When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Seattle?
Cheap flights to Seattle are easier to find in the shoulder season months: September, October, April and May. These months have the best of both worlds, the weather is better than in the early spring and winter (although there is always the potential of rain in this part of the world) and there are fewer crowds than August – the peak summer month.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Seattle?
Return flights to Seattle are best booked at least four months in advance in order to find the best deals. If you plan to travel in the peak summer season, then try to be flexible with your travel dates in order to find cheap flights to Seattle. There may occasionally be cheap last-minute flights, but this is not always the case.
Flying to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is often abbreviated to Sea-Tac Airport. It serves more than 45 million passengers a year and lies about 21 kilometres from downtown Seattle.
Direct flights to Seattle are available with three airlines from the UK. You can get direct flights to Seattle from London Heathrow with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic or from London Gatwick with Norwegian Air. In May 2018, Thomas Cook Airlines will begin offering direct flights to Seattle from Manchester. Seattle flights are available from other UK airports, such as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast if you don’t mind taking an indirect route. These flights will require a stopover in cities such as Frankfurt, Toronto or Munich. If you take an indirect Seattle flight, then you may be required to change airlines, but it may also save you money.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
SEA has three terminals. Those arriving on international flights will land at the South Terminal. All three terminals are connected by an underground shuttle train. The terminal has different coloured walls to guide you through the airport; the walls of the baggage claim and exit are green, while transfers are orange. There are currency exchange kiosks in the South Terminal. The airport also has free Wi-Fi and charging outlets. Arriving passengers are also treated to performances from regional musicians. There is also a meditation/quiet room and water-filling stations as well as food and drink shops and duty-free shopping at this airport.
Getting to the City from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
There are many transportation options for the short journey to Seattle from SEA. The Link Light Rail service connects the airport to many locations in the city and runs every 6–15 minutes from 5am to 1am on Monday to Saturday and 6am to 12am on Sunday. The station is located on the fourth floor of the airport car park. Courtesy buses and shuttles provided by hotels can be found on the third floor of the parking garage. There are many car hire companies at the airport; take the shuttle bus outside the baggage claim area in the main terminal. Taxis leave from the third floor of the car park as do limos.
Why Visit Seattle?
Home to tech giants, such as Amazon and Microsoft and global brands, such as Starbucks, Seattle is a city of creativity and enterprise. It is also the city of grunge rock – think Nirvana – and where you will find eclectic microbreweries and independent book shops. Its diversity is reflected in its neighbourhoods: elegant Queen Anne, edgy Capitol Hill and hipster Ballard. To those on the outside, this might seem like a city divided, but to those in the know, it is a city flourishing in its quirkiness.
You will never be bored in Seattle. The iconic Space Needle at the Seattle Center, the historic Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market filled to the brim with fresh seafood (mind the flying fish) and local food and craft will keep you busy. The Klondike Gold Rush Museum is good for a fun journey into one of the formative periods of the United States (US). If you need a break from the city, don’t worry; the lush Pacific Northwest scenery is just a short journey away. Mountains, rainforests and a stunning coastline that’s perfect for whale watching are some of Seattle’s natural highlights.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
British travellers need prior approval to enter the US, which can be obtained through a visa, the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) or a Permanent Resident Card. Most British passport holders with an ePassport will be able to receive an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) through the VWP. This must be applied for online at least 72 hours before departure and grants you entry to the US for 90 days. If you do not qualify for travel under the VWP, you will need to apply for a visa at your nearest US Embassy or Consulate before you travel. The currency is the US dollar.
