How to Ride the South Lake Union Trolley in Seattle

The 2.6 mile Seattle Streetcar, also called the South Lake Union Trolley, runs between South Lake Union, the Denny Triangle and the downtown retail core (specifically, between the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center on Fairview and Westlake Center). The streetcar provides a convenient way for office workers, residents, students, shoppers and tourists to travel between the burgeoning South Lake Union neighborhood and downtown Seattle.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Wait at a designated stop on the streetcar line. These are clearly marked platforms on Westlake Avenue, Terry Avenue and Fairview. The streetcar will stop at all platforms with waiting passengers.

2. Check the next streetcar's arrival time on the electronic readerboard in the station shelter. It runs at 15-minute intervals (Monday to Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday to Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Sunday and holidays, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.).

3. When it arrives, board the streetcar and choose a seat. All cars are wheelchair accessible. If you're taking a bike onboard, make sure to stay in the center section.

4. Purchase a ticket from the payment station in the middle of the train, using coins, $1 or $5 bills. Tickets are valid for two hours and can be used on the Streetcar or any King County Metro bus. Other acceptable forms of payment include Metro Pass, Puget Pass, Flexpass, GO Pass, U-Pass, Visitor Pass, Regional Reduced Fare Permit (with monthly or annual sticker) and active Metro bus transfer slips.

5. The streetcar doesn't stop automatically. Signal the operator by pushing the clearly marked vertical or horizontal yellow strip in the cars prior to your stop.

6. Exit the streetcar, taking note of the station location for your return trip.

Tips & Warnings

• Streetcars are equipped with GPS positioning devices, so you can check arrival times online.
• Children under five years old ride free.