How to ride

Are you new to riding buses and trains, or new to the area? No worries – we’ll answer your questions and get you where you need to go.

Our buses and trains give you a fast and reliable way to travel

New to Sound Transit? Here are the steps to ride.

Plan your trip

Looking for the best way to get around? Check out our trip planner. It's easy to use, and it will show you where to find routes and schedules for your trip.

Transit options that save you time and hassle

Once you’ve figured out where you're going, we have plenty of options to get you there. 

During weekday rush hours, Sounder travels between Lakewood and Seattle every 20 minutes, and between Everett and Seattle every 30 minutes. Sounder also serves select weekend events such as Seahawks, Sounders, and Mariners games. 

Get where you want to go quickly on ST Express buses with routes to Snohomish, King, and Pierce Counties. We have 28 routes between major cities, and your ORCA card will provide convenient transfers to Link, Sounder, and local buses. 

Link light rail is the best way to avoid traffic!

 

The 1 Line travels between Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, Northgate, the University of Washington, downtown Seattle, southeast Seattle, SeaTac Airport, and Angle Lake seven days a week. 1 Line trains run every 8, 10, or 15 minutes, depending on the time of day. Service is available from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and holidays.

 

The 2 Line travels between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station seven days a week. 2 Line trains run every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

 

The T Line travels 1.6 miles from the Tacoma Dome to St. Joseph through downtown Tacoma, with twelve stops along the way. T Line trains run every 12 minutes most weekdays and Saturdays and every 24 minutes on Sundays. Service is available from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. 

Connecting to light rail is easy

Sound Transit works with other transit agencies to make it easier for you to catch a bus to the nearest light rail station when new service starts. Check the Trip Planner for your most direct route. Learn how to transfer between services here. 

Many Link light rail stations offer convenient pick-up and drop-off locations. There are parking lots or structures at Northgate, Shoreline South/145th, Shoreline North/185th, South Bellevue, and BelRed stations. Learn more about parking options. 

Bike and walking trails offer easy ways to access transit. You can either store your bike safely at the station or bring it on light rail with you. Here are our favorite tips for combining transit and bikes. 

We believe that transit should be accessible to everyone, which is why we offer a wide range of services to make riding easier. 

Pay your fare

There are plenty of ways to pay. The easiest way is with an ORCA card. Buy an ORCA card at a ticket machine, online, or at a retail location.  

When should you tap?

Tap on, tap off graphic

When using your ORCA card to ride Sounder trains, don't forget to tap the yellow card reader before you board — the single beep will let you know your card has been accepted. When you reach your destination, make sure you tap off and listen for the two beeps. On buses and Link light rail, tap the reader before you board. No need to tap off a bus or Link ride.

Getting where you’re going can be half the fun, as long as you follow a few simple rules. Don’t smoke, and please allow people with disabilities and senior citizens to use the designated priority seating. Check out rules for riding for more ways to improve everyone’s ride.

We're here to help

Your safety and comfort are top priorities for us, so if you have any questions or concerns, contact customer service or security at any time.