A taxi from SEA to Pier 66 or Pier 91 usually takes 30–45 minutes and runs about $55–$80 before tip.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
For the taxi from Seattle Airport to Cruise Port decision, the pier matters more than the airport. Seattle cruises use two terminals: Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 near the waterfront and Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 north of downtown.
A cab from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the simplest door-to-door choice when you have checked bags, older travelers, kids, or a same-day ship check-in. It is rarely the cheapest ride, but it avoids the light-rail walk, shuttle stops, and the need to switch vehicles downtown.
For a door-to-pier transfer or shuttle quote, compare the route before choosing a cab:
Taxi From SEA To The Cruise Terminals
A taxi from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the easiest direct ride to both Seattle cruise terminals. Plan on 30–45 minutes in normal traffic, with Pier 91 usually taking a little longer than Pier 66.
SEA to Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 is roughly 14–16 miles by road. SEA to Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 is roughly 17–19 miles, depending on the route your driver takes.
The trip gets slower on summer embarkation days, especially when several Alaska sailings board at the same time. If your ship check-in window is tight, a taxi is safer than trying to save money with light rail and a second ride from downtown.
How Much Is A Taxi From SEA To The Cruise Port?
A metered taxi from SEA to Pier 66 or Pier 91 commonly lands around $55–$80 before tip. Heavy traffic, slow terminal queues, a van, extra passengers, or a long route can push the total higher.
Seattle taxis are metered, so the fare rises with distance and time. A reasonable planning number is $65–$95 total after tip for most airport-to-cruise rides, with Pier 91 usually near the higher end.
- For two travelers: a taxi often beats a cruise-line transfer on convenience, even when the total cost is similar.
- For one traveler: a shared shuttle or cruise-line bus can cost less if the schedule matches your flight.
- For four travelers: a taxi or van usually makes more sense than paying per person for a transfer.
Seattle Airport To Cruise Port Transfers: Every Option Compared
Seattle Airport to cruise port transfers split into three practical groups: taxi or rideshare, cruise-line or shuttle service, and Link light rail plus a short ride from downtown. A taxi wins on ease; Link wins on price only if you can handle luggage.
| Transfer Mode | Typical Time | Rough Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi to Pier 66 | 30–40 minutes | About $55–$75 per cab before tip |
| Taxi to Pier 91 | 35–45 minutes | About $60–$85 per cab before tip |
| Rideshare to either pier | 30–50 minutes | About $60–$120, demand-based |
| Cruise-line transfer | 45–75 minutes | Often $35–$60 per person |
| Shared shuttle | 45–90 minutes | Often $25–$45 per person |
| Private car or van | 30–50 minutes | Often $90–$160 per vehicle |
| Link light rail plus cab to Pier 66 | 55–75 minutes | About $3 rail fare plus a short cab or rideshare |
| Link light rail plus cab to Pier 91 | 65–85 minutes | About $3 rail fare plus a longer cab or rideshare |
The table assumes normal traffic and a direct move from SEA after baggage claim. Add more time if your flight lands during weekday rush hour, if you need a wheelchair-accessible van, or if your cruise documents tell you to arrive during the busiest boarding window.
Where Airport Taxis Pick Up At SEA
SEA airport taxis pick up from the third floor of the parking garage, not from the baggage-claim curb. The Port of Seattle’s SEA Airport taxi page says taxis are metered, payment can include cash or card, taxi service runs 24 hours, and trips starting at SEA have a $20 minimum fare.
From baggage claim, follow signs for Ground Transportation and the parking garage, then go to the taxi curbs on the north or south side of the third floor. Airport staff can point you to the right curb if you need a wheelchair-accessible van or an 11-passenger van.
Before the cab leaves, give the driver the exact terminal name from your cruise documents. Say “Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66” or “Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91” rather than only saying “the cruise port.”
Which Cruise Terminal Are You Going To?
Seattle cruise ships use Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 and Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91. Pier 66 is closer to downtown hotels, while Pier 91 sits north of downtown and usually adds a few minutes to an airport taxi ride.
The terminal name matters because the two piers are not next door to each other. A wrong-pier drop-off can turn a smooth ride into a second cab ride, especially with luggage and a boarding deadline.
- Pier 66: better for downtown or waterfront hotel stays before sailing.
- Pier 91: common for larger Alaska departures and farther from the main downtown hotel strip.
- Airport hotels: cheaper in many cases, but they make cruise morning longer unless your hotel offers a shuttle connection.
Cruise-Day Timing That Keeps The Ride Simple
Cruise-day timing matters more than the taxi company. Landing by late morning gives you a cushion for baggage claim, taxi lines, I-5 traffic, and terminal security.
For same-day arrivals, avoid flights that land within two hours of your required cruise check-in time. A 30-minute ride can become a 60-minute airport-to-pier transfer when luggage delays, traffic, and terminal queues stack up.
A taxi works best when your flight arrives early enough that you are not asking the driver to solve a schedule problem. If your flight lands late in the day, a cruise-line transfer may be safer because the cruise line can track its own booked passengers.
Hotels Near The Piers Before Sailing
Staying in Seattle the night before your cruise makes the airport-to-ship transfer less risky. Downtown, Belltown, Lower Queen Anne, and the waterfront keep you closer to Pier 66 or Pier 91 than airport-area hotels.
Airport hotels can save money, but they leave you with the same transfer on cruise morning. For Pier 66, waterfront and Belltown hotels are the easiest bases; for Pier 91, Lower Queen Anne and Seattle Center can shorten the ride.
Once your terminal is confirmed, compare hotel locations against the pier rather than the airport:
A rental car rarely helps for the airport-to-pier move. Returning the car, handling bags, and reaching the terminal usually take longer than a taxi from SEA.
The Right Ride For Your Sailing
The right choice is taxi for ease, Link plus a short ride for lowest cost, and a private van for groups with more bags than seats. Pier 91 travelers should be more conservative with timing because the terminal sits north of downtown.
- Pick a taxi if you want the simplest airport-to-ship transfer and have two to four people sharing the fare.
- Pick Link plus a cab if you are traveling light, arriving early, and willing to change from rail to road downtown.
- Pick a cruise-line transfer if your flight arrives on sailing day and you prefer a cruise-managed bus.
- Pick a private van if your group has bulky luggage, mobility needs, or more than four passengers.
For most travelers flying into SEA on embarkation day, a taxi to Pier 66 or Pier 91 is the cleanest choice: direct, available around the clock, and simple to explain to the driver once your cruise documents show the correct pier.
References & Sources
- Port of Seattle.“Taxis.”Confirms SEA Airport taxi pickup location, metered taxi policy, payment notes, minimum fare, and service hours.