How to Use Link Light Rail Around Seattle

In short: Sound Transit's Link light rail 1 Line connects Seattle neighborhoods and major destinations along a north-south corridor. The official route page provides the station list, schedules, arrivals, alerts, trip-planning tools, and service information you need for a current journey. Check that page shortly before traveling because schedules and service conditions can change.

The easiest way to use Link is to start with your destination and work backward. Find the closest station to where you are starting, identify the station nearest your destination, and check the direction of travel. The official page lists stations including Westlake, Capitol Hill, the University District, Northgate, Pioneer Square, the International District/Chinatown, Stadium, SeaTac/Airport, and stations farther north and south. Use the station list as a planning aid, then confirm the actual trip in Sound Transit's planner.

Link can be helpful when your plans include downtown, Seattle Center connections, university-area destinations, airport travel, or neighborhoods along the line. It can also reduce the need to drive between parts of the city. A rail trip still includes walking at both ends, so check the map and allow time for the station entrance, transfers, and the final walk to your destination.

Before leaving, use the official page's schedule and arrivals features rather than relying on a remembered timetable. Review alerts for disruptions, platform changes, or service adjustments. If you are traveling with luggage, a stroller, or mobility equipment, look for current accessibility information and choose a route that gives you enough time. Travelers who need an airport connection should verify the airport station and their onward path before starting the trip.

Good Link etiquette is simple: stand clear of doors, let riders exit before boarding, keep belongings close, and follow posted instructions. Stations and trains can be busy during events, commuting periods, and travel peaks. If you are attending a concert or game, plan the return trip before the event begins and check the last available service in the official tools.

Link is one part of a larger regional transit system, so a useful trip may include walking or another connecting service. Use Sound Transit's route page for the current 1 Line schedule, station information, arrivals, and alerts. Do not include an exact fare or travel time in a fixed itinerary unless you have checked the current official information for that specific trip.

Save the official link with your plans so you can recheck details on the day of your visit. Current information is more useful than a printed assumption, especially when hours, access, programs, or transportation conditions change.