Make it a trip · Seattle, United States
What Seattle costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Downtown and Pike Place.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Arriving
-
Link light rail from SEA to downtown Fixed
Pay with an ORCA card or a ticket from the station machine.
Source: Cities Insider, Seattle ticketing (2026)
-
ESTA travel authorisation Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, IE, NL, DE, FR, SG passports.
Rose to $40.62 on 16 October 2026. Valid two years. Apply only on the official CBP site or app.
Sources: VisasNews, ESTA fee rise (2026-10), Buch dein Visum, ESTA fee (2026-10)
US$41 -
No visa or ESTA needed Fixed
For CA passports.
Canadian citizens visit visa free with a passport.
Source: Layla, US ESTA guide (2026)
Free -
Free
Getting around
-
King County Metro bus ride Fixed
Adult fare. An ORCA card costs $3 to buy.
Source: Cities Insider, Seattle ticketing (2026)
US$3 -
Regional Day Pass Fixed
Loaded on an ORCA card. Covers buses and light rail.
Source: Cities Insider, Seattle ticketing (2026)
US$6
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Seattle (2026-06)
US$21 -
US$14.30
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Seattle (2026-06)
US$93 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Seattle (2026-06)
US$6.50 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Seattle (2026-06)
US$8
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Seattle (2026-06)
US$1.80 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Seattle (2026-06)
US$2.90 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Seattle (2026-06)
US$4.10
Doing
-
Space Needle, adult Many reports
Official seller price for ages 13 to 64. Varies by date and time.
Source: Booking Wolf, Space Needle tickets (2026)
US$49 Get tickets -
Ferry to Bainbridge Island, walk on Fixed
Round trip. Check the state ferries site for seasonal fares.
Source: Cities Insider, Seattle ticketing (2026)
US$11 Book the tour
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Lowest dorm prices at the 3 hostels listed on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, Seattle hostels (2026-10)
US$43 to US$53 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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