Seattle travel guide
United States
A hilly city between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with snow-capped Mount Rainier on clear days. Seattle pairs a strong coffee and food culture with ferries, forests and mountains close at hand.
Essentials
- Language
- English
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Plugs
- Type A and B, 120 V
- Emergency number
- 911
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: around 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants and a dollar or two per drink at bars; some restaurants add a service charge instead.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $80-130, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $220-350, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Seattle
- Capitol Hill: the main bar and restaurant strip, independent bookshops and Volunteer Park.
- Ballard: a Scandinavian fishing heritage, craft breweries and a Sunday farmers market.
- Fremont: quirky public art, canal-side paths and relaxed cafés north of the ship canal.
Getting around Seattle
Link light rail runs from Sea-Tac airport through downtown and north past the University District, and buses and light rail take an ORCA card. Washington State Ferries leave from the downtown waterfront.
Best time to visit Seattle
July to September, when it is dry and mild; the rest of the year is often grey and drizzly.
Top things to do in Seattle
- Wander Pike Place Market early, before the crowds, for the fish stalls, flower sellers and lower levels
- Watch boats pass through the Ballard Locks, and salmon climb the fish ladder in summer
- See the glass art at Chihuly Garden and Glass beside the Space Needle
- Walk the bluff and beach trails of Discovery Park, the city's largest park
- Catch the evening view of the skyline and Mount Rainier from Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill
What to eat in Seattle
- Dungeness crab: a sweet local crab, served steamed or in sandwiches and chowders
- Seattle teriyaki: grilled chicken in a sweet glaze over rice, a cheap lunch found all over town
- Seattle dog: a grilled hot dog topped with cream cheese and grilled onions, sold late at night
- Puget Sound oysters: briny local oysters served raw at oyster bars and happy hours
Day trips from Seattle
- Mount Rainier National Park: alpine meadows and glacier views, about two to two and a half hours by car
- Bainbridge Island: a small town, wineries and woodland walks, about 35 minutes by ferry
- Snoqualmie Falls: a tall waterfall with a short trail to its base, about 40 minutes by car
Local etiquette
Seattleites tend to be polite but reserved with strangers, so do not mistake quiet for unfriendliness. Many people thank the driver as they leave the bus by the back door.
Staying connected
Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs from the major US carriers are easy to buy, and free Wi-Fi is common in cafés and libraries.
Staying safe
Car break-ins are common, so leave nothing visible in a parked car, especially at trailheads. Parts of downtown, around Third Avenue, can feel uneasy after dark; stick to busier streets.
A local tip
Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island for the views back over the skyline, even if you only ride there and back.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Seattle on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Seattle for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Seattle, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Seattle
- What currency is used in Seattle?
- Seattle uses the US dollar (USD).
- What is the emergency number in Seattle?
- In Seattle, call 911.
- When is the best time to visit Seattle?
- July to September, when it is dry and mild; the rest of the year is often grey and drizzly.
- How much does a day in Seattle cost?
- Roughly $80-130 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $220-350 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Seattle?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Seattle without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.