Seattle Center Monorail

About

The Seattle Center Monorail is one of the city's most beloved icons - a sleek, retro transit line built for the 1962 World's Fair that's still carrying passengers more than sixty years later. The 0.9-mile route connects Westlake Center in downtown Seattle to Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, and Pacific Science Center. The ride takes about two minutes each way, gliding above street level with views of the downtown skyline and surrounding neighborhoods.

For visitors, the monorail is both a practical transit option and a memorable experience. Rather than dealing with traffic or parking near Seattle Center, you can hop on at Westlake (connected to the Westlake light rail station and major bus routes) and arrive steps from some of the city's top attractions. Kids especially love it - there's something timeless about zipping above the streets in a vintage train car.

The two colorful trains, painted in red and blue, run every ten minutes during regular hours. Fares are affordable, and children under four ride free. You can pay with cash, credit cards, or an ORCA transit card. One-way and round-trip tickets are available.

Once you arrive at Seattle Center, you're in the heart of a 74-acre campus packed with things to do. The Space Needle is right there, along with the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit, the International Fountain (a favorite gathering spot on warm days), and the Armory food court. The Museum of Pop Culture, with its striking Frank Gehry architecture, is just steps away. Seattle Center also hosts major festivals throughout the year, including Bumbershoot and Bite of Seattle.

The monorail runs daily, though hours can vary seasonally and during special events. It's worth checking the schedule before you go, particularly on holidays. Whether you're a first-time visitor looking for an easy way to reach the Space Needle or a local who simply enjoys the ride, the monorail remains one of Seattle's most charming ways to get around.

Accessibility

The Seattle Center Monorail has ADA accessibility features, though visitors should be aware of some current limitations. Both trains have ADA compliant signs with the international accessibility symbol marking wheelchair-user reserved positions. The monorail accepts all service animals as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

At the Seattle Center station, ramps provide access and yellow gates on the platform pull out to allow wheelchairs easy entrance into the trains. However, the only ADA compliant route to the Seattle Center station platform currently goes through the Armory building via a pedestrian bridge - and when the Armory is closed, that accessible route is unavailable. A $15 million federal grant has been awarded to make the Seattle Center station fully accessible to all riders, with planned upgrades to improve direct access.

At the Westlake Center station downtown, the monorail connects to the Westlake light rail station and major bus routes. Seattle Center itself is a very wheelchair accessible campus with paved pathways connecting its various attractions.

For the most current information about accessible routes, station elevator status, and any temporary changes during the renovation project, contact the Seattle Center Monorail directly before your visit. Hours and accessibility of the Armory building route may vary, so it's especially important to confirm access if you'll be visiting during evenings, weekends, or holidays. Staff can provide guidance on the best accessible route available at the time of your visit.

More accessible places in Washington

• Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park (Seattle)
• The Museum of Flight (Seattle)
• Seattle Art Museum (Seattle)
• Wing Luke Museum (Seattle)
• Chihuly Garden and Glass (Seattle)
• Space Needle (Seattle)