- Direct flights from Heathrow take around 9.5 hours and you need an ESTA
- Summers are dry and sunny; the rest of the year is mild and drizzly
- Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown
- Popular gateway for Alaska cruises and Pacific Northwest road trips
- Airports
- Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), about 40 minutes to downtown by Link light rail
- Best time to go
- June-September
- Type
- City
Seattle sits between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with the snowy cone of Mount Rainier floating on the horizon on clear days. It is a city of coffee shops, seafood, ferries and tech money, and a gateway to some of the most dramatic scenery in North America.
Many UK visitors pass through on the way to an Alaska cruise or a Pacific Northwest road trip, but it deserves a few days in its own right. For the wider picture, see our Washington State guide and our USA guide.
Things to do in Seattle
- Pike Place Market – fish-throwing stalls, flowers, food counters and the original Starbucks.
- Space Needle – the 1962 World's Fair tower with a rotating glass floor.
- Chihuly Garden and Glass – Dale Chihuly's spectacular glass art beside the Needle.
- Museum of Pop Culture – music, film and sci-fi in a Frank Gehry building.
- Ferry to Bainbridge Island – a cheap, scenic crossing with skyline views.
- Kerry Park – the classic postcard view of downtown and Rainier.
- Neighbourhoods – Capitol Hill for nightlife, Fremont for quirky sights, Ballard for breweries.
- Day trips – Mount Rainier National Park, the Olympic Peninsula or the San Juan Islands for whale watching.
Where to stay
- Downtown – central for Pike Place, the waterfront and transport.
- Belltown – trendy restaurants and bars, walking distance of the Needle.
- South Lake Union – modern hotels near the tech campuses.
- Capitol Hill – nightlife and independent cafés.
- Queen Anne – quieter, residential and close to Seattle Center.
Getting there
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Delta fly direct from Heathrow to Seattle-Tacoma in around 9.5 hours. You need an approved ESTA. Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown in about 40 minutes. The city centre is walkable, with buses and light rail for longer hops. Hire a car for Mount Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula. Vancouver in Canada is about three hours north by car or train, but you will need a Canadian eTA to visit.
Best time to visit
July to September is the driest, sunniest time and the best for hiking and mountain views. Spring and autumn are mild but showery. Winter is grey and drizzly rather than freezing, and good for cosy cafés and museums. Alaska cruise season runs roughly May to September, when hotels fill up.
Visit Pike Place Market early in the morning on a weekday to see the stalls setting up before the tour groups arrive.
Top attractions in Seattle
NatureCentral Park
Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…
LandmarkStatue of Liberty
The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.
Seattle on the map
Frequently asked questions
Does it really rain all the time in Seattle?
It is often grey and drizzly from October to May, but total rainfall is lower than many expect, and summers are usually dry and sunny.
How many days do you need in Seattle?
Three days covers the city; add a day or two for Mount Rainier or the islands.
Can I combine Seattle with Vancouver?
Yes. The drive or Amtrak Cascades train takes around three to four hours. Check you have a Canadian eTA before crossing.
Is Seattle a good start for an Alaska cruise?
Very. Many cruises depart from Seattle, and it is worth arriving a day or two early in case of flight delays.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasWe research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.
