Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

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Traveling to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

On this page, you will find the information you need to easily make your way through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and to your destination.

Guide to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Arrival and departure terminal maps and information for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Arrival Terminal

Arrival map of Seattle-Tacoma airport
Airport map information

In the International Arrivals Facility, pick up all baggage in the baggage claim area before proceeding to immigration and customs control. Complimentary luggage carts are available but must be returned before exiting the International Arrivals Facility. After clearing primary inspection, travelers staying in Seattle will exit to the Gina Marie Lindsay Hall in the Main Terminal.

On Arrival
  • Please present your passport.
  • See Special Guidance on this page for special Immigration rules for passengers entering the U.S. from abroad.
Customs

Carry-on luggage may be inspected.

Departure Terminal

Departure map of Seattle-Tacoma airport
Airport Map Information

Get details on the airport lounge.

In the Main Terminal, there are bus stops, taxi stands, currency exchange booths, an information counter, and a passageway from the train station. Passengers coming by Light Rail should proceed on foot from the SeaTac Station across the Sky Bridge to level P of the terminal. Following this, go up to the ticketing level and proceed to the check-in counters. On the ticketing level, there are ANA check-in and ticketing counters, security, and a priority security lane. After passing through these, go down to the underground level and take the "SEA Underground" shuttle train. Make sure to board the Blue Line (South Train Loop) shuttle train for B/S Gates. In the South Satellite, there is the Club at SEA lounge.

Check-In
Fast Track Security Screening

Some travelers are eligible for Fast Track Security Screening. Travelers should look for the Premium Lane.

Eligible Travelers

  • Business class
  • Diamond service members
  • Platinum service members
  • Super Flyers members
  • Star Alliance Gold members

Transit

Transiting from ANA to Other Airlines
Transit map of Seattle-Tacoma airport
Airport map information

Regardless of final destination, all passengers must claim all baggage before proceeding to immigration control. After primary inspection, there is a baggage drop off counter and a security checkpoint for passengers with connecting flights. After exiting the International Arrivals Facilitiy, connecting passengers will find themselves in Concourse A, from which they will proceed to their next boarding gate. The A, B, C and D Concourse are all connected and any of the four can be reached by walking or by the SEA Underground shuttle train. The N and S Concourses, on the other had, can only be accessed by the SEA Underground shuttle train, as they are not connected to the other gates.

Checking Baggage
  • All customers are required to pass through the Immigration control and custom inspection checkpoints—no matter the final destination.
  • Your checked-in baggage must be picked up after completing Immigration control even when the final destination is printed on the tag of your baggage.
  • Check-in locations vary.

For Connecting passengers with checked baggage, please proceed to the baggage drop off counter in the International Arrivals Facility.
Then, please proceed to the boarding gate after clearing the security checkpoint.

  • Passengers who have not checked in for their connecting flight may check-in at the boarding gate.
Passengers whose baggage have not been checked through to the final destination (connecting onto Delta Airlines (DL) or Alaska Airlines (AS))

Please check-in your baggage at the baggage drop off counters in the International Arrivals Facility.
Then, please proceed to the boarding gate after clearing the security checkpoint.

When connecting to flights that depart from S gate

Take SEA Underground South Train Loop (Blue Line) and get off at S Gates. Then proceed up the the escalaters to the departure gates.

When connecting to flights that depart from A gate

The exit of the International Arrivals Facility will lead directly into Concourse A. Please proceed directly to the boarding gate.

When connecting to flights that depart from B gate

Walk to Concourse B. Another option is to take the SEA Underground South Train Loop (Blue Line), get off at B Gates and then proceed up the escalators to the departure gates.

When connecting to flights that depart from C gate

Walk to Concourse C. Another option is to take the SEA Underground Yellow Line to D Gates, transfer to North Train Loop (Green Line), get off at C gates and the proceed up the escalators to the departure gates.

When connecting to flights that depart from D gate

Walk to Concourse D. Another option is to take the SEA Underground Yellow Line to D Gates and the proceed up the escalators to the departure gates.

When connecting to flights that depart from N gate

Take SEA Underground Yellow Line to D Gates, transfer to North Train Loop (Green Line), get off at N Gates and then proceed up the escalators to the departure gates.

