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15 Best Transit Stops in Seattle

Seattle’s transit stops serve different travel needs, from quick downtown connections to regional journeys. This guide helps you compare practical departure points before setting out.

Focus on the route you need, the stop’s position along your trip and whether the service fits a budget regional journey or a Seattle–Vancouver connection. Clear signage, orderly boarding and a clean waiting area can also make a short transfer easier.

How this guide is ordered

We compared transit stops in Seattle on specialization, reputation, the information they give and the area they serve, and we revise the list when there's news.

Some businesses may have paid for services to appear featured.

Top 3Full listMapHow to choose

Compare 15 local options

Fairview Ave N & Harrison St, Seattle#1
What stands out
  • South Lake Union–Northgate link

Fairview Ave N & Harrison St

4.67 reviews
Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, United States

Fairview Ave N & Harrison St is a busy Seattle bus stop serving commuter routes and the 70, creating a useful link between South Lake Union and Northgate Station. Some shelter is available for rainy weather, and nearby Café Ladro gives waiting passengers an easy coffee stop.

Its urban position also offers appealing views toward the Space Needle.

University of Washington, Seattle#2

University of Washington

4.65 reviews
Seattle, WA 98105, United States

University of Washington is identified as a Seattle bus stop serving the university area. Its location makes it a natural transit reference point for campus visits, student travel, staff commutes, and connections through northeast Seattle.

The setting is best understood as a campus-oriented boarding point within the wider city bus network.

3rd Ave & Vine St, Seattle#3
What stands out
  • Direct 3rd Avenue access

3rd Ave & Vine St

4.47 reviews
Seattle, WA 98121, United States

3rd Ave & Vine St is a Seattle bus stop serving the nearby downtown corridor. Its open-air setting is close to the city’s dense street life, with route access concentrated along 3rd Avenue.

For passengers who already need this corridor, it provides a direct boarding point, though the surrounding environment can feel unsettled and the stop may have fewer service options than nearby major stops.

4th Ave & Pine St, Seattle#4

4th Ave & Pine St

4.219 reviews
Seattle, WA 98101, United States

4th Ave & Pine St is a downtown Seattle bus stop serving several northbound and eastbound express routes. Its central setting places riders close to fountains, public art, shopping, cafés, street food, and other city attractions.

The stop is open-air, without a bus shelter, so it is best approached as a convenient urban connection rather than a sheltered waiting area.

Union St & 5th Ave, Seattle#5
What stands out
  • Central business district access

Union St & 5th Ave

4.38 reviews
Seattle, WA 98101, United States

Union St & 5th Ave is a simple downtown Seattle bus stop in the heart of the central business district. Its main advantage is location: riders can board close to major towers, offices, and the surrounding downtown street network.

It is a functional meeting point for catching a city bus rather than a destination with extensive amenities, making it most useful when proximity to this part of downtown matters.

2nd Ave & Marion St, Seattle#6

2nd Ave & Marion St

4.212 reviews
Seattle, WA 98174, United States

2nd Ave & Marion St is a Seattle bus stop with covered shelters and seating, making rainy waits more manageable. It serves routes including the 101, 150, and 578, with additional connections through the downtown network.

A brick courtyard terrace behind the stop adds an unusually calm place to pause between connections. Its central setting is convenient for exploring Seattle, though passengers should stay aware of their surroundings while waiting.

Aurora Ave N & N 38th St, Seattle#7

Aurora Ave N & N 38th St

4.36 reviews
Seattle, WA 98103, United States

Aurora Ave N & N 38th St is a Seattle bus stop with shelter and seating for riders using the 5 and 28 routes. It provides a practical connection toward downtown and nearby Link light rail access, making it useful for cross-city journeys along the Aurora corridor.

Pike St & 4th Ave, Seattle#8

Pike St & 4th Ave

4.116 reviews
Seattle, WA 98101, United States

Pike St & 4th Ave is a downtown Seattle bus stop with a bright, high-traffic urban setting. The stop is noted for its clean surroundings and easy access to the city center, while bus timing can be variable in busy traffic.

It is a straightforward choice for riders using downtown routes and exploring nearby landmarks.

4th Ave S & S Jackson St, Seattle#9
What stands out
  • Northbound express connections

4th Ave S & S Jackson St

4.113 reviews
Seattle, WA 98104, United States

4th Ave S & S Jackson St is a Seattle bus stop serving several northbound express routes, including connections toward Lynnwood and Everett. It can be a quieter alternative to Westlake for passengers traveling north, with a location suited to transfers through the south downtown area.

S Jackson St & Maynard Ave S, Seattle#10
What stands out
  • Express Eastside connections

S Jackson St & Maynard Ave S

4.010 reviews
Seattle, WA 98104, United States

S Jackson St & Maynard Ave S is a Seattle bus stop in the International District with a covered shelter and seating on a wide sidewalk. It serves local routes east, south, and north, including express connections toward I-90, Rainier Avenue, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Eastgate, and Issaquah.

The stop is useful for Eastside and Renton travel, although the surrounding area can be lively and demanding, particularly during busy periods. Its shelter and broad pedestrian space remain practical advantages for transfers.

3rd Ave S & S Main St, Seattle#11
What stands out
  • Useful transfer point

3rd Ave S & S Main St

3.921 reviews
Seattle, WA 98104, United States

3rd Ave S & S Main St is a Seattle bus stop and transfer point near King Street Station and the Chinatown transit hub. Its passenger island connects with Sound Transit stairs and supports routes toward West Seattle and other parts of the city. A clean, organized layout and a visible security presence after dark add practical reassurance for transfers.

