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Taxi vs. Bus vs. Car
Jamesyp
Registered User new member
Registered User new member
So my group is staying in a hotel down near the airport, putting us like 15 miles from the convention center. We're trying to figure out a daily getting-around strategy, weighing the differences between driving up on our own and parking somewhere, taking a metro bus or other public transit, or getting a cab. Does anyone have any suggestions on which would be best?
At this point we're leaning toward our own car, so we can have a place to put swag, and have a reliable way back late at night. Is parking going to be terrible? What parking structures or whatever are near the center? What are money-costs like? Is busing a better option?
At this point we're leaning toward our own car, so we can have a place to put swag, and have a reliable way back late at night. Is parking going to be terrible? What parking structures or whatever are near the center? What are money-costs like? Is busing a better option?
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If you are hellbent on staying near the airport, the bus is a viable option if your willing to be flexible. The 174 goes from downtown Seattle to the airport and along Pacific Highway (the street that the airport is on). It runs late on Friday and even later on Saturday (I'm thinking about the concerts). It is kinda slow and there are some creeps on it but I used the 174 bus last year to get to and from PAX (I lived along the bus line).
Taxis can get expensive but I would discourage you from renting a car. Parking in Seattle sucks and can get very expensive very quickly.
Like I mentioned before, I would encourage you in either finding a hotel that is closer to PAX or staying at the GT Hostel (there is a thread about that as well).
here's the link for seattle metro if you need it: http://transit.metrokc.gov/
Don't forget the 43 -- one of my personal favorite buses. From my workplace, to the Convention Center, to my house, and on to the U-district.
Buses take even longer because they have to stop to let homeless people on & off.
Assuming you didn't pay up front for the hotel & you just have it reserved, I would also highly recommend a hotel closer to downtown or in a different neighborhood that has better bus access.
Last year I was able to find street parking within easy walking distance everyday of PAX. Just had to go feed the meter every couple hours (and its free on Sunday). If you don't know the city though, you'll probably wanna use a pay lot which is expensive.
haha i knew there was one other! but suffice to say, if you can't get a place downtown, go U district. buses often, and cheap.
i don't know if they had them last year, but seattle has gotten all of these new digital meters that they're putting in everywhere. i think you can pay for most of the day in one go and they take plastic now.
Generally fairly safe if you're in a good area and you dont have anything visible in the car to be stolen. A jacket or two lying in the backseat will tempt a theif to see if a purse is hidden underneath... a bunch of CDs on the console could be sold for enough cash to get a junkie his next fix... etc.
I park on the street very frequently for work, and often when I come downtown in the evening. I've gotten drunk and taken a cab home, leaving my car parked on the street overnight, and never had a problem. It does happen in Seattle... but it's a fairly random freak thing to happen.
see this is what happens when a non-driver tries to talk about driver-like things.
But also, if you're feeling paranoid about seattle and the safety here, just remind yourself about the fact that they haven't made CSI: Seattle yet. or will ever.
So how much is it to park in the convention center parking garage per day? like $20-30? I'd actually be fine if we just found a spot to park for the weekend, since we really wouldn't need the car to walk around downtown, but I kind of like the swag-holding idea of that car at the convention(in the trunk, of course), but even then, the hostel is only like half a mile away. Thanks everyone, you've been really helpful.
(if the car is there at the stroke of midnight, you are automatically charged for the whole following day)
Risraels, nice to see someone from somewhere I've actually been! Draper's a nice city. I love the mountains!
Taxis give you the benefit of trunk space, which you don't get from buses, so that would be the fallback for any kind of BYOC/massive swag/pile of booze situtation.
Buses are convenient otherwise so long as you know the schedule and don't mind that they're almost always late, smell like ass, and full of bums.
Yes you can park there overnight.
If you are crafty and move your car before midnight then you only pay $16 for parking, but to park there for an entire day it would be $24.
You get a ticket when you enter the garage and if you dont move your car you just pay when you leave.
Did you get one of the pax hotels? If so why the hell would you drive to pax? most of them are a block away :P
Free parking is 6-6 i beleive.
Anywho, the important thing to remember is that the bus shuts off at 1ish, so if you are staying at PAX for the entire time, thats off limits. I would reccomend a car, but our traffic is horendous and people can't drive here as it is. I would try a cab, or maybe feet power. 15 miles can be done in about 3 1/2 hours if you power walk.
All hail the Hypno-Spode!
I know im an optomist.
Uh.... you mean light rail?
There have been soooo many proposals, i lost track of what got built.
Correct, Light Rail.
I wonder if it will get the KDR the sounder has now, 2 kills in auburn, another 3 in kent. Silly teenagers and there love of railroad tracks.
If it is open next year though, it'll be super convienent to get from the airport to downtown seattle... now if only they had made it useful for people LIVING in Seattle as opposed to just visiting (although I suppose instead of asking for rides to the airport from friends, I can just get rides downtown in the future)