Seattle Airport to Kerry Park: Every Transport Option 2026

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The trip from Seattle Airport to Kerry Park is a roughly 18-mile journey from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in SeaTac to the famous viewpoint at 211 W Highland Dr, Seattle, WA 98119 on Queen Anne Hill. You have four main options: rideshare (Uber or Lyft), taxi, Link Light Rail plus a bus transfer, or a rental car. Rideshare is the fastest door-to-door choice, typically 30–45 minutes depending on I-5 traffic. Public transit takes around 60–75 minutes total but costs a fraction of the price.

• Fastest option: Uber or Lyft — direct to Kerry Park in 30–45 minutes, typically $40–$60
• Cheapest option: Link Light Rail + bus transfer — around $3.00–$3.25 total fare from SEA
• Driving from SEA: Around 30–50 minutes via I-5 North, depending on traffic
• Kerry Park address: 211 W Highland Dr, Seattle, WA 98119 (Queen Anne Hill neighborhood)
• Street parking near Kerry Park: Free on W Highland Dr and 2nd Ave W, but limited — arrive early
• Best time to visit: Sunset or blue hour for the iconic Seattle skyline view with Mount Rainier

If you're flying into SEA and leaving your car at the airport while exploring the city, compare SEA airport parking rates from $12.95/day on Triply before you head out — off-site lots with free shuttles can save you significant money over the on-airport garage.

What Is Kerry Park and Why Do Visitors Go There?

Kerry Park is a small public park perched on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington. It offers one of the most photographed views in the entire Pacific Northwest — a sweeping panorama of the downtown Seattle skyline, the Space Needle, Elliott Bay, and, on clear days, Mount Rainier rising dramatically to the south.

The park sits at 211 W Highland Dr, Seattle, WA 98119. It includes the adjacent Betty Bowen Viewpoint, which extends the sightline even further west. The park is small — just a sliver of green space — but the view is enormous. That's exactly why visitors make the trip from the airport shortly after landing.

Kerry Park is free to enter and open around the clock. The best light for photography falls during golden hour (sunset) and the blue hour just after dusk, when city lights reflect off the water. If you're planning a sunrise visit, arrive early — parking on W Highland Dr fills fast. The park is busiest on clear summer evenings and during major events downtown.

How Do You Get from Seattle Airport (SEA) to Kerry Park?

You have four practical ways to get from SEA to Kerry Park. Each one suits a different traveler — the right choice depends on your budget, luggage, and how much time you have.

Option 1: Rideshare (Uber or Lyft)

Rideshare is the easiest option. Open the Uber or Lyft app, enter "Kerry Park, 211 W Highland Dr, Seattle" as your destination, and request a ride from the designated pickup zone on the 3rd floor of the SEA parking garage (Ground Transportation area). The drive is roughly 30–45 minutes without heavy traffic. Budget $40–$60 for a standard UberX or Lyft ride, though surge pricing can push fares higher during peak hours or bad weather. Always check the fare estimate before confirming your booking.

Option 2: Taxi

Licensed taxis are available at the SEA taxi stand on the 3rd floor of the ground transportation area. Taxis from SEA to Kerry Park typically run $50–$70, depending on traffic and metered time. Unlike rideshare, you don't need an app, and prices are fixed by meter — no surge pricing. Taxis are a solid backup if rideshare wait times are long.

Option 3: Link Light Rail + Bus

This is the cheapest way to get from SEA to Kerry Park. The full step-by-step directions are covered in the next section, but the short version: take the Link Light Rail 1 Line from SEA to Westlake Station in downtown Seattle, then transfer to a bus to Queen Anne. Total fare is around $3.00–$3.25. Total travel time is roughly 60–75 minutes, not counting wait time between connections.

Option 4: Rental Car

Rental cars depart from the SEA garage's 1st floor via a free 24/7 shuttle. From the airport, take I-5 North toward downtown Seattle, then exit toward Queen Anne via Mercer Street or Denny Way. Kerry Park is at the top of the Queen Anne Hill slope. Drive time is 30–50 minutes depending on I-5 traffic — always check real-time traffic on Waze before you leave, especially during peak commute hours (7–9 AM and 4–7 PM).

Can You Take Public Transit from SEA Airport to Kerry Park?

Yes — and it's the most affordable option by far. Here's the step-by-step route using Link Light Rail and a King County Metro bus transfer.

1. Board Link Light Rail at SEA Airport Station. The station is located inside the airport, accessible from the main terminal via a short walkway. Trains run every 8–15 minutes.
2. Ride the 1 Line to Westlake Station in downtown Seattle. This leg takes approximately 38 minutes and costs $3.00 per Sound Transit current fares. Pay with an ORCA card, the Transit GO Ticket app, or cash at the platform vending machine.
3. Transfer to a King County Metro bus. From Westlake Station, board a bus heading north toward the Seattle Center or Queen Anne neighborhood. Routes vary — check the King County Metro trip planner for current options. Bus fare is typically included in your ORCA transfer within 2 hours.
4. Walk the final stretch to Kerry Park. From the Queen Anne Ave N and W McGraw St area, it's roughly a 10–15 minute uphill walk to Kerry Park on W Highland Dr. The walk is steep in spots — wear comfortable shoes, especially if you're carrying luggage.

