Last updated: October 19, 2026 · By Ronen, Stay Near The Venue
Most Alaska cruise passengers fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), then still have to cross the city to reach the ship. Seattle has two cruise terminals: Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 on the downtown waterfront, and Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 in Interbay. The best way to get there depends on which one your ship uses. This guide covers every practical option, from cruise line transfers to the light rail. If you want to arrive a night early, see our main guide to hotels near the Seattle cruise port.
Quick answer: SEA is about 15 miles from both cruise terminals, and the drive takes roughly 30-40 minutes. A taxi or rideshare is the easiest door-to-door option. The cheapest is Link light rail ($3 adult fare) to Westlake Station: from there you can walk about 10 minutes to Pier 66, or take a short taxi or rideshare to Pier 91.
Top hotel picks at a glance
| Hotel | Location & highlights | |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center | about 1.5 miles from SEA, with a free 24-hour airport shuttle. The SeaTac/Airport light… | Check price |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport | about 2.2 miles from SEA, with a free 24-hour airport shuttle, an outdoor pool… | Check price |
| Seattle Airport Marriott | about 1.9 miles from SEA, with a free 24-hour airport shuttle. A dependable choice… | Check price |
| The Edgewater Hotel | on Pier 67, about a 3-minute walk to Pier 66. The best waterfront splurge… | Check price |
| Seattle Marriott Waterfront | about a 4-minute walk to Pier 66 and to Pike Place Market, with indoor… | Check price |
| Mayflower Park Hotel | a historic hotel connected to Westlake Center, an escalator ride from the light rail.… | Check price |
| Mediterranean Inn | in Lower Queen Anne, about 1.3 miles from Pier 91. A good-value base for… | Check price |
Prices change daily – tap “Check price” for live rates on your dates.
Disclosure: this page contains affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
See hotels near the Seattle cruise port. Use the map below to compare hotels near the airport, downtown and the waterfront.
Hotel map: live prices near Seattle Cruise Port (Pier 66)
Which terminal is your ship using?
Check this before you book a transfer, because the two piers are in different parts of the city. The Port of Seattle lists the following terminals and cruise lines:
- Bell Street Cruise Terminal, Pier 66 (2225 Alaskan Way): Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises. It sits right on the downtown waterfront, close to Pike Place Market. Port of Seattle: Pier 66
- Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, Pier 91 (2001 W Garfield St): Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean. It is in Interbay, northwest of downtown, and public transit does not reach it directly. Port of Seattle: Pier 91
Best areas to stay before your cruise
| Area | Distance / walk time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown waterfront | About 3-4 min walk to Pier 66 | Norwegian and Oceania sailings, walking to the ship |
| Downtown near Westlake | About 40 min by light rail from SEA | Arriving by train, sightseeing, dining |
| Lower Queen Anne | About 1.3 miles to Pier 91 | A short ride to Pier 91 sailings |
| SeaTac (airport area) | About 2 miles from SEA, about 15 miles to the piers | Late arrivals and free airport shuttles |
Pre-cruise hotels near Sea-Tac Airport
- Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center – about 1.5 miles from SEA, with a free 24-hour airport shuttle. The SeaTac/Airport light rail station is about a 2-minute walk away, which makes it a good fit if you plan to take the train downtown the next morning.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport – about 2.2 miles from SEA, with a free 24-hour airport shuttle, an outdoor pool and balconies in every room. A comfortable choice for families who land late.
- Seattle Airport Marriott – about 1.9 miles from SEA, with a free 24-hour airport shuttle. A dependable choice for Marriott members who want a quiet night before a morning transfer.
Pre-cruise hotels downtown and near the piers
- The Edgewater Hotel – on Pier 67, about a 3-minute walk to Pier 66. The best waterfront splurge for Norwegian and Oceania passengers who want to roll their bags to the ship.
