Getting Around Des Moines
Find the best way to access the city from anywhere.
Des Moines Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Situated 12 miles south of central Seattle, about 20 miles north of Tacoma, and located right in Seattle Southside, SEA (also known as Sea-Tac Airport) operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Sea-Tac is one of the fastest-growing large airports in the U.S. and is run by the Aviation Division of the Port of Seattle and Passengers traveling through Sea-Tac also enjoy the airport's extensive collection of art, featuring glass, sculptures, paintings, and photography, as well as works from well-known 20th-century artists such as Frank Stella, Louise Nevelson, and Robert Rauschenberg. Sea-Tac's restaurants include local favorites found in downtown Seattle, while a variety of stores and manicure and massage services also help create a pleasurable traveling experience.
With four concourses and two satellite terminals, Sea-Tac provides service to all major cities in the United States, as well as international destinations including London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Tokyo.
Taxis to Airport
Taxis can be located on the third floor of the main parking garage. Available vehicles include large vans, sedans, and station wagons. Taxis to areas such as Auburn, Ballard, Bellevue (downtown), Boeing Field, Burien, Capitol Hill, Covington, Des Moines, Federal Way, Fife, Kent, and downtown Seattle range in price from about $20 to $40. It should take only about 25-30 minutes to travel from Sea-Tac to the city center. Phones are available curbside on the baggage claim level to reserve taxi services.
Buses/Shuttles to Airport
Shuttles and buses are a popular means of transportation to and from Sea-Tac, running almost around the clock. There are many service providers, including Shuttle Express, Airporter Shuttle, Black Hills Transportation, Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter, Capital Aeroporter, and Gray Line Downtown Airporter. For more information about transportation options, go to the Ground Transportation Information Booths on the third floor of the parking garage or in the baggage claim area across from Carousel 12. Travelers can also dial 55 from any Traveler's Information Board to hear the most current shuttle schedules and rates.
Airline carriers serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Aeromexico
Aer Lingus
Air Canada
(including Air Canada
regional airlines)
Air France
Alaska Airlines
All Nippon Airways
American Airlines
Asiana Airlines
British Airways
Condor
Delta Air Lines
(including Delta Connection)
Emirates
Eurowings
EVA Air
Frontier Airlines
Hainan Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Korean Air
Lufthansa
Norwegian
Southwest Airlines
Spirit
Sun Country Airlines
Thomas Cook Airlines
United Airlines
(including United Express)
Virgin America
Virgin Atlantic
Volaris
Xiamen Airlines
With four concourses and two satellite terminals, Sea-Tac provides service to all major cities in the United States, as well as international destinations including London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Tokyo.
Taxis to Airport
Taxis can be located on the third floor of the main parking garage. Available vehicles include large vans, sedans, and station wagons. Taxis to areas such as Auburn, Ballard, Bellevue (downtown), Boeing Field, Burien, Capitol Hill, Covington, Des Moines, Federal Way, Fife, Kent, and downtown Seattle range in price from about $20 to $40. It should take only about 25-30 minutes to travel from Sea-Tac to the city center. Phones are available curbside on the baggage claim level to reserve taxi services.
Buses/Shuttles to Airport
Shuttles and buses are a popular means of transportation to and from Sea-Tac, running almost around the clock. There are many service providers, including Shuttle Express, Airporter Shuttle, Black Hills Transportation, Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter, Capital Aeroporter, and Gray Line Downtown Airporter. For more information about transportation options, go to the Ground Transportation Information Booths on the third floor of the parking garage or in the baggage claim area across from Carousel 12. Travelers can also dial 55 from any Traveler's Information Board to hear the most current shuttle schedules and rates.
Airline carriers serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Aeromexico
Aer Lingus
Air Canada
(including Air Canada
regional airlines)
Air France
Alaska Airlines
All Nippon Airways
American Airlines
Asiana Airlines
British Airways
Condor
Delta Air Lines
(including Delta Connection)
Emirates
Eurowings
EVA Air
Frontier Airlines
Hainan Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Korean Air
Lufthansa
Norwegian
Southwest Airlines
Spirit
Sun Country Airlines
Thomas Cook Airlines
United Airlines
(including United Express)
Virgin America
Virgin Atlantic
Volaris
Xiamen Airlines
Des Moines Link Light Rail Train
Sound Transit Link Light Rail Train
Ideal for the car-free traveler and one of the most popular forms of transit for visitors to Seattle Southside, the light rail serves the entire Seattle metropolitan area, providing rapid rail service between the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, downtown Seattle, and the University of Washington. With three stations conveniently located in Seattle Southside, the Tukwila Link Light Rail station takes passengers to downtown Seattle in a 30-minute ride to connect guests to Seattle’s popular attractions. Check out the stadiums, downtown, Capitol Hill and the University of Washington. The Angle Lake and Tukwila International Blvd. stations feature park & rides where you can leave your car for free. Also, many hotels offer free shuttle service to and from stations.