For passengers whose baggage have not been checked through to the final destination (connecting airline other than DL or AS)

After clearing primary inspection, exit the International Arrivals Facility and proceed to the Gina Marie Lindsay Hall in the Main Terminal.
Go to the check-in counters of the connecting airline to check-in baggage.

Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) to Downtown Seattle

  • * "→" indicates the route.

Airport Shuttle Van (As of November 2020, service is suspended)

Downtown Airporter (shared ride)

SEA → Renaissance → Crowne Plaza → Fairmont Olympic → Hilton → Sheraton Grande → Grand Hyatt → Westin → Warwick

  • Platform: Cross the Skybridge No.4 to the third floor of the parking garage at Island 2. Has signage
  • Time required: Approx. 40 to 60 minutes (it goes from hotel to hotel in order for specified hotels)
  • Fare: One way from $30.16 (payment is by credit card only)
  • Operating hours: 24 hours (Reservations must be made at least 2 hours in advance)

Light Rail

Sound Transit Link Light Rail

SEA → stations of Light Rail

  • Platform: After Crossing the Skybridge No.6, the airport station is at the end of the dedicated road on the 4th floor of the parking lot building.
  • Time required: Approx. 30 to 45 minutes (depending on destination)
  • Fare: One way $3 to 3.25
  • Operating hours: Mon.to Fri. 5:06 to 0:49 following day (7 to 30 minutes intervals), Sat. 5:04 to 0:49 following day (15 to 30 minutes intervals), Sun. 6:04 to 23:49 (15 to 30 minutes intervals)

Taxi

  • Platform: Cross the Skybridge to the third floor of the parking garage
  • Time required: Approx. 25 to 40 minutes (depending on the destination or on traffic conditions)
  • Fare: $50 to 75 (tips are separate and are about 15 to 20% of the fare)
  • Operating hours: 24 hours

Instructions for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Before Traveling to the USA

Passengers traveling to the United States from abroad must provide passport information and the documents listed here that are required for entering the United States.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA):

Passengers are required to obtain pre-travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization -ESTA- (Need fee) to enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (see below).

  • ESTA must be completed before commencing boarding procedures for a USA-bound flight. Customers cannot board without travel authorization.
  • U.S. authorities strongly advise travelers who wish to travel to the USA to apply at least 72 hours before their travel date.
  • An ESTA application is required even when traveling to a third country via the USA.

Secure Flight Program:

The Secure Flight Program requires passengers to provide their passport name, date of birth and gender at least 72 hours prior to departure or at the time of booking if the reservation is made inside the 72-hour window.

Visa Waiver Program

The U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Travelers must have a valid ESTA approval prior to travel and must meet all requirements for the program.

  • If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.

VWP Participating Countries

  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brunei
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan*
  • United Kingdom*

Recent VWP Changes

Recent changes to the Visa Waiver Program prohibit the following customers from travelling under VWP; such passengers must apply for a non-immigrant visa.

  • Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen on and after March 1, 2011.
  • Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

A waiver may be obtained on a case-by-case basis for those who have traveled to the areas mentioned above for official duties of an international organization, regional organizations or sub-national government; journalists for reporting purposes; and legitimate business-related purposes in Iran and Iraq. Please contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for waiver information.

Required Passenger Information

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration requires that all passengers provide the following information at least 72 hours before departure to the United States.

  • Full Name (the first and last name registered on your passport)
  • Date of Birth (according to the Western calendar)
  • Gender
  • Redress Number if you have one.
    • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants Redress Numbers as a means of protecting passengers who may be incorrectly identified as being on a watch list due to various reasons, such as sharing a first and last name with a suspected terrorist.
    • Passengers will have to apply to the TRIP (Traveler Redress Inquiry Program) to obtain a Redress Number.
  • Known Traveler Number if you have one.
    • A Known Traveler Number is a PASS ID provided to members of trusted traveler programs, such the Global Entry Program. Those in possession of this ID are eligible for TSA PreCheck®, the TSA's expedited screening program.
    • Passengers who are eligible for this program are able to experience quicker process of U.S. airport security screening by passing through a dedicated lane and are not required to remove shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops and liquids. Children 12 and under accompanied by an eligible passenger may go through the dedicated lane as well. Learn more about TSA PreCheck®.

Enhanced Security of Electronic Devices

The U.S. has recently enhanced its security measures to include security checks of some electronic devices on flights bound to the US. Some electronic devices must undergo security check at the boarding gate based on TSA regulations.