and Chinatown International District. Check your rideshare app for details.
If you can, consider leaving your car at home or parking once and using other options to get around.
Free shuttles
Free waterfront shuttle
This summer, you can catch a free waterfront shuttle that stops at some of Seattle’s most popular destinations.
The free summer shuttle service connects to:
- Seattle Center and the Space Needle
- Olympic Sculpture Park
- Pike Place Market and Overlook Walk
- Waterfront Park and the Seattle Great Wheel
- Pioneer Square
- Seattle Stadium4
- Chinatown-International District
- Seattle Ferry Terminal and Pier 50
Service is provided by King County Metro through September 7. Check their website for schedule changes and updates.
Free SEA26 Match Day shuttle
On match days, anyone can catch a free ride on the SEA26 match day shuttle.
VIEW A SEA26 MATCH DAY SHUTTLE MAP
It will run on a loop throughout downtown Seattle, connecting passengers between the Seattle Stadium, Seattle Center and more stops along the way during SEA26 soccer matches.
Service is provided by King County Metro. Check their website for schedule changes and updates.
Helpful Videos: How to use transit
Watch our video series to get started:
- Car-Free in Seattle: Top Transportation Options Explained
- How to Pay for Transit in Seattle: Light Rail, Buses & More
- Finding the Light Rail Station at Seattle’s Airport (SeaTac/Airport Station)
- Using RapidRide Buses in Seattle
- RapidRide Routes: Downtown Seattle to Ballard, Uptown, West Seattle & More
- Need a faster way to get to transit? Sal’s tip: bike and scoot
- How to park shared bikes and scooters
- 3 tips for safer bike, scooter share riding
- Sal’s bike and scooter tip: Slow down for pedestrians!
These videos are available on FlipYourTrip.org and our YouTube channel. More videos coming soon!
More stories like this
This story is part of our #WCSeattle series. More from the series:
- Riding bikes and scooters in Seattle: FIFA World Cup Guide
- Traffic strategy: Roadside Chat with head of construction & mobility
- Pioneer Square to be walkable pedestrian zone for 6 FIFA matches
- Seattle gears up for FIFA Men’s World Cup
Also good to know:
- Check the SDOT Blog every few weeks for travel tips! (Our first in the series: Travel Tips June 4-18)
- We’re adding four new public restrooms in Pioneer Square
- Then vs Now: See what’s new on 3rd Ave, Seattle’s busiest transit corridor
- Seattle’s newest bike lane closes final gap on ‘City Center’ map! Well, kind of…
- SDOT’s ‘Flip Your Trip’ wins national award, gets revamp ahead of FIFA
Text and email alerts
Get information sent directly to your phone or email.
- Emergency alerts (AlertSeattle): Receive customized emergency alerts from the City of Seattle via text message, email, voice message, or social media.
- Sign up online.
- Or text the word SEATTLE to 67283.
- Transit alerts: Receive customized transit alerts from King County for Seattle Streetcar, buses, water taxi, and more.
- Link light rail alerts: Receive transit alerts from Sound Transit for Link light rail, ST Express bus, Sounder train, and more.
Additional information on the “News + alerts” page of FlipYourTrip.org.
Stay connected
We post updates, travel tips, and more across SDOT channels so you can stay informed. Stay connected with us on:
Web | Blog | X | X Traffic | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Flickr | Customer Service | Alert Seattle
You can also visit FlipYourTrip.org for travel tools, video guides, links to resources from our regional transit partners, and more.