Getting around downtown: walking, transit, house car and rideshares
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is extremely walkable for downtown sightseeing — Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum and the waterfront are minutes on foot. For trips beyond walking distance use the hotel's complimentary house car (within one mile), public transit via Westlake/Monorail and ferry terminals nearby, or taxis and rideshares from the hotel entrance.
In this guide
Walking downtown
The hotel sits at 99 Union Street in downtown Seattle with the Seattle Art Museum across the street and Pike Place Market roughly a block away, making most core waterfront attractions an easy walk.
Sidewalks in the Central Business District are continuous and well signed; plan 5–15 minutes on foot for the Seattle Aquarium, the Seattle Great Wheel and Post Alley (Gum Wall). Wear waterproof shoes outside the drier summer months.
- Seattle Art Museum — across the street
- Pike Place Market — about a 1–5 minute walk
- Seattle Aquarium and Great Wheel — short walk to the waterfront
- Washington State Convention Center — within a 10-minute walk
| Attraction | Typical walk time |
|---|---|
| Pike Place Market | 1–5 minutes |
| Seattle Art Museum | 2 minutes |
| Seattle Aquarium / Great Wheel | 5–10 minutes |
Complimentary house car and hotel shuttle
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle offers a complimentary house car for short downtown trips within one mile of the hotel. The hotel lists a Tesla Model S among the vehicles used for this service.
This service is useful for evening restaurant runs and short sightseeing roundtrips (for example, a roundtrip to Canlis has been offered in the past). Ask the concierge or front desk to schedule the house car.
- Service area: within one mile of the hotel
- Vehicle noted: Tesla Model S (complimentary)
- Best for: short downtown errands, restaurant roundtrips
| How to book | Where to ask |
|---|---|
| Request at front desk or concierge | Lobby reception or concierge |
| Ask for roundtrip or short stops | Front desk will confirm availability |
| Complimentary within service area | No charge for house car trips within one mile |
Public transit, Link Light Rail and ferries
Westlake Station for the Link Light Rail is a short walk from the hotel; the Light Rail connects downtown to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) with a ride to Westlake taking roughly 38 minutes from the airport.
The downtown waterfront ferry terminals are close by for walk-on ferries to destinations such as Bainbridge Island. Buses also serve downtown and can be practical for reaching neighborhoods or airport connections on specific routes.
- Link Light Rail: SeaTac ↔ Westlake Station (hotel ≈ 10-minute walk to Westlake)
- Walk-on ferries to Bainbridge Island from the downtown ferry terminal
- Local buses connect to other neighborhoods and some airport routes
| Route | Typical trip |
|---|---|
| SeaTac to Westlake (Light Rail) | ≈ 38 minutes |
| Walk-on ferry to Bainbridge Island | Ferry ride from downtown terminal; popular no-car day trip |
| Local bus to SeaTac (selected routes) | Longer trip, lower fare; timing varies by route |
Taxis and rideshares
Taxis and rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) are readily available from the hotel entrance on Union Street. For airport trips, both options are commonly used; expect variable travel time depending on traffic.
If you request a pickup inside the hotel porte-cochère the driver will meet you at the front entrance. The concierge can help with luggage and advise on the fastest pickup spot depending on downtown traffic and event conditions.
- Common pickup spot: hotel entrance/porte-cochère on Union Street
- Airport taxi/rideshare time varies with traffic; allow extra time during peak travel hours
- Concierge can request cars and assist with luggage
| Best for | When to use |
|---|---|
| Taxis/rideshares | Quick door-to-door travel, airport trips, trips with luggage |
| House car | Short downtown errands within one mile (complimentary) |
| Public transit | Budget-friendly or when avoiding traffic |
Hotel services: valet, luggage and concierge
Valet parking is available on-site for a surcharge and includes in/out privileges and an electric vehicle charging station. Confirm current valet procedures and any EV charging fees with the front desk on arrival.
Porter service, luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk are available; the concierge can book taxis, rideshares, the house car, tours and ferry information. Express check-in is also offered.
- Valet parking available (fee applies) with in/out privileges and EV charging
- Porter service and luggage storage available
- Concierge can arrange transportation, tours and dining reservations
| Service | Where to request |
|---|---|
| Valet parking / EV charging | Hotel entrance / front desk |
| House car or rideshare | Concierge or front desk |
| Luggage storage | Bell desk / front desk |
Rooms and where you’ll start your trips
Guest rooms and suite names at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle you may stay in include Room, Room (Seattle View of Downtown), Room (Seattle View), Suite, Corner, Deluxe Elliott Bay Suite, Deluxe Bay View Room, Two Beds, Deluxe Room, Seattle View Room and Deluxe Room (Corner).
Most downtown departures begin from the lobby at 99 Union Street — the front desk and concierge will coordinate transport, and the house car pickup point is arranged from the hotel entrance.
- Room
- Room (Seattle View of Downtown)
- Room (Seattle View)
- Suite, Corner
- Deluxe Elliott Bay Suite
- Deluxe Bay View Room, Two Beds
- Deluxe Room
- Seattle View Room, Deluxe Room (Corner)
| Where to start | Typical spot |
|---|---|
| Walking or ferry | Leave from the hotel entrance / waterfront promenade |
| House car / valet | Front desk arranges pickup from porte-cochère |
| Public transit | Walk to Westlake Station or nearest bus stop |
Practical tips and accessibility
Seattle weather varies by season: summer is the driest and best for walking, while October–March is the wettest. Bring a compact umbrella for rainy months and plan more indoor options when needed.
If you need accessible transport or mobility assistance, request help from the front desk or concierge; the hotel provides standard accessibility services and can advise on wheelchair-accessible pickups and routes.
- Summer (June–August) is driest for walking and waterfront activities
- Bring waterproof footwear and a compact umbrella outside summer
- Ask the concierge about accessible vehicle pickups and route planning
| Season | Travel advice |
|---|---|
| Summer | Best for walking and ferries; expect drier weather |
| Fall–Winter | Plan indoor options; bring rain gear |
| All seasons | Concierge can advise real-time on traffic, transit and pickups |
