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Link Light Rail

This is how to beat the traffic in Seattle. Ideal for the car-free traveler and one of the most popular forms of transit for visitors to Seattle Southside, the light rail can take you from the airport to downtown Seattle in just 30 minutes.

19 Light Rail Stations

Three conveniently located stations connect Seattle Southside to Seattle’s popular attractions. Check out the stadiums, downtown, Capitol Hill and the University of Washington. The Angle Lake and Tukwila International Blvd. stations feature park & rides where you can leave your car for free. Also, many hotels offer free shuttle service to and from stations. One-way adult fares range from $2.25 to $3.50 Click here for timetables and fare information.

What is a Seattle ORCA Card?

These handy cards provide entrance to area buses, trains and ferries. It’s an electronic purse to use like cash to pay your fare. Anytime you use your card, the fare due is deducted. ORCA is accepted on most transit options in the Seattle area, including Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and Washington State Ferries. Cards cost $5 and can be purchased by mail or online at www.orcacard.com .

Seattle's Link Light Rail Station Map

Link light rail stations.

Angle Lake Link Light Rail Station

Just a short walk away from the station platform, Angle Lake Park is the perfect place to picnic with the family. Need some picnic ideas? Grab Salvadorean pupusas (stuffed cornmeal cakes) from…

SeaTac/​Airport Link Light Rail Station

Staying close to the airport and looking for a meal to remember? Reserve a table at Sharps’ Roasthouse, where you’ll indulge in slow-roasted prime rib, spit-roasted chicken, and St. Louis-style ribs, cold-smoked…

Tukwila Link Light Rail Station

Hop off here and take a short bus ride to visit Westfield Southcenter Mall, the largest shopping destination in the state with more than 200 retailers and restaurants, a movie theater, two…

Rainier Beach Link Light Rail Station

Tranquility awaits at nearby Kubota Garden, 20 acres of rolling hills, waterfalls, and koi-filled ponds. This historic landmark dates to 1927, when master landscaper Fujitaro Kubota began merging Japanese garden concepts with…

Othello Link Light Rail Station

John C. Little, Sr. Park provides a wonderful green space to sit down with some of the neighborhood’s deliciously eclectic cuisine. From Tanzanian Pilau rice and Ethiopian sourdough flatbread to lime-marinated Khmer…

Columbia City Link Light Rail Station

Columbia City is full of arts and culture, from the Columbia City Gallery with rotating its art exhibitions, to film screenings at the Ark Lodge Cinemas, to the Royal Room where jazz…

Mount Baker Link Light Rail Station

Nothing’s more American than baseball and apple pie, and both can be found here. See where the historic Sick’s Baseball Stadium once stood (former home of the short-lived Seattle Pilots), then get…

Beacon Hill Link Light Rail Station

Jefferson Park isn’t just home to the scenic course where golf legend Fred Couples honed his game. It’s a 50-acre hotspot for skateboarders, cricket players, lawn bowlers, and frisbees enthusiasts - with…

SODO Link Light Rail Station

Check off another bucket list item and join the circus at Emerald City Trapeze Arts, which offers classes and weekend performances. And for the Starbucks fans out there, the SODO Reserve store…

Stadium Link Light Rail Station

Here for the Hawks or Mariners? Or to root against them? Get to the stadium early and quench your thirst on the outdoor patio of Hatback Bar & Grille. And after the…

Intl. District / Chinatown Link Light Rail Station

Uwajimaya is more than simply the largest Asian grocery store in the state. Aisles and aisles of exotic foods and gifts await, plus lessons on how to play the Japanese game of…

Pioneer Square Link Light Rail Station

In the heart of old Seattle, you can wander through an eclectic collection of art galleries, revisit your childhood at Magic Mouse Toys, or even explore the early days of the city…

University Street Link Light Rail Station

Two of Seattle’s most acclaimed cultural icons stand side-by-side just steps from the station: Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony, and the Seattle Art Museum, featuring rotating exhibits and a remarkable…

Westlake Link Light Rail Station

This is the center of the city, with the Nordstrom flagship store just steps to the east, the world-famous Pike Place Market and original Starbucks to the west, and the monorail taking…

Capitol Hill Link Light Rail Station

One of the most eclectic spots in the city is at the seven-acre Cal Anderson Park adjacent to the Capitol Hill stop. Ultimate Frisbee, bicycle polo, and live music are among the…

Univ. of Washington Link Light Rail Station

In town to watch some college football or visit the beautiful UW campus? This is your stop. But don’t miss the gorgeous views of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier (on a clear…

U District Link Light Rail Station

Looking for a bit more entertainment near the University? This stop is right next to University Street, locally known as “The Ave”, which is the backbone of offcampus University of Washington life…

Roosevelt Link Light Rail Station

This quiet neighborhood just north of the U District has an adorable retail center around the station, with coffee shops, cafes, and taverns all within easy walking distance of the station. It’s…

Northgate Link Light Rail Station

This is the end of the line…for now! Northgate Station is home to the Kraken Community Iceplex, which is where you can catch a Seattle Kraken practice during the season, or just…

How to Beat the Traffic in Seattle

Link light rail questions, q: how much does it cost to ride the seattle light rail.