- Seattle Marriott Waterfront – about a 4-minute walk to Pier 66 and to Pike Place Market, with indoor and outdoor pools. A strong pick for families.
- Mayflower Park Hotel – a historic hotel connected to Westlake Center, an escalator ride from the light rail. Ideal if you arrive by train and want to skip a taxi.
- Mediterranean Inn – in Lower Queen Anne, about 1.3 miles from Pier 91. A good-value base for Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and other Pier 91 sailings.
Getting there, shuttles & parking
Cruise line transfers
Most lines sell motor coach transfers between SEA and the pier. They are simple and include luggage handling, but they usually run only during a set window on embarkation day. Cruzely puts them at around $40 per person each way, so two people pay about $80 one way. Book through your cruise line’s planner.
Link light rail + walk or taxi
The 1 Line runs from SEA Airport Station to Westlake Station downtown in about 40 minutes (Visit Seattle). According to Sound Transit, the fare is a flat $3.00 for adults, $1.00 for seniors 65+, and free for riders 18 and under. From Westlake, Pier 66 is about a 10-minute walk (Cruzely). For Pier 91, take a short taxi or rideshare from downtown. The Port notes that transit does not go directly to that terminal.
Taxi and rideshare
At SEA, taxis and rideshare pickups are on the third floor of the parking garage (Port of Seattle). Visit Seattle says taxis and rideshares between the airport and downtown typically run $50-70. Cruzely estimates $55-70 for a metered taxi to the port, and $75-100 for Uber or Lyft. Fares are per car, so a taxi or rideshare often beats per-person transfers for groups of three or four.
Shared shuttles
Visit Seattle lists Premier Airport Shuttle for shared and private rides to downtown hotels, starting at $30.03 per person, plus scheduled cruise transfers. We could not confirm that the old Downtown Airporter bus is still running, so don’t count on it.
Parking
If you’re driving, the Port lists the Bell Street garage across from Pier 66 at $33 per day, and Pier 91 parking from $27 per day with a free shuttle to the terminal. Rates can change. See our Seattle cruise parking guide for details.
Tips for a smooth airport-to-ship day
- Fly in the day before. Alaska sailings leave on fixed schedules, and a delayed flight on embarkation day leaves you little room to recover.
- Confirm your terminal on your cruise documents. Pier 66 and Pier 91 are not walkable from each other with luggage.
- Light rail works best for light packers heading to Pier 66. With large suitcases, a taxi from Westlake is easier.
- Groups of three or more usually save with a single taxi rather than per-person transfers.
- Light rail runs from about 5 a.m. (6 a.m. Sundays) until around 1 a.m. (midnight Sundays), so very late arrivals need a taxi.
FAQ
How far is Seattle airport from the cruise port?
SEA is about 15 miles south of the cruise piers, and the Port of Seattle estimates a 30-40 minute drive to either Pier 66 or Pier 91, depending on traffic.
Can I take the light rail to the cruise terminal?
Partly. Link takes you from SEA to Westlake Station for $3. From there, Pier 66 is about a 10-minute walk. Pier 91 needs a taxi, rideshare or bus connection.
How much is an Uber from Sea-Tac to Pier 91?
Cruzely estimates $75-100 per car for Uber or Lyft from the airport to the cruise terminals. Metered taxis run about $55-70. Prices change with demand, so check the app before you book.
Are cruise line transfers worth it?
For solo travelers and couples who want luggage handled, yes. At around $40 per person each way, families of three or more usually pay less with a taxi.
Which cruise lines use Pier 66?
The Port of Seattle lists Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises at Pier 66. Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean use Pier 91.
More venue guides
- Hotels near the Seattle cruise port
- Seattle cruise parking
- Hotels near the Vancouver cruise port
- Miami airport to PortMiami
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We start at the venue and work outward: walking time, shuttle and transit options first, then guest review scores and value for money. Hotels can’t pay to be listed. Some links are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability change daily, so always check live rates before you book.