Luggage tip: Public transit from SEA to Kerry Park is manageable with a carry-on bag, but awkward with large checked luggage. If you're rolling two big suitcases, rideshare is worth the extra cost. Consider storing bags at your hotel before visiting Kerry Park.

If you're planning to use Park & Ride options to save on SEA parking while using transit, our guide to Northgate Station Seattle airport parking walks through exactly how that works with Light Rail.

How Long Does It Take to Get from SEA Airport to Kerry Park?

Travel time depends heavily on which transport mode you choose and what time of day you're traveling. Here's a realistic breakdown.

Peak hour warning: I-5 between SeaTac and downtown Seattle is one of the busiest stretches of freeway in the Pacific Northwest. During morning rush hour (7–9 AM) or evening rush (4–7 PM), rideshare and taxi times can stretch to 60+ minutes and fares can increase with surge pricing. If you're flying in during these windows, the Light Rail becomes much more competitive on time.

How Much Does an Uber or Lyft from Seattle Airport to Kerry Park Cost?

A standard UberX or Lyft ride from SEA to Kerry Park typically runs $40–$60 based on current base rates and the roughly 18-mile route. Rideshare fares from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport include a flat airport access fee added to the metered fare. Prices rise during surge — particularly during morning and evening rush hours, after large events at T-Mobile Park or Climate Pledge Arena, and during bad weather.

Rideshare pickup at SEA is located at the 3rd floor of the main parking garage, in the Courtesy Vehicle / Ground Transportation area. Walk through the terminal to the skybridge, follow signs for rideshare. You'll select your driver in the app and walk to your assigned zone. For full details on the pickup process, see our guide to the Seattle Airport Uber pickup location.

Is It Worth Driving from Seattle Airport to Kerry Park — and Where Do You Park?

Driving is a great option if you're renting a car at SEA and planning to explore multiple Seattle neighborhoods in one trip. Kerry Park pairs naturally with nearby stops like the Seattle Center, Pike Place Market, and the waterfront — all reachable by car without backtracking to the airport.

Driving Directions from SEA to Kerry Park

1. Exit SEA Airport via the Airport Expressway and merge onto State Route 518 West.
2. Merge onto I-5 North toward downtown Seattle.
3. Take the Mercer Street exit (Exit 167) toward Seattle Center.
4. Head west on Mercer Street, then turn right (north) on Queen Anne Ave N.
5. Continue north on Queen Anne Ave N, then turn left on W Highland Drive.
6. Kerry Park is on your right at 211 W Highland Dr. The small parking pullout is directly in front of the park.

Parking Near Kerry Park

Kerry Park has a small informal parking pullout directly on W Highland Dr. It holds just a handful of cars and fills quickly during busy evenings. Street parking is available on W Highland Dr and nearby 2nd Ave W — it's free with no posted time limits in most spots, but availability is tight on clear summer evenings. Arrive before sunset if you want a spot. There are no paid parking lots within walking distance of the park.

If you're leaving your car at SEA while visiting Kerry Park as part of a day trip, off-site lots like Jiffy Airport Parking at $12.95/day or MasterPark Lot A at $13.99/day offer significant savings over the on-airport garage rate of $32/day. Both include free 24/7 shuttles back to the terminal. For a full breakdown of your options, see our Seattle airport parking rates per day guide.

Which Transport Option from SEA Airport to Kerry Park Is Best for You?

The right choice depends on three things: your budget, how much luggage you're carrying, and what time of day you arrive.

• Traveling light and on a budget? Take Link Light Rail to Westlake, then transfer to a Queen Anne bus. Total cost is around $3.00–$3.25. Allow 60–75 minutes door-to-door.
• Want the fastest, easiest option? Book Uber or Lyft directly from the SEA Ground Transportation area. Budget $40–$60 and 30–45 minutes.
• Arriving during rush hour? Light Rail avoids I-5 traffic entirely. On a congested day, it can actually be faster than rideshare to downtown.
• Exploring Seattle for multiple days? A rental car from SEA gives you flexibility. Park near Kerry Park for free on the street — just arrive early for sunset visits.
• Large group or lots of luggage? A taxi is reliable, no-app-required, and priced by meter with no surge.

Kerry Park is one of the most rewarding first stops after landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — especially on a clear day when Mount Rainier is visible. Plan your transport around the time of day you want to arrive, and you'll have a smooth trip from the runway to that iconic view.

If you're parking at SEA before heading into the city, lock in your spot before you go. Compare SEA airport parking rates from $12.95/day on Triply — off-site lots with free shuttles can save you up to 60% versus the on-airport garage. Book in advance and skip the stress on both ends of your trip.