A: Children under 5 ride free, and one-way adult fares for Seattle Link Light Rail range from $2.25 - $3.50 depending on distance traveled.

Q: How fast does the Light Rail go in Seattle?

A: The top speed is 55 mph on longer stretches and 35 mph on city streets.

Q: How do you pay to ride Seattle Light Rail?

A: You can buy a one-way ticket or an all day/round trip ticket for Link light rail at all Link light rail stations and Sounder stations. You can pay with cash or a credit/debit card, but the easiest way to pay is with an ORCA card.

Q: Is it possible to take Seattle Light Rail to Pier 91 from Seattle Airport?

A: Yes, it's possible, but it takes about 75 minutes. To get from Seattle Airport to Pier 91 in Seattle, take the 1-LINE Light Rail from the Sea-Tac Airport Station to Pioneer Square Station. Then take the Route 24 or 33 bus from 3rd Ave & James Street stop to Magnolia Bridge & Pier 91 stop.

Q: Is it possible to take Seattle Light Rail to Pier 66 from Seattle Airport?

A: Yes, it's easy and quick. You can catch the Light Rail at SEA Airport and ride it to the Westlake Station in downtown Seattle. Then it’s only a 10-minute walk to Cruise Terminal 66 through a part of downtown Seattle popular with tourists.

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Amtrak & rail travel.

Relax and take it to the rails. One of the best ways to see the Pacific Northwest is by train. And there are a few different options to get you to where you need to go.

Sounder Train

Sounder trains travel between Lakewood and Seattle, with stops in South Tacoma, Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila.

Plan Your Trip

Only 15 minutes south of downtown Seattle and 20 minutes north of Tacoma, Seattle Southside is a happening hub that’s perfectly situated between urban attractions and natural wonders (not to mention near…

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At last, NJ Transit riders can finally buy a light rail ticket with a smartphone

• Updated: Jul. 28, 2020, 3:21 p.m. |
• Published: Jul. 28, 2020, 2:00 p.m.

An NJ Transit light rail passenger validates a paper ticket to avoid a fine. Single and round trip tickets are now sold on the agency's smartphone app, meaning riders don't have to buy a ticket at one machine and time stamp it at another.

• Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Riders on NJ Transit’s three light rail lines finally will be able to do what others on bus and rail lines have been able to do for years: buy tickets with a smartphone app and ditch paper tickets.

The ability to buy single and round-trip light rail tickets was quietly rolled out last week in an upgrade of the app, ending five years of waiting . Smartphone ticket sales are available on Hudson-Bergen, the River Line and Newark Light rail.

The news might not have riders singing “At Last” like Etta James, but it ends the frustrating ritual of time stamping a paper ticket in one machine after buying it from a different vending machine. Up to now, only monthly tickets could be purchased using the app.

Forgetting to “validate” the ticket carries the same $75 fine that fare evasion does, even though the passenger has a ticket. Transit advocates unsuccessfully lobbied NJ Transit in 2017 to reduce the penalty for customers who have a ticket , but forget to validate it. Commuter advocates wanted lower fines for riders with non-validated tickets.

Unlike NJ Transit buses and commuter rail, where tickets are checked by the driver or a conductor, light rail passengers are on a pseudo-honor system and have to show a time-stamped paper ticket or a monthly pass to a roving fare enforcement officer when requested.

While an agency press release said tickets for all three lines can be purchased, a check of the app on Tuesday afternoon revealed no option to buy tickets for the River Line. But that happens if you have a North Jersey zip code associated with your account, said Jim Smith, an NJ Transit spokesman

“River Line single-ride tickets are available on the mobile app. Customers who register with the app using South Jersey zip codes will see River Line purchasing options,” he said. “We will be updating the mobile app next month to allow all customers to purchase tickets for all three light rail systems.”

The change gives light rail riders the same convenience bus riders have enjoyed since early 2017, to buy a single ride ticket with a few taps on a smartphone, instead of fumbling with coins and dollar bills.

Light rail smartphone tickets become valid for travel starting three minutes after activation. Tickets have a different lifespan depending on which line passengers are riding on.

Activated tickets expire after 60 minutes on the Hudson-Bergen and Newark Light Rail, and after 75 minutes on the River Line, officials said.