Ideal for the car-free traveler and one of the most popular forms of transit for visitors to Seattle Southside, the light rail serves the entire Seattle metropolitan area, providing rapid rail service between the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, downtown Seattle, and the University of Washington. With three stations conveniently located in Seattle Southside, the Tukwila Link Light Rail station takes passengers to downtown Seattle in a 30-minute ride to connect guests to Seattle’s popular attractions. Check out the stadiums, downtown, Capitol Hill and the University of Washington. The Angle Lake and Tukwila International Blvd. stations feature park & rides where you can leave your car for free. Also, many hotels offer free shuttle service to and from stations.
Des Moines Amtrak Cascades
Amtrak Cascades
As an excellent alternative to Seattle's airports and freeways, Amtrak Cascades serves the Northwest region from Eugene, Oregon, to Vancouver, British Columbia. Conveniently, several Seattle Southside hotels are located near the Tukwila station, and many provide shuttle service to and from the station as well.
From the train, enjoy scenic views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges, Puget Sound, and the Columbia River. Seattle Amtrak provides service to Washington destinations such as Portland, Tukwila, Tacoma, Olympia/Lacey, and Centralia, as well as Vancouver, BC, and many more.
As an excellent alternative to Seattle's airports and freeways, Amtrak Cascades serves the Northwest region from Eugene, Oregon, to Vancouver, British Columbia. Conveniently, several Seattle Southside hotels are located near the Tukwila station, and many provide shuttle service to and from the station as well.
From the train, enjoy scenic views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges, Puget Sound, and the Columbia River. Seattle Amtrak provides service to Washington destinations such as Portland, Tukwila, Tacoma, Olympia/Lacey, and Centralia, as well as Vancouver, BC, and many more.
Des Moines Sounder Train
Sounder trains travel between Lakewood and Seattle, with stops in South Tacoma, Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila. Sounder trains regularly run weekday mornings and afternoons only, and also serve select major weekend events, such as Mariners and Seahawks games. Seattle Southside hotels near the Tukwila station offer complimentary shuttle service to visitors and guests.
Des Moines Rental Car Facility
Rental car companies represented at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, EZ Rent-A-Car, Firefly, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty.
All housed under one roof, complimentary shuttles to/from Sea-Tac Airport and the Rental Car Facility operate 24-hours.
All housed under one roof, complimentary shuttles to/from Sea-Tac Airport and the Rental Car Facility operate 24-hours.
Des Moines Washington State Ferries (WSF)
The Washington State Ferry Progream (WSF) is the largest ferry system in the U.S., serving eight counties within Washington and the Province of British Columbia in Canada. WSF is also one of the state’s largest tourist attractions! Enjoy scenic sites and take a day trip to Bainbridge Island to stroll along their town right off the ferry terminal!
Des Moines King County Metro Bus Transit
With stops throughout all of King County, including Seattle Southside and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, King Country Metro Transit provides regional bus service along 200+ routes in the Puget Sound area.
Des Moines Rideshare Services: LYFT, Uber and Wyngz
The three major ride share programs LYFT, Uber & Wyngz pair local drivers with people in need of a ride, and all three pick up visitors and guests from the airport. Lyft is a great alternative to taxi services. Use Lyft to go anywhere and everywhere, 24/7! If you have ever heard of Uber, Lyft is very similar. You will need a smartphone and download the Lyft app. Another great thing about Lyft is that once you book your ride, a car is designated strictly for you. You don’t have to worry about getting into the wrong taxi or another person taking yours because Lyft cars wear pink mustaches on their front bumper!
Des Moines Taxi Services
A classic and convenient way to get around, Seattle Southside is home to many taxi companies, including YellowCab, Orange Cab and STITA Taxi. If you have any questions, regarding modes of transportation, feel free to contact Seattle Southside at 206.880.7161.
Des Moines Seattle Monorail
Constructed for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Monorail is truly a Seattle icon of the past and present, representing the possibilities for eco-friendly public transportation. The Seattle Monorail provides a fast, fun, and convenient link between the Seattle Center and the heart of downtown Seattle. Enjoy easy access to the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, along with downtown Seattle’s shopping and dining district and Pike Place Market!