Construction nearby may shape the immediate surroundings without blocking passenger use. The stop is particularly valuable for combining bus travel with regional rail connections.

15th Ave NE & NE 43rd St, Seattle#12
What stands out
  • Covered University District stop

15th Ave NE & NE 43rd St

3.811 reviews
Seattle, WA 98105, United States

15th Ave NE & NE 43rd St is a Seattle bus stop serving the University District and nearby destinations. Covered shelters, bench seating, and a route board make waiting straightforward, while frequent buses support trips toward downtown and Bellevue.

It is a practical choice for students, library visitors, and riders connecting between city and Eastside routes.

S Jackson St & 12th Ave S, Seattle#13

S Jackson St & 12th Ave S

3.812 reviews
Seattle, WA 98104, United States

S Jackson St & 12th Ave S is a Seattle bus stop in a lively, historic part of the city near Asian markets and the International District. The surrounding area has a highly active street atmosphere, with frequent foot traffic and changing conditions.

It can serve riders who need this corridor, but the setting calls for situational awareness and flexibility when planning a transfer.

5th Avenue South @ S. Dearborn St, Seattle#14
What stands out
  • Low-cost regional departures

  • Wi-Fi and onboard amenities

5th Avenue South @ S. Dearborn St

3.988 reviews
5th Avenue South & South Dearborn St, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
Best for
Budget regional travelersSeattle–Vancouver trips

5th Avenue South @ S. Dearborn St is a Seattle bus stop associated with intercity travel and BoltBus departures. The service is known for generally punctual, relatively clean coaches with comfortable seating, working Wi-Fi on many trips, onboard restrooms, luggage space, and charging outlets, although outlet reliability and departure-point clarity can vary.

Low fares and a straightforward boarding process make this stop especially useful for travelers heading between Seattle and Vancouver or other regional destinations. Advance ticket purchase is part of the usual journey flow, while luggage handling and exact boarding details deserve particular attention.

3rd Ave & Columbia St, Seattle#15

3rd Ave & Columbia St

3.815 reviews
Seattle, WA 98104, United States

3rd Ave & Columbia St is a Seattle bus stop with access to many northbound routes and a strong connection through downtown. Its central position places riders close to the emerging city skyline and surrounding services, while the immediate corner can feel unsettled.

It is most useful for direct northbound travel through the 3rd Avenue corridor.

The comparison at a glance

#BusinessRatingReviewsBest for
#1Fairview Ave N & Harrison St 4.67—
#2University of Washington 4.65—
#33rd Ave & Vine St 4.47—
#44th Ave & Pine St 4.219—
#5Union St & 5th Ave 4.38—
#62nd Ave & Marion St 4.212—
#7Aurora Ave N & N 38th St 4.36—
#8Pike St & 4th Ave 4.116—
#94th Ave S & S Jackson St 4.113—
#10S Jackson St & Maynard Ave S 4.010—
#113rd Ave S & S Main St 3.921—
#1215th Ave NE & NE 43rd St 3.811—
#13S Jackson St & 12th Ave S 3.812—
#145th Avenue South @ S. Dearborn St 3.988Budget regional travelers
#153rd Ave & Columbia St 3.815—

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Map of transit stops in Seattle

The listed stops are spread across Seattle rather than grouped in one named neighbourhood. Several useful connections sit along major downtown streets, while others serve corridors toward the south, north and waterfront areas. Choose by walking distance from your starting point and by the direction of the next leg. For regional travel, allow time to locate the correct boarding point and confirm the route before leaving.

Services to compare

  • Downtown bus connectionsUseful stopping points for reaching central Seattle streets and changing between local routes.
  • Budget regional travelOptions suited to travelers looking for a practical way to connect with regional destinations.
  • Seattle–Vancouver tripsStops that may fit travelers planning an onward journey between Seattle and Vancouver.
  • South Seattle accessBoarding points along southern corridors for trips that do not begin in the downtown core.
  • North and central connectionsStops serving movements between central streets and northern parts of the city.

How to choose transit stops in Seattle

  1. Match the directionCheck whether the stop serves the direction of travel rather than choosing only by proximity to your starting point.
  2. Confirm the boarding pointLook for the exact street corner and stop marker, especially where nearby avenues have several separate boarding areas.
  3. Allow transfer timeBuild in extra minutes if you must cross downtown streets, find a regional coach or change routes.
  4. Check the trip typeFor a Seattle–Vancouver journey, confirm that the service is intended for that cross-border itinerary before heading out.
  5. Assess the waiting setupIf you are traveling with luggage or at a busy time, consider cleanliness, shelter and space around the stop.

Frequently asked questions

Which Seattle transit stop is best for a regional trip?

The best choice depends on the route and operator rather than the stop name alone. Compare the departure point, walking distance and whether the service is designed for regional travel before committing to an itinerary.

What should I confirm before traveling to a bus stop?

Confirm the route direction, boarding side, departure time and exact street corner. Downtown streets can have several nearby stops, so checking the marker and the service details can prevent a last-minute scramble.

Are these stops suitable for Seattle–Vancouver travel?

Some stops may suit that journey, but cross-border services can use specific departure points and schedules. Confirm the operator’s current instructions, required travel documents and boarding location before leaving for the stop.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive early enough to walk from your starting point, identify the correct boarding area and handle luggage without rushing. Add more time for an unfamiliar downtown intersection or a connection with little margin.

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