In the near future, light rail validation devices could use the same new technology currently being tested on several bus routes, officials said in a February interview. That work is part of a $114 million contract with Conduent Transport Solutions , hired in December 2017 to upgrade NJ Transit’s fare collection system.

NJ Transit is testing similar scanners that light rail riders would use to “validate” their ticket on buses in Morris County that would help bring e-ticketing to NJ Transit’s three light rail lines. Ultimately, light rail riders could tap an enabled credit or debit card on a reader and go, similar to what NYC subway riders now do.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription .

Larry Higgs may be reached at [email protected] .

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The Link Light Rail

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The Link Light Rail - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Morris & Essex Lines customers, tickets can also be purchased at the following stations through ticket agents:

Lyons Station

5:05 a.m. – 1:05 p.m.

Dover Station

5:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Morristown Station

6:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Convent Station

Madison Station

6:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Chatham Station

Summit Station

6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Short Hills Station

5:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Millburn Station

Maplewood Station

South Orange Station

Orange Station

Brick Church Station

Newark Broad Street Station

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Fares as of 7/1/2023

Discounted Fares*

Where To Buy

HRT provides many options for purchasing fares , including retail locations in Hampton Roads.

All HRT vehicles, except light rail, are equipped with electronic fare boxes. Fare boxes accept cash, coins and GoPasses. Fare boxes and/or vehicle operators cannot make change, so please have exact fare when boarding. All sales are final. HRT does not give refunds on any purchases.

Buy Paratransit tickets at a location near you.

Fare Policy

What is a GoPass

A GoPass allows you to ride any HRT bus, ferry, or light rail route as many times as you want within the period of the GoPass. Customers may ride our Express service with a GoPass, however, an upgrade fee may be required.

What is GoPass365

The GoPass365 remains active for 365 days. It’s purchased by colleges, employers, and consortiums to help with the transportation needs of students and employees, or as an incentive or benefit. Get complete details on GoPass365 .

What is a Trip

All other fares shown are Single-Trip fares. A single trip is defined as the point at which the passenger boards the vehicle until the vehicle reaches the next published terminal point. After reaching the terminal point, all passengers must exit the vehicles. If the passenger desires to use the same bus for the next portion of his or her trip, he or she may re-board to begin the next trip.

*Other Notes

• Seniors (Age 65 and older) – State/Government/Military ID (photo ID) with qualifying age (pay Discounted Fare), or – HRT Discounted Fare photo ID badge (pay Discounted Fare)
• Medicare Cardholders – Government-issued Medicare card with a matching photo ID (pay Discounted Fare), or – HRT Discounted Fare photo ID badge (pay Discounted Fare)
• Persons with Disabilities – HRT Discounted Fare photo ID badge (pay Discounted Fare), or – HRT Certificate of Eligibility for ADA Paratransit Services with matching photo ID (pay Discounted Fare), or – HRT Paratransit photo ID badge (ride free)
• Youth – Accompanied age 17 and below with fare paying adult (ride free) – Unaccompanied age 13-17 with Student Freedom Pass (ride free) In all cases, the Student Freedom Pass will expire two months after the student’s expected high school graduation date, or the 18th birthday, whichever is later. Any exceptions to this policy will be handled on a case by case basis. – Unaccompanied age 17 and below (pay Discounted Fare)

What is the 757 Express?

The 757 Express a mix of high-frequency, express and limited-stop bus services, connecting commuters to major employment destinations, attractions, and nearby goods and services. Get Complete details on the 757 Express .

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Minneapolis Light Rail & Bus Information

Metro Transit operates one of the largest public transportation systems in the country.

Riding public transit is a convenient and inexpensive way to get around. Fares range from $2 to $3.25, depending on time of day. You can pay bus fares in exact change in coins and bills, with a Go-To Card or with the Metro Transit app.

Metro Transit offers fast, frequent service to both downtowns, Mall of America and hundreds of other popular attractions. For an extremely efficient way to travel, get around town on the METRO Blue and Green light rail lines and the A and C bus rapid transit lines. The METRO Blue Line connects downtown Minneapolis with the airport and Mall of America, and the METRO Green Line connects downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota and downtown St. Paul.

Downtown Zones :

These are special zones in downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. If your trip stays within these zones you pay just 50¢. It's great for riding just a few stops on buses and on METRO Blue and Green lines. Pay on board buses or buy a Downtown Zone ticket at METRO station ticket machines.

Metro Transit 7-Day Pass

For just $24, enjoy a week of touring with a 7-Day Pass. It's good for unlimited rides on Metro Transit buses and METRO lines (not valid on Northstar Commuter trains). Metro Transit offers fast, frequent service to both downtowns, Mall of America and hundreds of other popular attractions.

The 7-Day Pass is easy to use. Just tap the card on the reader as you board the bus or METRO stations. It's valid for 7 days from first use. Simple!

