Getting a Seattle taxi
Getting a Seattle taxi cab is the easiest way to navigate the city. With hundreds of Seattle taxis operating around the city at any given time, you can count on them to provide direct, reliable, door-to-door services to any destination.
Official Seattle taxi cabs come in an assortment of colors, but yellow cabs are the most famous. They offer metered fares set by Seattle and King County so your fare should be the same regardless of which taxi company you choose. You can easily hail a cab on the street, call a local taxi number, or use a Seattle taxi app to arrange your transportation on demand. Seattle Water Taxis are also an option that connects West Seattle to downtown in just 10-15 minutes. The water taxi service in Seattle is a popular choice for locals and tourists as it’s a fun way to get around while enjoying waterfront views.
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
Drivers are always on time
24/7 Email & Phone support
HOW MUCH DOES A TAXI COST?
Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
FROM SEA TO DOWNTOWN | 40 € | 40 € | 15 MIN |
FROM DOWNTOWN TO SEATTLE ART MUSEUM | 8 € | 8 € | 8 MIN |
FROM DOWNTOWN TO GASWORKS PARK | 10 € | 10 € | 10 MIN |
FROM DOWNTOWN TO SNOQUALMIE FALLS | 83.20 € | 83.20 € | 45 MIN |

How much are the Seattle taxi rates?
Taxi cabs in Seattle calculate their fares using a taximeter, based on the time and distance traveled. The cost of a ride is regulated by the state and all taxis charge the same price. Moreover, the City of Seattle tests all meters at least once a year to ensure accuracy and to prevent tampering.
However, there is an exception for SEATAC airport taxis: a fixed price of $45 (€40) is charged to all passengers traveling from the airport to downtown Seattle.
With this in mind, here is a quick guide to Seattle taxi rates:
Initial fee: $2.60 (€2.30)
Each Additional mile: $2.70 (€2.40)
Waiting time per minute: $0.50 (€0.44)
Please note that there are no price differences for day/night, weekend, or holiday trips.
Surcharges
Taxis in Seattle apply surcharges to their fares. For example, if there are more than two passengers, a surcharge of $0.50 (€0.44) per person will be applied to your fare (excluding minors). Some taxi companies also charge an extra $1 (€0.80) if the gas prices are higher.
Fixed rates are extremely rare unless you are traveling outside Seattle. However, Seattle Airport taxis offer a fixed rate of $45 (€40) to take you from Seattle Airport to downtown.
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How to get a Seattle taxi
As Seattle is a popular city for both business and tourism, it has hundreds of taxis roaming the streets, making it easy to hail one down when needed. A Seattle cab is easy to recognize with mostly yellow, orange, green, or white vehicles. If you can’t find an available one, you can always head to an official taxi rank or popular locations, i.e. near hotels or tourist attractions, where you will find many taxis. Alternatively, you can always call a yellow cab in Seattle or book with a company online.
How to get a Seattle taxi from Seattle Airport
Seattle Tacoma Airport has plenty of airport taxis at the taxi ranks on the 3rd floor of the parking lot between the Airport’s North and South Curb. The area is well signposted.
Note that there is a set rate fare of $45 (€40) for trips from Seattle Airport to downtown.
How to get a Seattle Water taxi
Water taxis in Seattle connect West Seattle to downtown. Generally, the journey only takes 10-15 minutes and costs $5.75 (€5) per person.
How to get a Seattle taxi from King Street Station
Unfortunately, there is no parking or taxi rank around King Street Station. Instead, it’s best to take the exit onto 4th Ave and hail a taxi from the street.
How to get a Seattle taxi from the Seattle Space Needle
There is no taxi rank outside the Seattle Space Needle due to limited parking facilities. However, you can easily hail a cab from 5th Ave or Broad Street. There is also a pickup point if you want to call a taxi number.
Most popular Seattle taxi apps
If you find it more convenient to go online to call a cab, a Seattle taxi app could be useful. The most popular options are Uber and Lyft. These formerly offered favorable rates over local Seattle taxicabs, however, locals report the prices are about the same.
Due to surge pricing and the variability in service, many prefer to go with local official cabs.
That said, if you want the convenience of a fixed rate fare paid in advance, we suggest pre-booking your Seattle taxi with a reliable, professional transfer company like Welcome Pickups. That way, you get a higher quality service at a fixed fee for a seamless travel experience.
Useful Seattle taxi numbers
If you’re far from downtown or traveling in rush hour, it may be more convenient to call a Seattle taxi number.
Here are some reputable companies:
Yellow Cabs – +1 (206) 622-6500
A1 Seattle Taxi – +1 (206) 466-9500
FarWest Taxi – +1 (206) 622-1717
Benefits of booking a Seattle taxi in advance
There is nothing better than knowing your Seattle cab will be waiting for you, wherever and whenever you want, especially if you are new to a city. With Welcome Pickups, you can plan and budget your holiday accordingly.
We offer friendly local drivers, fully personalized transfers, guaranteed on-time pickups, and premium 24/7 customer service. If you prefer to avoid surcharges, long waits and unpleasant surprises, pre-book your Seattle taxi service with Welcome Pickups.
Seattle taxi tips
- Make sure your Seattle cab driver resets their taximeter before starting your ride.
- Taxi rides from Seattle Airport to downtown offer flat-rate fares of $45 (€40).
- There are no price differences for day, night, or weekend trips in Seattle.
- Almost all taxis (including Yellow Cab and STITA) accept major credit cards and traveler's checks including Visa, American Express, and MasterCard.
- It is important to tip your Seattle cab driver. A tip of around 15% to 20% is the norm.
- To help you budget for your tip, we recommend using an official Seattle taxi fare calculator. You can find one on the Yellow Cab website.
- If you need a baby seat or child booster, we suggest bringing one with you. Seattle taxis don’t offer these as standard.
- If you’d like to pay for your taxi fare in cash, we suggest carrying exact change plus tip.
- You’re entitled to a receipt if you request one. This can be helpful if you wish to complain to the taxi service about your driver.
- Discounts are available for veterans.
- Most taxis in Seattle are not wheelchair-accessible as standard. However, there are plenty of taxi companies that provide adapted vehicles on request.
- Locals in Seattle often report that rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are rarely cheaper than official taxis.
- There are no surcharges for carrying luggage or strollers.
- All payments must be made in US Dollars.
Wheelchair-accessible taxis in Seattle
Standard taxis in Seattle are not equipped to accommodate wheelchairs yet. For that reason, you will have to get in touch with a private taxi company. Many private companies offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles, such as Wheelers Van Rentals or Wheelchair Jimmy. Yellow Cab also offers adapted vehicles on request.
Seattle taxi safety and complaints
If you encounter a bad experience with your taxi service in Seattle, you can file a complaint, either by calling the Seattle Customer Service Bureau at +1-206-684-2489 or by filling out an online form.
It is important to be as specific as possible about your experience, so if possible, please include:
– Date, time, and location of the incident
– Vehicle description (color, company, car number).
– Driver description
– Where your trip started (inside Seattle or outside Seattle)
– The way you requested the ride (on the street, by phone, or through an online application).
Valid complaints will be resolved in the form of a written apology, reimbursement of fare, or any other reasonable action.