RNA 2010 Local Transportation

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) is located approximately 20 miles south of the University of Washington.  To get from SeaTac to the UW campus and nearby hotels you can take a taxi, a shuttle van, public transportation, or drive.

If you arrive between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the public transportation options are limited or unavailable and we strongly recommend that you use Shuttle Express or a taxi during these hours.

Taxi

Approximate cost $50.

All taxi companies in Seattle charge the same rate based on a drop charge plus mileage.  To catch a cab from the airport, go to the Ground Transportation Center located on the third floor of the airport parking garage (SeaTac map).

Shuttle Express

Approximate cost $21 per passenger.

This shared door-to-door van service is more affordable than a taxi, but may take longer, because you share a van with up to 3 or 4 other passengers who may be going to different destinations in the same part of town.  You can save some time by getting together at SeaTac with other RNA 2010 attendees who are waiting for the next Shuttle Express departure.  You do not need a reservation for shuttles from the airport, but you must make a reservation for returning to the airport.  You can arrange for transportation on Shuttle Express by going to the Ground Transportation Center located on the third floor of the airport parking garage (SeaTac map).  Additional information can be found on the Shuttle Express website.  To make a reservation on the website, specify your drop-off/pick-up location by choosing your hotel from the Hotel list, or if you are staying in the UW dorms select “UW-McMahon Hall” from the School/University list.

Public Transportation (Light Rail + Bus)

Approximate cost $5.

Follow the signs through the 4^th floor of the airport parking garage to the Sound Transit Link Light Rail station.  Purchase a ticket ($2.50) from machines in the station and get off in downtown Seattle at Westlake Station (the end of the line).  At Westlake Station, board buses bound for the University District, described below depending on your destination.   If you are riding the bus during daytime hours you pay when you get off.  If you board after 7:00 p.m. you pay when you get on.  The bus fare varies from $2.00 to $2.25 depending on time of day and is subject to change before June.

To UW Dorms/McMahon Hall: Remain in the tunnel at Westlake Station and walk to Bay A to board bus #71, #72, or #73 bound for the University District.  Get off on NE Campus Parkway at Bay 1, then walk east to Bay 2 and transfer to a #68 bus.  Get off at Stevens Way in front of the HUB, walk a couple of blocks north on Stevens Way, and check in at McMahon Hall.

To the Silver Cloud Inn: Remain in the tunnel at Westlake Station and walk to Bay A to board bus #71, #72, or #73 bound for the University District.  Get off on NE Campus Parkway at Bay 1, then walk east to Bay 2 and transfer to a #68 bus.  The #68 will travel through the UW campus, then proceed downhill to University Village and north on 25^th Ave NE.  Get off at the Silver Cloud Inn near NE 50^th Street, approximately 5 blocks north of University Village shopping center.

To the Hotel DECA: Remain in the tunnel at Westlake station and walk to Bay A to board bus #71, #72, or #73 bound for the University District.  Continue past NE Campus Parkway, and get off at NE 45^th Street and University Way.  Walk one block west along NE 45^th Street to the Hotel DECA on the corner of NE 45^th Street and Brooklyn Avenue NE.

To the Watertown Hotel or University Inn: Exit the transit tunnel at Westlake Station to Pine Street and walk to 3^rd Avenue between Pike and Pine Streets to board bus #66 bound for Northgate.  Get off on 11^th Avenue NE at NE 42^nd Street, and walk one block west to Roosevelt Way NE.  University Inn is on the corner of NE 42^nd Street and Roosevelt Way NE; Watertown Hotel is one block north on Roosevelt Way NE.

We encourage you to visit the Seattle Metro website for additional information and up-to-date route schedules based on your actual date and time of travel.

Driving Directions

From Interstate 5.  If you rent a car at SeaTac airport, follow the signs to Interstate 5 (I-5) northbound toward Seattle and Vancouver, BC.  Stay on I-5 through downtown Seattle and continue north to exit #169 (NE 45^th Street).  Turn right to go eastbound on NE 45^th Street.

To the Conference Facilities (Meany and Kane Halls): Go east on NE 45^th Street for 8 blocks until 15^th Avenue NE.  Turn right onto 15^th and go south three blocks to NE 41^st Street.  Turn left on NE 41^st into the UW Central Parking Garage.  Pay the daily parking fee as you enter; signs painted on the garage walls will guide you to park and exit near Meany or Kane Halls.

To the UW dorms/McMahon Hall: Go east on NE 45^th Street for 10 blocks to 17^th Avenue NE and turn right onto campus.  If the toll booth at the main gate is open, buy a parking permit for the day.  Otherwise, proceed to Stevens Way, turn left, and follow Stevens Way until you reach Whitman Court on the left.  Turn a sharp left onto Whitman Court, and you will see McMahon Hall immediately on your right (a high-rise concrete building).  Note that all parking on campus requires paid permits, and parking lots are strictly patrolled.  When you check in at the front desk of McMahon Hall you can purchase a permit for your entire stay.

To the Silver Cloud Inn: Go east on NE 45^th Street for about 1 mile, passing UW on your right.  Just beyond UW, descend down the steep overpass. Take the first unmarked exit (a sharp right turn at the bottom of the viaduct) and merge into Montlake Boulevard.  Immediately turn right again onto 25^th Avenue NE northbound.  The hotel is 5 blocks north on 25^th Avenue NE, just past University Village shopping center on your right (east) side.

To the Hotel DECA: Go east on NE 45^th Street for 6 blocks to Brooklyn Avenue NE.  The hotel is on the northwest corner of the intersection; turn left (north) onto Brooklyn to enter the hotel parking lot.

To the Watertown Hotel or University Inn: Go east on NE 45^th Street for 3 blocks to Roosevelt Way NE.  Turn right onto Roosevelt (a one-way street southbound) and immediately get into the left lane.  The Watertown Hotel is 1 block south on your left.  The University Inn is 2 blocks south on your left.

UW Campus Parking

The cost to park on campus is $15 per day, payable as you enter through any campus gate.  If you are staying in the UW dorms, enter through the main gate on NE 45^th Street and 17^th Avenue NE.  If you are staying elsewhere and wish to park close to conference sessions, enter the Central Garage from 15^th Avenue NE.  Campus parking is strictly enforced. Display a current permit and park only where assigned.

All of the conference hotels offer parking and are either walking distance or offer free van shuttle to campus.

Cascade Mountains and Washington State ferry