7-Day Passes are available online or at any Metro Transit service center .

Taking the Train to a Game or Event?

All-day pass.

Make it easy to get there and back. Buy an All-Day Pass for an easy return trip.

For one low price, you'll get unlimited rides on buses or light rail. It's enough time to take in a game, a concert or another event. When you're ready to come back, you won't have to wait in line to buy a return ticket - no waiting, just hop on!

An All-Day Pass can be used for unlimited local bus, light rail and off-peak express rides from the time of purchase through 2 a.m. the next day.

Adults can buy an All-Day Pass for $4.00-5.00 on weekdays (depending on time of day), $4.00 on weekends. For youth, seniors and Medicare card holders, prices are $2.00-$5.00 on weekdays and $2.00 on weekends . All-Day Pass prices are $2.00 at all times for persons with disabilities.

To get your All-Day Pass for the train, press Key G on the ticket machine at the light-rail station before you insert your credit card or cash. Note: all tickets from the ticket machine are valid from time of purchase.

METRO Light Rail

The METRO Blue Line offers fast, quiet light-rail service between downtown Minneapolis and Mall of America.

Dozens of bus routes are timed to connect with trains at Blue Line stations, making it easy to get to events, to shopping or wherever you need to be.

The METRO Green Line has many destinations to choose from: the history of the Capitol City, the cuisine along University Avenue, the energy of the University of Minnesota campus, the bustle of downtown Minneapolis. Check out this Light Rail Beer Crawl and experience 19 different taprooms along the Green Line.

The METRO Blue & Green lines trains charge the same fares as local buses. Light rail trips operate frequently throughout the day. Real-time arrival signs at stations display when the next train is due.

Free Ride Buses

Look for buses marked “Free Ride” and pay no fare when boarding along Nicollet Mall. You’ll have an easy ride between the Convention Center and the METRO Blue and Green lines on 5th Street.

Ride for free from the Minneapolis Convention Center here:

• board a northbound Route 18 between Nicollet & Grant to Hennepin & Washington
• get on a southbound Route 10 between Hennepin & Washington and the Convention Center

Free Ride buses travel north into downtown Minneapolis and end at Washington Avenue. They are available seven days a week.

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The true cost of Sound Transits light rail is becoming more obvious

A recent Crosscut article highlights one University of Washington student’s journey to work and the impact light rail has had on commute times. The article highlights the fact that light rail is encouraging students to live further away from campus in order to find affordable housing.

The issue in comparing light rail to cars or living locally, is not an apples to apples comparison.

Light rail for a student is practically free ($92 per quarter ). It’s taxpayers who live and drive in Sound Transit’s taxing district who pay an average of $179 each way (or $358 for a round trip) in taxes per rider once the true cost of the trip is taken into account.

Not only is the Tukwila to the U-District trip more expensive on light rail, it is also twice as slow as a car. The car journey for the student can take between 24-30 minutes, while the light rail journey takes about an hour. At the federal reimbursed rate of $0.56 per mile, the cost for a car trip is 30 miles x $0.56 or about $17.  The cost to stay in a dorm to avoid the commute is about $1,000 per month, according to the student.

If the rider had to pay for the true cost of the tickets for a month of travel, which would be around $10,740 ($358 per day for 30 days), the dorm costs become much more attractive. Additionally, the student would save two hours each day in travel time.

Think the $179 per trip is an exaggeration? Light rail in 2021, according to Sound Transit’s annual report , cost $163 million dollars to operate and needed $1.9 billion in capital funding for the expansion of the rails and stations.

Comparing operating costs to ridership in 2021, a simple total operating cost calculation yields a cost per trip of $14. If you factor in the capital costs for 2021, the cost per trip is $179. Proponents of light rail as a cost-effective method of transportation would argue that capital costs cannot be included in the true cost of running the system, but that’s like saying the cost to run a home doesn’t include the mortgage and only includes the utilities and groceries.

Additionally, recent surveys have shown that up to 70% of riders are not paying the fares on the trains, shifting the cost burden to other taxpayers. Already Sound Transit is considering imposing additional taxes and received help from the legislature in the latest transportation package to make up the shortfall.

Post-pandemic ridership is down and the exiting Sound Transit CEO warned back in January that without fare enforcement, Sound Transit would be in trouble. Even before the pandemic hit in January 2020, ridership was declining on the ST Express service.

Light rail is only attractive as an option because it’s free to its riders, paid for by someone else.

A far better solution for public transportation is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) which operates at much lower costs and has almost insignificant capital costs compared to light rail.

Sound Transit’s light rail is an expensive, outdated mode of public transportation and to claim otherwise is disingenuous.

This article was updated show $1000 per month for a dorm room and not $3000 as originally stated.

Director, Small Business Center

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