<p>My family is taking an Alaskan Cruise from Seattle later this month. Can someone suggest some of the low cost alternatives to go from SeaTac to Pier 66. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>Try checking on Shuttle Express. I know that the public transportation options aren’t very good.</p>
<p>ETA: I found the link I was thinking of: <a href=“http://www.visitseattle.org/Tourism-Development/Cruise-from-Seattle/Cruise-Terminal-Transfers.aspx[/url]”>http://www.visitseattle.org/Tourism-Development/Cruise-from-Seattle/Cruise-Terminal-Transfers.aspx</a></p>
<p>We took a cab last year. I don’t remember the exact cost, but if it had been really outrageous I would definitely have remembered. We’re going again in August and plan to cab it once again.</p>
<p>Do you go by a flat rate or by meter with the cab?</p>
<p>Another question: has any one ever try public transportation? We will be arriving SeaTac early (around 9:30 AM) so we have time. Thanks for the good information so far.</p>
<p>Take the rail from Seatac to Westlake Center, then take a cab to the final destination. The rail is nice and comfy, and costs less than $3.00. If you need bus info, I can help - I live in the area and I’m the public transportation pro. 
</p>
<p>If you can all fit in a cab, it shouldn’t be more than $50 (if that) to the cruise piers. Probably worth it with your luggage to avoid the hassle, no per person charge, no reservations required. I believe they usually charge by the meter. I think Shuttle Express will probably charge you per person.</p>
<p>If you have several people and bags a regular cab is the way. $50 incl tip. You get then right in the parking deck and off you go. Shared vans charge by the head and won’t save much.</p>
<p>I agree with busdriver and barrons: for a party larger than 2 people, it makes sense to take a cab from the airport. My boss prefers Yellow Cab. I think it will cost you $50-60 one way for the entire party.</p>
<p>It will be about $50, tip included, if you can all fit in one cab. This would be easy - the taxi stand is right near the luggage carousels.</p>
<p>If you are not too burdened with luggage and can haul it on and off buses, then you can get there for about $5 per person (bring dollar bills and quarters) with transfers. Metro transit online has a trip planner function on the web page. </p>
<p>The light rail goes to Westlake Center which is still about a mile from Pier 66.</p>
<p>I have no answer but the very best place for all your cruise questions is Cruisecritic dot com, the second best CC site. If you go to the message boards, North American Homeports, West Coast Ports, you can search the boards for “Seatac” or “airport” and get tons of advice.</p>
<p>Hi BunsenBurner: is there a bus that run near Pier 66 that you can transfer from the light rail somewhere? Thank you for helping as a public transportation pro.</p>
<p>As another Seattle transit rider, and I’d go with the light rail to the International Station, then the waterfront bus (99) to Pier 66. That seems like the least hassle since you’ll have luggage.</p>
<p>I used to do this when the bus was a trolley and I worked across the street from Pier 66. I imagine the bus isn’t as much fun.</p>
<p>ETA: Shuttle Express is $12/head. For me, it would depend on how much I wanted to hassle with my luggage on the public transit.</p>
<p>The three of us will only have carry on luggage so the light rail to water front bus might work. Thanks for the info. Shuttle Express is not bad at $12/head, but I am not sure it will take people from SeaTac to Pier 66.</p>
<p>Sorry! I’ve been saying Shuttle Express and I meant Seattle Express – duh!! Here’s the link: [url=<a href=“http://www.seattleexpress.com/Schedule2010.htm#CRUISE]Seattle”>http://www.seattleexpress.com/Schedule2010.htm#CRUISE]Seattle</a> Express - Schedules<a href=“And%20that%20says%20that%20they%20don’t%20do%20the%20airport%20anymore,%20so%20I’m%20way%20behind.”>/url</a></p>
<p>Anyway, since you’ll just have carry ons the rail-to-bus should work fine. The bus goes through downtown then doubles back along the waterfront, so you’ll get a quick tour :-)</p>
<p>Off topic but how are you cruising to Alaska with just small carry-on bags?</p>
<p>Since you want to experience the Metro bus system, here is the Metro’s trip planner:</p>
<p>[Trip</a> Planning](<a href=“http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/cgi-bin/itin_page.pl?resptype=U]Trip”>http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/cgi-bin/itin_page.pl?resptype=U)</p>
<p>Enter Westlake center as your starting point and Pier 66 as your final destination, then select time and date when you want to travel. I’d take the rail all the way to Westlake and walk a block towards the bus stop on 1st rather then get on the bus earlier, because I like our Link Light Rail.</p>
<p>[Link</a> light rail - SoundTransit](<a href=“http://www.soundtransit.org/Rider-Guide/Link-light-rail.xml]Link”>http://www.soundtransit.org/Rider-Guide/Link-light-rail.xml)</p>
<p>The light rail from the airport is a pleasure! Figure out what light rail stop is closest, then cab from there, and you’ll save about $40.</p>
<p>And lose an hour of personal fun time. You have to schlep quite a ways to catch the train. Meanwhile you could be on the ship drinking and meeting other passengers. Going on a $1000/head cruise and worried about saving $40?? makes sense to me.</p>
<p>Barrons–perhaps your experience on the light rail has been different than mine. IME, it’s the fastest way to get into Seattle from the airport. I wonder if the difference is rush hour/non-rush hour?</p>