Skip to content

SEA · Seattle, WA · Major Hub

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.

ShareXFBPinRedditHN
On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Lounges
  6. Amenities
  7. Ground transport
  8. Parking
  9. Can I leave?
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
  • To Seattle: about 38 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Map

Open in OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has 1 terminal. Transfer system: SATS underground train to N and S satellites. The underground train (SATS) reaches the N and S satellites.

Main Terminal (Concourses A, B, C, D, N, S)

12 airlines: Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue, and more

Single terminal with multiple concourses; Concourse N and S served by underground train (SATS).

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
SATS underground train to N and S satellites
Airside connected
Not published
Check your connection time at SEA

Layover helper

Find how long to plan for a connection at SEA: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

Minimum connection at SEA

30min

Comfortable

60+ min

The shortest connection airlines usually sell here. Includes the walk between gates. Source: OAG

Comfortable is our guidance, not a rule.

Flying Alaska both ways?Alaska is a hub carrier here, with its own same-airline minimums
Both flights on Alaska?
ConnectionAlaskaAirportvs airport
Domestic → Domestic40'30'+10'
Domestic → International60'60'0
International → Domestic90'90'0
International → International80'90'-10'

Alaska's same-airline minimums (OAG). Mixed-airline connections use the airport standard.

Flying Delta both ways?Delta is a hub carrier here, with its own same-airline minimums
Both flights on Delta?
ConnectionDeltaAirportvs airport
Domestic → Domestic30'30'0
Domestic → International35'60'-25'
International → Domestic70'90'-20'
International → International60'90'-30'

Delta's same-airline minimums (OAG). Mixed-airline connections use the airport standard.

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline.Powered by Travel VientTerms

Writing about SEA? Embed this connection time calculator on your site

Security & TSA

Security waits at SEA vary by time of day and checkpoint. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Check live SEA security wait times

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

SEA has security checkpoints 1 through 5.

Lounges

2 notable lounges at SEA, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

Alaska Lounge

C Concourse

Alaska / OneWorld

Access: Alaska Lounge membership, Alaska elite, OneWorld Sapphire

Amenities: Showers, Bar, Snacks

The Club SEA

Concourse A

Priority Pass

Access: Priority Pass, day pass

Amenities: Showers, Bar

Amenities

6 of 7 core amenities available at SEA: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

Alaska Lounges, The Club SEA, Centurion Lounge

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

Multiple locations

Chapel

Available

Central Terminal

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Central Terminal: Beecher's Cheese, Anthony's Fish Bar

Ground transport to Seattle

SEA is about 38 min from downtown Seattle by the fastest transit option.

OptionCostTime
Sound Transit Link Light Rail
Train
Direct Light Rail to Westlake downtown.
$3about 38 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
VariesVaries

Sailing from Port of Seattle? Step-by-step: SEA to Port of Seattle

Parking

SEA parking ranges from $37/day economy to $37/day short-term. SEA has a single airport garage: drive-up General parking is $8/hour with a $37/day maximum ($222/week), used for both short and long stays. Reserved Parking on Floor 4 is $47/day with an advance reservation. No separate economy lot or airport valet.

Short-term
$37/day
Long-term
$37/day
Economy
$37/day
Valet
Not published

Can I leave SEA during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside SEA. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Seattle. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 16 min plus re-screening on return.

Link light rail reaches downtown Seattle in 38 minutes for $3, so 6+ hour layovers can ride it to Pike Place Market.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Seattle Airport Marriott
    5-min shuttle
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at SEA?

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

What is the minimum connection time at SEA?

SEA requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: SATS underground train to N and S satellites.

Can I leave SEA during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside SEA. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 76 minutes plus re-screening. Link light rail reaches downtown Seattle in 38 minutes for $3, so 6+ hour layovers can ride it to Pike Place Market.

Does SEA have showers?

Yes, SEA has showers at Alaska Lounges, The Club SEA, Centurion Lounge.

Does SEA have sleep pods?

SEA does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at SEA?

Yes. SEA offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from SEA to Seattle?

The cheapest option is typically Sound Transit Link Light Rail at $3, taking about 38 minutes. Direct Light Rail to Westlake downtown.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at SEA?

SEA supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, and SEA posts live wait times on its website. SEA has security checkpoints 1 through 5.

Where should I eat at SEA during a layover?

Notable dining at SEA includes Beecher's Cheese (Central Terminal), Anthony's Fish Bar (Central Terminal).

How much does parking cost at SEA?

SEA parking rates: $37/day short-term, $37/day long-term, $37/day economy. SEA has a single airport garage: drive-up General parking is $8/hour with a $37/day maximum ($222/week), used for both short and long stays. Reserved Parking on Floor 4 is $47/day with an advance reservation. No separate economy lot or airport valet.

Is there a hotel at SEA for overnight layovers?

The closest option is Seattle Airport Marriott (5-min shuttle, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.

Are there pet relief areas at SEA?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Can I cruise from Seattle?

Yes. Cruise ports within 100 miles of SEA: Port of Seattle (12 mi). See our cruise port guides for sailing lines, parking, and embarkation details.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at SEA?

Yes. Central Terminal.

Compare SEA to other airports

See how SEA ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.

Best for layoversSEA is workable for 6h+ layoversWith sleep podsSee which airports offer capsule hotels and nap roomsShortest MCTSEA dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

More on Seattle and SEA

Go deeper on connecting through SEA and on visiting Seattle.

Airlines operating at SEA

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of SEA.

Pack for your Seattle trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by SEA.

Cruise ports near SEA

Cruise terminals within 100 miles of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport before flying.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.