- Joined
- Apr 6, 2013
- Messages
- 6
What advice can you give a first time visitor to Seattle on the easiest way to get a rental car from King Street Station, arriving June 9th on the Empire Builder?
I may have been looking at a different location. I was seeing the first one that came up in a search and the search engine listed hours that may not be accurate. There is one at Westlake Center that's open Sunday, but closed for lunch. They also have an "Amtrak Seattle" option that says it isn't a Hertz location per se, but where they can arrange for a pickup or drop off.Oh what a bummer that the Hertz location is closed on on Sundays. They were super nice and also gave me a free upgrade.
Yes the Hertz Seattle Downtown HLE location will reimburse cab fare from either Amtrak or the cruise terminal (up to $8 with receipt.)I am taking the Amtrak to Seattle this summer before a cruise. I see posted that some rental companies offer reimbursement of cab fare from the station. Does anyone know if any offer a shuttle or the same benefit from the cruise terminal? I am renting a car post cruise to return to CA. If we took the train home, I would miss my daughter's and boyfriend's performances in Sacramento... so I must drive.
I Second this!! If you aren't going out of the City you don't need a car! SEA has Excellent Public Transportation and it's Cheaper than most Big Cities also!If you are planning to stay mainly in the Seattle city area, you may want to forgo renting a car because finding parking is next to impossible and when you do it costs a fortune. Meter "maids" prowl constantly ready to hang tickets on cars that are even 1 minute expired. The public transit is excellent.
Eh, it depends on what you mean by "city." The Seattle city limits are quite large, and if one wants to spend time in the many neighborhoods that are still part of Seattle proper (like Wallingford, Ballard, Green Lake, etc) then you need a car. If you plan to stay in only the downtown area, then no car is necessary.I Second this!! If you aren't going out of the City you don't need a car! SEA has Excellent Public Transportation and it's Cheaper than most Big Cities also!If you are planning to stay mainly in the Seattle city area, you may want to forgo renting a car because finding parking is next to impossible and when you do it costs a fortune. Meter "maids" prowl constantly ready to hang tickets on cars that are even 1 minute expired. The public transit is excellent.
Now that the new waiting room and Jackson Street entrance at King Street Station are open, it's easy. Since you'll have luggage, take the elevator to the station's second floor, walk out to Jackson Street, turn right and cross the street, then take the elevator down to the platform level of the light rail's International District station. (Don't forget to buy your ticket first! The vending machines are on the street level.)How far from the King Street Station is the light rail, and how much of a hassle to use it with luggage to drag along?
It really depends on the rental agency. A lot of times the base rate at airport locations can be considerably cheaper when they have a lot of excess inventory available. I've seen rates as low as $6 a day. That can make up for the airport fees (Seattle is $6 a day). Downtown locations tend not to have those kind of rates unless it's something like a weekend promotion.Hi Sportgoofy - Keep in mind that many of the downtown locations allow you to return a car at the airport for no additional fee, and that the sea-tac rentals tack on extra fees for renting from the airport. I just want to save you some $$$ if at all possible.
The light rail is called the Central Link. The closest station to King Street is called International District/Chinatown. It is maybe a 5 minute walk from the station. I had no trouble rollling my carry on over there - but I am in my 30s.
Keep in mind that although the 4th & Columbia Budget location is only about a half mile from King Street Station, it is much higher. A quick look at a topo map says the elevation gain is in the neighborhood of 150 feet. It is walkable, but if you are toting luggage it may be more exertion than you bargained for.I, too, am a first time visitor to Seattle. Will be arriving June 7th on the Empire Builder. I chose Budget rental because it looks like it is walkable.
I walk to/from work every day which is 2 miles each direction which has about the same grade, so I should be fine.Keep in mind that although the 4th & Columbia Budget location is only about a half mile from King Street Station, it is much higher. A quick look at a topo map says the elevation gain is in the neighborhood of 150 feet. It is walkable, but if you are toting luggage it may be more exertion than you bargained for.I, too, am a first time visitor to Seattle. Will be arriving June 7th on the Empire Builder. I chose Budget rental because it looks like it is walkable.
With luggage?I walk to/from work every day which is 2 miles each direction which has about the same grade, so I should be fine.Keep in mind that although the 4th & Columbia Budget location is only about a half mile from King Street Station, it is much higher. A quick look at a topo map says the elevation gain is in the neighborhood of 150 feet. It is walkable, but if you are toting luggage it may be more exertion than you bargained for.I, too, am a first time visitor to Seattle. Will be arriving June 7th on the Empire Builder. I chose Budget rental because it looks like it is walkable.
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