FAQ
Where does the Monorail go?
How late and how often do the Monorail trains run?
How long is the ride?
Do you accept Debit/Credit Cards, ORCA or Sound Transit Cards?
Is there a student discount?
Can I get to the Sea-Tac airport by taking the Monorail?
Can you transfer to other routes?
Is the Monorail handicap/stroller accessible?
Are dogs allowed on the Monorail?
How do I get to the Pike Place Market from the Monorail?
How do I get to the Space Needle from the Monorail?
What are the Monorail holiday hours?
Do I need to purchase tickets in advance for my family?
The Monorail travels directly between Westlake Center Mall (5th Avenue and Pine Street) and Seattle Center (adjacent to the Space Needle and MoPOP). There is only one stop so you won’t get lost!
The Monorail is open daily – please check our current hours of operation for current closing time. On certain days, the monorail may be open even later due to events at Seattle Center and Climate Pledge Arena. Please check our Rider Alerts on the homepage to check the days and times we open late! The train departs approximately every 10 minutes. During busy times, we operate both trains, which means trains depart every 5 minutes.
The Monorail takes about 2 minutes to get from one platform to the other.
*As of May 2020, Seattle Center Monorail is temporarily not accepting cash to minimize germs transmitted between customers and employees. Seattle Center Monorail accepts debit/credit cards and ORCA cards. Click HERE to learn more about using ORCA on the Monorail.
We do not have a student discount at the monorail. We do provide a youth rate for any person 18 and younger. If you are a school group riding the Monorail for a field trip, please fill out our online school group registration form to be eligible for a school group rate. You must fill this form out at least two business days (M-F) in advance.
No, the Sound Transit Link Light Rail travels between Sea-Tac Airport and Westlake Center Mall (with stops along the way). Seattle Center Monorail only travels between downtown’s Westlake Center Mall and Seattle Center. You can use the Link Light Rail and Monorail to travel between Sea-Tac Airport and Seattle Center – great for if you want to visit the Space Needle during a long lay-over!
- To get from Sea-Tac Airport to Seattle Center, look for signs in the airport for Sound Transit Link Light Rail. Catch the light rail from Sea-Tac Airport and get off at Westlake Station. From the transit tunnel at Westlake, look for Exit 1 for the Monorail, you can take the elevator (with ‘MONORAIL’ written above it) or stairs up to to the Westlake Center Monorail station located on the third floor of Westlake Center. Then, you can purchase a Monorail ticket to ride directly to Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle and more!
- To get from Seattle Center to Sea-Tac Airport, buy a Monorail ticket at the Seattle Center Monorail station and ride the monorail train to Westlake Center. As you exit the Monorail at Westlake Center, you will see an elevator and stairwell on the far left side of the platform, use either option to go to all the way to the bottom level to the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel. From there, buy a ticket from the kiosk, and ride the Sound Transit Link Light Rail which carries passengers between UW Station (Northern-most stop) and Angle Lake Station (Southern-most stop). When you board the light rail at Westlake Station, there are 11 stops until you arrive at Sea-Tac/Airport Station. The trip takes approximately 35 minutes; the light rail departs every 6-15 minutes depending on the time of day.
Westlake Center is one of Seattle’s transportation hubs. Seattle Center Monorail accepts ORCA card transfers from other transit systems. ORCA transfers are made electronically. If you use an ORCA card that is loaded with a bus pass or E-purse, you will get a two-hour transfer credit for the fare paid. Please note, credit does not apply for transfers to or from Washington State Ferries. Please note, if you use an ORCA transfer and the transfer value is less than the Monorail fare, you must pay the difference with E-purse or cash. Paper transfers are not accepted.
Yes! At Westlake Center, you can access the platform from the elevator located on 5th Ave (between Olive and Pine). At Seattle Center, there are ramps that allow for easy access. There are yellow gates at Seattle Center platform that pull out to allow wheelchairs easy entrance into the trains. For additional information about ADA Accessibility and to read other policies, please view our NOTICES OF NONDISCRIMINATION page.
Dogs are allowed as long as they are well-behaved and on a leash. On busy/crowded days, it is possible that the owner may be asked to hold their dog on their lap.
Service animals are always welcomed.
When traveling from Seattle Center to Westlake Center via the Monorail, exit the train and take the stairwell or elevator on the left side of the platform to the street level. Turn right on 5th Avenue and then make your first right on Pine Street and walk down to 1st Avenue.
Ride the Monorail from Westlake Center to Seattle Center. When you exit the train, walk down the ramp from the Seattle Center platform and the Space Needle will be straight ahead . Don’t forget to look up!
Thanksgiving:
- On Thanksgiving Day, the Monorail will be closed
Christmas:
- On Christmas Day, the Monorail will be closed.
You do not need to purchase advanced tickets for personal visits. Tickets are available for purchase through the Monorail ticket vending machines located on the Seattle Center platform, Westlake Center platform, and inside Westlake Center Mall on the 3rd floor. Advanced prepaid group tickets are available for large groups (more than 125 people), conventions and/or organizations.
