About Seattle
Seattle is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is the 18th-most populous city in the United States with a population of 784,777 in 2025, while the Seattle metropolitan area at over 4.15 million residents is the 15th-most populous metropolitan area in the nation. The city is the county seat of King County, the most populous county in Washington. Seattle's growth rate of 21.1% between 2010 and 2020 made it one of the country's fastest-growing large cities.
Cheap flights to Seattle
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $570 from London, travelling 16 Dec – 20 Jan. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LON London to Seattle16 Dec – 20 Jan · SEA from$570
- DUB Dublin to Seattle30 Jan – 6 Feb · SEA from$715
- EDI Edinburgh to Seattle7 Jul – 26 Jul · SEA from$1,025
- PRG Prague to Seattle25 Apr – 3 May · SEA from$1,265
- CPH Copenhagen to Seattle21 Nov – 27 Nov · SEA from$905
- MAN Manchester to Seattle25 Nov – 8 Dec · SEA from$1,121
- HEL Helsinki to Seattle11 Apr – 18 Apr · SEA from$981
- GLA Glasgow to Seattle24 Nov – 16 Dec · SEA from$805
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Finnair, Aer Lingus, American Airlines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to SeattlePlaces to visit in Seattle
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Pike Place Market
MarketSeattle's historic public market overlooking Elliott Bay is packed with produce stalls, fishmongers famous for tossing salmon, craft vendors and small eateries spread across several levels.
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Space Needle
Landmark · 1 mi from centreThe city's signature tower at Seattle Center has an observation deck with a rotating glass floor and wide views of downtown, Puget Sound, and on clear days Mount Rainier.
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Chihuly Garden and Glass
Museum · 1 mi from centreRight beside the Space Needle, this exhibition showcases the colorful blown-glass sculptures of Dale Chihuly in galleries, a soaring glasshouse and an outdoor garden where artwork blends with plants.
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Pioneer Square
NeighborhoodSeattle's oldest neighborhood features Romanesque brick buildings, art galleries and cafes, plus the popular underground tour that explores buried storefronts and sidewalks from the city's early days.
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Museum of Pop Culture
MuseumHoused in a striking Frank Gehry building at Seattle Center, this museum covers music, science fiction, film and gaming, with notable exhibits on Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana.
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Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Landmark · 5 mi from centreKnown locally as the Ballard Locks, this spot lets you watch boats move between Lake Washington and Puget Sound, and in season see salmon climbing the fish ladder through underwater windows.
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Olympic Sculpture Park
Park · 1 mi from centreA free waterfront park run by the Seattle Art Museum, displaying large modern sculptures along zigzagging paths with views across Elliott Bay to the Olympic Mountains.
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Discovery Park
Park · 6 mi from centreThe city's largest park covers forest, meadows, sea cliffs and beaches in the Magnolia area, with loop trails leading to the West Point Lighthouse and wide views of Puget Sound.
Top experiences in Seattle
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 20 available.
Seattle CityPASS® - Access to 5 Attractions
From $123 per adult
Seattle Coffee Culture - Small Group Tour
From $43 per adult
CityPASS: Seattle C3®
From $106 per adult
Travel Curious: The Bavarian Village of Leavenworth - Full-Day Driving Private Tour
From $1,242 per adult
Seattle Capitol Hill Pride Walk
From $84 per adult
SmartSIM USA - eSIM All Access Pass
From $10 per adult
NHL Game: Seattle Kraken Ice Hockey Game at Climate Pledge Arena - Ticket
From $180 per adult
Secret Food Tours: Seattle
From $71 per adult
Downtown Seattle Donut Tour
From $57 per adult
National Nordic Museum: Entry Ticket
From $18 per adult
Seattle Aquarium: Entry Ticket
From $46 per adult
Seattle Center & Space Needle: Guided Walking Tour
From $246 per adult
Where to stay in Seattle
Popular hotels in Seattle, out of 381 properties you can book.
Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel By Apa
From $117 per night
Hyatt House Seattle Downtown
From $175 per night
Comfort Inn & Suites Sea-Tac Airport
From $84 per night
Crowne Plaza Seattle-Downtown
From $128 per night
Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle
From $246 per night
Travelodge by Wyndham Seattle By The Space Needle
From $107 per night
1 Hotel Seattle
From $325 per night
The Dylan a Baymont by Wyndham
From $80 per night
SpringHill Suites Seattle Downtown/South LakeUnion
From $158 per night
Holiday Inn Seattle Downtown - Lake Union
From $136 per night
Sleep Inn SeaTac Airport
From $77 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown
From $154 per night
Best time to visit Seattle
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Seattle is July to September, when average daytime highs are around 70–78°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Seattle weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 63° 53° 6%
- Thu 12 Nov 60° 52° 9%
- Fri 13 Nov 57° 50° 48%
- Sat 14 Nov 57° 48° 68%
- Sun 15 Nov 52° 49° 80%
- Mon 16 Nov 56° 46° 50%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Los_AngelesUTC−8
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Seattle
These are the airports closest to central Seattle. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- LKE Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base2 mi (3 km) from the city centre
- BFI Boeing Field5 mi (9 km) from the city centre
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport11 mi (17 km) from the city centre
- KEH Kenmore Air Harbor11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
Getting around Seattle
Seattle's public transportation system, while no rival for Chicago or New York City, is the most convenient and simple way to get around most of the city. While public transportation is also good in suburbs such as Bothell and Everett, if you plan on visiting those areas you may wish to use a car. Driving a car in Seattle is possible, but the frequent and awful traffic congestion can leave you frustrated.
Orientation
Seattle's street designations are generally easy to remember once you understand them. Most of the city is laid out in a grid, with north-south roads called Avenues and east-west roads being Streets. There are occasional irregularities: Ways are long roads that don't always conform to the grid, Drives are long, circuitous routes, and there's the occasional very short Place or Court.
On foot
Walking is highly encouraged for short trips, especially if your destination is within Downtown or Capitol Hill. While the streets and drivers are generally friendly for pedestrians, do keep your street smarts and avoid walking alone in the southern part of Downtown, International District, or the SoDo neighborhood at night. For more information about street safety, look at the "Stay Safe" section.
ORCA Card
The ORCA card is a contactless fare card that enables you to ride and transfer seamlessly across most Puget Sound public transit agencies, including: King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, and Washington State Ferries. The card is $3, and you must put in a minimum of $5 in your e-purse to start using it. Day passes are available for $8 and can be used for all bus and train services. Monthly passes are also available.
Seattle travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Seattle?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Seattle is July to September, when average daytime highs are around 70–78°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Seattle?
July is usually the warmest month in Seattle, with average highs of 78°F (25°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 36°F (2°C). The wettest month is typically December, with about 211 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Seattle?
Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base (LKE) is the closest airport, about 2 miles (3 km) from the centre of Seattle. Other nearby airports include Boeing Field (BFI, 5 mi) and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA, 11 mi).
How much are flights to Seattle?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Seattle in the last 30 days was $570 from London, travelling 16 Dec – 20 Jan. December is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $570.
What time zone is Seattle in?
Seattle uses the America/Los_Angeles time zone (currently UTC−8). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Seattle?
Seattle's public transportation system, while no rival for Chicago or New York City, is the most convenient and simple way to get around most of the city. While public transportation is also good in suburbs such as Bothell and Everett, if you plan on visiting those areas you may wish to use a car.
What are the best places to visit in Seattle?
Top sights in Seattle include Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass and Pioneer Square. Seattle's historic public market overlooking Elliott Bay is packed with produce stalls, fishmongers famous for tossing salmon, craft vendors and small eateries spread across several levels.
What are the top things to do in Seattle?
Popular experiences you can book in Seattle include Seattle CityPASS® - Access to 5 Attractions, Seattle Coffee Culture - Small Group Tour and CityPASS: Seattle C3®. Destina Holidays offers 20 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Seattle?
Popular areas for hotels in Seattle include Downtown and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Well-reviewed options include Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel By Apa and Hyatt House Seattle Downtown.
How many hotels can I book in Seattle?
Destina Holidays currently lists 381 properties in and around Seattle, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
